Thailand invites Games members

Thailand invites Games members

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the 18th Southeast Asian Games organizing committee in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Banyat Bantadtan, officially invited on Tuesday nine neighboring countries to take part in the region's sporting meet in December.

Apart from host Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are expected to send their best athletes at the biennial event slated for Dec. 9-17.

Bantadtan, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the Thai government had earmarked US$4 million to fund its athletes' preparation for the Games.

"Learning that our athletes gained a commendable improvement during the recent Asian Games, we are optimistic to snatch no less than 100 gold medals in the SEA Games," Bantadtan was quoted by OANA news agency. (amd)