Photo review of the SEA Games 2025 closing: Thailand claims top gold medal tally! Malaysia to take over as host in 2027.
On 20 Dec 2025, the SEA Games 2025 officially concluded after competitions across 50 sports with a total of 574 gold medals contested, along with 3 demonstration sports. The event ran from 3 to 20 December 2025.
The Thai athletes earned 233 gold, 154 silver, and 108 bronze medals, becoming the overall gold medal leaders for the 14th time, reclaiming the top spot after 10 years.
The closing ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games (SEA GAMES Thailand 2025) was held at Rajamangala National Stadium under the Sports Authority of Thailand in Huamark, Bangkok. It began at 7:00 p.m. with a moment of silence in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. This was followed by the raising of the Thai national flag to the top of the flagpole.
Next was the performance titled "The Sound of Whistle… Echoes of Competition," featuring the whistle sound marking the start and end of competitions. Singers Tah Woo (Pittaya Saechua) and Kratae Rsiam (Tra Boonyaleang) added vibrancy with the song "Strong Love," as well as performing their own hits "Melting" and "Bangkok City."
Following was a parade with athletes from 10 nations, covering all 54 sports and volunteers, entering the stadium together without separating by country, followed by a highlight video of memorable moments from the competitions.
The evening's highlight was the extinguishing of the flame in the cauldron, which had burned brightly since the opening ceremony on 9 December. Fans joined in blowing whistles three times to symbolically pass the torch to the next host.
The flags of the Southeast Asian Sports Federation and the 33rd SEA Games were lowered by Major Ekachai Phakdit, Vice President and CEO of the Southeast Asian Sports Federation, Associate Professor Pimon Srivikorn, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, and Mr. Attakorn Sirilattayakorn, Acting Minister of Tourism and Sports. The SEA Games flag was officially handed over to Malaysia, the 34th host, represented by Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia for Southeast Asia, along with Mohamed Taufik Johari, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports.
The Malaysian national flag was then raised to the top of the pole as their national anthem played, followed by a performance by the next host nation. The ceremony concluded with the celebratory closing shows "Rhythm of Harmony," symbolizing unity, and the farewell performance "The Sound of Champions… The Song of Winners."
