Games-Free rooms for cash-strapped Cambodia, Laos

   BANGKOK, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Athletes from cash-strapped 
Laos and Cambodia will be given free accomodation at next 
week's Asian Games in Thailand, officials said on Tuesday.
   North Korea, which has been battling serious domestic 
food shortages, will only have to pay half the regular 
price for the athletes village, Chupong Chiengsiri, manager 
of the Games village, told Reuters.
   The athletes village at the Thamassat University campus 
on the northern outskirts of Bangkok officially opened on 
Tuesday and is offering rooms and full daily board for $50 
per person.
   "The Thai government has offered full sponsorship for 
Lao athletes and some prominent Thai citizens have offered 
to pay a portion of the expenses for the Cambodians while 
the (Thai) government will pay the rest," Chupong said.
   Laos is sending 80 athletes and officials to the 
December 6-20 Games and Cambodia 100, he said.
   North Korea will have to pay $25 a night for its 299
athletes and officials, he said.
   Its bitter rival South Korea is sending 754 athletes and
officials and will be charged the full price, he added.
   Organisers said last week that 6,745 athletes from 41
nations will participate in the Games.