Muay Thai Stadiums

[kenai]

"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

Have you been there Mr. Gotti?

I have and I will never go there again.

We were there in March. Having never been there my brother and I paid 1000 each for the cheaper option. It was either 1000 for farang class or 2000 for ring side.

We entered the farang doors and found ourselves in the upper deck. The real disappointment was that we were behind a heavy gauge cage that would make viewing the fights very difficult. I was pissed. We had paid I believe 10 times more for these seats than the Thai had for better unobstructed seats below us.

The fights had not started and we attempted to get our money back to leave. They would not give us any refund. So with far more argument and emotion then I would normally shown here we were allowed into the ringside seats.

To me its one thing to charge more for farang, but to charge far more for FAR WORSE seats is RACISM. It was like they were saying the white folk can go sit up there behind the cage... and pay 10 times more....

The fights were amateur and although not boring certainly not worth even 1000 for ringside. Not many people there either. Not a single KO not even sure if we saw a knock-down.

I would recomend Kawila stadium in Chiang Mai. 600 for ringside - you pay more then Thai but you get better seats then those paying less. Also the fight we have seen there were better. We saw 3 KOs the last time we were there. They also allow video (BKK does not).

[Jingthing]

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.

Yes, this was my experience a while back. We asked to be sold a seat in a lower priced section and were refused. I had been there before sitting in the cheaper section, so there had been a policy change. I can't give you the dates for any of this. However, I think this policy is well confirmed. BTW, this is racism. Don't support it.

Edited May 16, 2009 by Jingthing

[JohnGotti]

Price for Thai to sit ringside: 2000 baht

Price for Farang to sit ringside: 2000 baht

Price for cheap seat for Thai : 250 baht

Price for cheap seat for farang: Not Available

Agreed?

---

That is really not double pricing. You are paying the same amount as a Thai you just have limited options.

So there is no 10x markup, there is no markup whatsoever.

[kenai]

Well I was there in late March. Their was only 2 options as a farang. My Thai wife was with and she paid the Thai rate and communicated well to know what the options were. There is nothing on the outside that states that the 1000 baht seats are obstructed but they certainly are.

I'm not sure what the Thai price my wife paid was, I just know it was far less.

The part that really made us feel burned was the seats were behind a tightly woven heavy gauge fence.

We were lucky to end up with ringside for half-price but I felt sorry for the rest of the farang that had went the 1000 baht route.

[JohnGotti]

CONFIRMED

"OK...have checked Thai version of that website, real price is:

อัตราค่าดู 2,000 บาท , 460 บาท ,230 บาท" by stevemagnino

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Muay-Thai-Lu...hts-t77722.html

[JohnGotti]

Well I was there in late March. Their was only 2 options as a farang. My Thai wife was with and she paid the Thai rate and communicated well to know what the options were. There is nothing on the outside that states that the 1000 baht seats are obstructed but they certainly are.

I'm not sure what the Thai price my wife paid was, I just know it was far less.

The part that really made us feel burned was the seats were behind a tightly woven heavy gauge fence.

We were lucky to end up with ringside for half-price but I felt sorry for the rest of the farang that had went the 1000 baht route.

from the same thread, the farang price system...

Ring side->> 2,000 Bath

Class 2->> 1,500 Bath

Class 3->> 1,000 Bath

this thread is a few years old, so looks like its 1000/2000 only....

you paid 50% less than the Thais... Nicely done...

And people are hear to complain about doubling pricing when you paid half.

5555555555555555

[kenai]

Price for Thai to sit ringside: 2000 baht

Price for Farang to sit ringside: 2000 baht

Price for cheap seat for Thai : 250 baht

Price for cheap seat for farang: Not Available

Agreed?

---

That is really not double pricing. You are paying the same amount as a Thai you just have limited options.

So there is no 10x markup, there is no markup whatsoever.

Well from my experience in March - I completely disagree. We paid 1000, the seat we got were by far the worst in the house. There was no option to move no option for a refund. Until we made it very clear we were not pleased.

( we were behind a heavy gauge fence. The Thai who had paid less were sitting below us - closer to the ring and unobstructed.

Im just repeating myself....

If you think its a fair way, go there. I think its separation by race (aka racism) and I will not be back.

Edited May 16, 2009 by kenai

[Jingthing]

Any suggestions for this month's Thai-ier than Thai award?

I am always amazed at non-Thais going to bat to rationalize rude racist policies in Thailand. Trust me, they don't need any help!

