The designer of the 2025 SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies was shocked after working unpaid for 7 months before being dropped.
On 2 December 2025, ahead of the SEA Games 2025 scheduled from 9 to 20 December in Thailand as host country, developments emerged.
The opening ceremony is set for 9 December at Rajamangala National Stadium. However, controversy arose when the designer of the opening and closing ceremonies revealed having prepared the work for 7 months but was then dropped without receiving any payment.
Ruengthrit Santisuk, former director of the 2025 SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies, posted on Facebook: "I worked on the opening and closing ceremonies for 7 months but the entire project was canceled, and a new team was appointed around mid-October."
"Sharing this is not meant as a complaint but to acknowledge the failure of a risky fight from the start. It is to reveal the result of trying to work honestly with the government, hoping it might benefit the country in some way."
"In mid-March, I received a call from a respected senior inviting me to direct the design of the SEA Games opening and closing ceremonies. I hesitated a lot because I had never worked with the government and was unsure what to expect. But ultimately, I found no reason to refuse this opportunity. Let me explain what this opportunity meant to me. Typically, big established companies hold the rights to national-level projects continuously. Whether their work is good or bad, I won’t comment. But at that time, our team of about four people agreed we could create something new for the country. The standard shifted from just doing a good job to opening national projects to new ideas and new people. We agreed to take the job."
"Our team started with four people. Given the government's nine-month timeline and the large scale, we had to pay our team upfront to develop proposals and ideas to present to higher-ups. But I chose a different path. We worked gradually, meeting, designing mockups of the stage, planning the show, and presenting step by step until approval was granted. The seniors liked it and introduced us to even higher authorities who gave the green light to start. We then invited like-minded people to help build the project."
"The plan progressed for four months until mid-July, when we struggled with a limited budget (less than the Songkran event at Sanam Luang and concurrent running events). Then the conflict with Cambodia began, reducing safety for open-area events. There were suggestions to move the venue to Rajamangala Stadium. Although the new format might not be as good as hoped, the goal to have the event created by people outside the government monopoly remained. We decided to continue and redesigned everything."
"After moving the venue, the original purpose stayed the same. We surveyed the new site, faced challenges, redesigned, and fought again under tougher constraints and less time. The new design pleased all parties and was approved by the authorities. We called each team to clarify and collaborate further. The LGBTQ community was no longer at Sanam Luang but still recognized and included in the opening ceremony show. A female rapper previously banned was also accepted. Traditional Muay Thai arts were presented in new forms. Artists who have long fought for cultural heritage were featured before the torch lighting. The team grew, and everyone began asking about payment timing. We explained the delay was due to the venue change."
"In late September, after the new government took office, bad signs appeared. Along the way, people warned us constantly. Our coordinator tried checking with the authorities but got no clear answers. Some artists we contacted said another SEA Games team also called to check schedules. We could only speed up work and keep inquiring. At the end of September, a call informed us that a new, more senior SEA Games team had visited Rajamangala and met with the previous authorities. We asked but received no clear replies. After waiting another two weeks without answers, we informed the authorities that if no response came, we would halt work and release artists and crew to accept other jobs, as we could no longer bear the uncertainty. In mid-October, we stopped work and have yet to receive any cancellation or confirmation from the authorities."
"Replacing the entire team with just over a month left is incomprehensible. We regret the effort to create the envisioned work and feel sorry for those involved whose efforts collapsed. We are confused whether what we did was right or wrong. We are angry at the system we had to fight, knowing the risk of failure. We can start anew as there is no business loss, but creatively and motivationally, we feel blocked and see no way forward. We don’t understand how a national-level event can be re-created in just one month. We only hope it won’t embarrass the world. This is an old, critical moment that will record the progress of sports, arts, and culture, showing where our country stands—whether as ourselves despite political, economic, and state power troubles, or as a corrupt nation prioritizing power and unjust kickbacks. Our original goal was to break this cycle and pass progress to future generations but failed. The struggle against a system that stifles creativity and leaves us behind most countries is now clearer."
"If sharing this can make our dedication contribute to change the country and help future generations improve the nation in any way, I would be very grateful."
"P.S. Although I am no longer working on this project, I want to encourage those currently involved in the SEA Games. Given your limited time and the many pressures from government uncertainty, I wish you success and a safe completion to bring honor to the country. Thank you."
Ruengthrit Santisuk