Thailand's 2025 SEA Games Hit By Service And Logistics Issues

A number of service problems appeared at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games (Instagram/@timindonesiaofficial).

JAKARTA The contingent of a number of SEA Games 2025 participating countries complained about transportation, accommodation, and food services, forcing the organizers to move quickly to make improvements.

The biennial multi-pronged sports party for Southeast Asian countries will only officially open on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, tonight. Tens of thousands of athletes from 11 countries came from Thailand.

The Nation reported that the problems that arose before the opening made the Chairman of the Thai Contingent, Thana Chaiprasit, have to hold a meeting with representatives from 10 participating countries, except Timor Leste.

The meeting was to discuss and follow up on various problems that arose in the early stages of implementation, especially those related to service and logistics management.

Several teams were reported to have had to wait five to six hours at Suvarnabhumi Airport to get a vehicle to the inn so that it was too late to attend the flag-raising ceremony.

The number of buses picking up to the training location is also considered insufficient, triggering delays in the daily training program.

In the consumption sector, the host is asked to improve the quality of service after the lunch box has drawn criticism. The presentation system is also directed to be replaced into a pulpit.

Countries that have halal food needs such as Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor Leste, also ask for the provision of a fully halal menu. This is after the findings of mixed dishes that are considered to make athletes hesitate to eat hotel food.

In addition, several countries conveyed miscommunication regarding the arrangement of athlete accommodation.

All of these issues have been reported to two officials of the Deputy Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, Preecha Laloon and Meechai Inwood, with instructions for improvements to be made without delay.

Thana confirmed that after the official opening ceremony on December 9, 2025 and the start of the medal match on December 10, 2025, special officers will be placed at crucial points to work directly with the participating teams to ensure that the implementation runs smoothly and reduces potential problems.