Mr Sorawong said the proposal to prevent the country from attending the games in December would be discussed during an upcoming meeting on Aug 20-21.
The minister acknowledged that the matter has been widely debated on social media after he raised it in response to the clashes that broke out along the Thai-Cambodian border, which have led to deaths and injuries on both sides, reports the Bangkok Post.
However, he said the matter would be decided among the federation’s member nations, similar to how Russia was banned from joining the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Chaiyapak Siriwat, the chief operating officer of the SEAGF Office, said on Sunday (July 27) that Thailand, as a host of the 33rd SEA Games, cannot ban Cambodia from competing, despite the political conflict and border fighting.
He said the decision should be made under the Olympic Charter, which promotes political neutrality and non-discriminatory principles. That charter also defends the right of all member nations to attend.
The SEAGF meeting in August will discuss the matter in alignment with the Olympic Charter, said Mr Chaiyapak.
“SEAGF and the organising committee have no authority to ban any nations from competing in SEA Games as long as that nation is still a member and not until penalties have officially been issued,” Mr Chaiyapak explained.
As of now, 1,515 Cambodian athletes have registered for the SEA Games, he said.