• 
• 

Published on November 27, 2007

The biennial sports competition, with 475 gold medals on offer will be held at different venues within and outside Nakhon Ratchasima, the main host city. Twenty-nine events including athletics, swimming, badminton, amateur boxing and volleyball will take place in Nakhon Ratchasima. Co-host city Bangkok will stage 16 events, which include bowling, handball, shooting, baseball, hockey and lawn bowls.

Chon Buri will host the remaining six events including all water sports, triathlon and equestrian.

At the previous three SEA Games, Thai athletes have lost the overall crowns to the host countries. They last won the championship in 1999. In 2001, Thailand lost to  Vietnam and two years later they were relegated to second by Philippines. This time, the Thais are hoping for the best on home soil.

The SEA Games Athletes Evaluation Committee of Thailand predicts the Thai athletes will win between 145 and 150 gold medals. However, the Sports Reporters Association of Thailand is more optimistic with its prediction of 160 golds.

"All athletes  can be sure of one thing - that hosts Thailand will make the 24th Games fair play," said General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, president of the Olympic Committee of Thailand.

The opening ceremony will be held on December 6 at the Nakhon Ratchasima main stadium.