Behind the Cheer: 8D7N in Bangkok with FAMEMAS & Eco‑Shop Supporting Team Malaysia at SEA Games 2025

I just got back from an unforgettable 8D7N trip to Bangkok to support Team Malaysia at the 33rd SEA Games Thailand. This is my day‑by‑day account of where we went, what we ate, and who we screamed our lungs out for.

FAMEMAS has been Malaysia’s official sports supporters club since 2002, the heartbeat of our athletes at SEA Games and Asian Games. With their booming chants, Jalur Gemilang waves, and endless energy, they have become a force of morale and pride.

For SEA Games 2025, FAMEMAS teamed up with Eco‑Shop, Malaysia’s ultra‑affordable home retailer, to launch Malaysia Power — a nationwide movement rallying Malaysians behind our athletes. Eco‑Shop even sponsored 45 delegates, a mix of FAMEMAS members and loyal customers, to represent Malaysia in the stands.

Team A - All ready to cheer for Malaysia

Day 1 - Sawasdee Bangkok!

Day 1 kicked off bright and early at KLIA, 6am. Team A gathered in full spirit, decked out in fresh Eco‑Shop FAMEMAS tees (four each) plus a bright yellow FAMEMAS cap and a fiery red Eco‑Shop cap. Group photos were a must before boarding MH784 at 9am.

Team B — comprising Eco‑Shop management and winners of the Malaysia Power Contest — would join later on 18 December. That contest, held nationwide in October, gave Malaysians the chance to win a fully sponsored trip to Bangkok. Imagine shopping at Eco‑Shop and ending up cheering at SEA Games — jackpot.

For me, it was also a reunion. I was thrilled to reconnect with familiar faces: Hui Seng (President), Hafidz (Vice‑President), Yusnita (Ex‑Secretary), and the legendary Tok Mo. We go way back to Sea Games Ho Chi Minh 2003 — the chants, the camaraderie, the goosebumps.

The flight was smooth, and upon arrival we were whisked through the priority lane for SEA Games delegates. Luggage collected, we hopped on a comfortable bus with our Thai guide Jasmine, greeted warmly with flower garlands.

First stop: The Grands Fourwings Convention Hotel to collect our AD (Assistant Delegate) passes. With credentials sorted, we headed straight to the action — Gymnasium 4, Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani.

Badminton Heart

The atmosphere was electric. We cheered like mad for Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik as they battled Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. Despite our full‑throated support, Malaysia fell 21–14, 21–17, settling for silver.

Late lunch at 4pm outside the stadium never tasted so good — hunger mixed with adrenaline. Malaysia’s overall badminton haul was one gold, two silvers, and six bronzes, a total of nine medals. Respectable, but Indonesia and host Thailand edged ahead.

No rest for the cheer squad. 

Next stop: Aquatic Center, Huamark Sports Complex, Bangkok. We roared for Malaysia in the men’s 4×100m freestyle relay, where the team clinched a bronze. Singapore proved too strong, but Malaysia wrapped up swimming with two golds, three silvers, and five bronzes — their best haul in years.

Dinner was at Lang Ram Miang Pla Phao, a halal Isaan gem. The highlight was Miang Pla Thapthim Phao, a grilled red ruby fish set with fresh vegetables and fiery sauce. Absolutely delicious.

Finally, we checked into Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium. Exhausted but buzzing with pride, I whispered a quiet “Good night, Bangkok.” Tomorrow, more adventures await.

WATCH DAY 1 RECAP ON VIDEO - HERE.

Day 2: Golden Cheers, Netball Drama, and a Fiery Football Night

The day began at 6:15am with a refreshing run alongside Hafidz. We laced up and explored Bangkok by foot, making our way to Benchasiri Park, a green oasis near the Emsphere shopping mall. Sculptures dotted the park, adding artistic charm to the morning air. I’ll save the full run story for a separate post, but it was the perfect way to kickstart the day.

Back at the hotel, hunger struck. The breakfast buffet was a feast, with a surprise highlight — an Indian food section that made the spread even more exciting. Fueled up, we gathered at the lobby at 9am, ready for our first cheer mission: Wushu at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex in Lak Si.

