U22 Vietnam's SEA Games 33 schedule faces uncertainty, with matches against Laos on 4/12 and Malaysia on 11/12 initially set for Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla. The team was scheduled to arrive from TP HCM on 1/12. However, this plan may change due to historical floods, as roads leading to the stadium are deeply submerged, though the stadium itself remains clear.

"It's highly likely that Group B will be moved from Songkhla to Bangkok", a source told VnExpress. "The natural disaster is affecting organizational work. Vietnam has also not been able to send representatives for advance scouting."

Vehicles parked on elevated roads to avoid floodwaters in Hat Yai city, Songkhla province, southern Thailand, on 25/11/2025. Photo: AFP.

Bangkok, the capital, offers several football stadiums for organizers, including Thammasat Stadium, which regularly hosts matches for the national team. Rajamangala National Stadium is already designated for Group A matches, semifinals, and the final.

Vietnam is awaiting official announcements from the host nation. The relocation itself would not significantly impact travel, as the team must transit in Bangkok anyway due to no direct flights from TP HCM to Songkhla. However, logistics such as training grounds, hotels, and catering would need recalculation if the venue changes.

Flooding frequently occurs in southern Thailand during the rainy season from October to March, displacing many people annually. This year's situation has become extremely severe. Hat Yai, Songkhla province's largest city, has recorded its worst flooding in 300 years.

Yesterday, 24/11, Ratthasart Chidchoo, the governor of Songkhla province, declared a disaster status across all 16 districts. Continuous heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, submerging many residential areas and threatening civilian lives. While rainfall has decreased, persistent rain has led officials to warn of recurring floods.

This directly impacts preparations for SEA Games 33. Songkhla, along with Bangkok and Chonburi, are the three host provinces. Songkhla is scheduled to host 10 sports, including men's football Group B, petanque, wrestling, and martial arts such as: muay Thai, pencak silat, chess, judo, kabaddi, karate, and wushu, with a total of 109 gold medals to be awarded.

The two football venues, Tinsulanon and Phru Khang Khao, along with several other competition halls, are currently flooded. Kongsak Yodmanee, Director General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), stated that contingency plans would be activated. Accordingly, some sports may need relocation within the province or to another province.

The Phru Khang Khao competition hall is severely flooded, forcing muay Thai to move to the Prince of Songkhla University International Convention Center, near the wushu venue. For petanque, hosts have installed additional roofing and tents to mitigate rain impact.

Jiu jitsu has been moved approximately 150 km from Bangkok to Saraburi, aiming to prepare for receiving sports from Songkhla.

Hieu Luong