# 2025 SEA Games

The 2025 SEA Games (Thai: กีฬาซีเกมส์ 2025, RTGS: Kila Sikem 2025, pronounced), officially called the 33rd SEA Games (Thai: กีฬาซีเกมส์ ครั้งที่ 33 , RTGS: Kila Sikem Khrangthi 33, pronounced) and commonly known as Thailand 2025, is an upcoming international multi-sport event sanctioned by the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF). The event is scheduled to take place from 9 to 20 December 2025 across the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, as well as the provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand.
The joint bid from the three provinces was awarded the Games on 13 January 2023, after Thailand was confirmed as the host country by the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF). This marks the first time that host cities were selected through a new bidding and election process for the SEA Games.
The 2025 SEA Games will be the seventh time Thailand has hosted the event, with Bangkok having previously hosted in 1959, 1967, 1975, and 1985. It will also be the first time Chonburi and Songkhla have served as the main host cities.

## Host selection

As per the traditions of the SEA Games, hosting duties are rotated among the member countries of the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF). Each member country is assigned a specific year to host the event, but they have the option to withdraw or opt out of hosting in that particular edition.

### 2019 disruption

On 21 July 2017, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced its decision to withdraw support for the country's hosting of the 2019 SEA Games. The government chose to reallocate funds originally intended for the event to support the rehabilitation of Marawi, which had been devastated by the Marawi crisis. Additionally, it was later reported that the Philippine Olympic Committee's (POC) insistence on handling all aspects of the hosting—including finances, security, and the organization of the Games, similar to how it managed the 2005 SEA Games—contributed to the PSC's decision to withdraw its support.
On 10 August 2017, Charouck Arirachakaran, the Vice President and Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), stated that Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had agreed to a replacement plan for the 2019 SEA Games following the Philippines' withdrawal. The potential host provinces for the event were Chiang Mai, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
Six days later, the Philippines, through Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco, confirmed that it would host the 2019 SEA Games. This decision came after Cojuangco wrote to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, appealing for reconsideration of the country's earlier withdrawal.

### 2025 confirmation

In December 2021, Thailand was nominated as the host country for the 2025 SEA Games during the SEAGF Council and Executive Board Meetings held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Five months later, the SEAGF Council and executive board officially confirmed Thailand as the host for the 2025 Games, with Bangkok initially nominated as the host city. Additionally, Malaysia and Singapore were confirmed as the host countries for the 2027 and 2029 editions of the SEA Games, respectively.
After the confirmation, this marked the seventh time that Thailand had hosted the SEA Games. The capital city, Bangkok, hosted the inaugural SEAP Games in 1959, and subsequently in 1967, 1975, and 1985, after the event had become known as the SEA Games. However, the 1995 and 2007 editions were held in the Thai provinces of Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, respectively.

### Bidding and election

On October 11, 2022, Chaipak Siriwat, the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), revealed the framework for the bidding process for the 2025 SEA Games. He emphasized that the host cities or provinces should aim to organize the Games at a budget-friendly cost and that there would be no requirement to build new venues. Unlike the 2019 and 2021 editions, where competition venues were spread across 23 and 12 cities respectively, the number of host cities for the 2025 Games would be limited to 3 or 4.
In October 2022, Prachum Boontiem, the Vice Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), nominated eight bidding parties from twelve cities or provinces interested in hosting the 2025 SEA Games. The city Bangkok as well as the provinces of Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla submitted sole bids, while Bangkok, Chonburi, Songkhla, Krabi, Phuket, Trat, Amnat Charoen, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yasothon were proposed as potential bidding provinces.
Although the official bidding process began in October 2022, some regions had already revealed their bidding campaigns earlier: Ubon Ratchathani in April 2016, Chonburi in January 2019, and Krabi, Phuket, and Trang in February 2021.
On January 13, 2023, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) selected three provinces—Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi province, and Songkhla province—to host the 33rd SEA Games, while Nakhon Ratchasima province was chosen to host the 13th ASEAN Para Games. This decision was approved by the Cabinet of Thailand in February 2023. These four cities were the first in SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games history to be chosen through a bidding process.
Bidding Parties for 33rd SEA Games and 13th ASEAN Para Games :
| Sole bids (4) | Cross-province bids (4) |
| Bangkok Chiang Mai Nakhon Ratchasima (13th ASEAN Para Games) Songkhla | Bangkok and Chonburi Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla (33rd SEA Games) Krabi, Phuket and Trang Amnat Charoen, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yasothon |

### Host city contract

During the first SEAGF council meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in June 2024, the host city contract was signed by Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, Thawatchai Srithong, the Governor of Chonburi province, and Somnuek Promkhieo, the Governor of Songkhla province. The ceremony followed the model of the Olympic and Asian Games host city agreements, marking the first time a SEA Games host city contract has been signed.

## Handover ceremony

As per tradition, the handover ceremony of the SEAGF flag and the artistic performance for the 2025 SEA Games took place during the closing ceremony of the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 17 May 2023 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
First, the SEAGF flag was passed from Vath Chamroeun, the Secretary General of the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC), Thong Khon, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), and Tea Banh, the Chairman of CAMSOC, to Prawit Wongsuwan, the President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), and Gongsak Yodmani, the Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). Other delegates at the handover ceremony included Chaiyapak Siriwat, the Vice President of the NOCT; Cherdkiat Atthakor, the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia; Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok; Niti Wiwatwanich, the Deputy Governor of Chonburi province; Jesada Jitrat, the Governor of Songkhla province; Natt Intracharoen, the Vice Secretary General of the NOCT; and Prachum Boonthiam, the Deputy Governor of SAT. This was followed by the raising of the Thai flag and the playing of its national anthem.
The artistic performance for this segment, titled Sawasdee SEA Games, meaning Hello SEA Games in Thai, was performed by Kid Buaksib, a contemporary Thai dancer and artist. They were a finalist in seasons 1 and 2 of Thailand's Got Talent.

