Muay Thai Stadiums

[Longbow212]

I recently tried to go and watch a few fights at Ratchadamnern. I was told that I have to pay the 2000bht 'farang' price. This was despite me living, working and paying tax in Thailand. I also speak and read Thai to a basic level and communicated in Thai with ticket people. The Thai prices are even written in Thai script which I pointed out to them. What annoys me more is that they don't pay foreign fighters 10x the wage of the Thai fighters....

I am an English teacher here and live on less than 40k a month. Besides being extortionate for someone on Thai wages this also made me feel very angry as it was only because I am white that they wanted to charge me this. I begrudgingly used to pay this price some years ago when I came here as a tourist which i believe although unfair was all part and parcel visiting another country (even though it's still dam expensive). However, now that I live, work and pay tax here I really believe this is simply racial discrimination.

I am thinking of writing a letter to the stadiums explaining to them why this pricing system is unfair and that if they lowered the prices a lot of farangs that live here would go a lot more regularly. I would probably be wasting my time but I feel their ignorance should be pointed out in a constructive manner.

I have often found with entrance fees etc more often than not when I explain that I live and work here they let you in for the thai price more often than not. If they don't I calmly explain that this is not fair and I will not be supporting their business with my money. Taking the easy option of paying to save the hassle only fuels this type of discrimination. I will be voting with my feet...

[Longbow212]

This is a very good artical... I see the TAT conveniently avoid the subject

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2483

[dave111223]

I went once to see a Muay Thai fight, and was also annoyed buy the extreme dual pricing.

When i asked why i have to pay more; the answer "Because Thai people place [illegal] bets on the fights".... go figure out that logic....

Won't go again, certainly wasn't worth 2000 baht, especially when all the people around you had paid like 500 (?)...

Not a single knockout in something like 11 fights...what a waste of time/money....

Also thought it was kind of weird at the end they have a regular boxing match, and pretty much everyone ran out of the stadium before the before the opening bell....i guess Thai's really don't like non-Thai boxing?

Edited May 16, 2009 by dave111223

[redscouse]

I took my dad when he visited two years ago, I checked the prices on the internet and it was 250 baht (written in English with no mention of dual prices). when we arrived at lumphini they wanted 2000 baht each, I could also read the Thai price which was 250 baht, they had seperate ticket window for farangs, I went to the thai window and pointed out the250 in thai numerals and the woman turned her back on me. We never paid and never went in

Edited May 16, 2009 by redscouse

[Jingthing]

I recently tried to go and watch a few fights at Ratchadamnern.

Yes, sorry to say, we should all BOYCOTT these places. Lumpini too.

[orchis]

Same here went with friends from abroad an their 3 children, the 'hansomely' uniformed louts

signalled us to the farang ticket window, and shied us away from the ordinary ticket window.

A children's discount was offered @ 1000thb pp, we declined to go.

Imagine the scene, getting to the stadium through traffic, visitors from abroad and then a big ice cold

shower of Thai hospitality.

Edited May 16, 2009 by orchis

[JohnGotti]

I can just picture all the expat farang walking up to the counter thinking "Once I show them that I can speak very basic Thai and that I am not a tourist farang, but a know-it-all respectable farang expat, they will give me the Thai price".

:D :D

2000 baht for 11 fights and you are complaining?

:D

[Jimjim]

I've always thought 2000 baht is bonkers. This is Bangkok, not Las Vegas. Of course in Vegas you can pay hundreds and thousands for big fights, but these are international fights, who cares besides some Thais about a title fight at Lumpini? Even 1000 would see a bit much, but much more reasonable. 500 would make more sense, in my opinion. It used to 1500 for farang price just two years ago. Now 2000? Absolutely nuts.

However, I have heard there is a place to go to Muay Thai free. The channel 7 stadium somewhere near chatuchuk on sunday afternoons, I think. Supposed to be good fights, too. Don't know if it still happens there, or if it is indeed, free, but have heard so.

[EndofDays]

[ I am thinking of writing a letter to the stadiums explaining to them why this pricing system is unfair and that if they lowered the prices a lot of farangs that live here would go a lot more regularly. I would probably be wasting my time but I feel their ignorance should be pointed out in a constructive manner.

I have often found with entrance fees etc more often than not when I explain that I live and work here they let you in for the thai price more often than not. If they don't I calmly explain that this is not fair and I will not be supporting their business with my money. Taking the easy option of paying to save the hassle only fuels this type of discrimination. I will be voting with my feet...

Well, I spent a lot of time in Thailand but never went to a fight. I was planning on it when I returned for a vaction in a few months. Well, scratch that off my to-do list. They will end up with another fight in the que if they tell me I have to pay 10x what a Thai citizen does.

