Thailand has announced that badminton star Kunlavut Vitidsarn and boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng will serve as the national flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, set to begin in Bangkok and Chonburi on 9 December.

The decision spotlights two of the country’s most accomplished athletes as symbols of national pride and competitive ambition.

Kunlavut arrives in elite form: earlier this year he claimed the men’s singles title at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships — Thailand’s first in decades — and since then has risen to world No. 1. His selection underscores Thailand’s confidence in its badminton squad, which is viewed as a cornerstone of its bid for regional supremacy when the Games return home.

Janjaem Suwannapheng, a leading figure in female boxing and a rising star in international competition, completes the pair.

Her inclusion reflects Thailand’s broader athletic strength across combat sports and its commitment to gender equality in elite sport roles.

The 33rd SEA Games will feature 1,807 Thai competitors across 50 sports, as the host nation seeks to leverage home-advantage and strong grassroots preparation.

With Kunlavut and Janjaem leading the contingent, Thailand sends a message of unity, ambition and readiness to contend across disciplines.

Organisers expect the opening ceremony to be a major display of national sport spirit, with these two flagbearers embodying the country’s hopes for success on home soil and signalling a determined start to the Games.