Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on 9 December 2025 at 19.50 hr.

Minister of Tourism and Sports Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn presented the official program and a commemorative souvenir to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand Gongsak Yodmani to Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana.

Their Majesties watched a video presentation in remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, before viewing the opening ceremony performances, which included a multimedia dance performance, a water-sports show “We Are One - We Are Connected by the Sea,” a Muay Thai show “One Spirit,” and a performance featuring the blossoming of flowers representing the 11 participating nations, with the accompanying song “Blooming of One Victory” performed by musical artists, together with a multimedia display.

Afterward, Her Majesty the Queen proceeded to the royal electric vehicle to join the Thai national team in marching into the stadium. Their Majesties then viewed the parade of the national flags and athletes from the 11 participating countries.

Later, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul delivered a report on the organizing of the 33rd SEA Games in 2025. After the report, His Majesty the King delivered a royal address to officially open the 33rd SEA Games. Officials then raised the Thai national flag and the flags of the Southeast Asian Games Federation and the SEA Games.

Representatives of the athletes and referees took an oath, followed by the entrance of bearers of the Royal Flame – Vareeraya Sukasem, Somjit Jongjohor, and Panipak Wongpattanakit – who carried the Royal Flame to light the cauldron, signifying the official start of the 33rd SEA Games. After watching a drone show, Their Majesties took their leave. 

In the 33rd SEA Games, Her Majesty the Queen will also participate in the sailing competition, representing the Thai national team in the keelboat SSL47 event. The sailing races are scheduled for 15-18 December at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Sattahip District, Chon Buri Province.

Thailand has been honored by the Southeast Asian Games Federation to host the 33rd SEA Games in 2025 from 9 to 20 December. Eleven participating countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Thailand, with 8,266 athletes and 50 sports.

The main objective of the SEA Games is to foster unity, cooperation, and sportsmanship among nations in Southeast Asia. Bangkok and Chon Buri are the venues for the 33rd SEA Games.