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Published on December 8, 2007

Against a backdrop of flashing lights and a flurry of fireworks, these athletes from eleven Southeast Asian nations looked up into the sky with determination to showcase their athletic prowess by contesting in 45 disciplines and vying for 475 gold medals after years of hard work.

The spectacular fireworks and graceful performances marked the opening of the SEA Games, where athletes will strive to excel beyond their limits through determination, discipline and perseverance.

Despite the initial low-key build-up to the event, this year's SEA Games are already shaping up to be an exciting time for both athletes and spectators in Thailand. For spectators, cheering on our medal contenders will lift the nation's spirits after months of political bickering and being stuck in the economic doldrums. And after all, the message of the games, which emphasises the spirit of unity, could not be more timely.

The excitement over the regional games is evident in Nakhon Ratchasima, where crowds of sports fans can be found here, there and everywhere in this gateway city to Thailand's Northeast.

Nakhon Ratchasima, or Korat as it is widely known, is home to the statue of Khunying Mo or, as she was later known, Thao Suranaree. Khunying Mo was believed to have fought against rebel forces in 1826. Although a later generation of historians dispute some facts in her story, people in Nakhon Ratchasima couldn't care less about these arguments as their faith in her heroic act is what really matters.

And the locals' faith in the sporting spirit is on display this week. Enthusiastic crowds gather early in the morning at Nakhon Ratchasima's The Mall to get on buses to the stadium.

Audiences here may look different from those in Bangkok, as many of them wear colourful traditional outfits, though a number of them also wear bright yellow tops as a fashion statement. Yet they come to the games in the full spirit of the event with Thai-flag headbands and some of them even with painted faces. They are really having fun.

Yesterday the stadium where tennis star Tamarine Tanasugarn led her team-mates in opening matches against Burma was packed. In comparison, if that match had been held in Bangkok, it would have been unlikely to draw such a large and enthusiastic crowd, as those in the capital are used to seeing international star players during tournaments.

It is the second time that Thailand has hosted the SEA Games outside Bangkok. The last time was in Chiang Mai in 1995. Yet reporters who have been to both events say the atmosphere in Korat is more relaxing. Security checks are not quite as severe, and the town is full of friendly locals eager to greet visitors.

Buses loaded with Vietnamese fans wearing red T-shirts with big stars emblazoned across their chests also arrived in the city. Korat has turned into a colourful town.

The Thai team has been leading the way in the build-up to the official opening week. As of press time, the Thai team has collected six medals in track and field, breaking records in three categories, including the javelin, the triple jump and the men's shot put.

Earlier the Thai sepak-takraw team upset the Burmese for top medals. Kittipong Tawinun became an overnight sensation when he won the individual men's gold medal in aerobic gymnastics.

And while Thai table-tennis players have already lost to the Singaporean champions, the members of the Thai boxing squad have pulled up their socks and are waiting for the chance to snatch more than 10 medals.

However, as the measure for success is the number of medals a team wins and previous SEA Games hosts have at times been accused of using underhand tactics to secure them, the Thai hosts must prove that the games are fair this time.

The Malaysian sepak-takraw team, whose complaint about the use of a plastic ball sounded solid, has boycotted the games, and a Vietnamese cyclist was left perplexed as to why she was not awarded a bronze medal in female cycling. (The judges argued that only the gold and silver medals should be awarded as only three nations took part in the event.)

Now it's up to the Thai authorities to address complaints about rules and regulations and fairly address any complaints that arise before the games come to a close on the 15th.

The Kingdom's athletes have already thrilled us with their performances, and now it is up to the authorities to show the world that Thailand can put on a quality SEA Games.

The competing sportsmen and sportswomen have demonstrated the titanic struggle of the human spirit. Now it's time for the host nation to show that the nobility of sportsmanship is what the games are all about.

 Jeerawat Na Thalang

The Nation