Cambodia pulls out of 33rd SEA Games amid border conflict with Thailand, citing safety reasons
"This decision was not made lightly," says the secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia.
Members of Cambodia's delegation wave their country's national flag as they take part in the athletes' parade during the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Dec 9, 2025. (Photo: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)
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SINGAPORE: Cambodia has pulled its entire sporting delegation out of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games hosted by Thailand amid a border dispute between the two neighbours.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) informed organisers of the decision on Wednesday morning (Dec 10), citing safety reasons.
"Due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately, NOCC must withdraw all of our delegation and arrange for their prompt return to Cambodia for safety reasons," the committee's chief Vath Chamroeun wrote in a letter to the Southeast Asian Games Federation.
The decision was not made lightly, he wrote.
"We apologise for any inconvenience this early departure may cause and remain grateful for your understanding and support," Vath Chamroeun said, adding that Cambodia’s delegation would be in contact regarding departure arrangements and other formalities.
This is the first time any country has withdrawn entirely from a SEA Games.
In 1959, Cambodia withdrew from the inaugural Southeast Asian Peninsular Games, also hosted by Thailand, due to political tensions.
The SEA Games officially opened in Bangkok on Tuesday and runs until Dec 20. But renewed fighting this week between Thailand and Cambodia over a long-standing border dispute has overshadowed the regional sporting event.
Cambodia had already pulled out of eight sports previously.
A small delegation from the country took part in the athletes' parade on Tuesday evening. Cambodia had not won any medals before withdrawing from the competition, according to a tally on the Games' website.
The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) said it remains committed to the SEA Games.
"We remain committed to the SEA Games as an important platform for regional sport, cooperation and friendship, and are confident the Games will continue in this spirit," a spokesperson said in response to CNA's queries.
Related:
This week's clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens before a shaky truce was agreed, in large part owing to intervention by US President Donald Trump.
Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodia on Monday, with both sides blaming each other for sparking the renewed clashes.
The death toll rose to 10 on Tuesday - four Thai soldiers and six Cambodian civilians.
More than 500,000 people have fled their homes to safety in Thailand and Cambodia since the start of a reignited conflict, both governments said on Wednesday, surpassing the total number evacuated during similar clashes earlier this year.
Thailand and Cambodia have long disputed sovereignty over several areas along their land border.
The conflict centres on a century-old disagreement over borders mapped during France's colonial rule in the region, with both sides claiming a smattering of boundary temples.
