After over two years of the coronavirus pandemic, Thai boxers are getting ready to flex their muscles and stun the world. Many adrenaline-pumping programmes are running for local and international fans, seeking to promote the sport on the global stage.
Buakaw Banchamek on the billboard in Times Square. (Photo courtesy of Buakaw Banchamek)
Held by Rajadamnern Stadium, the Rajadamnern World Series is a new tournament in which the best Thai boxer from different weight classes will win a new championship belt and prize worth 1 million baht.
In a revolutionary breakthrough, female boxers will fight for the first time since the stadium opened 77 years ago. It is scheduled for July 22. Meanwhile, Buakaw Banchamek will join the ring on Aug 19. He became the first Thai boxer to appear on the billboard in New York's Times Square last week.
This year, the organiser joined hands with Global Sport Ventures to upgrade Thai boxing to the global level by renovating the stadium and removing gender barriers.
The MFA Muay Thai campaign poster. (Photo courtesy of the MFA)
Don't worry if you are new to the sport and need step-by-step coaching. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is launching a campaign titled "MFA Muay Thai" to raise public awareness about Thai boxing. It features a series of bilingual short videos on skills, posture, self-defence, and exercise. It will hold boxing aerobics in public venues, which are now scheduled for Aug 6 and Sept 3, and other activities on social media.
If you want to watch a film or series, Netflix is screening Hurts Like Hell. It explores the dark corner of Thai boxing, which is seen as a national heritage and soft power. Inspired by true events, the series portrays the reality of the sport from insiders that range from boxers, gamblers and commentators to promoters, cornermen, club owners and ring doctors in multi-perspective stories. It has not only reached the Top 10 in the local chart but also won widespread acclaim.
(Photo © Netflix)
