Chiang Mai ready to host SEA Games

Chiang Mai ready to host SEA Games

By Robert Soelistyo

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): A smiling cat holding an umbrella
will greet those arriving at Bangkok's Dong Muang International
Airport for the 18th Southeast Asian Games next month.

Sawasdee, the name of the official SEA Games mascot, reflects
the Thai character and the spirit of host city, Chiang Mai.

The blue, yellow, black, green, red and white cat is also
supposed to bring luck to the Games. The blue circle at the top
represents His Majesty the King, the inspiration of all Thais,
while the six gold rings stand for the six countries which
founded the Golden Peninsula Games, or Southeast Peninsula Games
(SEAP).

The SEAP Games were first hosted by Thailand in 1959. At that
time there were only six participating countries: Myanmar, Laos,
Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam (South) and Thailand.

Beginning with the 9th SEAP Games, which were held in Malaysia
in 1977, the name was changed to SEA Games to include Indonesia
and the Philippines.

This is the fifth time Thailand has hosted the games and it is
the first time that a non-capital city has been allowed to
organize the Games.

Participants will come from 10 Southeast Asian countries,
including Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia,
Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Philippines and Cambodia. Cambodia,
the latest member country, will be participating in the Games for
the first time.

The SEA Games committee announced that not one of the 334
events in this year's Games will be dropped from contention.

The committee, headed by Santiparb Tejavanija, the Thai
National Olympic Committee Treasurer, was working until the early
hours yesterday to organize the names of the athletes and their
events.

"It's good to learn that not one event will be dropped. This
is the first time we have witnessed such an inspiring situation,"
Santiparb said.

At past Games, Santiparb added, "we have faced a few setbacks
and some events had to be scrapped. Chiang Mai is going to
witness great competition."

His Majesty the King has presented the flame for the SEA
Games. A beam reflected via ThaiCom Satellite at the Royal Palace
in Bangkok will light the flame at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in
Chiang Mai, some 700 kilometers away. The flame will then be
carried in a procession from Doi Suthep through the streets of
Chiang Mai to the Three Kings Monument.

In addition to the thrill and excitement of the competitions,
the opening ceremony on Dec. 9 is highly anticipated.

Eight-time champion Indonesia and favorite to top the overall
medals tally again, has submitted an entry list of 691 athletes
and officials last Friday. Indonesia hopes to grab 30 percent of
the 334 gold medals.

"If Indonesia is going to win that many and Thailand plans to
collect a bigger number than Indonesia, then there won't be any
golds left for the other countries," Santiparb joked.

Transportation

Even with 10 flights a day between Bangkok and Chiang Mai,
served by national flag carrier Thai International,
transportation between the cities has been posing problems.

Chiang Mai, second largest city after the capital and
potential tourist resort, is facing heavy air traffic almost
everyday.

"During the SEA Games, Thai International plans to provide
several extra flights daily to help ease the air transportation
problems," a Thai official at Chiang Mai airport said.

Train users can reach Chiang Mai in 10 hours and 40 minutes
for Bt400, with the first train leaving for Chiang Mai at 6.40
a.m. and the last train at 10 p.m. Trains serve the route 10
times a day from Bangkok.

Buses serve the two cities 16 times a day in just under 11
hours. The bus fare ranges from Bt190 and Bt470, depending on if
its air conditioned or not.

The city of Chiang Mai, founded by King Mengrei Maharat, will
celebrate its 700th anniversary in February next year. The Games
are in celebration of the 50th year of the coronation of his
Majesty the King Bhumipol Aduljadej on Dec. 5.

Thailand has been more successful than Indonesia in becoming
the host of Asian and Southeast Asian sports events, including
the Asian Games and SEA Games.

For the last 36 years it has hosted the SEA Games five times,
in 1959 (SEAP), in 1967, 1975, 1985 and 1995. The Asian Games
were contested in Thailand in 1966 (after Jakarta 1962), 1970 and
1978. The continent's biggest sporting extravaganza will return
to Thailand in 1998.

According to the committee, the Thais have been successful due
to their ability to attract the private sector and other sources
of financial support.