Thai boxing (or ‘Muay Thai’ as it is known locally) represents somewhat of an enigma. It is curious that such a brutal martial art should become the national sport of a Buddhist country famed for its peaceful, fun-loving people. The original Muay Thai exponents glued ground glass to their bound hands before fighting. Fortunately for modern martial artists, things have moved one. The modern sport has strict rules and regulations which are akin to more traditional forms of boxing. It is now a mature and sophisticated sport that very soon might find itself recognized at the Olympics. Muay Thai it is by no means the only martial art practiced in the kingdom. Tae Kwan Do is extremely popular, especially with the young. With the predominant Chinese influence in the country, Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan are also common.

Lumpini Stadium
Bangkok

Fights at Lumpini are regarded as being slightly better than those at Ratchadamnoen, although for the novice it would be extremely difficult to tell the difference. It is also probably the more famous of the two stadiums. The stadium opened in 1956 to promote Thai boxing both in Thailand and abroad. Many non-Thai fighters compete here, and as the interest in the sport continues to explode, the stadium these days has much more of an international feel about it. . It is one of the few places in Thailand where betting is permitted.

Details: Tickets are priced from 500 Baht to 1,500 Baht depending on the fight, the fighters, and whether you sit ringside. Fights take place Tuesdays and Fridays from 18:30, Saturday afternoons 17:00-20:00, and Saturday nights from 20:30.

How to get there: The nearest BTS to Lumpini Stadium is Sala Daeng station and the nearest MRT Lumpini. From both it will cost around 50 Baht to get a taxi down Rama IV Road past the Night Bazaar to the stadium.

The following buses will get you there: Bus number: 115

Contact:
Lumpini Stadium
Rama IV Road
Bangkok
Tel: 0-2252-8765, 0-2251-4303, 0-2253-7702, 0-2253-7940

Ratchadamnoen
Bangkok

In 1941 Ratchadamnoen became the first Muay Thai stadium in Bangkok, although construction of the site was not completed until after the Second World War (the first match taking place in 1945). The rules and regulations used in the modern sport were established at this stadium. Like Lumpini, Ratchadamnoen stadium now sees a lot of western fighters involved in the sport and westerners consistently make up reasonable numbers in the audience.

Details: Ratchadamnoen Stadium is open Monday and Wednesday at 18:00, Thursday at 17:00 and 21:00, and Sunday at 16:00 and 20:00. Admission is 500 Baht to 1,500 Baht depending on the fight, the fighters, and whether you sit ringside.

How to get there: Ratchadamnoen Stadium is on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue only a few minutes walk from Khao San Road.

It is also possible to get to the stadium by boat; you need to stop at Banglumpoo Express Boat pier.

Contact:
Tel: 0-2281-4205