Cambodian Olympic Chief Rejects Thai Probe Into Team Logo, Calls Accusations Baseless

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 12, 2025) — Cambodia’s National Olympic Committee has rejected Thailand’s plan to investigate the logo on Cambodian athletes’ uniforms, calling the move baseless and outside Thailand’s jurisdiction. 

NOCC Secretary General Vath Chamroeun made the remarks after returning to Phnom Penh following Cambodia’s withdrawal from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. The dispute erupted after Kongsak Yodmanee, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said Thai officials would probe why Cambodia’s tracksuits displayed the logo of a Phnom Penh hotel and casino. 

Chamroeun said the SEA Games organizing committee had already confirmed the logo was legal, noting Cambodia has worn the same sponsor branding at major competitions, including the Olympics. “Thai authorities have no right to investigate us. We are governed only by SEA Games regulations, and no rule violation was ever issued,” he said. 

He also criticized a Thai lawmaker and Muay Thai Association president for violating fair play principles by publicly offering rewards to Thai athletes who beat or knock out Cambodian competitors. 

Chamroeun said Cambodia participated fully and professionally, but accused certain Thai authorities and nationalist groups of politicizing the issue and escalating tensions without understanding SEA Games rules.