The 1998 Asian Games (เอเชียนเกมส์ 2541 or เอเชียนเกมส์ 1998), officially known as the 13th Asian Games (กีฬาเอเชียนเกมส์ครั้งที่ 13) and the XIII Asiad, or simply Bangkok 1998 (กรุงเทพมหานคร 1998), was an Asian multi-sport event celebrated in Bangkok, Thailand from December 6 to 20, 1998, with 377 events in 36 sports and disciplines participated by 6,554 athletes across the continent. The sporting events commenced on 30 November 1998, a week earlier than the opening ceremony.
The official emblem of the games combines elements from Thai stupas and pagodas, the letter “A,” which means either “Asia” or “Athletes,” and the logo of the Olympic Council of Asia. It symbolizes the knowledge, intelligence and athletic prowess of Thailand.
The official mascot of the games is an elephant named Chai-Yo (ไชโย), the equivalent of “hurrah” in Thai. Elephants are known and admired among Thais for their strength and nobility.
