SEA GAMES THAILAND 2025 SNIPPETS

BANGKOK, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- The following are snippets involving the Thailand SEA Games 2025, being held from Dec 9 to 20:

COMPETITION VENUES FAR APART

The 2025 SEA Games have presented their own set of challenges for media personnel covering the event here.

Among the main issues is the distance of many competition venues from the city centre.

Based on the experience of Malaysian media personnel, travel to several venues can take more than an hour, including Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani, which hosts the badminton and gymnastics events.

The karate venue at the Ratthaprasasanabhakti Building requires about 50 minutes of travel, while the five-a-side (5s) hockey venue at the Royal Thai Air Force Hockey Stadium takes roughly the same amount of time.

PACKED MEALS TOP CHOICE FOR MEDIA 

For media personnel covering events around SEA Games venues, packed meals such as rice with fish tom yum dishes and fast-food burgers have become convenient options to keep energy levels up during assignments.

While there were initially no concerns about food access in Bangkok, on-the-ground experience showed that ready-to-eat meals sold at around 49 baht at convenience stores — complete with halal logos — became a lifeline amid tight schedules and long journeys between venues.

WARM GREETINGS HIGHLIGHT THAI CULTURAL GRACE

Amid the hustle and bustle of Thailand’s capital, one thing that consistently catches visitors’ attention is the warm greeting of ‘sawadee krub’ or ‘sawadee ka’

More than a simple greeting, the phrase reflects the gentle nature of Thai culture, which values courtesy and politeness in daily interactions.

The soft tone and slight bow of the head give the impression of a society that respects everyone, whether locals or visitors.

“Sawadee krub/ka” is not just an opening phrase, but a cultural bridge that makes many feel welcome, completing the experience of being in the ‘City of Smiles’.

MASSAGE SERVICES OFFER RELIEF AFTER EXPLORING BANGKOK

One of the sights that often catches the attention of visitors in Bangkok is the long rows of foot massage and reflexology centres found in almost every popular area.

After a full day of walking through markets, visiting historical sites or navigating the busy streets, these outlets become a popular choice to unwind, with areas such as Sukhumvit, Silom and Pratunam offering familiar scenes of glass doors opening and friendly greetings from massage therapists.

Simple yet soothing, the centres feature neatly arranged massage chairs, dim lighting and the familiar aroma of lemongrass oil, making massage not just a way to relieve tired feet and shoulders, but an essential part of the Bangkok experience before continuing on in a city that never seems to slow down.

-- BERNAMA