The sporting fraternity has been rocked by revelations surrounding harassment cases involving female athletes during the 33rd SEA Games, hosted by Thailand in December 2025.
Speaking after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Safeguarding in Sport on 27 January 2026, National Olympic Committee of Thailand Vice President Dr. Suwanna Silpa-archa confirmed that 10 harassment cases were identified during the multi-sport event.
According to Dr. Suwanna, the cases involved female athletes and team liaison officers, with the forms of misconduct ranging from verbal abuse and psychological harassment to incidents serious enough to be classified as attempted physical assault. The situation was made more alarming by the confirmation that one foreign female athlete was among the victims.
She explained that the incidents had a direct impact on the mental well-being of those affected. A special task force was deployed to provide immediate care and support, ensuring that all victims were able to resume competition without further disruption.
In handling the cases, the organizing bodies opted for a preventive and restorative approach, focusing on dialogue and structural adjustments rather than legal action or financial compensation. Officials involved were reassigned where necessary to prevent further encounters and to maintain harmony throughout the competition.
To safeguard the dignity and privacy of the victims, Dr. Suwanna stressed that no details regarding the specific sports or nationalities involved would be made public.
The disclosure has sent a strong message across the regional sporting landscape, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms and reaffirming that athlete safety, rights, and dignity must remain non-negotiable priorities at all levels of competition.
Credit Photo : SAT
