More than 300 Muay Thai boxers will be in Thailand between 17-23 March 2012 for the 8th Thai boxing tournament and festival, one of the most unique events on the global sporting arena.
As in past years, the week-long event will bring together competitors as well as hundreds of Thai boxing enthusiasts from 30 countries including the U.K., Canada, Russia, South Korea, France, Ukraine, and South Africa.
Officially known as the World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony and Miracle Muay Thai Festival, the event is being organised by TAT at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.
Co-organisers of the event are the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Administrative Organization, Association Institute of Thai Martial Arts, Kru Muay Thai Association, and the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand.
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport as well an intrinsic part of its history, heritage and culture. Its ancient origins can be traced back to Muay Boran or “ancient boxing”, a form of unarmed combat used by Siamese soldiers in conjunction with ancient weapons called Krabee Krabong.
The festival’s main venue, the province of Ayutthaya, is the home of its legendary hero, Nai Khanom Tom, who according to popular narratives, gained his freedom from the former Burmese rulers by emerging victorious over a number of Burmese fighters with a combination of his fighting skills as well as the unique opening ritual that precedes all bouts.
TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni said, “There can be no better place than Thailand for such an event. The Festival aims to promote Thai martial arts as a legacy that reflects the wisdom of the ancestors and hails its role in safeguarding the independence of the country from generation to generation.”
In 2011, the World Wai Kru Muay Thai Ceremony and Miracle Muay Thai Festival also won PATA Gold Awards 2011 in the culture category.
This year, the highlights and activities include a Muay Thai exhibition, performance and tournament as well as educational sessions for visitors with special interests. There will be associated activities; such as, live demonstration of the making of Thai handicraft and Thai cuisine.
According to the programme, the Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony will be held on 17 March 2012 at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Stadium and the Miracle Muay Thai Festival will be held at the Ayutthaya Tourism Centre from 17-28 March 2012.
The other activities; such as, World Championship – Amateur, Amateur Muay Thai World Championships, Pro-Am Muay Thai World Championships and Muay Thai training camps will be held during 16-23 March 2012 at the Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok.
For further information, please contact, activities promotion division, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tel: 02-2505500 ext 3490 to 3494, or TAT call center 1672, or log in tohttp://www.muaythaifestival.com/.