## Kick-off ceremony

The kick-off ceremony for the 2025 SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN Para Games was held at the Hua Mak Sports Complex in Bangkok on December 7, 2024. The event was attended by Sorawong Thienthong, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Minister of Tourism and Sports (MOTS), along with Gongsak Yodmani, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), representatives from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), the Paralympic Committee of Thailand (PCT), and various national sports associations.
The event also featured renowned athletes, including Vareeraya Sukasem, an Olympic skateboarder, and Saysunee Jana, a five-time Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair fencing. Additionally, several celebrities joined the occasion, such as Matthew Deane, Khemanit Jamikorn, James Fagerlund, and Nakorn Silachai.
Sorawong announced that the 2025 SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN Para Games will be held under the themes of Green SEA Games and Sustainable Paralympics. The games aim to achieve net-zero emissions by promoting eco-friendly transportation, utilizing sustainable products, and selecting venues that prioritize environmental protection. This environmentally friendly vision will also be implemented in the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship, scheduled for August earlier in the year.

## Development and preparations
### Venues

The 2025 SEA Games will utilize existing venues across Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi province, and Songkhla province, including those used by the 1985 SEA Games, the 1998 Asian Games, and the 2007 Summer Universiade previously held in Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
Bangkok Metropolitan Region, which includes Bangkok and the neighbouring provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon, will host the majority of the 31 sports. Meanwhile, Chonburi and Songkhla will host 15 and 10 sports, respectively. Only two events—men's football and skeet shooting—will take place in outlying venues, with men's football preliminaries held in Chiang Mai and skeet shooting in Ratchaburi.

#### Bangkok cluster

Bangkok Metropolitan RegionPhra NakhonPathum WanDusitDin DaengChatuchakBang KapiKhan Na YaoLat KrabangNong ChokMueang NonthaburiPak KretMueang Samut PrakanBang Sao ThongBang BoMueang Pathum ThaniLam Luk KaThanyaburiKhlong LuangMueang Nakhon Pathom :
| Venue | Events |
| Pathum Wan, Bangkok ||
| Suphachalasai Stadium, National Stadium Sports Complex | Athletics |
| Nimibutr Stadium, National Stadium Sports Complex | Basketball, 3x3 basketball |
| Chanthanayingyong Gymnasium, Chulalongkorn University | Netball |
| Chaleom Rajasuda Sports Center, Chulalongkorn University | Fencing |
| Dusit, Bangkok ||
| Squash Court, Vajiravudh College | Squash |
| Din Daeng, Bangkok ||
| Bangkok Youth Center and Thai-Japanese Stadium | Floorball, football (men's tournament) |
| Chatuchak, Bangkok ||
| Wachirabenchathat Park | Sport climbing |
| Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl, Major Cineplex Ratchayothin Mall | Bowling |
| Bang Kapi, Bangkok ||
| Rajamangala Stadium, Huamark Sports Complex | Football (men's knockout stage), Closing ceremony |
| Indoor Stadium Huamark, Huamark Sports Complex | Volleyball |
| HM The King's 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary Building, Huamark Sports Complex | Esports |
| Aquatic Center, Huamark Sports Complex | Artistic swimming, Diving, Swimming |
| Archery Field, Huamark Sports Complex | Archery |
| Beach Volleyball Court, Huamark Sports Complex | Beach volleyball |
| Extreme Park, Huamark Sports Complex | Skateboarding |
| Pétanque Court, Huamark Sports Complex | Pétanque |
| Shooting Range, Huamark Sports Complex | Shooting (pistol and rifle, shotgun) |
| Thailand International Boxing Training Center, Huamark Sports Complex | Boxing |
| Multipurpose Sports Dome, Huamark Sports Complex | Baseball5 |
| Velodrome, Huamark Sports Complex | Cycling (track cycling) |
| Thailand International Ice Hockey Arena | Ice hockey |
| Khan Na Yao, Bangkok ||
| Island Hall, Fashion Island Mall | Taekwondo |
| Lat Krabang, Bangkok ||
| Terdthai Cricket Ground | Cricket |
| Nong Chok, Bangkok ||
| Kamol Sports Park | Cycling (BMX) |
| Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi ||
| Gymnasium, Nonthaburi Sports Complex Stadium | Futsal |
| Pak Kret, Nonthaburi ||
| Chaengwattana Hall, Central Chaengwattana Mall | Table tennis |
| National Tennis Development Center, Muang Thong Thani | Tennis |
| Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan ||
| IWIS International Ice Skating Center Rink, Imperial World Samrong Mall | Figure skating, Short-track speed skating |
| Bang Sao Thong, Samut Prakan ||
| Gymnasium, Assumption University | Kickboxing |
| Bang Bo, Samut Prakan |
| VS Sports Club & Siam Polo Park | Polo |
| Mueang Pathum Thani, Pathum Thani |
| Gymnasium, Rangsit University | Ju-jitsu |
| Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani |
| Dhupatemiya Stadium, Royal Thai Air Force Sports Complex | Rugby sevens |
| Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani ||
| Baseball Field, HM Queen Sirikit's 60th Birthday Anniversary Sports Center | Baseball |
| Softball Field, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi | Softball |
| Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani |
| Aquatic Center, Thammasat University | Water polo |
| Gymnasium, Thammasat University | Badminton, Gymnastics |
| ESC Wake Park | Water skiing, Wakeboarding |
| Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Pathom |
| Nakhon Pathom Municipal Gymnasium | Chinlone, Sepak takraw |

