The Rajamangala National Stadium, with a capacity of 51,552 seats, is considered the "heart" of the 33rd SEA Games. It will host the opening and closing ceremonies, men's football matches for groups A and B, and the semi-final and final matches.

All preparations are nearing completion, highlighted by the flame stand rising from stand B.

The "Flame of Auspice" will be lit on the opening day and will burn until the end of the games. This flame, bestowed by the Thai Royal Family, is traditionally used in important sporting events in Thailand. It symbolizes luck, purity, glory, and success, while also expressing the aspirations for peace, unity, and noble sportsmanship among ASEAN nations.

National flags of the 11 participating nations have been erected in the stand D area, including: Viet Nam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Timor Leste. These are members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, the body responsible for coordinating and overseeing the games.

Lighting systems are installed around the stadium and stands, promising a spectacle of colors for the opening ceremony.

With the slogan "Ever Forward" and the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", the host nation aims to create an opening and closing ceremony that is both ceremonially impressive and conveys a message of harmony and sustainable development within ASEAN.

The VIP stand area is undergoing renovation, with seats ready for installation.

The official song of the 33rd SEA Games is "1%", performed by singer and actress Violette Wautier in collaboration with rapper Hero. The song carries a message of belief, resilience, and an unyielding spirit, fitting for the spirit of sports.

Before the opening ceremony, the stadium will host group A and B football matches, including the Viet Nam versus Laos match at 16h tomorrow, 3/12.

Tickets for the opening ceremony will be distributed free, but attendees must register via the official website of the Organizing Committee.

The International Broadcasting Center (IBC) and the Main Press Center (MPC) for the 33rd SEA Games are located at the headquarters of Thailand's National Television Station.

Vietnamese television stations with broadcasting rights are actively installing tons of equipment to promptly transmit event coverage, especially for Vietnamese sports, to serve their audience.

However, only credentialed broadcasters have been issued media passes; other reporter groups must use temporary passes.

Due to the absence of metal detectors, security personnel at the IBC and MPC must conduct manual, thorough screenings, which takes time.

Inside the MPC, there is a workspace for the media, but it is small, with only two rows of desks and 28 high-speed internet computers.

A notable feature of the MPC is its spacious canteen, which only operates from 11h30 to 2h30.

In addition to complimentary buffet meals and drinks, the press center also sells extra food items for reporters.

The 33rd SEA Games marks the 7th time Thailand has hosted the Southeast Asian Games, following 1959, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1995, and 2007. This year, the event is taking place in Bangkok and Chonburi. Previously, the Organizing Committee canceled plans to host in Songkhla province due to flooding.

This year's event spans 12 days, featuring 574 events across 50 sports. Thailand prioritizes Olympic sports and limits "optional" sports, aiming to elevate the SEA Games into a platform for improving quality and aligning with international standards.

Duc Dong