Thailand explains the reason behind the 'cut' in bonuses for athletes at SEA Games 33

Reports about the substantial cut in SEA Games 33 rewards for Thailand’s athletes have caused a stir in the Southeast Asian community.

After the conclusion of the 33rd SEA Games, many home-country athletes expressed disappointment as the bonuses they received were considerably lower than the previously promised amounts.

According to sources from Thai media, SEA Games 33the Thai Olympic Committee had announced plans to significantly increase the prize money for medal-winning athletes. Specifically, gold medal bonuses were promised to rise from 300,000 to 500,000 Baht, silver from 150,000 to 200,000 Baht, and bronze from 75,000 to 150,000 Baht. At this exchange rate, these amounts are considered quite generous in the region, equivalent to hundreds of millions up to 1.5 billion Vietnamese Dong, providing strong motivation for athletes during competition.

However, the reality after SEA Games 33 fell short of expectations. Many Thai athletes confirmed they only received the old bonus rates, meaning the promised amounts were cut by about 40%. This quickly sparked debate and even frustration within the Thai sports community, as many athletes felt they had competed with trust in clear financial commitments from the authorities.

Facing public pressure, Mr. Tanukiart Chanchum, Director of the Thai National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), officially clarified the cause. According to Mr. Chanchum, the NSDF must still comply with current legal regulations regarding athlete bonus payments. These regulations have not been revised or updated, so the valid bonus amounts remain at 300,000 Baht for gold, 150,000 Baht for silver, and 75,000 Baht for bronze.

This explanation highlights a lack of alignment between the aspirational commitments of sports organizations and the legal frameworks currently in place. In the context of increasingly professional, transparent, and stable high-performance sports, making promises beyond regulatory limits without the ability to fulfill them can seriously damage athletes' trust.

Many experts believe, the issue of SEA Games 33 prize money in Thailand serves as a lesson not only for this country but also for other sports systems in the region. Developing incentive policies must be accompanied by clear legal mechanisms to prevent athletes from feeling let down after their efforts on the regional stage.