[barrybankruad]

Well done, that's the attitude. Walk away toghether with all the family you have brought with you to watch. I sometimes find that the production of my 'yellow book' showing that I am resident in Thailand helps, but not always I'm afraid.

[Jingthing]

The last time I went, and I do mean the last time I went to Ratchadamnern I was already living here and had a tourist friend with me. We did try to reason with them, but like another poster said, they just turn their heads. I did manage to make a joke about my friend who has Asian features, saying he is not a farang, look at the eyes. We did boycott. I know people say it won't make a diff, but 2K baht times a lot of boycotters is big money. No, they won't change, but it could hurt them, and they deserve it.

[JohnGotti]

but it hurts you too. your friend probably thought, so he drags me out here and now we are going to go home like a couple of pathetic losers. its like flipping off the bouncer of a night club and then claiming that you "got even"... the owners of this stadium are worth millions and millions of baht. they have decided that this is more profitable. you think you are hurting them? they could care less about you going inside or not because they know that there are enough wealthy farangs and tourists here to make up for it.

so please dont delude yourself into thinking you won or that you are making a difference.

Edited May 16, 2009 by JohnGotti

[Jingthing]

so please dont delude yourself into thinking you won or that you are making a difference.

It hurts one time, the LAST time you go, and don't go in. I gave my friend the choice as he was visiting and he agreed to the boycott. Losers is a loaded word. Frankly, that show is not worth 2000 baht.

they could care less about you going inside or not because they know that there are enough wealthy farangs and tourists here to make up for it.

Sure, I basically agree in this case, they are so big. But that Thai mentality, keep raising the prices, keep milking the "rich" farangs, doesn't always work. I know this by looking at the empty places in Pattaya trying that out. The big boxing places have MONOPOLY power, that's the diff. Edited May 16, 2009 by Jingthing

[JohnGotti]

"Muay thai contests are held on every Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The fights usually start around 6.30 p.m. Ticket prices range from 500 (third class) to 2,000 (ring-side) Baht"

so its 2000 baht for which seats for farang? how much are ring side seats?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajadamnern_Boxing_Stadium

[dogleg]

^^ just wondering - for those who have been, are there actually many farangs inside, wealthy or otherwise

[Jingthing]

I don't recall being offered any 500 baht seat at any class! It was a while back. I wouldn't always believe what you read on a website.

[Lancelot]

I took my dad when he visited two years ago, I checked the prices on the internet and it was 250 baht (written in English with no mention of dual prices). when we arrived at lumphini they wanted 2000 baht each, I could also read the Thai price which was 250 baht, they had seperate ticket window for farangs, I went to the thai window and pointed out the250 in thai numerals and the woman turned her back on me. We never paid and never went in

Good for you for not paying the extortionate B2,000 price. I think its just a case of Thailand being over touristed and having been successful at double pricing for so long, they are testing to discover the highest price the market will bear.

I would understand if the price was B250 but "locals" living in certain postal codes and showing proper ID were admitted for say B150. Every one else, Thais included, would pay the full, B250 price. Fair enough,no problem with that.

Actually we have the power to end double pricing-just don't pay it

[dave111223]

2000 baht for 11 fights and you are complaining?

When 9 of the fights are 15 year olds hugging each other...yes

I have to say that 2000 baht (almost $60) will buy you a ticket to a lot of high profile events in the 1st world (major concerts or sporting events).

These Muay Thai fights feel like an amateur event. I'd say it feels more like a lower league WWF event performed at a local salvation army hall, with a ticket prices of $2.50 for adult, and free for kids...

[Neeranam]

I recently tried to go and watch a few fights at Ratchadamnern. I was told that I have to pay the 2000bht 'farang' price. This was despite me living, working and paying tax in Thailand. I also speak and read Thai to a basic level and communicated in Thai with ticket people. The Thai prices are even written in Thai script which I pointed out to them. What annoys me more is that they don't pay foreign fighters 10x the wage of the Thai fighters....

I am an English teacher here and live on less than 40k a month. Besides being extortionate for someone on Thai wages this also made me feel very angry as it was only because I am white that they wanted to charge me this. I begrudgingly used to pay this price some years ago when I came here as a tourist which i believe although unfair was all part and parcel visiting another country (even though it's still dam expensive). However, now that I live, work and pay tax here I really believe this is simply racial discrimination.

I am thinking of writing a letter to the stadiums explaining to them why this pricing system is unfair and that if they lowered the prices a lot of farangs that live here would go a lot more regularly. I would probably be wasting my time but I feel their ignorance should be pointed out in a constructive manner.

