Mongkutpetch lost to Filipino fighter Bomogao Islay Erika in the women's -45kg category. Meanwhile, Thongchai Huanak lost to Rumijam Wassof of Malaysia in the men's -54kg category. Both matches took place on 17/12.

Today, 23/12, Mongkutpetch visited the ANOC headquarters in Bangkok to meet directly with the committee's president, Pimol Srivikorn, and file her complaint. Natthadej, president of Petchyindee, Mongkutpetch's managing club, was also present to represent the fighter.

Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar (right) lost to Filipino fighter Bomogao Islay Erika in the muay thai women's under 45kg final at SEA Games 33, held at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on 17/12/2025. Photo: Khaosod

Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar (right) lost to Filipino fighter Bomogao Islay Erika in the muay thai women's under 45kg final at SEA Games 33, held at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on 17/12/2025. Photo: Khaosod

Natthadej stated that based on how the match unfolded, everyone believed Mongkutpetch should have won. When the referee announced the opposite result, the audience at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium booed. "We are defending our fighter because they were truly wronged and completely deceived", Natthadej said during the meeting with the ANOC president. "I am certain that this tournament was unfair. It is time to change the structure of the Amateur Muay Thai Federation. It has been rotten for too long".

Natthadej argued that the president of the Amateur Muay Thai Federation (AMAT) did not take action to protect the fighters, despite SEA Games 33 being held on home soil. "At the very least, they should have confronted the issue and stood up to defend the athletes. But all they did was say there was no match-fixing", the Petchyindee Club president added.

Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar addresses officials at the Thai Olympic Committee headquarters in Bangkok on 23/12/2025. Photo: Main Stand

Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar addresses officials at the Thai Olympic Committee headquarters in Bangkok on 23/12/2025. Photo: Main Stand

Thana Chaiyaprasit, Head of the Thai Sports Delegation at SEA Games 33, also revealed that representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were present to watch the matches. They expressed suspicion, asking Thana why Thai fighters who performed better still lost.

In response to these reactions, ANOC President Pimol stated he would invite AMAT President Sakchai Thapsuwan for discussions. However, he pointed out a complication: Sakchai simultaneously serves as president of both AMAT and the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA). "Normally, a member federation would complain to the international federation. But in this case, it's unclear what Mr. Sakchai can do", President Pimol noted.

According to regulations, decisions regarding results cannot be changed even if errors are found. However, referees may be penalized for mistakes. If match-fixing is involved, the penalties will be more severe.

Thai Olympic Committee President Pimol Srivikorn meets with Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar. Photo: Main Stand

Thai Olympic Committee President Pimol Srivikorn meets with Mongkutpetch Petchprawfar. Photo: Main Stand

ANOC affirmed its commitment to protecting the athletes' honor and dignity, and to clarifying the issue to prevent similar incidents. According to Pimol, Thailand is striving to promote this national sport globally and aims for its inclusion in the Olympic program. Therefore, allowing negative incidents to persist will harm muay thai's image and future on the international stage.

Before Mongkutpetch filed her complaint with ANOC, the head coach of the Thai muay thai team, Surajit Thonganan, and fighter Thongchai Huanak had already criticized the refereeing immediately after the matches. They raised suspicions about medal allocation at SEA Games 33.

However, AMAT and IFMA President Sakchai denied allegations of match-fixing. He asserted that muay thai at SEA Games 33 concluded generally satisfactorily, though he admitted some controversial scoring decisions occurred in certain finals. He emphasized that the refereeing team was not under AMAT's direct management but was appointed by the SEA Games Organizing Committee. Therefore, any questions regarding officiating should be directed to the head of the organizing committee's referee department.

In his capacity as IFMA President, Sakchai stated he would review official reports before taking any action. "Personally, I followed the matches from start to finish and there were times when I felt the results were not entirely convincing. However, I was in the stands, while the referees were closer to the ring; perhaps they observed situations that we could not clearly see", he said.

Addressing the accusations of medal distribution directly, Sakchai affirmed: "We have never had, nor do we have, a policy of distributing medals. Wins and losses are entirely based on the athletes' abilities. Assessments that referees performed below standard are individual perspectives and opinions".

At the conclusion of muay thai at SEA Games 33, the Thai delegation secured 11 gold medals, 6 silver medals, and one bronze medal.

Compiled by Trung Thu