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BANGKOK: Eighteen years after it last hosted the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Korat, Thailand will<\/span> once again hold the region’s biggest sporting meet from Dec 9 to Dec 20.<\/p>\n This time around, however, things are markedly low-key in the sprawling metropolis of Bangkok where most events will be held.<\/p>\n Organisers recently announced they were moving venues for 10 sports to Bangkok, including men’s football, because of severe flooding in Thailand’s south, which has killed more than 170 people.\u00a0<\/p>\n Neighbour Cambodia also announced its withdrawal from nine sports, citing safety concerns, as a border row with Thailand simmers.<\/p>\n This has meant a less-than-celebratory mood with little buzz or visible publicity ahead of the opening ceremony next Tuesday (Dec 9).<\/span><\/p>\n But for other nations, it is all systems go.\u00a0<\/p>\n Singapore, for one, is sending its <\/span>largest contingent to the Games<\/span>, with 930 athletes set to compete in 48 sports. The men’s baseball team were the first in action as they beat Laos 13-1 on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are five things to look out for as CNA brings you the latest from the 33rd SEA Games.<\/span><\/p>\n There are only a small group of Olympic medalists who have competed at the SEA Games and later this month, kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder will join this select tribe.<\/p>\n Maeder, who clinched bronze at last year\u2019s Olympics, will be making his Games debut.<\/p>\n This year, the 19-year-old has not quite hit the same heights he did in 2024, but has still notched a number of title wins.<\/p>\n Maeder started 2025 by retaining his crown\u00a0at Trofeo Princesa Sofia Regatta and went on to also successfully defend his\u00a0Formula Kite European Championships open title.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n1. How will Max Maeder do in his SEA Games debut?<\/h2>\n