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:

Training schools

• 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

Boxing Stadiums

Lumpini Boxing Stadium

No.6 Ramintra Rd. Anusawaree,Bang Khen, Bangkok.

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)

You can get the cheapest ticket to Muaythai Lumpinee Bangkok. Please check the program below.