Thai Team Chief Cites Logistical Strain From Scattered Asian Games Housing
Thai delegation chief says scattered housing across shipping containers, boats, and hotels during the Asian Games created logistical strain, with athletes in hotels complaining about food services that didn't meet competition standards.
Admiral Aphivatpong Srivatthanakul, head of the Thai delegation at the 20th Asian Games held September 19 to October 4, disclosed that this edition departed from traditional standards by dispersing athletes across three separate accommodation arrangements rather than housing them in a central athletes' village. Budget constraints and environmental considerations prompted organizers to split the team into groups lodged in shipping containers at the port, chartered fishing boats, and various hotels.
Aphivatpong acknowledged the arrangement created unprecedented logistical challenges. Although the accommodation department ultimately managed operations smoothly, the situation was precarious given that available accommodation nearly matched athlete numbers. He emphasized that the problem was not unique to Thailand, affecting many Asian nations.
Athletes housed in hotels registered complaints about food services, as many of those hotels operated outside the Asian Games system and therefore did not properly follow Asian Games standards. With athletes dispersed across three locations, living standards inevitably differed and could not be uniform. Services such as transportation, laundry, and meal provision required supplementary support to sustain athletes adequately, though Aphivatpong acknowledged these offerings might not be entirely equal. He stated the delegation had briefed athletes on the situation, and they understood and cooperated well.
