Unprecedented and severe flooding in Thailand’s southern Songkhla province has necessitated a significant change in the hosting plans for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games. Authorities have been compelled to relocate ten sports events originally slated for Songkhla to alternative venues in Bangkok and Chonburi province.
Songkhla was originally designated as one of the three primary host provinces for the 33rd SEA Games, alongside Bangkok and Chonburi. The province had been scheduled to host ten specific sports, including men’s Group B football, wrestling, boxing, pentathlon, judo, karate, and wushu, among others, which collectively would award a total of 109 gold medals.
However, due to relentless heavy rains, all sixteen districts within Songkhla province were declared disaster zones. The severe flooding inundated numerous residential areas, posing a significant threat to the lives and livelihoods of many Thai citizens. In response to this crisis, the Thai Sports Authority (SAT) initiated an emergency action plan on November 24 to explore alternative venues. This ultimately led to the decision to relocate all ten sports events initially assigned to Songkhla due to the widespread flooding.
Following a crucial meeting held on November 26, key officials finalized these changes. The meeting involved important figures such as the Vice President of the Thai National Olympic Committee, Chaiphak; the Executive Director of the 33rd SEA Games Organizing Committee, Siriwat; and the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn. It was at this meeting that the official decision was made to transfer the ten sports events from Songkhla to Bangkok and Chonburi.
The 33rd SEA Games are scheduled to officially open from December 9 to 20. Despite the venue changes for Songkhla, the games will still be hosted across Bangkok, Chonburi, and the remaining unaffected facilities in Songkhla where possible, featuring 50 sports and 574 events in total. Early matches, including football and equestrian (Polo), are set to commence on December 3. Additionally, the ASEAN Para Games are planned to take place from January 20 to 26, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
