Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and an important part of Thai culture. Don't miss a chance to see a thrilling Thai boxing fight on your next trip to Thailand. Plan your visit by discovering the best places to watch Muay Thai fights in Thailand with the top Thai boxing stadiums in different parts of the country.
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Muay Thai Boxing in Thailand
According to historical records, Muay Thai martial arts appeared in the Middle Ages, when the fighting involved the use of swords, bows, and arrows. In Thailand, this martial art began to be sent to the army to train soldiers on the orders of King Nareusan during 1555-1605. He was one of the bravest warriors of the country at the time and helped Muay Thai become famous.
An official match of Muay Thai must not exceed 5 rounds, each round up to 3 minutes. Two fighters wear blue or red pants. They are not allowed to wear shoes but have bandages around their feet.
As it's the national sport of the country, you can easily find a place to watch Muay Thai fights in different parts of Thailand. The most important Thai boxing venues at the destinations frequently visited by tourists are detailed below.
Muay Thai boxing stadiums in Bangkok
As can be expected, the most important Thai boxing stadiums can be found in the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok.
While there are at least 8 Thai boxing venues that present the events of Muay Thai in Bangkok, the oldest and most prestigious stadiums are two: Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium and Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium is the oldest Muay Thai stadium in Bangkok and the second largest boxing stadium in Thailand. It is also the most popular Thai boxing stadium among tourists, as they have Muay Thai fight events every evening, so you can easily plan a visit there. Another advantage of Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium is its location. The stadium is situated very close to the old city and Khao San Road, making it more accessible for tourists, especially the ones staying on the city’s most famous backpacker street.
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is another important Muay Thai stadium in Bangkok, where all professional fighters aspire to fight one day. Operated by the Thai Army, the stadium is located outside the city center, close to Don Muang Airport. Currently, Muay Thai fight events at this boxing stadium take place on Fridays and Saturdays, so it can only be visited if a weekend in Bangkok is part of your Thailand trip plan.
If you want to see the highest level of Muay Thai fights in Thailand at a more affordable price, then Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is your best option. As for the best fight nights at this stadium, sold-out events happen; make sure to book your tickets in advance. Discounted tickets are available online here: Muay Thai Match Tickets at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
While most of the other less-known Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok started overcharging foreigners with 1,500 THB, visiting them hardly makes sense, unless you are looking for a more local experience and don't mind being overcharged 5 times or more. The good thing is that there are still some places in Bangkok where you can watch Muay Thai fights for free on specific days of the month. For more details, check Muay Thai in Bangkok.
Muay Thai boxing stadiums in Southern Thailand
If during your Thailand trip your time in Bangkok will be limited and you will spend most of your holiday time on the beaches of Southern Thailand, you can also watch fights there, as plenty of Thai boxing stadiums can be found in the region.
Thai boxing stadiums in Phuket
If you are planning to spend your holidays on the largest island of Thailand, you can easily watch Muay Thai in Phuket, as there are several Thai boxing stadiums on the island, and there's at least one event almost on any day of the week.
Phuket's most popular Muay Thai stadiums are located in Patong Beach, but it's also possible to watch Thai boxing in Rawai, as a couple of smaller venues are operating there.
Patong Boxing Stadium is the main Muay Thai boxing venue in Phuket and also the biggest Muay Thai stadium in Southern Thailand. The boxing stadium is located on Sainamyen Road in Patong Beach of Phuket.
Bangla Boxing Stadium is another of Phuket's famous boxing stadiums, which is more centrally located. The stadium was originally located on Bangla Road. A few years ago they moved to the new stadium, which is found at the back of Jungceylon shopping mall, on the opposite side of Banzaan Fresh Market.
On the other side of the island, you can watch fights at Rawai Boxing Stadium (on Fridays) or Sinbi Boxing Stadium (on Saturdays).
