The Thai Sports Organizing Committee (THASOC) has officially sent a letter to the Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee, expressing its apologies for the errors that occurred during the organization and broadcasting of some events at the 33rd SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN para Games.
In the letter, signed by Dr. Gongsak Yodmani - Governor of the Thai Sports Agency, General Secretary of THASOC, the Organizing Committee of the host country admitted two regrettable mistakes and emphasized the spirit of openness and responsibility, while pledging not to let similar incidents happen again.
THASOC admitted to not accurately showing the map of Vietnam's territory in the third performance called "We Are One - Connected by the SEA" at the opening ceremony of the 33rd SEA Games on the evening of December 9 at Rajamangala National Stadium.
The map of Vietnam in this performance does not show the Hoang Sa archipelago, Truong Sa archipelago and Phu Quoc island. The Organizing Committee acknowledged that this is a sensitive issue, directly related to national sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has caused discomfort for the Vietnamese side.
In addition, THASOC also apologized for the technical problem in the live broadcast of 3x3 basketball, when the system mistakenly displayed the national flags of the teams of Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam, causing concern and frustration for the countries attending the Congress.
In the letter, the Organizing Committee emphasized that it will closely coordinate with relevant parties to overcome errors, strengthen technical review and control to prevent recurrence of incidents. THASOC is committed to focusing on every detail in the organization, ensuring respect, standards and correctness for all participating countries.
Thailand once again extends its sincere apologies to the Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee and relevant parties, demonstrating a sense of responsibility and goodwill in preserving the image and reputation of the largest sporting event in Southeast Asia.
