Thailand will host the biennial Games from Dec 9–20, reports the Bangkok Post.
The decision to exclude petanque from the 2025 SEA Games marks a significant setback for the sport in Southeast Asia, where Thailand has traditionally been a powerhouse.
All federations involved and any members who participate in any petanque events at the 2025 Games face exclusion from all world competitions until the next SEA Games in Malaysia in 2027.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to regional sporting authorities, WPBF president Claude Azema expressed his “deep disappointment” over the conduct of the leadership of the Petanque Association of Thailand.
Azema has alleged without naming anyone that a former president of the Thai body, who has been handed a lifetime ban following multiple accusations of misconduct, continues to interfere in the association’s management.
According to the WPBF, the scandal has inflicted serious harm on the reputation of Thai petanque and jeopardised the careers of thousands of athletes across the country.
The controversy was also cited as a key reason for the expulsion of the Thai association from international membership, effectively isolating the country from the global community for the sport.
“Such actions have not only undermined the integrity of the sport in Thailand but also deprived athletes of fair opportunities to compete on the international stage,” Azema wrote.
In response to the crisis, a Central Petanque Committee was established by the National Olympic Committee of Thailand. The committee, which has been formally recognised by the International Pétanque Federation (FIPJP), was tasked with overseeing the sport’s administration and restoring credibility.
However, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has refused to acknowledge the committee’s authority or its conclusions, creating a deadlock that has further complicated efforts to stabilise the sport.
Chaiyapak Siriwat, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, brought petanque back into the 33rd SEA Games, after a round of negotiations with the International Federation of Petanque, regarding the crisis that threatened to derail the competition.
The solution worked out in July this year was that Thailand would form a neutral seven-member interim committee to oversee the Thai petanque association’s operations.