Thai Box (Muay Thai)
Muay Thai remains to this day the most popular sport of the country.
The main place of Koh Samui for Muay thai is of course Chaweng Stadium.
It is certainly the most complete, the most physical and the most spectacular of the foot-and-hand boxes because it allows two opponents of the same category to compete against each other with kicks, fists, elbows and knees. It would also be very old.
The fights are conducted according to a traditional ritual. Boxers wear a headband around their forehead and arms. The one on the front is called “mongkhol”, it is considered lucky and is removed before the start of the fight.
Before fighting, the boxers kneel down and bow three times: it is the Wai Kru, a mark of respect towards their coach. This is followed by a dance around the ring, the Ram Muay, which also serves as a warm-up.
The whole match takes place on a traditional musical background, played “live” by Thai musicians, the rhythm of the music adapting to the intensity of the fighting in the ring. But the show is also in the hall: the frenzy of the bettors around the ring is an attraction!
The fighting is one of the most watched television shows in the kingdom. In the smaller villages, the inhabitants gather around the few TV sets to support their favourite fighters… and of course also to bet!
Temporarily closed due to the COVID situation.
Prize to see a macht at Chaweng Stadium 1’500.- THB/ per person
