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.