With only a few months left, the 33rd SEA Games will officially kick off in Thailand in December. Currently, the host country is urgently preparing forces and facilities for this Congress.
Regarding professional work, Thailand also sets specific goals. Among the achievement targets, Thai sports emphasized the need to conquer all gold medals in football events.
Notably, at the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand will return to organize futsal. Previously, this sport did not appear at the Congress in Cambodia 2 years ago.
In the men's futsal event, this is considered a strength of Thailand as its ability has been proven in regional and continental competitions in recent years. They have also participated in the World Cup several times and showed superiority over teams in Southeast Asia.
For women's futsal, the task is more difficult when they just lost to Vietnam in the final of the Southeast Asian tournament at the beginning of the year. However, the achievement of winning the Asian runner-up position and a place in the World Cup also helped the team from the archipelago gain more confidence at the 33rd SEA Games.
Meanwhile, in the 11-a-side men's football, Thailand was once the number 1 force in the region with 16 titles. However, since winning the championship in 2017, they have continuously lost gold medals in the last 3 editions, being surpassed by Vietnam and Indonesia. Therefore, the 33rd SEA Games is an opportunity for U22 Thailand to regain their original position.
For women's football, Thailand also faces many difficulties. Since winning the championship in 2013, they have not be able to overcome Vietnam in recent SEA Games finals. At the moment, the "Golden Star Warriors" are holding a record of 8 gold medals, while Thailand only has 5.
The 33rd SEA Games will take place in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla from December 9 to 20, including 50 sports and 574 sets of medals. Thailand plans to send more than 2,100 athletes to participate with the goal of winning 234 gold medals and leading the total group.
Currently, the competition location and facilities at Songkhla and Chonburi sports centers are assessed to be 100% complete. The competition location in Bangkok is now 80% complete, however, some sports still need to adjust the location.
