• Cambodia has fully withdrawn from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games amid violence with Thailand.
• The decision was influenced by requests from athletes' families citing safety concerns.
• Over 500,000 people have been displaced due to escalating border tensions between the two nations.
• The Games are set to end on December 20, but Cambodia's participation has now ceased.
• This marks a significant escalation in ongoing border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.

Cambodia has withdrawn its entire sporting delegation from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games amid escalating tensions with Thailand, citing safety concerns. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) notified the SEA Games Federation on December 10, stating that "due to serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes," it must arrange for their prompt return home. The decision was made after the Cambodian team had already attended the opening ceremony a day prior, according to channelnewsasia, scmp, and reuters.

Clashes between the two neighboring countries have intensified with over 14 fatalities reported and significant displacement of civilians. The fighting, which resulted from long-standing border disputes, has led to airstrikes and heavy artillery exchanges, straining the recent fragile truce brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. A total of over 500,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes due to the renewed hostilities, as highlighted by thejakartapost and channelnewsasia.

The Cambodian delegation, previously prepared to compete in 12 sports, had already scaled back its participation in November by withdrawing from eight sports due to security concerns. NOCC's secretary-general, Vath Chamroeun, expressed regrets over any inconvenience this decision may cause while further emphasizing the safety of athletes as the top priority. This latest withdrawal represents the most significant escalation in a series of ongoing conflicts and is a particularly poignant signal as Cambodia was ranked fourth in the medals table in the last SEA Games held in 2023, according to reuters, scmp, and thejakartapost.