Thai badminton star Pornpawee Chochuwong, currently ranked world No. 6, has announced her surprising decision to withdraw from the upcoming 33rd SEA Games. The prestigious regional multi-sport event, which Thailand is set to host later this year, will proceed without one of its most prominent local athletes due to an ongoing dispute with the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) and concerns over insufficient support.
Chochuwong expressed deep disappointment, stating that she feels a distinct lack of support and believes she has been treated unfairly and unsympathetically by the BAT. Her withdrawal from the 33rd SEA Games, scheduled for December in Thailand, is intended as a protest, aiming to advocate for future generations of athletes and help them avoid similar difficult situations.
The 27-year-old athlete revealed the extensive commitment she had made in preparation for the SEA Games. This included her decision to skip major international tournaments such as the Australian Open and other competitions in China. Furthermore, Chochuwong highlighted that she has largely covered her own training and travel expenses due to a persistent lack of support and sponsorship from the BAT.
Despite her attempts to seek clarification and resolution from the association, Chochuwong stated that numerous issues remained unaddressed as she had hoped. She added that certain remarks and actions by BAT officials further intensified her feelings of frustration and disappointment.
This incident surfaces amidst a broader period of crisis and backlash within Thai badminton. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) recently implemented a decision to cut subsidies by 6,000 baht (approximately 185 US dollars) for athletes who failed to attend mandatory health checks for the 33rd SEA Games. Notably, other top Thai badminton players, including men’s world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn and seasoned veteran Ratchanok Intanon, were also reportedly affected by these subsidy reductions.
However, Chochuwong firmly clarified that her decision to withdraw from this year’s SEA Games is unrelated to the recent subsidy cuts. She maintained that had she been properly informed about the health tests, she would have readily complied with the regulations.
In response to the unfolding situation, the BAT has indicated its intention to swiftly find a resolution within the next two days. A crucial meeting is reportedly scheduled to take place, involving the BAT president, representatives from the SAT, and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), with the primary objective of persuading Chochuwong to reconsider her decision and participate in the Games.
Pornpawee Chochuwong first rose to prominence in 2015, earning a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships that year, followed by another silver at the 2016 World Junior Championships. She has since been a pivotal member of the Thai national team, contributing to gold medal victories at the World Championships in 2017, 2019, and 2021, as well as securing a women’s singles gold in 2021.
Badminton is widely regarded as one of Thailand’s strongest sports within the SEA Games, where the nation consistently contends for medals against regional powerhouses like Indonesia and Malaysia. The current controversies, however, threaten to overshadow the preparations of many athletes ahead of the SEA Games, which are scheduled to run from December 9 to December 20 across three Thai cities: Bangkok, Songkhla, and Chonburi. Approximately 12,500 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations are expected to compete across 574 events in 50 sports.
