Southeast Asia’s volleyball star complains after having over 150 million VND cut from SEA Games 2025 gold medal bonus.
Kissada Nilsawai, the star middle blocker of Thailand’s men’s volleyball team, caused a stir with his statement about losing up to 200,000 baht (167 million VND) after winning gold.SEA Games 2025.
Thai volleyball star complains about prize money atSEA Games 2025
Kissada Nilsawai, who just won his fifth SEA Games gold medal in his career, candidly spoke about the life of a national team athlete during a media interview.
"I will quit playing for Thailand’s national volleyball team and only participate in the domestic league (Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC). If they want me back on the national team, I will have to consider it first," Kissada Nilsawai said.
Kissada Nilsawai complains about the SEA Games prize money cut.
Kissada also addressed the prize money issue, which had previously been proposed to increase to 500,000 baht (418 million VND) for gold medalists at SEA Games. However, due to budget limits, this amount was reduced back to 300,000 baht (251 million VND).
"Please, can I have the 500,000 baht prize for the SEA Games gold medal? When they announced 500,000 baht, I was very happy. But now I don’t understand why it dropped to 300,000 baht. I was planning to renovate my bathroom because there are too many cockroaches," Kissada exclaimed.
The 33-year-old hitter and five-time SEA Games gold medalist added: "Frankly, I want the athlete’s allowance increased because for many years it’s been only 900 baht, but 300 baht is deducted for accommodation or other expenses, leaving just 600 baht per day. This situation has lasted for decades."
"I alone have participated in the SEA Games 8 times over 16 years, not to mention seniors like P'Khaek (Kittikhun Sri-uttawong) and previous generations. In the past, 18,000 baht was enough for food, and a bowl of rice or noodles was only 35 baht. Now it’s 70 baht, which is really unbearable," Kissada shared.
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