Cambodia Withdraws from 2025 SEA Games Citing Safety Concerns Amid Border Tensions

Brickinfo News Agency – The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) has officially announced the immediate withdrawal of its entire athletic delegation from the 2025 SEA Games currently being hosted in Thailand. The committee cited growing anxiety among the families of the athletes regarding their personal safety as the primary catalyst for this abrupt departure. The NOCC has confirmed it is now working with organizers to facilitate the logistics of returning the delegation to Cambodia.

In a formal letter dated December 10, 2025, addressed to Dato’ Seri Chaiyapak Siriwat, Chief Executive Officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun communicated the difficult decision. He stated that the move was driven by “serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately.” Consequently, the NOCC felt compelled to withdraw the delegation and arrange for their prompt return for safety reasons, with Chamroeun noting that “this decision was not made lightly.”

Despite the sudden withdrawal, the NOCC expressed formal gratitude towards the Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (THASOC) and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT). In the official correspondence, the Cambodian committee acknowledged the “hospitality, warmth, and spirit of sportsmanship” extended to their athletes throughout their stay. They further apologized for the inconvenience caused by the early departure and pledged to coordinate with the Federation regarding the necessary formalities.

The withdrawal occurs against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension following a recent skirmish along the Thai-Cambodian border. On December 7, a Thai soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the chest during a confrontation, prompting a retaliatory response from the Thai military in accordance with international rules of engagement. This incident appears to be the root cause of the anxiety expressed by the families of the Cambodian athletes.

However, security assessments and monitoring of social media platforms indicate that there have been no specific threats made against the lives or physical safety of the Cambodian athletes. Thailand has maintained a firm stance on separating the border conflict from the sporting event, adhering to international principles that ensure non-combatants, including migrant workers and visiting athletes, remain unaffected by the dispute. Security analysts note that while the emotional concerns of the families are significant, they contrast with the on-ground reality where the athletes were not targets of hostility.