Thai boxing stadiums in Krabi
Several Thai boxing stadiums are located in Krabi province (Ao Nang and Koh Lanta), providing plenty of options for seeing Muay Thai in Krabi, even if the fights here are not as high-level as in Bangkok, and the stadiums are mainly filled by tourists.
To experience the fight night of Muay Thai in Krabi, you can mainly choose from 3 boxing stadiums in Ao Nang: Ao Nang Landmark Muay Thai Stadium, Ao Nang Krabi Muay Thai Stadium, and Krabi International Boxing Stadium. In Ao Nang, you can find a Muay Thai event on any day of the week, as the three Krabi Muay Thai stadiums open their doors on alternate days.
At Ao Nang Landmark Muay Thai Stadium and Ao Nang Krabi Muay Thai Stadium, you can see more authentic fights with the presence of a local audience. However, many matches feature pretty young local fighters. Krabi International Boxing Stadium is offering more tourist-oriented fight events with a higher number of international fighters and fewer youngsters.
If you are spending your holidays on the island of Koh Lanta in Krabi province, you don't need to go to Ao Nang to visit a boxing stadium, as there are a couple of venues where you can watch Muay Thai fights in Koh Lanta.
Lanta Boxing Stadium, also known as Klong Dao Boxing Stadium, is the place where you can watch Muay Thai fights three days a week. The stadium is located in the Klong Dao Beach area.
William Muay Thai Stadium Koh Lanta, founded by former Lumpinee Champion William Dejpayak, is another important stadium on the island, where fight nights are organized 2 nights a week. This Muay Thai stadium is located in the Long Beach area.
Thai boxing stadiums in Koh Samui
When planning to travel to the islands of the Gulf of Siam on your trip to Thailand, you can choose to watch Muay Thai in Koh Samui.
To experience the fight night of Thai boxing in Koh Samui, you need to choose between Samui International Muay Thai Stadium and Phetchbuncha Boxing Stadium. The two Muay Thai stadiums in Koh Samui open their doors on alternate days, so there are Thai boxing fight events almost on almost any day of the week (except Thursday). Both venues are located in the Chaweng Beach area.
It is advisable to book tickets online in advance, as sold-outs happen.
Thai boxing stadiums in Khao Lak
In case you will be spending your holidays in Phang-nga province, north of Phuket, you don't need to travel all the way to Patong Beach to visit the Thai boxing stadium, as there are several local venues where you can watch Muay Thai in Khao Lak.
Khao Lak Boxing Stadium is a new Muay Thai venue in the Ban Niang Beach area, where you can watch Thai boxing fights on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Beyond Boxing Stadium is an indoor Thai boxing stadium near Bang Niang Market, where fight night events are taking place on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Thai boxing stadiums in Hua Hin
Located south of Bangkok, Hua Hin is a seaside city that is a popular beach holiday destination for locals and foreign visitors. To get familiar with the national sport of Thailand while on vacation there, you can choose from two stadiums to watch Muay Thai in Hua Hin.
Thai Boxing Garden Hua Hin is a Muay Thai stadium located in the center of Hua Hin, where fight events are taking place on Saturdays.
Antza Boxing Stadium Hua Hin is the Muay Thai venue on Hua Hin Soi 94, where you can experience exhilarating matches every Friday.
Muay Thai boxing stadiums in Eastern Thailand
Pattaya and Koh Chang are two popular tourist destinations in Eastern Thailand, where you can watch Thai boxing fights.
Thai boxing stadiums in Pattaya
Experiencing Muay Thai in Pattaya is a popular option, as the seaside city is frequently visited by tourists. However, Thai boxing venues in Pattaya are mainly focused on serving tour groups, so the quality of fights might not be as high as you can expect in Bangkok, and the events are shorter than the usual Muay Thai fight nights in Thailand. The good thing is that both main Muay Thai venues in the city offer daily events.
Max Muay Thai Stadium Pattaya is a Thai boxing stadium that has hosted several of MAX World Championships. At this Muay Thai venue, you can watch a live match between local and international fighters, with 3 fights scheduled every night.
