The official mascot of the 2010 ASEAN University Games is a hill tribe youth named Nong Hug.

This was followed by a hill tribe dance performance to honor the country's King and Queen for aiding and providing the hill tribespeople services such as crop replacement and outlet for handicrafts, and the speeches from Chiang Mai Deputy Governor Naruemol Palwat, Secretary General of the Office Higher Education Commission and President of the Organizing Committee Dr. Sumet and President of the ASEAN University Sports Council, Honorable Dato Professor Omar Osman.

Chinaworn Bunyakiart, the Minister of Education for Thailand later gave his speech as well and went on to declare the games opened by the ceremonial gong three times, symbolizing good luck, health and prosperity.

Then three athletes, 2 footballers from Maejo and a karate exponent from Rajaphat University carried in the torch into the stadium and pass it on to Chiang Mai University student Thanyaluck Chotipiboon who carried the torch to light a giant Yi Peng lantern cauldron to start the games.

Speeches were given by Chiang Mai Governor ML Panadda Diskul, Dr. Sumate Yamnoon, President of the Organizing Committee and Hon.

The flame of the 2010 ASEAN University Games was put out during the performance of "Together as One" by the students of Sansai Withayakhom School and Ranard Khun Inn Symphony.