PRADIT RUANGDIT

Thailand will give Laos 98 million baht (US$2.9m) to help it organise the SEA Games next year, a Thai government spokesman said yesterday.

''The money will be given to help Laos organise the 25th SEA Games, to improve stadiums and train staff,'' spokeswoman Weerinthira Nathongborcharas said.

The biennial Games are scheduled to take place in Laos at the end of next year but the country desperately needs funds to improve its infrastructure.

Weerinthira said Thailand would send referees to train Laotian personnel in 12 sporting events and offer further training courses in Bangkok in four other events.

Thailand will also loan Laos sports equipment from the previous SEA Games, which took place in Nakhon Ratchasima last December.

Laos, which has no experience in organising international sporting events, will host the 25-sport Games from December 3-12, 2009.

Thailand joins China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Olympic Council of Asia in supporting the Laos event, which will take place mostly at the national stadium in the capital of Vientaine.