Asian_Geographic_PASSPORT_-_Year_2016_-_2017

39

1921 1925–

1935

2000–

2009

1993 1995 1998 2015

Included as a

demonstration

sport in the

Asian Games

and gained

recognition from

the Olympic

Council of Asia.

First permanent

ring in Siam

at Suan

Kulap College

established,

used for both

Muay Thai and

British Boxing.

The International

Federation

of Muay Thai

Amateur, or

IFMA, was

inaugurated.

It became the

governing body

of amateur Muay

Thai, consisting

of 128 member

countries

worldwide and

recognised by

the Olympic

Council of Asia.

The World Muay

Thai Council

was set up by

the Royal Thai

Government

and sanctioned

by the Sports

Authority of

Thailand. The

federation was

granted its first

inclusion in the

18th Southeast

Asian Games.

Under King

Rama VII, Muay

Thai underwent

the creation of

codified rules

and regulations.

Muay Thai was

introduced

into the 20th

century as an

international

safe ring sport.

Queensbury

rules boxing

gloves replace

the rope

bindings on the

fighters’ hands.

Muay Thai

included in the

Asian Indoor

Games and

the 23rd SEA

Games. In

2006, the IFMA

begins to govern

international

Muay Thai under

the SportAccord

umbrella. In

2008, Muay Thai

enters the TAFISA

Games, and the

Arafura Games

in 2009.

In 2010, Muay

Thai participates

in the SportAccord

World Combat

Games, Beijing.

In 2013, Muay

Thai was

included in the

International

World Games

Association

(IWGA). The

International

University Sports

Federation

(FISU) officially

recognised Muay

Thai in 2015.

to Present

night. Ratchadamnoen Stadium is closest

to the old town near the Royal Palace and

the Chao Phraya River, located on Thanon

Ratchadamnoen Nok. The fight schedule

is: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and

Sunday from 6.30pm until 10.30pm, a total

of nine fights. Ticket prices are 2,000,

1,500 and 1,000 Thai Baht for first, second

and third class.

The new Lumpini Stadium is located

on Ram Inthra road near Don Mueang

Airport, about 25 kilometres north of the

old stadium on Rama IV road. The schedule

is: Tuesday and Friday from 6.30pm until

10.30pm, a total of nine fights, Saturday

from 2pm until 8.30pm, a total of 14 fights.

Ticket prices for first (ringside), second and

third class are 2,000, 1,500 and 1,000 Thai

Baht, respectively, and 400 Baht for the

upper rings (stand).

HOW

There are multitudes of destinations

to pick from when considering a

place to train in Muay Thai. The site

http://www.muaythaicampsthailand.com

provides a comprehensive breakdown

on 70 plus gyms throughout Thailand to

choose from. I personally enjoyed Rawai

Muay Thai Khao Lak in Phang Nga because

of its professionalism, fun trainers, and

the rural environment that the camp is

located in.