#### Chonburi cluster

Chonburi provinceMueang ChonburiSi RachaBang LamungSattahip
Rayong provinceBan ChangKlaeng :
| Venue | Events |
| Mueang Chonburi, Chonburi ||
| Institute of Physical Education Chonburi Stadium | Football (women's tournament) |
| Hockey Field, Institute of Physical Education Chonburi | Field hockey |
| Gymnasium, Chonburi Sports School | Weightlifting |
| Si Racha, Chonburi ||
| Khao Kheow Open Zoo | Cycling (mountain biking) |
| Bang Lamung, Chonburi ||
| Jomtien Beach | Jet skiing, Marathon swimming, Modern pentathlon, Sailing |
| Exhibition Hall, Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel | Billiards and snooker |
| PMC Training Center Range | Practical shooting, Modern pentathlon |
| Thai Polo Equestrian Club | Equestrian |
| Sattahip, Chonburi ||
| Royal Thai Fleet Golf Course | Woodball |
| Ban Chang, Rayong ||
| Royal Thai Navy Rowing Training Center | Canoeing (sprint, slalom), Dragon boat, Rowing |
| Klaeng, Rayong ||
| Laem Mae Phim Beach | Aquathlon, Duathlon, Triathlon |

#### Songkhla cluster

Songkhla provinceMueang SongkhlaHat Yai :
| Venue | Events |
| Mueang Songkhla, Songkhla ||
| Tinsulanon Stadium, Tinsulanon Sports Complex | Football (men's group stage) |
| HM The King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Building, Songkhla Rajabhat University | Judo |
| Parichat Hall, Thaksin University | Kabaddi |
| Prem Auditorium, Thaksin University | Chess |
| Hat Yai, Songkhla ||
| Chira Nakhon Stadium, Chira Nakhon Sports Complex | Football (men's group stage) |
| Suwannawong Gymnasium, Chira Nakhon Sports Complex | Pencak silat |
| Hatyai Hall, Central Hatyai Hall | Karate, Wrestling |
| HM The King's 60th Birthday Anniversary International Convention Center | Wushu |
| Gymnasium, Phru Khang Khao Sports Complex | Muaythai |

#### Outlying venues

| Location | Venue | Events |
| Photharam, Ratchaburi | Photharam Shooting Range | Shooting (skeet) |
| Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai | 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium | Football (men's group stage) |

#### Non-competitive venues

| Location | Venue | Events |
| Phra Nakhon, Bangkok | Sanam Luang | Opening ceremony |

### Coordination Committee of the SEAGF

During the second SEAGF council meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in October 2024, the Coordination Committee of the SEAGF has been appointed to monitor the progress of organizing the 2025 SEA Games. The committee is composed of Chaipak Siriwat, the Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT), along with the Presidents of the other four National Olympic Committees.
| National Olympic Committee | Member |
| Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI) | Raja Sapta Oktohari (President) |
| Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) | Mohamad Norza Zakaria (President) |
| Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) | Abraham Tolentino (President) |
| Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) | Grace Fu (President) |
| National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) | Chaipak Siriwat (Vice President) |

### Steering and Organizing Committees for the Games

Similar to the 2007 SEA Games and the 2008 ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, the committees for the competition are divided into two main bodies. The Steering Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, is responsible for setting policies, providing recommendations, and allocating budgets to the Organizing Committee. Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee, chaired by the Minister of Tourism and Sports, is tasked with managing the operations of the competition, coordinating with various subcommittees, and overseeing the budget allocated by the Steering Committee.
In December 2024, the Steering Committee recognized the organizational structure of the Organizing Committee for the Games. Unlike the previous games, the chairpersons of the subcommittees are all from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), with no representatives from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT).
| Committee | Chairperson | Term of office |
| Steering Committee for the Games | Paetongtarn Shinawatra | 2024 – |
| Organizing Committee for the Games (THAISOC) | Sorawong Thienthong | 2024 – |
| Main committee in the Organizing Committee | Chairperson | Term of office |
| Secretariat and International Coordination Committee | Gongsak Yodmani | 2024 – |
| Competition Management Executive Committee | Meechai Inwood | 2024 – |
| Support and Services Committee | Siraphop Duangsodsri | 2024 – |
| Sports Technical Committee | Preecha Lalun | 2024 – |

### Budget

The initial estimated budget for the 2025 SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN Para Games is ฿2.055 billion. The funding for the events will come from several sources: ฿1.683 billion is being requested from the government budget. Additional revenue includes ฿20 million from sponsorships and ฿180 million from goods and services, such as sports equipment and beverages. Ticket sales are expected to generate ฿20 million. Registration fees for the SEA Games will contribute ฿134.40 million, while registration fees for the ASEAN Para Games will bring in ฿16.80 million.
The budget for these events is lower than the cost of the 1998 Asian Games, which was ฿2.372 billion, but higher than the 2007 Summer Universiade, which amounted to ฿1.843 billion. Meanwhile, the costs for the 2007 SEA Games and the 2008 ASEAN Para Games were ฿1.463 billion.

