Lumpini arena was established on the eighth of December, 1956. It’s one of Thailand’s seven standard arenas and it has become the standing symbol of muay thai, especially internationally. Even though it was built after the Rajadamnern Stadium, the Lumpini is the “temple of muay thai”, the venue where every nak muay wishes to fight one day. Boxing stadiums
Main objectives of the Lumpini Stadium
* To manage and work according to government’s policy; part of the income from tickets sales must be donated for the benefit of the society;
* To develop the stadium into an internationally recognized stadium and to make muay thai known to the international community;
* To promote and create more international boxing champions;
* To co-operate with the Thai Boxing Association to encourage Thai boxers in receiving the Olympic Gold Medal;
* To be sure that all promoters organize appropriate events and charge fair prices;
* To develop a good standard practice in judging muay thai to be used a standard nationwide;
* To provide safety for the spectators and their personal belongings and to prevent any cheating inside the arena;
* To co-operate with Thai Boxing Association, the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, other stadiums and related institutions to achieve the same purposes;
* To maintain the good established relationship with the media and the public;
Guidelines regarding muay thai promoters:
* Must bring a good quality muay thai camp and his fighters under management;
* Must be willing to work hard;
* Must work for the interest of the boxing community;
* Must follow the stadium’s policies;
* Must have the discipline proper of the military;
* Must match compatible fighters in order to ensure enjoyable fights at a fair price;
* Must have excellent personal relations with all people involved in the boxing community;
* Must not tarnish the image of Lumpini Stadium in any way;
Sanaam Muay Rajadamnern
Former Prime Minister Field Marshal P. Pibulsongkram ordered a national boxing stadium to be built on Rajadamnern Avenue in 1941. The office of the Crown Property was assigned to carry out the project. Imprese Italiane All’Estero-Oriente won the construction contract to build the stadium in 1941. The project, still unfinished, was stopped during World War II due to the lack of construction supplies. When WWII ended, the construction resumed in August 1945. It took only four months to complete and the national boxing arena was ready for its first match in December 23.
During the seven years of operation under the office of the Crown Property, Rajadamnern boxing stadium ran at loss. The office planned to give up its operation and offered to rent it to private organization (under the condition that the organization must be owned by a Thai company). Mr Chalerm, who was still stadium manager, thought that it would not be suitable to let outsiders run the stadium. He, therefore, asked permission from the office of the Crown Property to run the stadium and founded the “Rajadamnern Co Ltd” in May 24, 1953. Nowadays the Rajadamnern Stadium is in direct competition with Lumpini, especially after Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban, the top organizer of muay thai events, left Lumpini to work with the Rajadamnern’s management. Both venues offer the best fights and the most entertaining international tournaments. Both places also seek international exposure as top muay thai arena in Thailand. Both also love to sell expensive tickets to non-Thais (i.e. foreign tourists) at the same prices. Boxing stadiums
The following locations also have regular weekly matches. At these places you won’t find many tourists taking pictures from ringside seats. On those boxing rings, fighters are not making it yet, in terms of earnings and recognition, but the crowds are the rowdiest and the atmosphere it’s more “exotic” and real.
Channel 7 Stadium Behind the old Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit), opp. Chatuchak Park, Bangkok Tel: (662) 272-0201Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 1.45 p.m., third Wednesday of each month starting at 12.00 noon. Ticket prices: Free admission
Sanam Muay Rangsit 336/932 Prachathipat Road, Rangsit, Pathumthani Tel: (662) 992-0099 Fight Nights: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 8.30 p.m. Ticket Prices: 110 (women only), 220 Baht
Sanam Muay Samrong Samrong Road, Samutprakarn Tel: (662) 393-3592 Fight Nights: Fridays and Sundays, from 8.30 p.m Ticket Prices: 100 Baht for women, 200 Baht for men
Sanam Muay Omnoy 74 Moo 12 Tumbon Omnoy, Amphoe Krathumbaen, Samutsakorn Tel: (662) 420-4317 Fight Schedule: Saturdays from 11.45 a.m. Tickets: 200 Baht
International Stadium, Chachoengsao 23/22 Moo 6 Thepkunakorn Road, Tumbon Sothorn, Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao Tel: (66-38) 821-746-50 Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 4.00 p.m. Tickets: 200 Baht
Bangkok Boxing Stadium 100 Tiamruammit Rd., Huaykwang, Bangkok, Thailand 10320 This is muaythai for tourists, Las Vegas style. Super new, glitzy, new air-conditioned arena suitable for group tours. Another great idea from Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban, the most known muay thai promoter in Thailand and probably in the world. Check it out here! (you’ll be leaving this site)