SEA Games ban mooted
Mr Sorawong said the proposal to prevent the country from attending the games in December would be discussed during an upcoming meeting on Aug 20-21.
The minister acknowledged that the matter has been widely debated on social media after he raised it in response to the clashes that broke out along the Thai-Cambodian border, which have led to deaths and injuries on both sides.
However, he said the matter would be decided among the federation's member nations, similar to how Russia was banned from joining the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Chaiyapak Siriwat, the chief operating officer of the SEAGF Office, said on Sunday that Thailand, as a host of the 33rd SEA Games, cannot ban Cambodia from competing, despite the political conflict and border fighting.
He said the decision should be made under the Olympic Charter, which promotes political neutrality and non-discriminatory principles. That charter also defends the right of all member nations to attend.
The SEAGF meeting in August will discuss the matter in alignment with the Olympic Charter, said Mr Chaiyapak.
"SEAGF and the organising committee have no authority to ban any nations from competing in SEA Games as long as that nation is still a member and not until penalties have officially been issued," Mr Chaiyapak explained.
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Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Si Sa Ket rocket victims' families receive compensation
The government has disbursed over 9 million baht in compensation to the families of victims killed in the recent border clash between Thai and Cambodian forces in Si Sa Ket province. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong on Saturday presided over a meeting with local agencies at the Si Sa Ket provincial hall. He also handed out financial aid to the families of those who lost their lives when a Cambodian rocket struck Kantharalak district of the northeastern province on July 24. Si Sa Ket governor Anupong Suksamnit, heads of local agencies and families of the victims welcomed the minister in a solemn atmosphere marked by grief and mourning. Rockets fired from Cambodia on the first day of hostilities struck a 7-Eleven store at a PTT petrol station and nearby areas in tambon Ban Phue of Kantharalak district. The blasts claimed the lives of nine civilians, eight of them in the compound of the petrol station. Each family received 1 million baht in compensation and an additional 29,700 baht for funeral expenses, totalling nearly 9.3 million baht. The recipients were: The family of Phongsaphak (boy), Thaksaphon (girl) and their mother Rungrat Prachan, who were killed in the petrol station blast. The compensation was received by Komsan Prachan, husband of Rungrat and father of the two children. The family of 8-year-old Kittisak Khamwang, or 'Nong Sea Games'. His father Thanongsak Khamwang received the aid. The family of Arunrat Wansri, 62, who was killed while working in a rubber plantation behind the petrol station. Her husband, Uthit Wansri, received the compensation. The family of Sawitree Onsuang, 19, represented by her mother, Wipavee Kaewsombat. The family of Champee Temjit and a boy, Peerapat Kunaphan, represented by Phongsak Kunaphan. The family of Somsri Lapboon, a village defence volunteer, who died when an explosive hit his home. His relative, Somphet Lapboon, accepted the payment. Mr Prasert urged local administrative organisations and the relevant agencies to expedite aid efforts and ensure swift delivery of assistance to affected residents. He also instructed the Si Sa Ket office of the Social Development and Human Security ministry to complete documentation quickly and begin assessing damage to infrastructure, including roads, schools, hospitals, homes and historical sites, in order to request further support from the government. 'Let no one be forgotten in this tragedy,' Mr Prasert said.
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Guru's Weekly Buzz: Aug 1-7
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Bangkok Post
12 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Mourning echoes as guns fall silent in Si Sa Ket
The guns have fallen silent in the Thai-Cambodian conflict, giving way to the sounds of mourning for civilians who lost their lives in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province. People gathered on Saturday morning to place flowers and messages at the ruins of a 7-Eleven store at a PTT service station, which was destroyed by BM-21 rockets fired from Cambodia on July 24. Eight innocent lives were taken, including an eight-year-old child. The attack was the most severe in the border provinces affected by the five-day conflict, which resulted in 14 civilian deaths and 38 injuries in all on the Thai side. The memorial ceremony in Ban Phue was led by Pakkanan Sila-at, deputy secretary-general for administration of the government. A large crowd of local residents and leaders joined local authorities, former military officers and Thai and international media to lay flowers in tribute and help send off the souls of those who died. The event was also intended to underline Thailand's condemnation of Cambodia for attacking border communities, said the government. On Friday, the Royal Thai Army led a delegation of foreign military attachés, diplomats and media members to observe the scene where the 'inhumane' attacks against civilians took place. Local people were also present to talk about what happened on the day when their loved ones were killed and injured. 'The scene (on July 24) was heartbreaking. Flames engulfed the store, and we rushed to spray water to it, trying to search for survivors,' said Capt Santi Mongkolkaew, a civil affairs officer who was among the first arriving to help extinguish the fire. 'I didn't even think about whether more attacks would follow as the loss was already overwhelming,' he told reporters on Saturday.
