SEA Games kick off in Khorat

The 24th Southeast Asian Games is set to commence in the Northeastern City of Khorat (Nakorn Ratchasima), returning to Thailand for the first time in 12 years. Comprising the 11 nations that make up ASEAN, the games this year will feature 43 disciplines and 5282 athletes competing between the 6th and 15th of December.

Conveniently co-inciding with the 80th Birthday celebrations for His Majesty the King, the games will also include a Princess of the Crown Prince competing in badminton, and feature a number of sports unique to Asia such as sepak takraw (a kind of volleyball without hands), wushu and Thai kick boxing.

Thailand is a hot favourite to take home the most medals, but will also face heavy competition from Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. Events include; athletics, swimming, football, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, triathlon, mountain biking, rugby, taekwondo, equestrian, sailing and even billiards, body building and pentanque.

Korat is located two hours drive northeast of Bangkok, and welcomes visiting tourists. However accommodation at short notice will be difficult to find.

SEA Games site