Border Tensions Dent Cambodia's Hopes At Thailand SEA Games

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Cambodia has withdrawn from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) being held in Thailand, citing safety and security for the athletes amid escalating border tensions.

The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) announced that all teams participating in Thailand are pulling out of the regional event, which officially opened on Tuesday evening at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium.

“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,” NOCC Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

The games are scheduled from Dec 9 to 20.

According to NOCC, Cambodia initially confirmed it would participate in 21 sports, with over 300 athletes competing, but scaled down to just 13 sports in late November as border tensions continued. 

“We apologise for any inconvenience this early departure may cause and remain grateful for your understanding and support,” said Chamroeun. 

The long-standing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand resurfaced recently, leading to a military confrontation in Cambodia’s northern region in July.

Cambodia and Thailand signed a ceasefire agreement in Kuala Lumpur on July 24 to end the five-day clash.

The two governments later formalised the peace pact by signing the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on 26 October, in a ceremony witnessed by Malaysia as ASEAN chair and the United States.

But border clashes erupted on Monday between both armies, forcing many Cambodians living in border villages to flee for safety. 

At least seven Cambodian civilians have lost their lives, and about 6,000 people have been displaced in the recent spate of firing.

-- BERNAMA