JF Boxing Muay Thai Stadium is a nearly 1,200-seat competition venue in Pattaya, where you can witness Muay Thai fights in an authentic setting, complete with expert commentary. It's a more affordable option, but the audience at this boxing stadium is mainly Chinese tourist groups.
Thai boxing stadiums in Koh Chang
If you are planning to travel to the islands of Trat province, you can enjoy watching Muay Thai in Koh Chang. There are two venues offering Thai boxing events three days a week.
Koh Chang Muay Thai Boxing Stadium is an open-air venue situated right in the heart of Koh Chang, in the vibrant White Sand Beach area. Events here are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Kai Bae Fight Muay Thai Boxing Stadium is a Muay Thai venue located in the Kai Bae Beach area, where you can watch Thai boxing fights on Friday.
Muay Thai boxing stadiums in Northern Thailand
There are also plenty of Thai boxing stadiums in Northern Thailand, giving you an opportunity to watch Muay Thai in Chiang Mai. The quality of fights might not be as high as you can experience in Bangkok, but ticket prices here are some of the most affordable in Thailand.
To experience the fight night of Muay Thai in Chiang Mai, you can mainly choose from 5 boxing stadiums: Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium, Thaphae Boxing Stadium, Kalare Night Bazaar Boxing Stadium, Fairtex Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium (Pavilion Night Bazaar), and Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium. As the atmosphere at the city’s Muay Thai stadiums is quite different, you need to choose the one that fits your preferences and expectations the best.
If you want to see real fights in Chiang Mai, your best bet is Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium. Many matches here feature pretty young fighters, but this is basically the only venue, which is also frequently visited by locals.
At other Muay Thai stadiums in the city, you can see more tourist-oriented fight events, not only with a higher number of international fighters but also with fights of a man against a woman or boy against ladyboy that are more of a show than the real fight. However, there might still be some really good fights in such events.
Cheapest Muay Thai fight events in Thailand
Muay Thai fights are quite an expensive form of entertainment (at least for foreigners), and the pricing level at the same destination tends to be very similar. However, if your Thailand trip plan includes several destinations, you can choose to attend a Muay Thai event at a more affordable place.
Muay Thai pricing level at different destinations in Thailand:
Bangkok boxing stadiums: starting from 1,500 THB at Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, from 800 THB at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, but there are also venues where it's possible to see Muay Thai for free (only several days a month).
Chiang Mai boxing stadiums: starting from 600 THB (ticket prices at all Thai boxing stadiums in Chiang Mai are identical).
Koh Chang boxing stadiums: starting from 700 THB at Kai Bae Fight Muay Thai Boxing Stadium and from 900 THB at Koh Chang Muay Thai Boxing Stadium.
Koh Lanta boxing stadiums: starting from 800 THB (ticket prices at both Thai boxing stadiums in Koh Lanta are similar).
Hua Hin boxing stadiums: starting from 1,000 THB (ticket prices at both Thai boxing stadiums in Hua Hin are identical).
Khao Lak boxing stadiums: starting from 1,000 THB at Khao Lak Muay Thai Boxing Stadium and from 1,200 THB at Beyond Boxing Stadium.
Pattaya boxing stadiums: starting from 1,000 THB at JF Boxing Muay Thai Stadium and from 1,500 THB at Max Muay Thai Stadium.
Krabi boxing stadiums: starting from 1,200 THB (ticket prices at all Thai boxing stadiums in Ao Nang are similar).
Phuket boxing stadiums: starting from 1,300-1,600 THB (cheapest option in Rawai).
Koh Samui boxing stadiums: starting from 1,500 THB (ticket prices at both Thai boxing stadiums in Koh Samui are identical).
As you can see, the more popular the tourist destination is, the higher the price of the Thai boxing event there is. In general, if your stay in Bangkok doesn't correspond with the day of a free Muay Thai event at MBK, your best bet for seeing Muay Thai fights at an affordable price is Chiang Mai.
