Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world. It is known for many things: some beautiful and artistic, while some are dubious and downright nasty. That’s the thing that’s cool about Bangkok-it has something for everyone. One thing Bangkok offers is Muay Thai Boxing. So on my last night in Asia, thanks to the fine people at the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel Bangkok, I got a ringside seat to the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium and checked out several Muay Thai matches.
Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
The Rajadamnern Stadium is an indoor arena and along with Lumpinee Stadium, make up the two venues where famous Muay Thai fights are held in Bangkok. Fights are held at Rajadamnern Stadium Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Fights start around 6:30pm and go until about 10pm or so. There are usually 9 fights and they go a maximum of 5 rounds. Rocky Marciano once guest refereed a title fight here in 1969.
Ringside seat at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Tourists usually buy ringside seats. They cost 2000 Baht or about $60. The locals and the gamblers sit or stand in the second and third tiers and can get pretty rowdy.
Gambling area at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Gambling on Boxing is legal in Bangkok and the gamblers do their gambling by hand signals like you’d see in a stock market. It is pretty cool to watch. However, these signals are often misunderstood and I was told that more fights break out in the stands and outside because of these misinterpretations.
The main event at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Muay Thai itself is a martial art and combat sport that uses stand up striking and various clinching techniques. Forms of Muay Thai are popular with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Champion Anderson Silva.
Live action at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Muay Thai is known for eight points of contact. Meaning two hands, feet, elbows and knees. It is also known for being a brutal offensive art. People ribs are often broken from repeated knees to the ribcage. It was first used in a western film in the 1989 film ‘Kickboxer’ starring Jean-Claude Van Damme (remember him?)
Judges box at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Being live at the Rajadamnern Stadium was a great experience. Watching how it works is so cool. There are three judges who sit in little boxes (literally) on three different sides of the ring. There are also some guys in the stands who play snake charming music during the fight and only take breaks in between rounds. They also play the same song over and over. It is pretty funny to watch.
Musical entertainment at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
Many of the fights that we saw were five round decisions and only one was a knockout. I think they guy actually broke his ribs because he was having a lot of trouble breathing after a vicious knee to the ribcage.
Fighter knocked out at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
As we had ringside seats, we had a good view of the fight obviously but also a good view of the degenerate gamblers behind us screaming and yelling. I really enjoyed watching them give their hand signals but at times I am pretty sure they may have dictated how some fights went. Like many things in Bangkok, you never really know what’s going on as a foreigner and there’s a lot of shady stuff!
In corner between rounds at Muay Thai Boxing at the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand
That said, it was a great experience and after more than a dozen times in Bangkok I finally got to the Rajadamnern Stadium. It’s a great and quintessential Bangkok experience. Check it out next time you’re in Thailand!
hmmm…this is something i think i’d skip out on. never really been a fan of boxing for some reason. what can i say…i’m a lover, not a fighter 😉
Haha…ya I don’t see you in your pink boa at a boxing match…have fun in Europe!
Super jealous, have always wanted to do that. Last time I was in Bangkok, my prissy friends wouldn’t go with me so I didn’t end up going…this is why I hang out with guys mostly!
Go alone! Tons of turists there, you’d enjoy regardless!
Awesome! I would love to check some of this stuff out. I bet those gambling guys go nuts on each other with those hand signals. That doesn’t seem prudent for non-violence!
Haha ya they apparently have a lot of cross ups with signals and leads to fights in and out of the stadium
I hate boxing and fighting in general
I’m sorry…I’d imagine you’re not the target demographic for Muay Thai then!
Those little Thai guys really know how to beat the hell out of each other!
haha yes they do, they are tough and good fighters
I’m pretty sure that I’d skip the ringside seats and sit with all the gamblers in the upper tiers. I gotta stick with my people.
degenerates!
Have you ever caught an actual UFC game in Vegas?
I’ve been to several, probably 10 or so in Vegas..best atmosphere to see it at Mandalay Bay or MGM but I prefer Mandalay
Its amazing to see… Have been to a fight night in Bangkok twice in the last 2 years…. best match i saw was 2 16yr old lads go hammer and tongs…. great post mate…
Thanks Simo and glad you liked it as I did!
Love Muay Thai and big MMA fan! Muay Thai is one of the most powerful and devastating arts out there…case in point Anderson Silva…he is a sniper with that stuff. When we were in Thailand one of our guides was an ex muay thai champ…he was only in his 20’s and already retired. They start trainnig very young and retire young. I would love to go to a match next time I’m in Bangkok. Its funny, everytime I see photos of these MT matches at these venues in Bangkok it always reminds me of the James Bond film “Man with the Golden Gun”….haha