I have often found with entrance fees etc more often than not when I explain that I live and work here they let you in for the thai price more often than not. If they don't I calmly explain that this is not fair and I will not be supporting their business with my money. Taking the easy option of paying to save the hassle only fuels this type of discrimination. I will be voting with my feet...

You can get Thai citizenship. Your choice.

[barky]

I have been living here going on 9 years and in the past 7 years or so I have never been over charged. I have always paid the Thai rate. The reason is simple. I don't bother going to places where I know I am very likely to be charged the racist fee even though I pay taxes, have work permit, one year visa, married to a Thai, speak elementary level Thai, have Thai drivers licence, own property, bla bla bla etc etc. I just don't go. And on the off chance some place won't allow me to enter at Thai prices I turn around and leave and spend my hard earned money where there are no racist polices .

Edited May 16, 2009 by barky

[JohnGotti]

so please dont delude yourself into thinking you won or that you are making a difference.

It hurts one time, the LAST time you go, and don't go in. I gave my friend the choice as he was visiting and he agreed to the boycott. Losers is a loaded word. Frankly, that show is not worth 2000 baht.

they could care less about you going inside or not because they know that there are enough wealthy farangs and tourists here to make up for it.

Sure, I basically agree in this case, they are so big. But that Thai mentality, keep raising the prices, keep milking the "rich" farangs, doesn't always work. I know this by looking at the empty places in Pattaya trying that out. The big boxing places have MONOPOLY power, that's the diff.

welcome to thailand, lol.

[JohnGotti]

non one confirmed yet just how much the overcharge is, or if it exists at all, perhaps the 2k is for ringside.

Edited May 16, 2009 by JohnGotti

[rgs2001uk]

I often wonder why more people dont venture over to channel 7 at mor chit on a sunday, its free.

[JohnGotti]

cause its probably low quality if its free. they have free fights all over Thailand. its usually high school aged kids.

Edited May 16, 2009 by JohnGotti

[Jimjim]

cause its probably low quality if its free.

Nope, it's not. Those in the know say those channel 7 stadium fights are some of the better fights and the Saturday night ones are not always that great.

As for the 2000, all will confirm that that is the only price offered farang. They do have lower priced tickets, but refuse to sell them to you when you offer. They will only sell you the 2000 baht tickets, and they are good seats, either close or ringside, people just don't like being given no choice and really paying way too much for what's on offer.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Jimjim

[JohnGotti]

So its not two-tier pricing? you are not being over charged?

it sounds like the 2000 baht ticket lets you sit anywhere, but many choose the cheap seat because their spouse buys a ticket there.

if the price is ONLY 2000 baht, then it means they either wont let farang sit ringside or there is NO MARK UP.

[JohnGotti]

Saturday night at chatujak is not great, or Saturday night as lumpinii is not great?

[MrHammer]

I like to watch boxing so these prices really keep me from doing something I like, but no way I am paying 2000 baht for it. I also found the quality of fights in both Lumpini and Rachadamnern to be low on nights were there isnt title fights. I also asked once why it was so much more expensive for me and was told 'these people go there and gamble every night' which I think could be actually true. It does seem like most nights are just there for the gamblers not for any competition reasons.

If they actually had a few title fights on a card and maybe a top level foreign fighter against a thai I wouldnt mind the 2k ringside, but most of the nights it looks like sparring.

[Jimjim]

Saturday night at Lumpini. The Sunday fights at the channel 7 stadium are top quality. This I got from an avid muay thai fan, who knew all about the different fights.

You don't seem to get it, Gotti. Perhaps you should go back to your prison cell. There is a markup. Yes, 2000 baht is a better seat than 250 baht, however, they won't let you choose a cheaper seat if you're farang. They refuse to sell it to you. So, in essence you are being held for ransom when going there. And if your wife is Thai, she can get a ticket for 250 baht and sit with you ringside, so don't say there's no markup.

OH, and MrHammer is right, they have on occasion big title fights at Lumpini that are the best of the best, but this doesn't happen every Saturday night and if you're just some farang who wants to go catch a fight to see what all the fuss is about, you'll be lucky if you catch a match like that. You'd have to really plan in advance if you wanted to see a title fight, and find out beforehand.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Jimjim

[EndofDays]

So its not two-tier pricing? you are not being over charged?

it sounds like the 2000 baht ticket lets you sit anywhere, but many choose the cheap seat because their spouse buys a ticket there.

if the price is ONLY 2000 baht, then it means they either wont let farang sit ringside or there is NO MARK UP.

How is the food in these venues? Is it different for the more expensive seats us farangs would pay for? Leave me alone, I'm fat, and I have to know these things for planning ahead. Can you bring food and drink inside with you?