PATTAYA, THAILAND – Authorities in Chonburi province launched a targeted training program for tourism and sports volunteers to prepare for an expected influx of visitors and the 33rd SEA Games in December.
Volunteer training launched at The Zign Hotel
The provincial Office of Tourism and Sports Chonburi trained 40 volunteers in Pattaya, known locally as “OsothoKo”, with a focus on participants with strong foreign language skills to better support international guests. The opening session took place in the conference room of The Zign Hotel and was led by Ms Wanida Phansaad, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Participants included students, employees from the public and private sectors, and civically engaged volunteers with experience in tourism, sports and leisure activities.
Strategic project to strengthen cooperation
Ms Ampai Sakdanukulchit Schlewinski, director of the Chonburi Office of Tourism and Sports, placed the course within a broader project aimed at strengthening volunteer skills and improving cooperation between agencies. The goal was to resolve tourist-related problems more quickly and in a coordinated manner. She described Chonburi as the tourism and sports hub of eastern Thailand, attracting visitors year-round thanks to diverse natural attractions, cultural offerings, local communities and international venues.
“With the co-hosting of the 33rd SEA Games next month, a significant increase in tourist numbers is to be expected.”
said Ampai Sakdanukulchit Schlewinski, director of the Chonburi Office of Tourism and Sports.
Focus on safety, emergencies and fraud
According to Ampai, volunteers increasingly encountered complex situations, including emergencies, injuries and fraud related to goods and services, as well as a need for rapid, cross-agency coordination. The specialist training therefore focused on four key areas: tourist safety and service in line with international standards, emergency management, foreign-language communication skills, and efficient coordination with the responsible authorities. The aim was to build a resilient network of well-prepared volunteers who could assist quickly and effectively, raise service quality in Chonburi and strengthen visitor confidence.
Key role during the 33rd SEA Games
Chonburi and Pattaya were set to act as co-hosts of the 33rd SEA Games in December, welcoming numerous athletes, officials and spectators to what is regarded as a major sporting event in Southeast Asia. The newly trained OsothoKo volunteers were expected to play a central role during the games by helping with orientation, safety and service issues, and acting as a link between tourists and government agencies. According to the provincial administration, the measure was also intended to help further consolidate Chonburi as a leading year-round travel destination in Thailand and to sustainably improve the visitor experience.
Long-term boost for tourism standards
Provincial officials stated that the training initiative was designed not only for the SEA Games but for long-term benefits to the local tourism sector. By building structured cooperation between agencies and a pool of trained volunteers, authorities aimed to respond more consistently to incidents affecting tourists. In the view of Chonburi’s tourism leaders, this approach would support the province’s position as a reliable and attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors.