Sombre, but still smiling

A flyboard performer during the opening ceremony. — Reuters

The return of the region’s largest multi-sport event, the SEA Games, is typically a cause for celebration in South-East Asia, though for Thailand, the Land of Smiles has not been smiling of late.

The hosts of the 33rd edition of the Games have been hit by a series of issues and incidents – the floods in the south, death of the Queen Mother Sirikit and ongoing border conflicts with Cambodia.

Flying high: Synchronised drones forming the 33rd SEA Games Thailand 2025 emblem during the opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok. — Reuters

The buzz in the capital Bangkok has been muted ahead of the Dec 9-20 Games but, as King Maha Vajira­longkorn officially opened the event – which reportedly cost 456 million baht (RM59.1mil) – at the Rajamangala National Sta­dium on Tuesday, organisers will be hoping to bring joy to the nation and its neighbours.

Shining moment: Thai athlete and torchbearer Flying Officer Panipak Wongpattanakit seen ahead of placing the flame upon the small ceremonial cauldron during the opening ceremony. — Reuters

The sport-loving country, which last held the Games in Korat in 2007, were also the first hosts of the SEA Games, then known as the South-East Asian Peninsular Games, in 1959.

All lit up: Running and martial arts performers taking part in the opening ceremony. — AFP

While the mood in the Rajamangala National Stadium was sombre, spectators filled two-thirds of the 51,000-seater venue – with one stand closed for the aquatics show – to catch the two-hour opening ceremony, which started with a video tribute to the late Queen Mother. — The Straits Times/ANN