Edited May 16, 2009 by Jingthing

[Norrad]

You can get Thai citizenship. Your choice.

Um, no. That doesn't work either. It is based purely on race.

When I first arrived here I worked for an employment agency and one of the guys in the office was of mixed race (half Thai, half European) but looks very European. He kinda took me under his wing and showed me most of the sights Bangkok had to offer. I brought up the topic of going to go watch some Thai boxing and he thought it was a good idea because he had never been to a major fight. Upon arrival at Lumpini stadium, we were shouted at to go to the Foreign ticket counter. He was charged the foreign price as well, despite showing his ID card. The lady at the counter just turned away and ignored him.

We both made a promise never to go again. I broke that promise a few weeks back when my wife asked me to go because one of her friends was fighting. Her friend managed to get me in at a reduced rate (500 Baht). So I would say it is more who you know.

[Jingthing]

He was charged the foreign price as well, despite showing his ID card. The lady at the counter just turned away and ignored him.

Truly amazing story! Thanks for that.

[waikhru]

i have been to these stadiums more times then i can remember, and i have fought in smaller stadiums.

i am half thai but look all farang, my wife and friends are full thai.

they pay 200 and i pay about 1200 after bargaining with the women on the door.

never pay 2000 as you dont have to, they will drop it.

the reason for the pricing is simple, they believe you can afford it, they know most thai fans cannot.

its still cheap.

i have also been many times with farang friends and we have no problem getting seats that are not ringside.

when they show you the stadium map you are given the option of cheaper seats right then.

i have been there at least 50 times to both lumpinee and ratjadamnern and thats my experience.

[Texpat]

I went to Lumpini once about eight years ago.

The fights were bush league, the contestants looked about 13 years old. The gamblers are downright rude slobs.

I don't remember what I paid, but I'll never pay 2,000 to go see that crap. Keep it.

[akirasan]

Hey kids.

Ferang ringside pricing is indeed 2,000 baht. I get 1,500 baht tickets because I go through my gym.

Next ticket price down for ferang is 1,500 baht. I don't think you can buy cheaper than that.

Channel 7 fights are indeed still free, Channel 3 fights are 200 baht to watch. If you don't want to go then don't go. The fights are just as good on both tv channels.

Recently there were fights on at National Stadium for free also.

The two tier pricing only exists for people who just want to take a snapshot of muay thai. Obviously if you align yourself with a muay thai gym or train and fight in Thailand there are many more cheaper opportunities to watch great talent fighting. Anyone who says fights outside of Lumpinee or Ratchadermern are inferior is an idiot and don't know what they are talking about.

[Tingnongnoi]

the trouble with the free fights at Channel 7 is not the quality of the fights as they have good match ups, but the size of the venue and the big crowds that go to watch and it can get real crammed inside there. Difficult to get a good place to stand and see the fights.

[Tingnongnoi]

the trouble with the free fights at Channel 7 is not the quality of the fights as they have good match ups, but the size of the venue and the big crowds that go to watch and it can get real crammed inside there. Difficult to get a good place to stand and see the fights. The channel 3 fights out at Omnoi are indeed only 200 baht to watch, but it's a bit of a trek from central Bangkok.

[akirasan]

the trouble with the free fights at Channel 7 is not the quality of the fights as they have good match ups, but the size of the venue and the big crowds that go to watch and it can get real crammed inside there. Difficult to get a good place to stand and see the fights. The channel 3 fights out at Omnoi are indeed only 200 baht to watch, but it's a bit of a trek from central Bangkok.

Re the crowds at Channel 7..for me that is part of the atmosphere. Talking with the thais, being amongst the people who are gambling. If you pay some money you can get a good seat but then everyone whinges about 'two tier pricing' cos the thais dont care about being crammed inside for paying nothing. TV is free to watch from home if you don't like crowds.

Bangkok is a crowded city. Welcome to Thailand.

Many of the rural fights are not crowded. You could always try Issan? A *lot* of champions come from there including one 6 year old boy who has just started training with us.

[Texpat]

They had topless wenches throwin' down in Nana a few years ago. Much better entertainment.

And free.

[Tingnongnoi]

the trouble with the free fights at Channel 7 is not the quality of the fights as they have good match ups, but the size of the venue and the big crowds that go to watch and it can get real crammed inside there. Difficult to get a good place to stand and see the fights. The channel 3 fights out at Omnoi are indeed only 200 baht to watch, but it's a bit of a trek from central Bangkok.

