In just one month the ASEAN Para Games is scheduled to start in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima. Cambodia have been entered to participate at the Games scheduled from January 10-26, 2026.
Should the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia (NPCC) withdraw from the biennial Games?
The ASEAN Para Games is a much smaller scale multi-sport event than the SEA Games, and normally flies under the radar, especially with limited media coverage. But it is still being held in Thailand.
The current situation has not changed. Thailand military is still carrying out incursion into Cambodian territory and had cause the death of at least seven innocent Cambodian citizens.
The border tensions are not going to miraculously disappear within the next one month. It does not look that the Thais have any respect for peace accords or the need for regional stability. Or for that matter, Cambodian sovereignty over their own country.
The current border tension was escalated by Thailand, despite both nations signing the Kuala Lumpur Accord in late October. The peace treaty was to put an end to the dispute but Thailand have flagrantly violated it with air strikes on Cambodian territory just days before the start of the official opening of the SEA Games.
Numerous Cambodian war prisoners are still being held in Thailand in spite of the peace treaty.
Will the Cambodian para athletes feel secure participating in Thailand?
Cambodian wheelchair team did play at the Asia-Oceania Basketball Championships in November with no untoward incidents. But that was an isolated event that does not have the same implication or repercussion that could arise in a much bigger multi-sport event.
There would also be a much bigger international media attention on the Cambodian athletes, not because of sports but because of the current conflict. If one where to take a peek at any of the Thai social media, it is evident that there is an huge uptick of negativity against Cambodia.
Should Cambodia withdraw from the Asean Para Games?
Yes, they should. And they should withdraw their contingent from the Games now instead of waiting until the eleventh hour.
The sporting pressure on Thailand must be applied consistently and continuously. While a withdrawal would again be a big disappointment for the Cambodian para athletes, it is a necessary step.
