Thais mum on border conflict
POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino stresses that organizers didn’t tackle the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia during the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council meeting on Monday.
POC MEDIA POOL
POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino stresses that organizers didn’t tackle the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia during the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council meeting on Monday.
POC MEDIA POOL
BANGKOK, Thailand (AFP) — Organizers of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games were mum on security concerns following Thailand and Cambodia’s border conflict.
Thailand launched an airstrike on Monday targeting a Cambodian drone command center, threatening to overshadow the biennial meet.
At least four Cambodian civilians and one Thai soldier were killed after renewed fighting on the border of Surin and Sisaket in Thailand and Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said that there were no discussions about the reignited clashes or if there’s a need for heightened security during the SEA Games Council meeting.
“It was not discussed. It wasn’t even mentioned as a topic during the meeting,” said Tolentino, who will not join the traditional parade of colors to give the spotlight to national athletes led by flag bearers Bryan Bagunas of volleyball and Alex Eala of lawn tennis.
“The topic was all about sports. One family. One sports.”
The SEA Games will formally kickoff on Tuesday with the opening ceremonies to be staged at the 51,000-seater Rajamangala Stadium starting at 7 p.m. (Manila time) with no less than King Vajiralongkorn gracing the event.
An estimated 13,000 athletes and officials from 11 participating nations converge in Bangkok and the neighboring province of Chonburi, competing in 54 sports until 20 December.
