Cambodia withdraws SEA Games delegation from Thailand citing safety fears

The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) has formally withdrawn its entire delegation from the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, citing serious safety concerns and urgent pleas from athletes’ families.

In an official letter dated 10 December 2025, addressed to Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat, NOCC Secretary-General Vath Chamroeun stated the organisation had “no choice” but to take immediate action to ensure the safety of its athletes and officials.

“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,” Chamroeun wrote.

He noted that the decision was made with great reluctance, expressing appreciation for the “hospitality, warmth, and spirit of sportsmanship” shown by the Thai organising bodies, including the Thai SEA Games Organising Committee (THASOC) and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT).

The NOCC pledged to coordinate with the SEAGF to manage departure logistics and complete necessary formalities. However, the letter did not elaborate on the specific nature of the safety risks prompting the withdrawal.

The Cambodian delegation had been participating in the SEA Games, which are currently underway in Thailand. The withdrawal brings a sudden halt to Cambodia’s involvement in the regional event, despite previous assurances of cooperation and participation.

The move comes amid heightened military tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, particularly along disputed sections of their shared border.

On 27 November 2025, Cambodia had already announced a withdrawal from eight sports in the SEA Games due to security concerns. That decision was aimed at reducing exposure for athletes and facilitating easier monitoring during a period of escalating hostilities.

At the time, an NOCC official confirmed that the decision was in response to rising risks near areas with overlapping claims to ancient temple sites. Border clashes, particularly in the northeast and central frontier provinces, have intensified in recent weeks.

The latest military confrontations began on 7 December and have since spread to six of the seven Thai provinces bordering Cambodia. On 9 December, the Royal Thai Army confirmed the deaths of two more Thai soldiers—Pvt Vayu Kwansuea and Sgt Maj Chawakorn Dejkhunthod—following rocket attacks in Surin and Si Sa Ket. These incidents brought Thailand’s total military casualties to three within two days.

Fighting also erupted in Trat province as Thai navy marines clashed with Cambodian troops while attempting to reclaim territory reportedly under Cambodian control. Chanthaburi remains the only border province not affected by the conflict.

Earlier in the year, intermittent border skirmishes had already led to significant loss of life. A particularly violent outbreak in July resulted in over 40 fatalities. Although a US-brokered truce was later established, diplomatic strains have persisted.

In a further sign of deteriorating relations, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in November called for a full suspension of activities related to the Thai–Cambodian joint declaration. This followed a 10 November landmine explosion that injured four Thai soldiers. Anutin reportedly assured military leaders there would be no ceasefire order and pledged full support for ongoing operations.

Despite the gravity of the unfolding situation, neither the Cambodian nor Thai governments have issued public statements in response to the SEA Games withdrawal. The SEAGF has also not commented on the matter at the time of writing.