 Muay
Thai or Thai Kick Boxing is a world famous martial art.
It is considered by many to be the most violent and exciting
sports. The Muay Thai boxer wears gloves and shorts, usually
in red and blue, as international boxers do with additional
armbands and a headband, which has been blessed by his
teacher.
Compared with international boxing, Muay Thai has a distinctive
feature. In Thai boxing, each part of the body such as
fists, feet, knees, and elbows is allowed to be used as
a weapon to overcome the competitor. Moreover, its combination
of dancing and fighting is unique in style.
Before the match begins, each competitor
will perform a dance, or what they call “Wai Kru”,
accompanied by traditional Thai music. Reasons for doing
the performance are to pay homage to gods and holy spirits
for protecting, as well as to pay respect to their instructors
and opponent. A bout of Thai boxing consists of 5 rounds,
which lasts a total of 23 minutes. It takes 3 minutes
to fight a round with a 2 minutes break between rounds.
 Thai
boxing is popular among Thais and foreigners, so the
boxing stadiums, which are all over the country, are
always crowded. The most well known stadiums, Lumpini
and Ratchadamnoen, are in Bangkok. Similarly, Muay Thai
training camps are also available throughout the country,
especially in tourist-attracting cities like Bangkok,
Phuket and Chiang Mai. Fees for training at a camp varies
from $ 10-45 per day. For those who are interested in
viewing Thai boxing at the stadium, generally prices
are varied from 500-2,000 baht depending on the positions.
The followings are some of the well-known training schools
and stadiums:
• One Songchai
Institute of Muaythai, Bangkok, tel. +66 (0) 22618-5314
to 6
• Muay Thai Academy, Bangkok, tel.
+66 (0) 2682-8469
• The Muay Thai Institute, Pathum
Thani Province, tel. +66 (0) 2992-0096 to 9
• Pattaya International Muay Thai
Training School, Pattaya, Chonburi, tel. +66 (0) 3841-0111
• Sityodthong/Payakarun Boxing
Camp, Pattaya, Chonburi, tel. +66 (0) 3824-9018
Lumpini
Stadium
Rama IV Road, Bangkok, tel. +66 (0) 2252-8765, 2251-430 |
|
Fight
Times: |
-
Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m. |
|
-
Saturday afternoons from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. |
| -
Saturday nights from 8.30 p.m. |
| |
Ratchadamnoen
Stadium
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, tel. +66 (0) 2281-4205,
2280-1684 to 6 |
| Fight
Times: |
- Mondays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays from 6.30 p.m. |
| -
Sundays from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. |
| -
Sundays from 8.30 p.m.-12.00 p.m. |
| |
| Channel
7 Stadium, Bangkok, tel. +66 (0) 2272-0201 |
| Rangsit
Stadium, Pathum Thani, tel. +66 (0) 2992-0099 |
| Samrong
Stadium, Samut Prakan, tel. +66 (0) 2393-3592 |
| Omnoi Stadium,
Samut Sakhon, tel. +66 (0) 2420-4317 |
| International
Stadium, Chachoengsao, tel. +66 (0) 3882-1746
to 50 |
| |
| (All above prices
and times are subject to change without prior notice) |
|