Re the crowds at Channel 7..for me that is part of the atmosphere. Talking with the thais, being amongst the people who are gambling. If you pay some money you can get a good seat but then everyone whinges about 'two tier pricing' cos the thais dont care about being crammed inside for paying nothing. TV is free to watch from home if you don't like crowds.

Bangkok is a crowded city. Welcome to Thailand.

Many of the rural fights are not crowded. You could always try Issan? A *lot* of champions come from there including one 6 year old boy who has just started training with us.

6 years old and a champion already, must be good! What gym you training at?

Ive seen plenty of fights up in Isarn and the south and know the deal there, bit of a trek though if your in Bangkok

[akirasan]

Sorry..he's not a champion yet, he certainly hasn't won any belts. He's only had a handful of fights so far but he's amazing to watch and quick on his feet. I'll try and get some video of him this week if I can.

I'm training at Sasiprapa in Bang Kapi (www.muaythaisasiprapa.com & my online diary of training there www.muaythaitrainingthailand.blogspot.com)

[Tingnongnoi]

o.k so was you at Omnoi today to watch Paowarit?

[akirasan]

Yes mate I was. Were you there too? Pity about that elbow in the second round, I think that's what lost it for him. He's had a *lot* of fights lately so I'm hoping now he'll take a break and get some much deserved rest.

I got the fight on video, and just added some photos of it to the Sasiprapa group on Facebook.

[Tingnongnoi]

yep

it was the size of his opponent and the strong knees he scored with throughout that was more to do with the result than the elbow though. Was just a bit out of his depth size wise.

[Misplaced]

Well I was there in late March. Their was only 2 options as a farang. My Thai wife was with and she paid the Thai rate and communicated well to know what the options were. There is nothing on the outside that states that the 1000 baht seats are obstructed but they certainly are.

I'm not sure what the Thai price my wife paid was, I just know it was far less.

The part that really made us feel burned was the seats were behind a tightly woven heavy gauge fence.

We were lucky to end up with ringside for half-price but I felt sorry for the rest of the farang that had went the 1000 baht route.

from the same thread, the farang price system...

Ring side->> 2,000 Bath

Class 2->> 1,500 Bath

Class 3->> 1,000 Bath

this thread is a few years old, so looks like its 1000/2000 only....

you paid 50% less than the Thais... Nicely done...

And people are hear to complain about doubling pricing when you paid half.

5555555555555555

That's because when the band wagon get started these mindless fools jumps on it. I guess even at their old age they still play follow the leader 5555555

[JohnGotti]

how can a farang find out when will be good nights for title or competitive fights at the stadium venues? how far in advance do you have to purchase tickets for popular fights?

[Tingnongnoi]

muaythai2000.com often has news of when big shows and also Lumpini website itself muaythailumpini.com, you shouldn't need to book in advance, just get there early enough to get a better seat

[waikhru]

fighting in lumpinee is the dream of every fighter.

[Steps]

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".

2000 baht for 11 fights and you are complaining?

What are you on? 2000 baht is £38.00 you wopper and that is a lot of money for Muay Thai. You can watch top rated cage fighting here in England for £25 so go figure it out. I think they could at least have a third price for none Thai's with work permits (dont see many of them sold on Khao San road). That would make more sence from a business perspective because now not only do you welcome more regulars, you encourage residents to want to bring their familly and friends even if the visitors pay 2000baht. Watch revenue increase. I thought Thai's had a good business sense!

[hhgz]

When I first visited Thailand, I saw my first (and to date, only) muay thai fight. The ticket seller did everything to have me buy an expensive ticket, but I preferred to sit in the nosebleed section. Even back then, the cheapest farang seat was 500THB, and I was seated next to Thais who had paid 100THB.

[dbrenn]

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...

Working and paying tax as a temporary resident won't entitle you to local rates in other places too. In places like Australia, the US and the UK, for example, you need permanent residency or citizenship to be eligible for local rates on education. Holders of temporary resident visas pay the foreign rate.

The only way around this problem is to get your PR (which can sometimes get you the local rate), then citizenship, wwhich always gets you the local rate. Annoying though it is, complaints about dual pricig laways fall on deaf ears. No one gives a dam_n how upsetting it is - you pay or you don't go in.

[JohnGotti]

u guys really are slow.

2000 baht thai ring

2000 baht farang ring

no mark up

stop buying your wife a cheap ticket and instead sit her next to you