Muay Thai aims for Olympic recognition as part of Thailand’s soft power strategy

[webfact]

The deputy chairperson of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is championing the cause for the integral Thai martial art, Muay Thai, to be recognised as an Olympic sport. Paetongtarn sees the inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympics as part of a broader strategy to elevate the martial art as a key tool of Thailand’s soft power.

 

“We will get the opportunity to cheer on Muay Thai boxers representing Thailand in the Olympics one day,” shared Paetongtarn on her Facebook page.

 

Paetongtarn and her team are developing ways to make Muay Thai more accessible and appealing to international audiences. One of the proposed strategies is the introduction of a ranking system, akin to that of Taekwondo’s belt ranking system.

 

In addition, they aim to professionalise the teaching of Muay Thai, increase the frequency of Muay Thai competitions at all competency levels, and enhance the global presence of Muay Thai camps. They also plan to boost the Muay Thai equipment industry, all as part of maximising the potential of this national sport.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Rajadamnern Stadium เวทีราชดำเนิน

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[nausea]

I have my doubts about the wisdom of this move. Much like Sumo in Japan, oo you really want to internationalise what is essentially a Thai national treasure, with all its attendant rituals and stuff,.

[flyingtlger]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

“We will get the opportunity to cheer on Muay Thai boxers representing Thailand in the Olympics one day,”

I hope it comes to fruition.....

[Mr Meeseeks]

Will the Khmers get any credit for inventing it?

[RandolphGB]

It's too Thai-centric to be considered an international sport. Plus it's dull AF.

[hotchilli]

Every time I se the "soft-power" headline I click pass.

[herfiehandbag]

Punching someone until they are dizzy, then putting the boot in?

 

Hmm!

[ujayujay]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The deputy chairperson of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is championing the cause for the integral Thai martial art, Muay Thai, to be recognised as an Olympic sport. Paetongtarn sees the inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympics as part of a broader strategy to elevate the martial art as a key tool of Thailand’s soft power.

 

“We will get the opportunity to cheer on Muay Thai boxers representing Thailand in the Olympics one day,” shared Paetongtarn on her Facebook page.

 

Paetongtarn and her team are developing ways to make Muay Thai more accessible and appealing to international audiences. One of the proposed strategies is the introduction of a ranking system, akin to that of Taekwondo’s belt ranking system.

 

In addition, they aim to professionalise the teaching of Muay Thai, increase the frequency of Muay Thai competitions at all competency levels, and enhance the global presence of Muay Thai camps. They also plan to boost the Muay Thai equipment industry, all as part of maximising the potential of this national sport.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Rajadamnern Stadium เวทีราชดำเนิน

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Ridiculous! Muay Thai is a regionally established sport, why should it be Olympic! So that Thailand can get a medal cheaply?

[scottiejohn]

10 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Ridiculous! Muay Thai is a regionally established sport, why should it be Olympic! So that Thailand can get a medal cheaply?

Lets get caber tossing into to the Olympics so that Scotland can win a medal.

Caber toss - Wikipedia

PS;  Oops.  Forgot Scotland do not compete as an independent country in the Olympics!

 

 

 

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, herfiehandbag said:

Punching someone until they are dizzy, then putting the boot in?

 

Hmm!

Then legging it, and hiding out round the corner in daddy's pad. Gold medals all round for the fighting Thais.

[kingstonkid]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The deputy chairperson of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is championing the cause for the integral Thai martial art, Muay Thai, to be recognised as an Olympic sport. Paetongtarn sees the inclusion of Muay Thai in the Olympics as part of a broader strategy to elevate the martial art as a key tool of Thailand’s soft power.

 

“We will get the opportunity to cheer on Muay Thai boxers representing Thailand in the Olympics one day,” shared Paetongtarn on her Facebook page.

 

Paetongtarn and her team are developing ways to make Muay Thai more accessible and appealing to international audiences. One of the proposed strategies is the introduction of a ranking system, akin to that of Taekwondo’s belt ranking system.

 

In addition, they aim to professionalise the teaching of Muay Thai, increase the frequency of Muay Thai competitions at all competency levels, and enhance the global presence of Muay Thai camps. They also plan to boost the Muay Thai equipment industry, all as part of maximising the potential of this national sport.

 

by Mitch Connor 

Photo courtesy of Rajadamnern Stadium เวทีราชดำเนิน

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Considering that they have removed boxing and even then the rules were so pathetic that it was stupoid and rife for corruption.  No one is going to want to bring in Muay Thai.