Cambodia Withdraws from Southeast Asian Games Amid Rising Border Tensions with Thailand

Cambodia has withdrawn its entire delegation from the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand, citing safety concerns amid escalating border conflicts between the two nations. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) announced the decision on December 10, 2025, following urgent requests from athletes' families for their immediate return.

The withdrawal occurred just one day after Cambodian athletes participated in the opening ceremony in Bangkok. Prior to this, Cambodia had already reduced its participation by pulling out of eight sports, including men's and women's football, due to security concerns stemming from the border tensions.

The border conflict, which reignited on December 7, 2025, has resulted in at least 14 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. Both nations have exchanged heavy artillery fire, with Thailand conducting airstrikes and Cambodia accusing Thailand of targeting civilian areas.

This development underscores the profound impact of geopolitical tensions on regional sporting events and highlights the challenges faced by athletes amid such conflicts.