Cambodian athletes withdraw from 33rd SEA Games
Cambodia’s 137-strong team has quit the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, citing safety fears for athletes amid Thai–Cambodian border tensions.
The Cambodian team announced its withdrawal from the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand and will return home on Thursday, citing safety concerns arising from the Thai–Cambodian border conflict.
The team was reportedly planning to submit an official letter confirming its withdrawal to the organisers at 11am on Wednesday.
The Cambodian delegation had taken part in the opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium.
It was reported that the team of 137 athletes and staff will leave Bangkok on Thursday to return to Phnom Penh.
The team leader said they were impressed by the warm welcome from the Thai hosts but remained concerned for the athletes’ safety due to uncertainty along the border. As a result, the team decided to withdraw from the 12 sports in which it had initially planned to compete.