## The Games
### Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the 2025 SEA Games is scheduled to held on 9 December 2025 at Sanam Luang, Bangkok.
Inspired from the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, France, Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) revealed plans to hold part of the ceremony outside traditional stadium settings, utilizing venues designed to accommodate large public gatherings. Gongsak Yodmani, the governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), further disclosed that Sanam Luang, set against the backdrop of the Grand Palace, will serve as the main venue for the opening ceremony, with Chonburi and Songkhla still playing significant roles in the event. This will be the second time in SEA Games history that the opening ceremony will be held in outside of a traditional stadium following the 2005 SEA Games at the Quirino Grandstand in the Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines.
Sanam Luang has been used for various royal ceremonies, national events, and public gatherings. In the past, the public square also usually served as a venue for kite flying and hosting the national club sepak takraw championships.

### Sports
#### Charter and Rules amendment

Over the years, the SEA Games programme have faced criticized for being a "gold-medal mine" for host countries. Hosts have had the freedom to exclude Olympic and Asian Games sports that are disadvantageous to them while including non-Olympic sports or events that increase their medal chances. In some extreme cases, obscure sports have been selected to give the host country an advantage. This practice highlights the vulnerability of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) and its Charter and Rules, which grant excessive power to the host nations.
To avoid the bizarre situations seen in recent editions of the SEA Games, Thailand proposed a series of amendments to the SEAGF Charter and Rules in Section 34 during the 2013 edition. Although the Charter and Rules have been amended multiple times since then, host countries were still allowed to allocate their optional sports programs without oversight from the SEAGF. However, following the controversy surrounding the sports program in recent editions, the host countries for the three editions between 2025 and 2029—Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore—agreed to propose further amendments to the Charter and Rules. The new amendments were unanimously approved by SEAGF members at the SEAGF Council meeting during the 2023 SEA Games. This upcoming edition will be the first to implement the new rules.
Section 34 of the amended SEAGF Charter and Rules stipulates that starting with the 2025 edition, the SEA Games program will include a minimum of 41 sports. This will consist of 12 compulsory sports under Category I, which are included in both the Olympic and Asian Games, a minimum of 25 Olympic and Asian Games sports under Category II, and a maximum of 4 additional sports under Category III. The medal events in Categories I and II must align with the Olympic and Asian Games programs, while events in Category III sports cannot exceed eight and must be selected from a pre-established list, which is determined a few years in advance.

