PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has confirmed that the Cambodian government will make tickets for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games free for both Cambodians and foreigners, and will also grant free broadcasting rights to all channels both inside and outside the country.

Prime Minister Hun Sen stated at a Cabinet meeting on Friday morning, 21 March 2023, that making the SEA Games free for all is a contribution from the Royal Government to showcase Cambodia to the world.

The Minister of Information, Khieu Kanharith, made a post on his official Facebook page, writing “Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that both Cambodians and foreigners have the right to watch the SEA Games for free. Participating sports federations also do not have to pay money, and foreign TV broadcasts will be for free because it is important to broadcast [these games] from our country."

In a special audio message released on Thursday, Prime Minister Hun Sen shared that the government has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars in organizing this major sporting event, so it is unreasonable to expect people to spend money on tickets to attend.

Today, the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee (CAMSOC) officially announced that tickets to the games will be free of charge, and broadcasting rights will also be freely granted, both domestically and internationally.

With only 35 days left, Cambodia will host the 2023 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games for the first time in the regional sporting event’s 60-year history.