Bangkok: The Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has high hopes for the nation as it prepares to host the 33rd SEA Games, scheduled from December 9-20, 2025. The event will be held across three provinces: Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, featuring 50 sports. A key focus for Thailand is to excel in every sport, with a particular emphasis on improving statistical results even if gold medals are not secured in all events.

According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, the SAT Governor, highlighted the collaborative efforts of all Sports Associations of Thailand to ensure the event meets international standards. The SEA Games will showcase both Olympic sports, such as taekwondo, weightlifting, and badminton, and traditional sports like athletics and swimming, with a commitment to enhancing performance and records. Notably, men’s football is a major highlight, with the “War Elephants” aiming to secure their first gold medal in eight years.

In the men’s football category, Thailand’s national
team, led by “Coach Wang” Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, finds itself in Group A alongside Cambodia and Timor-Leste. Matches for this group are set to occur at Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla Province. Coach Wang emphasized the significance of each game, stating the ultimate goal is to win the gold medal, especially as Thailand hosts the SEA Games. He expressed confidence that with full preparation and training, the team stands a good chance of achieving this aim.

Historically, the Thai national team has been successful in men’s football at the SEA Games, securing gold medals 16 times, including an impressive streak of 8 consecutive wins from the 17th to the 24th SEA Games (1993-2007). The last gold medal victory was at the 29th SEA Games in Malaysia in 2017, where Thailand defeated the hosts 1-0 in the final. However, in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023, Thailand settled for silver after a 2-5 defeat to Indonesia.