Senate president Hun Sen posted a short video clip of Cambodia’s 32nd SEA Games closing ceremony on his social media. - Photo: Supplied
PHNOM PENH: Senate president Hun Sen posted a short video clip of Cambodia’s 32nd SEA Games closing ceremony, reviving national pride just days before Thailand prepares to host the opening of the 33rd Games on Tuesday (Dec 9) — an event which is already drawing international and domestic criticism over its preparations and organisation.
The video, which runs just over two minutes, features the 2023 closing ceremony and part of former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s speech delivered under the theme “Sports: Live in Peace”.
“Short video: Recalling the closing ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 under the theme ‘Live in Peace,’ a historic event that Cambodia hosted with great success,” said the caption.
For many viewers, the post brought back memories of the excitement and anxiety that accompanied Cambodia’s first time hosting the regional competition.
The 32nd SEA Games marked a milestone in the country’s sporting and national history, and the renewed circulation of the footage stirred strong public emotion.
Within the first hour, the video attracted over 30,000 likes, nearly 4,000 comments, more than 6,500 shares, and over 300,000 views — reflecting the level of engagement and pride it continues to generate.
Reactions to the post were overwhelmingly sentimental, with commenters praising Cambodia’s organisation of the Games and its commitment despite limited resources.
One user wrote that the ceremony was “a historic event… deeply rooted in the hearts of all Cambodians”, adding that it was accomplished “with our hearts, with love, and care”, not merely with funding.
Another remarked, “Cambodia is a small country, and it is not a rich country, but Cambodia knows what responsibility means”.
Many expressed how emotionally moved they were at the time. “I was determined to listen… with all my heart”, one commenter said, recalling wiping away tears during Hun Sen’s speech.
Another wrote that they “burst into tears, excited to see the country develop to the point of becoming a country that is equal both inside and and outside the region”.
One commenter said the event “opened people’s eyes”, while another used sharper language, claiming neighbouring viewers should “watch and vomit blood”.
A few remarks targeted Thailand directly, reflecting persistent public sensitivity surrounding bilateral tensions and comparisons between the Games.
Criticism of the 33rd SEA Games has intensified in recent days, with viewers across the region expressing frustration over a series of embarrassing missteps that many say fall short of the standards set.
Complaints first erupted after the opening football match, where the host country failed to play the national anthem — an omission widely condemned as disrespectful and unprofessional.
Images of oversized sponsor banners overshadowing athletes during competitions further fueled backlash, with critics accusing organisers of prioritising commercial promotion over sporting dignity.
The controversy deepened when the official promotional artwork was revealed to be AI-generated, prompting questions about quality control and the lack of authentic cultural representation.
Commentators and fans have increasingly compared the glitches to Cambodia’s widely praised hosting in 2023, with many saying this year’s event “feels degraded” and “worse in every aspect”, especially in contrast to what was many described as meticulous organisation and emotional resonance of the 32nd SEA Games.
The resurfaced video also reminded viewers of a memorable moment during the 32nd SEA Games closing ceremony, when Hun Sen stirred the crowd by asking whether Cambodians wanted to see the country host the Games again in 2043.
The question drew loud applause at the time and continues to resonate with supporters revisiting the footage today. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
