Cambodia Pulls Athletes From SEA Games Amid Escalating Border Conflict With Thailand

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 10, 2025) — Cambodia has withdrawn its entire delegation from the Southeast Asian Games, citing urgent safety concerns as border clashes with Thailand intensify.

In a letter to the Southeast Asian Games Federation, Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said the move followed mounting pressure from athletes’ families who demanded their immediate return home.

“The decision was not made lightly,” the committee wrote, while expressing gratitude for the hospitality and sportsmanship shown by Thailand’s organizing committee. Cambodia said it would coordinate departure arrangements and thanked Thai authorities for their understanding.

The withdrawal comes as Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence reports continued Thai military attacks on Cambodian territory, despite a cease-fire and the Joint Declaration on Peace signed Oct. 26.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of launching artillery strikes, air attacks and incursions into Cambodian territory in violation of international law. She said the hostilities have displaced more than 20,000 families — over 101,000 people — and stressed that Cambodian troops are acting strictly in self-defense.