BANGKOK: Cambodia withdrew on Wednesday from the Southeast Asian Games, a Games official said, as a border conflict with hosts Thailand escalated and forced a mass exodus of civilians from both sides of the disputed frontier.
At least 11 soldiers and civilians have been killed on both sides, according to officials, as renewed hostilities derailed a US-brokered truce.

Cambodia had already pulled out of eight sports at the Thailand-hosted games, with its National Olympic Committee chief Vath Chamroeun citing “safety” concerns.

But Akarin Hiranprueck, a SEA Games senior official, said Wednesday that Cambodia would no longer participate at all: “It is confirmed that Cambodia withdrew,” he told AFP.

The SEA Games run until Dec 20 in Bangkok and the nearby coastal province of Chonburi, with thousands of athletes from southeast Asian countries competing in events ranging from football and fencing to skateboarding, sailing and combat sports.

But renewed combat this week between Thailand and Cambodia over a long-standing border dispute has overshadowed the SEA Games.

There was tightened security at Tuesday’s opening ceremony at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok attended by Thai royals and featuring Thai K-pop idol BamBam. A small delegation from Cambodia took part in the athletes’ parade.

This week’s clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens before a shaky truce was agreed, in large part owing to intervention by US President Donald Trump.

Both sides blame each other for sparking the renewed clashes, which on Tuesday expanded to five provinces of both Thailand and Cambodia, according to an AFP tally of official accounts.

More than 500,000 people have fled their homes to safety in Thailand and Cambodia since the start of a reignited border conflict, both governments said on Wednesday, surpassing the total number evacuated during similar clashes earlier this year.

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia centres on a century-old disagreement over borders mapped during France’s colonial rule in the region, with both sides claiming a smattering of boundary temples.

topkek scambodia really butthurt

The batu api is Tongsan. They have very strong influence over Cambodia and Laos. Can regard this two as provinces of China oredi.

Good for them.

This sohei Thailand why not finish the game then attack. Rush for what?

scambodia datang lagi

Mana PMX....

PMX must resign and become PMXI

Top leaders ego besar

Puny athletes and peasants get the shit instead

I don't know why anyone is surprised they would pull out. They were bombed by the Thais and the games are inside Thailand.

Oops wrong quote

This post has been edited by countingcrows: Dec 10 2025, 02:01 PM

The Philippines will take over the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2026, with the official handover happening in late 2025.

I believe is time for him to let go already, he go help then some Thai opposition say he is selling their country out.

So, CN not happy with TH? About what?

Sampai need KH to proxy war with TH...

This post has been edited by countingcrows: Dec 10 2025, 02:01 PM

CCP can just direct Cambodia not to start hostilities. As simple as that. Look back from the time they started fighting. Did CCP ever make any statement about their war and told them to knock it off? I think just silence from CCP.....

This post has been edited by Hobbez: Dec 10 2025, 02:13 PM

why bother going in the first place?

should compete, then purposely injure thailand participant

Yeah so strong influence but their citizen kena forced servitude also cannot wolf warrior them

Inb4 that's how the weed their undesirable

Land of scammers.

Insignificant, Cambodia never even Top 5, since ever, with exception of 2023, where 70% cheat, and 48% new games only valid in their home ground.

depan media/trump happy and signed lepas semua balik phew phew lagi