#### Sports selection

Following the selection of the host cities, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) initially announced that the 2025 SEA Games would feature forty-three sports, in accordance with the Games' charter. All of these sports are included in the Thailand National Games, and the host cities and provinces are equipped to provide the necessary venues and facilities to accommodate these events. Artistic swimming and equestrian will make their return, having last been included in 2017. Marathon swimming, Muay Thai (muaythai), netball, and winter sports—including figure skating, ice hockey, and short track speed skating—will also return, having last been featured in 2019. Archery, rowing, and shooting will return as well, having last been included in 2021. Teqball will make its debut at the 2025 SEA Games.
2025 SEA Games sports programme (first shortlists) :
Aquatics
Artistic swimming
Diving
Marathon swimming
Swimming
Water polo
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Billiard
Boxing
Cycling
Dancesport
Equestrian
Esports
Fencing
Field hockey
Figure skating
Floorball
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice hockey
Judo
Ju-jitsu
Kabaddi
Karate
Kurash
Muaythai
Netball
Pencak silat
Pétanque
Roller skiing
Rowing
Sailing
Sepak takraw
Shooting
Short-track speed skating
Soft tennis
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Teqball
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Wushu :
During the first SEAGF council meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in June 2024, the organizing committee proposed hosting forty sports, and the member countries agreed to finalize a second shortlist for the sports programme. Dancesport, ju-jitsu, karate, kurash, soft tennis, and weightlifting were removed from the second shortlist. Kabaddi and roller skiing were initially expected to debut but were also removed from the second shortlist. Polo (grouped with equestrian) and rugby sevens will make their return, having last been included in 2017. Baseball as well as softball, canoeing, and modern pentathlon will also return, having last been featured in 2019. Handball will return as well, having last been included in 2021. Additionally, 3x3 basketball (grouped with basketball), kickboxing, snooker (grouped with billiards), and triathlon have been reinstated, having last been part of previous games. Furthermore, figure skating and short-track speed skating have been combined into a single ice skating group.
2025 SEA Games sports programme (second shortlists) :
Aquatics
Artistic swimming
Diving
Marathon swimming
Swimming
Water polo
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Baseball and softball
Baseball
Softball
Basketball
Basketball
3x3 basketball
Billiards and snooker
Billiard
Snooker
Boxing
Canoeing
Cycling
Equestrian and polo
Equestrian
Polo
Esports
Fencing
Field hockey
Floorball
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Handball
Ice hockey
Ice skating
Figure skating
Short-track speed skating
Judo
Kickboxing
Modern pentathlon
Muaythai
Netball
Pencak silat
Pétanque
Rowing
Rugby sevens
Sailing
Sepak takraw
Shooting
Triathlon
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Teqball
Volleyball
Wrestling :
After the 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi were cancelled on 20 August 2024 due to the organizers' failure to meet obligations, local athletes affected by the cancellation were given the chance to compete in other international tournaments, including the 2025 SEA Games. In September 2024, the sports programme was confirmed to include nine additional sports: ju-jitsu, karate, weightlifting, and wushu, all of which will be reinstated. Other sports added include bowling, chess (including makruk), cricket, extreme sports, and squash. Extreme sports were group of sports climbing, skateboarding, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Additionally, kabaddi and woodball were expected to make their debut at the event.
Furthermore, BMX, mountain bike racing, road racing, and track cycling were added to the cycling discipline, while aerobic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, and rhythmic gymnastics was included in the gymnastics category. Kiteboarding and Windsurfing became part of the sailing discipline, and dragon boat was incorporated into the canoeing and rowing group. Futsal was added to the football category, and chinlone was introduced as a variant of sepak takraw. Beach volleyball was recognized as part of the volleyball discipline. Later, in October 2024, jet skiing was included in the extreme sports group.
Sports climbing and track cycling will make their return, having last been included in 2011 and 2017, respectively. BMX, rhythmic gymnastics, skateboarding, squash, waterskiing, and wakeboarding will also return, having last been featured in 2019. Bowling, chess, and futsal will make a comeback as well, with their last inclusion in 2021. Aerobic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, beach volleyball, chinlone, cricket, dragon boat racing, jet skiing, mountain bike racing, road racing, and windsurfing have previously been part of past games. Kiteboarding and makruk will debut at these games.
2025 SEA Games sports programme (third shortlists) :
Aquatics
Artistic swimming
Diving
Marathon swimming
Swimming
Water polo
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Baseball and softball
Baseball
Softball
Basketball
Basketball
3x3 basketball
Billiards and snooker
Billiard
Snooker
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing and rowing
Canoeing
Rowing
Dragon boat
Chess
Cricket
Cycling
BMX
Mountain biking
Road
Track
Equestrian and polo
Equestrian
Polo
Esports
Extreme sports
Jet ski
Skateboarding
Sport climbing
Water skiing
Wakeboarding
Fencing
Field hockey
Floorball
Football and futsal
Football
Futsal
Golf
Gymnastics
Aerobic
Artistic
Rhythmic
Handball
Ice hockey
Ice skating
Figure skating
Short-track speed skating
Judo
Ju-jitsu
Kabaddi
Karate
Kickboxing
Modern pentathlon
Muaythai
Netball
Pencak silat
Pétanque
Rugby sevens
Sailing
Sailing
Kiteboarding
Windsurfing
Sepak takraw and chinlone
Sepak takraw
Chinlone
Shooting
Squash
Triathlon
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Teqball
Volleyball
Volleyball
Beach volleyball
Weightlifting
Woodball
Wrestling
Wushu :
During the second SEAGF council meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in October 2024, the organizing committee finalized a sports programme featuring 569 medal events in fifty ports. Many traditional disciplines within these sports were included, such as the compound bow and recurve bow in archery; canoe sprint in canoeing; dressage, eventing, and show jumping in equestrian; épée, foil, and sabre in fencing; field hockey and indoor hockey in hockey; combat and kata in judo; ne-waza, fighting, and duo in ju-jitsu; kumite and kata in karate; ring and tatami in kickboxing; triathle and biathle in modern pentathlon; combat and waikru in muaythai; regu, quadrants, and hoop in sepak takraw; pistol, rifle, and shotgun in shooting; kyorugi and poomsae in taekwondo; duathlon and aquathlon in triathlon; freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling in wrestling; and sanda as well as taolu in wushu.
Additionally, some disciplines were introduced for the first time, such as baseball5 in baseball, canoe slalom in canoeing, hockey5s in hockey, and obstacle laser-run in modern pentathlon. Meanwhile, practical shooting made its return, having last been included in 2005. Furthermore, air sports (including paragliding and paramotor), flying disc (including disc golf and ultimate) and tug of war will be featured as demonstration sports.
2025 SEA Games sports programme (finalists) :
Aquatics
Artistic swimming
Diving
Marathon swimming
Swimming
Water polo
Archery
Compound
Recurve
Athletics
Badminton
Baseball and softball
Baseball
Baseball5
Softball
Basketball
Basketball
3x3 basketball
Billiards and snooker
Billiards
Snooker
Six-red snooker
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing and rowing
Canoeing
Rowing
Dragon boat
Chess
Cricket
Cycling
BMX
Mountain biking
Road
Track
Equestrian
Dressage
Eventing
Show jumping
Polo
Esports
Extreme sports
Jet skiing
Skateboarding
Sport climbing
Water skiing /Wakeboarding
Fencing
Épée
Foil
Sabre
Floorball
Football and futsal
Football
Futsal
Golf
Gymnastics
Aerobic
Artistic
Rhythmic
Handball
Hockey
Field hockey
Hockey5s
Indoor hockey
Ice hockey
Ice skating
Figure skating
Short-track speed skating
Judo
Combat
Kata
Ju-jitsu
Ne-waza
Fighting
Duo
Kabaddi
Karate
Kumite
Kata
Kickboxing
Ring
Tatami
Modern pentathlon
Triathle
Biathle
Obstacle laser-run
Muaythai
Combat
Waikru
Netball
Pencak silat
Tanding
Seni
Pétanque
Rugby sevens
Sailing
Sailing
Kiteboarding
Windsurfing
Sepak takraw
Regu
Quadrant
Hoop
Chinlone
Shooting
Pistol and rifle
Shotgun
Practical shooting
Squash
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Kyorugi
Poomsae
Tennis
Teqball
Triathlon
Triathlon
Aquathlon
Duathlon
Volleyball
Volleyball
Beach volleyball
Weightlifting
Woodball
Wrestling
Freestyle
Greco-Roman
Wushu
Sanda
Taolu :
2025 SEA Games sports programme (demonstration events) :
Air sports
Paragliding
Paramotoring
Flying disc
Disc golf
Ultimate
Tug of war :
During the third SEAGF council meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in December 2024, the organizing committee replaced ten medal events from the finalist list announced in October 2024 with new events across various sports, including dragon boat, rhythmic gymnastics, judo, esports, pencak silat, and woodball. Additionally, one medal event was removed from mountain biking, while six new medal events were introduced in athletics, road cycling, and sailing. As a result, the total number of events increased to 574, still falling short of the previous record of 580 set at the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
During the first SEAGF coordination committee meeting for the 2025 SEA Games in February 2025, the organizing committee approved the inclusion of mixed martial arts (MMA) in the Games, following a request from the SEA Games Federation. It was added under a new category called "value creation sports'". This decision arose from an agreement among Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore—the hosts of upcoming SEA Games—which mandates that only sports featured in the current edition can be included in future events. Therefore, MMA was introduced to secure its eligibility for future competitions. However, it will not contribute to the official medal tally, as it is designated as a demonstration sport.

