The SEA Games bring together Southeast Asian nations in a multi-sport competition that goes beyond Olympic events—giving regional sports like pétanque a prominent international stage. Pétanque has deep roots in the region, particularly in Laos and Thailand, where it rivals mainstream sports in popularity. At the 2025 games in Thailand, Indonesia's Andri Irawan made history with a gold medal in men's singles, challenging the traditional dominance of neighboring countries and signaling the sport's expanding competitive base across the region.