The 43rd Annual Cobra Gold exercise 2024, which started on Tuesday and concludes on March 7th, has sparked excitement with the Royal Thai Army’s introduction of Muay Thai living legend Buakaw Banchamek to demonstrate and instruct the art of Thai boxing to participating U.S. soldiers.
Buakaw, who is also a member of the reserve force center, served as an instructor at Nimman Kollayuth Fort in Sa Kaeo province. Many U.S. soldiers, some of whom are boxing champions themselves, expressed their delight in meeting Buakaw, whom they regard as their idol.
The Thai military’s decision to feature “Buakaw Banchamek” and fully impart the art of Muay Thai aligns with the government’s soft power policy, as directed by Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang.
He mandated the inclusion of Thai cultural and traditional elements, such as Muay Thai fighting techniques, in this exercise. This initiative not only focuses on military training but also aims to promote Thailand’s economy and tourism. (NNT)
