Safety to be top priority at SEA Games, says Thai sports minister

Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn has emphasised that Thailand places great importance on the safety of all participants in the forthcoming SEA Games in Thailand next month.

The Kingdom is scheduled to host the region’s biennial multisport tournament from December 9th to 20th in Bangkok, Chon Buri and Songkhla and the tourism and sports minister said the government “gives the most importance in hosting the SEA Games to safety throughout the event.”

“There are measures (in place) and we’re ready to look after athletes from all participating countries, not just ours or those from Cambodia, the country which is feuding with us over the border issue,” said Atthakorn.

The minister reiterated Thailand’s commitment to ensuring maximum safety across the board as the Thai government wants to see the athletes and officials from all participating countries enjoy their time throughout their stay in the Kingdom.

More than 12,000 athletes from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei and Timor-Leste, are reportedly set to participate in the 33rd edition of the Games.

The opening ceremony will take place at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Dec 9th, before the competition officially gets underway the following day.