Renowned Thai shotgun shooter Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit has announced her decision to boycott the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, scheduled for late 2025. Her stance comes as a strong protest against the Thai Shooting Sports Federation (TCS), which she accuses of mismanagement, bias, and a severe lack of transparency in its operations.
Jiewchaloemmit is a highly celebrated athlete on the international stage, having garnered numerous medals throughout her distinguished career. Her accolades include two gold medals at the 2016 World Cup, a silver medal at the 2019 World Skeet Championships, and a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games. She has proudly represented Thailand in three Olympic Games (2012, 2016, and 2020) and boasts an impressive tally of six gold medals from various Asian Championships.
Despite her prominent status within the sport, Sutiya has expressed profound disappointment with the TCS. She explicitly stated her refusal to operate under the federation’s current administration, a decision rooted in what she describes as a ‘controversial’ election for the TCS president held in June 2024. The 39-year-old athlete has criticized the TCS for its alleged lack of transparency and favoritism towards certain federation members.
Further deepening her concerns, Sutiya has accused the TCS of misusing its annual budget of $154,450, claiming the funds were not allocated according to proper procedures or principles. According to reports, Jiewchaloemmit asserts that she possesses concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the federation’s financial activities and overall conduct.
As of now, the Thai Shooting Sports Federation has not issued an official response to Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit’s serious accusations. However, the association has already finalized and announced a roster of 16 athletes who will represent Thailand in the shooting events at the 33rd SEA Games.
Sutiya’s boycott is not an isolated incident of discontent within Thailand’s sporting landscape. Recently, national badminton players Ratchapol Makkasasithorn and Nattamon Laisuan publicly accused the Thai Badminton Federation of unfair practices. Their accusations followed their unexpected removal from the national squad, despite having secured a gold medal in the men’s doubles category at the national championships in December 2024. The federation subsequently selected new athletes to replace them.
Similarly, the Thai Petanque Federation has faced significant controversy, leading to a temporary suspension by the World Petanque and Bocce Confederation (WPBC) from hosting petanque events at the SEA Games. The WPBC’s decision came after an investigation revealed that Thailand had permitted officials, who were already under suspension, to participate in competitions. The WPBC has issued warnings to both the Thai Petanque Federation and the Thai Olympic Committee regarding these serious breaches of regulations.
