Thailand nabbed a record-breaking number of gold medals as the Southeast Asian Games closed in Bangkok on Saturday, but the two-week event was overshadowed by a deadly border conflict with Cambodia. Colorful dances, fireworks, and pop performances stunned crowds at the closing ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium on Saturday evening, with athletes representing 10 countries parading with their national flags. Notably absent were the Cambodian athletes, who fully withdrew from the 33rd SEA Games the day after its opening on Dec. 9, citing security fears due to an ongoing border conflict with Thailand. The host country took a record 233 gold medals, far outstripping second-place Indonesia with 91 gold, and Vietnam at third with 87. Meanwhile, the Philippines bagged 50 gold medals, 73 silver, and 154 bronze.

Source: Philippine Star December 21, 2025 07:30 UTC