Muay Thai in Phuket

Phuket, an island province in the Kingdom of Thailand wherein 33 islands lies in an area of 570 square kilometers making it the largest island in the country. Phuket generates huge tourist arrivals every year, and its not surprising at all with its  gorgeous beaches, marvelous landscape, world-class resorts, villas and hotels and being on the list of the favored vacation and retirement place world wide. Furthermore, Thailand is also the home of the most famous Muay Thai fighters and trainers.

 

 

A Brief History

Muay Thai is a combat martial art from ancient Thailand stretching back to the era of wars with the Burmese in the 15th century. It is characterized by the combined use of the eight weapons namely the fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet.

During the 16th century, Muay Thai started to gain popularity in Thailand. As time passed, Muay Thai being a combat martial art used for winning wars has changed considerably – changes that were initiated to make the sport safer, reducing the incidence of serious injury and death. This physical and mental discipline is associated with good physical training and mental preparation – all important in making a very efficient full-contact fight.

During the 20th century, Muay Thai gained international recognition as a combat sport after several Muay Thai fighters won consecutive victories over opponents from other martial arts.

Today, the professional league is governed by the World Muay Thai Council while the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur governs the amateur Muay Thai sport.   

 

 

Muay Thai Fights in Phuket Gyms and Stadiums

Muay Thai offered in Phuket has an unprecedented presence as evidenced by the numerous Muay Thai Gyms and training camps that are located all over the island / province. Countless visitors in Phuket who only wants a pristine holiday now includes in their itinerary the chance to see a real Muay Thai fight up close and in person via Muay Thai boxing shows. Some foreign tourists even spend months of in-house training in renowned Muay Thai gym in Phuket.

In addition, foreign visitors who are getting enthusiastic over the sport grabs every opportunity to visit Muay Thai training camps in Phuket and see how intense the training is. Plus, the statistics of foreign nationals enrolling and staying at training camps in Phuket is increasing.

Muay Thai gyms and training camps coordinate and organize Muay Thai fights at prominent Phuket locations or commercial stadiums. In Patong, for instance, open pick-up trucks drive around announcing the details of the fights while promoters hand out flyers around crowded places like Patong Beach. What makes these fights interesting is the fact that it sometimes features foreign Muay Thai fighters who trained in Phuket training camps. The audience becomes a mixture of local and foreign Muay Thai lovers. To see other Muay Thai stadiums outside Phuket, you can click here.

At the very least, watching a local Muay Thai fight will provide an interesting experience for anybody visiting Phuket. It gives you the chance to appreciate the artful and creative sport.

For foreign tourists in the Patong Beach area, nightly displays of Muay Thai Boxing are witnessed by cheering crowds in specially built stadiums on Soi Sai Namyen. 

 

 

Muay Thai Traditions and Ceremonies

Foreign tourists watching a Muay Thai fight in Phuket may be amazed at the traditions and ceremonies that envelop the fight. A special pre-fight dance known as the “ram muay” is performed as the fighters enter the ring, wearing a headband given by their trainer – said to be a talisman earned after several years of dedication to the craft. “Wai Khru” is how the dance is started – each boxer on his knees and bowing three times – symbolizing respect to his teacher. Only after the dance is completed will the fight begin.