Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) and Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) are pleased to announce the first Esports invitational event between the two countries, with the first leg to be held in Pattaya City, Chonburi Province Thailand from 28th to 30th April 2023.

The event comes as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in September 2022 during The Next World Forum and Gamers 8 Festival in Riyadh last year between the two National Esports Federation to foster bilateral relations between the two nations and to explore opportunities for future collaboration and cooperation amongst Saudi Esports Federation and Thailand Esports Federation.

TESF President, Mr. Santi Lothong, said, “We are thrilled to host the first leg of the Esports invitational event with Saudi Arabia. The MOU signed between the two federations is an essential step towards fostering a strong relationship between our countries, and this event marks a significant milestone in the growth of the Esports industry not just only in Thailand but for Saudi Esports Industry as well, if not regionally in Asia but other parts of the world can adopt and replicate what both Saudi and Thai has historically achieved.”

SEF President HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud added, “This match is more than just a friendly competition – it’s an opportunity to shape our skills and exchange cultures. The esports industry is growing rapidly, and this match is a testament to that growth. It’s also a chance to bring together two diverse nations and foster a mutual understanding of each other’s skills, values, and cultures. Esports is an amazing way to bring people together and show how similar our lives are.

Through this match, players from Saudi Arabia and Thailand can come together and show the world what it means to be a part of a global community.”

The event will take place in Pattaya City, Thailand between the 28th and 30th April 2023, and is an opportunity for Thailand and Pattaya City to develop its tourism industry with great international sporting event and attracts international tourists to the region as a major sporting destination. Pattaya City came in as co-host of this event due to its large and vibrant gaming community with the second largest number of gamers in Thailand, as well as the city’s potential to become a sports hub in the country, Pattaya City is an ideal location for Esports events.

Pattaya City Mayor Mr. Poramet Ngamphichet said “Our city of Pattaya aims to introduce a new sports trend and raise awareness of esports among the people, youth, students, and the community at large. By embracing the use of technology and leveraging its benefits, we hope to stimulate the economy of Pattaya and Chonburi. This event also presents an opportunity to foster stronger relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, especially in Pattaya, while showcasing the potential of Pattaya tourism and creating more opportunities for Saudi tourists to visit our city.”

As the host of the first leg of this event, Pattaya City is proud and honored to welcome both National Teams and His Royal Highness Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, of the royal family of Saudi Arabia and President of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), leading the Saudi esports athletes to attend this friendly match.

The athletes from both countries will gather in Central Pattaya Mall venue and compete and defend their flag in friendly matches in two popular game titles in the region: DOTA 2 and STREET FIGHTER V. The official friendly matches between Saudi Arabia and Thailand will take place on the 30th April 2023. The format will be a best of 9 matches for STREET FIGHTER V and best of 3 matches for DOTA 2. The athletes will have the opportunity to warm up before the official start of the friendly match. The warmup will take place on the 28th and 29th April with a format of best of 9 matches for STREET FIGHTER 5 and a format of best of 2 matches for DOTA 2.

In addition, a panel will be held at the venue on during the Opening Ceremony on the 28th April 2023, with representatives from both National Esports Federation Ms Rawan Albutairi, Senior Director of International Affairs of Saudi Esports Federation. Mr. Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn, Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation, and Mr. Boban Totovski, General Secretary of the International Esports Federation (IESF) will be our VIP guests panelists.

The second leg of the Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match will follow and be held in Saudi Arabia. The event is an excellent opportunity for both countries to showcase their Esports talents and to establish themselves as key players in the global Esports industry. Both national Esports Governing Bodies are committed to promoting Esports as a professional competitive activity as well as to strengthen the ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Both federations believe that this event will contribute significantly to the growth of the Esports industry, and they look forward to future collaborations and cooperation, starting from the second leg of the Invitational Esports Friendly Match to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year.

Chief Executive Secretary of Thailand Esports Federation Mr. Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn concluded: “The Saudi Thai Esports Invitational Friendly Match marks a significant milestone for growth of the Esports industry in Asia, and is the first step towards fostering a strong collaboration between SEF and TESF as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two National Esports Federations signed during The Next World Forum and Gamers 8 Festival in Riyadh at the end of 2022, which will not only span tournaments such as this one, but also education, exchange of knowledge, technology and other fields pertaining to Esports. I am very much looking forward to seeing the display of skills and sportsmanship from both Saudi and Thai athletes in the upcoming friendly match, as well as to seeing the cultural exchange and friendships that will arise from this event.”