Thailand are left scrambling to find new venues for all ten sports scheduled to be held in Songkhla following the devastating floods that had struck the province.
The decision was made after a meeting earlier today between the Thailand SEA Games Organising Committee, member nations and the Minister of Tourism and Sports Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn.
Boxing, Pencak Silat, Men’s football (Group B), Chess, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Wrestling, Petanque and Wushu will all now be relocated out of Songkhla to Bangkok.
Yesterday, only the shifting of the boxing event from the Southern Major City Stadium to the International Convention Centre at Prince of Songkla University was indicated while there was a likelihood that football competition would also be shifted.
However, with all 16 districts in the province in a state of disaster, due to the continuous heavy rains that has caused widespread flooding, submerging many residential areas and threatening the lives of civilians.
The ten events would account for 109 medals and would also be a logistical nightmare for several participating countries that have already made their travel arrangements.
Malaysia for instance had already indicated that they were travelling by road to Songkhla for the Games, while most others had also confirmed their flight arrangements.
Hosts Thailand is said to be also considering compensation for the guest countries, as some teams have booked flights and already made made support staff arrangements in Songkhla.
The governing bodies of the affected sports have been asked to prepare new venues while maintaining the same competition schedule.
With just over a week before the official start of the Games on December 9, getting some of these venues ready at the optimal level would be a big challenge for the hosts.
With the current border tension between Thailand and Cambodia, the eleventh hour changes to the venues may also need proper security arrangements to be put in place at the venues.
Cambodia is sending a 332-strong contingent to the Games and will be participating in pencak silat, karate, wushu, petanque, football, wrestling, all originally scheduled in Songkhla.
With the undercurrent of Cambodian participation negatively seen by a large group of people in both countries, security would be something that the Thai authorities need pay full attention to at the new venues.