The arena was electric. Malaysia’s athletes delivered nail‑biting performances, and we roared with every routine. The standout was Tan Cheong Min, who clinched gold in the women’s combined nanquan/nandao/nangun event. The women’s duilian team added another gold, while Pang Pui Yee secured silver in jianshu. Bronze medals came from Ti Bryan Kai Jie in the men’s combined event and the men’s duilian trio of Shin Peng, Danish Aizad, and Wong Zhi Hong. By the end of the day, Malaysia’s wushu squad wrapped up their campaign with 3 golds, 1 silver, and 5 bronzes. Twice, the strains of Negaraku filled the hall — goosebumps, pride, and pure joy.

A quick lunch at the basement food court kept us going before heading to Chantana Yingyong Stadium, Chulalongkorn University for netball. Malaysia faced arch‑rivals Singapore in a preliminary round thriller. It was neck‑and‑neck, but Singapore edged out 54–50. The loss stung, but it set up a dramatic rematch in the final two days later. We cheered until our voices cracked, adrenaline pumping through every quarter.

After netball, we wound down at MBK Center with early dinner and a bit of shopping — a breather before the night’s big clash.

By evening, we marched into Rajamangala National Stadium armed with kompang, drums, cheer sticks, and flags, ready to give the football team our loudest support. Malaysia battled Thailand in the men’s semi‑final, but an early red card left us with 10 men. Despite a spirited fight, Thailand held firm and snatched a 1‑0 win. It was heartbreaking, but the team’s grit earned respect, and we knew the bronze playoff awaited.

What a whirlwind of a day — from golden wushu triumphs to netball heartbreak and football drama. Exhausted yet exhilarated, I ended the night with pride swelling in my chest.

Day 3: Day 3: Pin Action, Podium Grace, and a Golden Discus Throw

Day 3 was a true marathon of emotions that began with a scenic morning run through the beautiful Lumphini Park. We took a moment to scout the Red Cross Fair venue before catching a cab back for breakfast and a 9:00 AM sharp rollout. The energy was high as we headed to the first competitive stop of the day.

The bowling lanes at Blu-O Rhythm and Bowl in Major Cineplex Ratchayothin were absolutely electric. Our powerhouse duo, Rafiq Ismail and Muhammad Syazirol Shamsuddin, delivered a masterclass in the Men’s Doubles. After a tense tie-breaker in the quarterfinals and a dominant semifinal, they stormed the final to defeat Thailand 470–435, securing Malaysia’s first Bowling Gold of the Games. To make the morning even better, Tsen Fan Yew and Tun Hakim put on a solid performance to bag the Bronze, resulting in a double podium finish for Team Malaysia.

The momentum faced a slight hurdle as we were leaving the cinema when a van damaged our bus side mirror. The resulting delay meant we were unable to make it for the Pencak Silat session as planned. Instead, we shifted focus to an early lunch before heading to the Aquatic Center at Thammasat University. We watched our women’s water polo team put up a determined fight against the Philippines. Although they eventually lost 14–7, the squad’s fighting spirit remained evident throughout the match.

The glory continued at Gymnasium 5, Thammasat University, where Malaysia’s rhythmic gymnastics squad reclaimed their throne. Led by Commonwealth Games champion Ng Joe Ee, the team dazzled with their ribbon and ball-and-hoop routines to earn a total of 234.60 points. This stunning performance ended an eight-year wait for the team gold, marking a triumphant return to the top of the SEA Games podium.

The evening transition to Supachalasai Stadium was a long drive but proved to be deeply meaningful. As our bus entered the parking compound, Mr. Lee Hui Seng spotted our 10,000m runner, Sanjay Manimaran, looking dejected after finishing 10th in his race. The Famemas x Eco-Shop cheer squad immediately stepped up to treat him to a quick, supportive chant to lift his spirits. Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was at a fever pitch under the floodlights. 

We witnessed the Men’s 4x100m relay squad secure a spirited Bronze, followed by a golden moment in the field as Muhammad Irfan Shamsuddin dominated the Men’s Discus Throw. Standing together to sing Negaraku during the medal presentation was an unforgettable moment of national pride.

We concluded the long day with a victory dinner at Yana Restaurant in the MBK Center. Known as one of the best Halal Thai spots in Bangkok, it offered the perfect setting to unwind. The spicy Tom Yum Kung and the signature Fried Red Tilapia with Thai herbs provided the ultimate recovery meal. With full hearts and a growing medal tally, we headed back to the hotel for some well-earned rest.