MOTS anticipates the games, scheduled for December this year, will create 12,000 to 14,000 jobs in the construction, service, transportation and sports sectors.

A promotional poster for SEA Games 33 in Thailand.

"There will be no less than 12,000 athletes, coaches and staff from countries in the region come to Thailand," MOTS Minister Atthakorn Sirilathayakorn told Siam Sport. "This will create economic fluctuations during the Games in the host provinces and neighboring areas."

The revenue projection includes 20 million baht already received from sponsorship and 180 million baht from goods and services, such as sports equipment and drinks.

It also factors in 134.4 million baht in SEA Games registration fees (plus 16.8 million baht for the Para Games) and an expected 20 million baht from ticket sales. Thailand is also promoting the sale of television rights, reportedly charging $20,000 for access cards into the events for media.

The $63.5 million budget of Thailand for the SEA Games and Para Games this time is significantly less than Cambodia's $131 million expenditure for the 2023 SEA Games. The difference is largely attributed to Thailand's use of existing facilities, whereas Cambodia built many new ones.

For comparison, Vietnam spent approximately $44 million on SEA Games 31 but did not host the Para Games. Neither Cambodia nor Vietnam revealed revenue from the events.

SEA Games 33 will take place from Dec. 9 to 20 in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla, featuring 50 sports. This marks the seventh time Thailand has hosted the Games. The ASEAN Para Games will follow, scheduled from Jan. 20 to 26, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Two overseas Vietnamese players eligible for SEA Games 33

Two talented half-Vietnamese players have recently obtained Vietnamese citizenship and can be called up for the SEA Games 33 in Thailand at the end of this year.

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