#### Sports programme

The fifty-sport programme of the 2025 SEA Games surprised the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) by including the most internationally recognized sports, with 49 out of the 50 sports also contested in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. This marks a historic first for the SEA Games.
All thirty core Summer Olympic sports, excluding surfing, were included in these games. However, canoeing and rowing, as well as skateboarding and sport climbing, were combined into single categories, reducing the total count to twenty-eight sports. Additionally, two Winter Olympic sports were featured: ice hockey and ice skating, with figure skating and short-track speed skating categorized together. Furthermore, three optional sports for the 2028 Summer Olympics—baseball/softball, cricket, and squash—were also included, bringing the total number of Olympic sports in these games to thirty-three.
Moreover, six sports included in the programme of the 2026 Asian Games—esports, jujitsu, kabaddi, karate, sepak takraw, and wushu—were added. In addition, twelve sports that were originally planned for the canceled 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games were also incorporated, including billiards/snooker, bowling, chess, floorball, futsal, indoor hockey, kickboxing, muaythai, netball, pencak silat, pétanque, and teqball. However, futsal and indoor hockey were categorized under their respective parent sports, football and hockey, respectively, reducing the count of these additional sports to ten.
In addition, ten more sports were added—aquathlon, baseball5, chinlone, dragon boat, duathlon, hockey5s, jet skiing, practical shooting, water skiing/wakeboarding, and woodball—that were not included in the upcoming Olympic and Asian Games, nor the canceled Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, but were featured in the upcoming World Games, Youth Olympic Games, as well as in past Asian Games and SEA Games. Baseball5, along with hockey5s, and aquathlon combined with duathlon, are categorized under their parent sports, such as baseball, hockey, and triathlon. Dragon boat, along with jet skiing combined with water skiing/wakeboarding, chinlone, and practical shooting, fall under related sports such as canoeing and rowing, extreme sports, sepak takraw, and shooting, with woodball being the only independent sport included.
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of medal events contested in each discipline.
2025 SEA Games sports programme (medal events) :
Aquatics
Artistic swimming (3)
Diving (4)
Marathon swimming (3)
Swimming (38)
Water polo (2)
Archery
Compound (5)
Recurve (5)
Athletics (47)
Badminton (7)
Baseball and softball
Baseball (1)
Baseball5 (1)
Softball (2)
Basketball
Basketball (2)
3x3 basketball (2)
Billiards and snooker
Billiards (2)
Snooker (4)
Six-red snooker (4)
Bowling (6)
Boxing (17)
Canoeing and rowing
Canoeing (12)
Rowing (10)
Dragon boat (8)
Chess (8)
Cricket (4)
Cycling
BMX (2)
Mountain biking (3)
Road (7)
Track (5)
Equestrian
Dressage (2)
Eventing (2)
Show jumping (2)
Polo (2)
Esports (6)
Extreme sports
Jet skiing (6)
Skateboarding (4)
Sport climbing (6)
Water skiing and wakeboarding (4)
Fencing
Épée (4)
Foil (4)
Sabre (4)
Floorball (2)
Football and futsal
Football (2)
Futsal (2)
Golf (4)
Gymnastics
Aerobic (2)
Artistic (10)
Rhythmic (4)
Handball (2)
Hockey
Field hockey (2)
Hockey5s (2)
Indoor hockey (2)
Ice hockey (2)
Ice skating
Figure skating (2)
Short-track speed skating (7)
Judo
Combat (10)
Kata (2)
Ju-jitsu
Ne-waza (7)
Fighting (4)
Duo (7)
Kabaddi (6)
Karate (15)
Kumite (13)
Kata (2)
Kickboxing
Ring (5)
Tatami (3)
Modern pentathlon
Triathle (2)
Biathle (2)
Obstacle laser-run (2)
Muaythai
Combat (16)
Waikru (2)
Netball (1)
Pencak silat
Tanding (10)
Seni (3)
Pétanque (11)
Rugby sevens (2)
Sailing
Sailing (8)
Kiteboarding (2)
Windsurfing (4)
Sepak takraw
Regu (4)
Quadrant (3)
Hoop (2)
Chinlone (2)
Shooting
Pistol and rifle (16)
Shotgun (6)
Practical shooting (8)
Squash (4)
Table tennis (7)
Taekwondo
Kyorugi (14)
Poomsae (6)
Tennis (7)
Teqball (5)
Triathlon
Triathlon (5)
Aquathlon (3)
Duathlon (3)
Volleyball
Volleyball (2)
Beach volleyball (2)
Weightlifting (14)
Woodball (6)
Wrestling
Freestyle (8)
Greco-Roman (4)
Wushu
Sanda (4)
Taolu (10) :
2025 SEA Games sports programme (demonstration events) :
Air sports
Paragliding (3)
Paramotoring (1)
Flying disc
Disc golf (2)
Ultimate (1)
Mixed martial arts (4)
Tug of war (5) :

