In December 2025, Thailand will mark the first time in the history of the SEA Games with a congress spread across 3 provinces and cities: bustling Bangkok, sunny Chonburi and peaceful Songkhla in the remote South.
A SEA Games with multiple destinations not only renews a familiar sporting event, but also opens a journey to 3 regions - as if tourists are turning around different pages of the Golden Temple country.
Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla - 3 separate destinations but telling the story throughout about the land of smiles - will take sports fans away from the stadium to step into the cultural colors, nature, and local life. Tourists coming to Thailand to cheer for their favorite team or athlete will witness more than that: A country that blends tradition and modernity, between centuries-old pagodas and urban lights, between the tropical coast and the unique Southern rhythm.
Bangkok - the heart of the SEA Games
Bangkok has always played a role as the heart of the country, and in the 2025 SEA Games, the capital of Thailand will continue to be the focus of more than 50 sports competitions with the opening and closing ceremony at Rajamangala Stadium. The bustling, swirling pace of life of the city seems to resonate with the cheers on the field, with each water receding on the track, a decisive jump or a breakthrough on the field.
But Bangkok does not only have fiery stadiums. As soon as leaving the stands, visitors can go from the golden quiet of Wat Arun or Hoang Cung to the modern feel when the Skytrain train slides through the towering glass blocks. A city that always changes: In the morning is the sparkling Chao Phraya River, in the evening is the bright night market.
Amidst the breaks of matches, Bangkok brings an experience that people will long remember: A hot cervical pad in front of a small alley, the spicy feel of massaman curry, the sound of a stern knife on the side of a truck. When traveling by boat along Chao Phraya, you will encounter small pagodas crammed into the water, where the respect exists through each traditional architectural feature. In Bangkok, the gap between subjects also becomes a colorful discovery.
buri Chon - a sunny coastal area
Leaving Bangkok in the Southeast direction, the Chonburi sea winds opened another rhythm. This is the center of marine sports and water sports in this SEA Games - a natural choice for the land associated with the bustling coast of Pattaya.
From Jomtien, Bang Lamung to Sattahip, athletes will compete in events such as sailing, water motorbike racing, swimming, triathlon. The image of a dramatic finishing scene of the aquathlon event taking place against the blue sky and the sea surface lightly patting the shore is the clearest image of the attraction of this area. Beach volleyball matches, with windy breezes and long sandy surfaces, will certainly become an unforgettable highlight.
When temporarily leaving the stadium, Chonburi has many other beauties for visitors to slowly enjoy. Pattaya is already very familiar with the bustling atmosphere, but Bang Sare brings a deeper space, where the sea is calm and the fishing village still has peace. A short trip to Ko Lan Island is enough for you to touch the clear water, white sand and gentle life typical of islands near the coast. If you travel with your family, Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Water Park will be a place where familiar movies transform into exciting games and slides.
Visiting Chonburi, the spirit of sportsmanship and beach vacation blends in a trip that is both dynamic and relaxing, both vibrant and gentle.
Songkhla - the quiet area of Southern Thailand
Going further south, Songkhla opens a completely different chapter of the SEA Games trip. This land will host team sports such as men's football in the group stage at Tinsulanonda Stadium, along with Southeast Asian martial arts such as pencak silat and kabaddi. But Songkhla is not just a place for matches - it is a unique cultural cut where Thai influence and Malay color intersect.
Samila, with the fairy tale statue on the beach, is a symbol that makes anyone want to stop and look. The ancient Songkhla city, with small streets, walls covered with graffiti paintings and ancient Chinese - Chinese architectural houses, carries the breath of the ancient port town. Every corner of the street here is like an open museum, where history and daily life blend together.
Hat Yai - the commercial center of the province - is another story: Bustling, bustling, full of energy. Night markets sell all kinds of Southern dishes, from spicy seafood to traditional desserts. This is where people can feel the hospitality, closeness, and the way Southern Thais preserve their own style in each dish, voice, and way of life.
Songkhla is a place for visitors to cool down after the explosive emotions of the SEA Games - a peaceful but equally attractive support.
When the cheers resounded at the stadium, when the Chonburi sea surface was brightly lit by the sunlight, when a late afternoon in Songkhla became relaxed and peaceful - that was also the time when each person's SEA Games journey truly began in their own way.
