Stories
Thailand Slams "Chaotic" Asian Games Organization, Likens It To Musical Chairs
- •The Thailand contingent has heavily criticized the Asian Games organization, citing persistent issues over six days.
- •Athletes reported poor accommodation, prolonged airport delays, long waits for cruise ships, and erratic transport services.
- •Organizational problems include a shortage of rooms and concerns over accommodation quality, with some teams finding their names missing from lists.
- •Chalirat Chandrubeksa of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand stated that the number of available rooms did not match the actual number of athletes.
- •Thailand resorted to booking their own accommodations and making advance payments for food due to the ongoing issues.
Key Questions Answered
Delegations have encountered severe logistical failures, including prolonged airport delays, erratic transportation, and a shortage of rooms on cruise ships and in hotels that do not match team sizes. Some athletes found their names missing from check-in lists, forcing teams to book replacement accommodations and pay for food out of pocket.
Organisers opted against a dedicated athletes village as a cost-cutting measure, relying instead on a cruise ship, temporary wooden containers, and local hotels. However, participant numbers swelled to over 17,000, and local officials admitted they lacked the manpower and budget to accommodate the additions.
Delegations have been forced to rent additional vehicles and book separate replacement accommodations using their own funds. Additionally, some teams like the Philippines have resorted to using Airbnbs to deal with the severe room crunch in the Aichi-Nagoya area.
