Thammanat Urges Thais to Support the Workers Amid Criticism Before SEA Games Opening Cambodias Grand Event Backed by Chinese Funding

Captain Thammanat Prompao appeals to Thai people to encourage the workers, noting criticism has come even before the opening ceremony. He explains Cambodia's grand SEA Games are due to Chinese funding supporting the budget.

On 4 Dec 2025, Captain Thammanat Prompao visited to encourage the Thai swimming team before the SEA Games, confirming awareness of all issues and instructing all parties to resolve and improve them to ensure the successful progress of SEA Games 2025. He is confident that Thais will feel proud to be hosts and believes Thailand will organize the event as well as or better than any previous host.

Captain Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister, visited and encouraged the SEA Games athletes under the Water Sports Association of Thailand, currently training at the Sports Authority of Thailand swimming pool on the evening of 4 Dec 2025. He was welcomed by Attakorn Sirilak, Minister of Tourism and Sports; Preecha Lalun, Deputy Sports Authority Director for Sports Excellence and Sports Science; Prodan Samanmit, Deputy Governor for Professional Sports and Boxing; General Supol Chanphong, Vice President of the Association; Major General Dr. Thanon Saengnak, Vice President of the Association; Thanawit Thosakul, Secretary-General; and Assistant Professor Mana Phulam, Director of the Association's Office.

Captain Thammanat inspected the Sports Authority of Thailand swimming pool, which has been partially renovated and constructed with a total budget of 300 million baht. He also presented food and fruit to boost morale for the swimmers in swimming, marathon swimming, and artistic swimming.

Regarding the various SEA Games controversies, Captain Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister, said that due to his duties assisting flood relief in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, he assigned Attakorn Sirilak, Minister of Tourism and Sports, to oversee matters. He asked the minister about the root causes of the problems to learn lessons. He honestly stated that taking over from the previous government revealed existing problems, including budget allocations to each association, which he has been addressing. With less than two months left before hosting the SEA Games, they are doing their best. He is confident that after 9 Dec, everything will be in order.

He acknowledged that the flood situation in Thailand has unsettled the public's morale. Therefore, the readiness shown in the men's first football match yesterday needs improvement. He urged Thai people to support the workers, noting that criticism is premature since the opening ceremony has not yet occurred. He emphasized that the Sports Authority of Thailand staff are working seriously under government transitions.

"For those unaware of the facts behind the 2023 SEA Games hosted by Cambodia, it is important to know who arranged it. The grand scale and audiovisual effects were funded by China. Thailand organizes its event independently under my supervision, employing professionals aiming for the best. However, comparisons to Cambodia, supported by China, must be accepted because China has previously hosted the Olympic Games. Therefore, I hope news coverage will present the reality of who is behind Cambodia’s event," he said.