The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Rajadamnern Stadium staged the much-anticipated ‘AMAZING MUAYTHAI, ROAD TO RAJADAMNERN’ final round on 22 December 2023 at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, featuring Muay Thai winners from previous rounds in Slovakia and Japan.
Mr. Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said “TAT aims to offer experience-based tourism by leveraging Thai soft powers; namely, Food, Film, Festival, Fight, and Fashion to enrich visitors from around the world with meaningful travel experiences when holidaying in Thailand. Muay Thai is well established globally as a legendary martial art and the “AMAZING MUAYTHAI, ROAD TO RAJADAMNERN” will further elevate this recognition.”
Under collaboration with Rajadamnern Stadium, renowned as the world’s first Muay Thai stadium, the “AMAZING MUAYTHAI, ROAD TO RAJADAMNERN” sought talented international Muay Thai fighters from three stages in two countries, including one in Slovakia and two in Japan to the final round in Bangkok, Thailand.
The final round at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok on 22 December 2023 comprised four fights, each presenting renowned Muay Thai fighters from the three previous rounds in Slovakia and Japan.
WMC Female Intercontinental Bantamweight Title: Monika Chochlikova, Muaythai World Championship from the first round in Trenčín, Slovakia vs Ngaoprajan Looksaikongdin, RWS Female Bantamweight runner-up. Winner: Monika Chochlikova.
WMC Asia Featherweight Title: Asahi P.K.Saenchai, WBC Muay Thai World Champion from the second round in Yokokusa, Japan vs Superman Banchamek, Kickboxing Gold Medallist at the 31st SEA Games. Winner: Asahi P.K.Saenchai.
Ramu Araya, WMC Japan Champion and NJKF Promotion Champion from the second round in Yokokusa, Japan vs Petchdam Chor. Kouyuha Isuzu, Former Bangla Stadium Champion. Winner: Ramu Araya.
Saya Ito, WBC Muay Thai Mini Flyweight Champion, WMC World Mini Flyweight Champion, and 3 Times WPMF World Champion from the third round in Yokohama, Japan vs Petchplaifon Sitmink, Rising Star fighter in Atomweight division. Winner: Saya Ito.
The “AMAZING MUAYTHAI, ROAD TO RAJADAMNERN” event was inaugurated in Trenčín, Slovakia on 23 September 2023, followed by the second round at Yokosuka, Japan on 1 October 2023, and the third round at Yokohama, Japan on 26 November 2023.
The competitions sparked a huge interest among foreigners with the tickets being sold out. It garnered the interest of over 5,000 spectators comprising 2,000 at the event in Slovakia, 1,000 at the event in Yokosuka, Japan, 1,200 at the event in Yokohama, Japan, and 1,000 at the final round in Bangkok.
Mr. Thienchai Phisitwuttinan, CEO of Global Sport Ventures (GSV) and Executive Director of Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, said “It is an honour to host the final round of the “AMAZING MUAYTHAI, ROAD TO RAJADAMNERN”. The event marks a historical moment for Muay Thai and helps drive the tourism and sports industry and the national economy. The Rajadamnern Stadium is pleased to welcome the fighters and Muay Thai fans who travel from overseas to watch and cheer on this final match.”
Statistics from Muay Thai fights held over the last year saw increased interest from international fans. This year alone, the fights held at Rajadamnern Stadium recorded a 1,600 per cent increase year-on-year, reflecting the all-time popularity of legendary Muay Thai and Rajadamnern Stadium as the popular attraction for sports tourism. (TAT)