##### Notes

* 1 2 Designated under category IA for two compulsory sports: aquatics and athletics (consisting of 2 sports).
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Designated under category IB for compulsory sports featured in the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games (consisting of 26 sports).
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Designated under category II for optional sports featured in the Summer Olympic Games, the Winter Olympic Games, the Asian Games, and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (consisting of 18 sports).
* 1 2 3 4 Designated under category III for optional sports featured in the other events, including chess, kickboxing, and teqball, which were included in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games but were placed in this category by the host instead of Category II. (consisting of 4 sports).
* 1 2 3 Designated as one category of sport, canoeing and rowing, with canoeing—including canoe sprint, canoe slalom, and its discipline, dragon boat—governed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), while rowing is governed by World Rowing (WR).
* 1 2 Designated as one type of sport, equestrian is governed by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), while polo is governed by the Federation of International Polo (FIP).
* 1 2 3 4 Designated as a category of extreme sports, jet skiing is governed by the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA), skateboarding by World Skate (WS), sport climbing by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), and water skiing and wakeboarding by the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF).
* 1 2 Designated as one type of sport, sepak takraw is governed by the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), while chinlone currently lacks an international governing body.
* 1 2 Designated as one type of sport, shooting is governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), while practical shooting is governed by the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC).

### Closing ceremony

The closing ceremony of the 2025 SEA Games is scheduled to held on 20 December 2025 at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok.

## Participating National Olympic Committees

All eleven National Olympic Committee (NOC) members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) are expected to take part in the games. Since its debut in 2003, Timor-Leste will participate for the first time as a full ASEAN member state, with its official access to the association expected in 2025.
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of athletes representing in each NOC.
Participating National Olympic Committees :
Brunei
 Cambodia
 Indonesia
 Laos
 Malaysia
 Myanmar
 Philippines
 Singapore
 Thailand (host)
 Timor-Leste
 Vietnam :

## Calendar

In the following calendar for the 2025 SEA Games, each blue box represents an event competition, such as a qualification round, on that day. The yellow boxes represent days during which medal-awarding finals for a sport were held. On the left, the calendar lists each sport with events held during the Games, and at the right how many gold medals were won in that sport. There is a key at the top of the calendar to aid the reader.
    All times and dates use Thailand Standard Time (UTC+7)
| OC | Opening ceremony | ● | Event competitions | 1 | Gold medal events | CC | Closing ceremony |
| December 2025 | December 2025 | 9th Tue | 10th Wed | 11th Thu | 12th Fri | 13th Sat | 14th Sun | 15th Mon | 16th Tue | 17th Wed | 18th Thu | 19th Fri | 20th Sat | Events |
| Ceremonies | Ceremonies | OC | | | | | | | | | | | CC | — |
| Aquatics | Artistic swimming | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Aquatics | Diving | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Aquatics | Marathon swimming | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Aquatics | Swimming | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 |
| Aquatics | Water polo | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Archery | Compound | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Archery | Recurve | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Athletics | Athletics | | | | | | | | | | | | | 47 |
| Badminton | Badminton | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Baseball and softball | Baseball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Baseball and softball | Baseball5 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Baseball and softball | Softball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Basketball | Basketball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Basketball | 3x3 basketball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Billiards and snooker | Billiards | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Billiards and snooker | Snooker | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Billiards and snooker | Six-red snooker | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Bowling | Bowling | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Boxing | Boxing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 |
| Canoeing and rowing | Canoeing (sprint) | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Canoeing and rowing | Canoeing (slalom) | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Canoeing and rowing | Rowing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| Canoeing and rowing | Dragon boat | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Chess | Chess | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Cricket | Cricket | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Cycling | BMX | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Cycling | Mountain biking | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Cycling | Road cycling | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Cycling | Track cycling | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Equestrian | Dressage | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Equestrian | Eventing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Equestrian | Jumping | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Equestrian | Polo | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Esports | Esports | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Extreme sports | Jet skiing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Extreme sports | Skateboarding | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Extreme sports | Sport climbing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Extreme sports | Water skiing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Extreme sports | Wakeboarding | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Fencing | Épée | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Fencing | Foil | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Fencing | Sabre | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Floorball | Floorball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Football and futsal | Footbal | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Football and futsal | Futsal | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Golf | Golf | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Hockey | Field hockey | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Hockey | Hockey5s | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Hockey | Indoor hockey | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Ice hockey | Ice hockey | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Ice skating | Figure skating | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Ice skating | Short-track speed skating | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Judo | Combat | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| Judo | Kata | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Ju-jitsu | Ne-waza | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Ju-jitsu | Fighting | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Ju-jitsu | Duo | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Kabaddi | Kabaddi | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Karate | Kumite | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 |
| Karate | Kata | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Kickboxing | Ring | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Kickboxing | Tatami | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Modern pentathlon | Triathle | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Modern pentathlon | Biathle | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Modern pentathlon | Obstacle laser-run | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Muaythai | Combat | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
| Muaythai | Waikru | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Netball | Netball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Pencak silat | Tanding | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| Pencak silat | Seni | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Pétanque | Pétanque | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 |
| Rugby sevens | Rugby sevens | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Sailing | Sailing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Sailing | Kiteboarding | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Sailing | Windsurfing | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Sepak takraw | Regu | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Sepak takraw | Quadrant | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Sepak takraw | Hoop | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Sepak takraw | Chinlone | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Shooting | Pistol and rifle | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
| Shooting | Shotgun | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Shooting | Practical shooting | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Squash | Squash | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Table tennis | Table tennis | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Taekwondo | Kyorugi | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 |
| Taekwondo | Poomsae | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Tennis | Tennis | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| Teqball | Teqball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Triathlon | Triathlon | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Triathlon | Aquathlon | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Triathlon | Duathlon | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Volleyball | Volleyball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Volleyball | Beach volleyball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Weightlifting | Weightlifting | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 |
| Woodball | Woodball | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
| Wrestling | Freestyle | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Wrestling | Greco-Roman | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Wushu | Sanda | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Wushu | Taolu | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| Daily medal events | Daily medal events | | | | | | | | | | | | | 574 |
| Cumulative total | Cumulative total | | | | | | | | | | | | | 574 |
| Air sports | Paragliding | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Air sports | Paramotoring | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Flying disc | Disc golf | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Flying disc | Ultimate | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts | Mixed martial arts | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Tug of war | Tug of war | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Daily medal events | Daily medal events | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
| Cumulative total | Cumulative total | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
| December 2025 | December 2025 | 9th Tue | 10th Wed | 11th Thu | 12th Fri | 13th Sat | 14th Sun | 15th Mon | 16th Tue | 17th Wed | 18th Thu | 19th Fri | 20th Sat | Events |

