Another disruption at "Rajamangala" Stadium: light bulbs fail before the SEA Games 2025 football matches, despite a 125 million baht renovation budget.
On 3 December 2025 GMT+7, Suradet Apaiwong, a TNN reporter, posted on his personal Facebook about the latest issue arising just before the start of the SEA Games 2025 hosted by Thailand. Today, two men's football matches are scheduled at Rajamangala Stadium as follows.
Men's football match schedule for the opening day.
16:00 (Group B) Laos vs. Vietnam, live on PPTV 36.
19:00 (Group A) Timor-Leste vs. Thailand national team, live on One 31 and TrueVisions NOW.
It turned out that several light bulbs at Rajamangala Stadium malfunctioned. The TNN reporter posted, "On the first day of the SEA Games, there was immediate concern whether the matches could proceed. Multiple light bulbs at Rajamangala Stadium failed. There was no stock to replace them, so they had to rush to Korat to borrow lights from the 80th Anniversary Stadium temporarily."
Rajamangala Stadium borrowed lighting equipment from the Chalerm Phrakiat 80th Anniversary Stadium, which is scheduled to host a Thai League 1 football match where Nakhon Ratchasima Mazda FC will host BG Pathum United on Sunday, 7 December 2025 GMT+7.
Meanwhile, documents have revealed a renovation budget for Rajamangala Stadium approved by the Subcommittee, the Policy Committee on Tourism Stimulus Projects, the Cabinet, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, covering eight items totaling 125,200,000 baht.
The eight budgeted items include structural improvements, restrooms, electrical systems, CCTV systems, and light poles, but surprisingly did not include replacing the stadium’s light bulbs to ensure they were ready for use before the men's football competition started today at the SEA Games 2025.