## Marketing
### Design competition

The Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT) originally organized a design competition for the emblem, motto, and mascot for the 2025 SEA Games and the 2025 ASEAN Para Games. The submitted designs were required to be visually appealing, modern, unique, and reflect Thai identity. The submission period was from 20 September to 25 October 2023. The official awarding ceremony took place at the Chaloem Phrakiat Building at the Hua Mak Sports Complex in Bangkok on 23 November 2023.

### Emblem

The official emblem for the 2025 SEA Games, designed by Teeranop Wangsillapakun, the creative director and founder of TNOP Design, was commissioned by the Design Subcommittee of the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) under the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.
The emblem embodies the concept of Play by the Rules, drawing inspiration from the principles of rules, discipline, and fair play in sports. It emphasizes how creativity and strategy can lead to exceptional achievements within set boundaries. The design seamlessly merges the structured lines of a sports field with the intricate grid patterns of traditional Thai art, capturing both the spirit of competition and the elegance of Thai culture in a modern, refined manner.
This emblem replaced an earlier design selected through a competition. The initial emblem, created by Ruengwit Phutharaporn, was inspired by the pla kat, or Siamese fighting fish, Thailand's national aquatic animal.

### Motto

The official motto for the 2025 SEA Games, Ever Forward (Thai: ก้าวไปข้างหน้าไม่หยุดยั้ง, RTGS: Kaopai Khangna Mai Yutyang, pronounced), replaced the previous winning slogan from a design competition, Amity of ASEAN, designed by Phonchit Sachaiyan. Notably, it bears a resemblance to the motto of the Asian Games, Ever Onward, which was established by Guru Dutt Sondhi, the founder of the games.

### Mascots

The official mascots for the 2025 SEA Games, designed by Teeranop Wangsillapakun, the creative director and founder of TNOP Design, were commissioned by the Design Subcommittee of the Thailand Creative Culture Agency (THACCA) under the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.
The mascots consisted of a group of five characters called The Saan, each vibrant and full of energy. They came in red, green, pink, yellow, and blue, representing the diversity of Thai society. Each character was designed using geometric patterns inspired by the structural lines of traditional Thai motifs, blending modernity with Thai identity. Together, they symbolized celebration, creativity, cultural connection, and the promotion of diversity in sports and society.
These mascots replaced an earlier design selected through a competition. The initial mascot, named Mawin, was designed by Tawich Jitthiang and depicted a Waree Kunchorn, a mythical creature from the Himavanta. This creature has the body of an elephant, along with fish-like features, including fins along its backbone, leg fins attached to each of its four legs, and a fishtail.

## Legacy
### 2030 Summer Youth Olympics

Since 2018, the Government of Thailand and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) have been preparing to bid for the 2030 Summer Youth Olympics. Initially, Thailand aimed to host the 2026 edition, but with the postponement of the 2022 Games in Dakar, Senegal, to 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand adjusted its plans and shifted its focus to 2030 with a privileged position from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
To support this effort, a bidding committee was established in 2018, consistently expressing Thailand’s interest to IOC and other sports organizations. Bangkok has been designated as the main host city, while Chonburi province will serve as the venue for water sports. Additionally, the bidding committee, alongside the Thailand Olympic Academy (TOA), has actively promoted Olympic education through events like the Olympic Day Run and the National Youth Games, reinforcing Thailand’s commitment to the Olympic movement.
The 2025 SEA Games, set to be hosted in Bangkok and Chonburi province, presents a strategic opportunity, as its concept aligns with IOC standards by utilizing existing venues and emphasizing sustainability. Recognizing this, IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul suggested that the event be used as preparation and a showcase of Thailand’s readiness to host the Youth Olympics.
On 11 March 2025, during the 144th IOC Session, Thailand will formally present its bid for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games. The presentation will outline key aspects such as competition format, venue selection, event organization, timeline, and the overall appeal of Thailand’s hosting concept. Additionally, Thailand will highlight its strengths, unique advantages, and vision to position itself as the ideal host nation.