End Of An Era: Bangkok's Lumpini Stadium Closing In 2014

[IsaanUSA]

The new place is being built down the street from where I live. Suan Muay Lumphini is owned by the Army. It is now being built on Army sports club land. No MRT or BTS even close, so traffic will be even worse.

Its being built here: http://goo.gl/maps/8VZO0

Thanks for the link. It looks like it should be pretty close to the ARL when it is built in the next few years.

[Rustapha]

First the Night Bazarre and now the stadium; eventually they will realize that the lost the charm of Bangkok - and it's just a high rise mecca of empty condos. My hometown of New Orleans had a bayou that went from the Mississippi to the Lake with bars and brothels - now it's an interstate highway. That would be a huge draw today (of course the brothels are now hidden there) - only thinking of the dollar now and not the many in the future.

It is interesting than when farang feel they're losing face about something, it's a highly principled stance (and never the money ha,ha), but when Thais feel they're not being treated fairly, their reaction is regarded as primitive 3rd world face-saving.

It would be more interesting if you could explain that you are referring to like for like scenarios When westerners feel aggrieved about something its over principal (this is not the same as losing face), yet when Thai s do it, its rarely ever over principal, but because they refuse to admit their own failings in one form or another and therefore feel they have lost face because they have been embarrassed. Quite different things wouldn't you say. All to do with the difference about feeling guilt or shame. Most westerners feel guilty if they do something bad, while many from the east feel shame because it makes them look bad and have failed publicly and they couldn't care less about feeling any guilt towards the other party.

Quite different things and the obvious reason for the difference in attitudes between people from the West or the East.

Sateeb, You have hit the nail right on the head. But thats the way it is over here. But even when there is no face to save, everthing still same, same!

[steveG]

First the Night Bazarre and now the stadium; eventually they will realize that the lost the charm of Bangkok - and it's just a high rise mecca of empty condos. My hometown of New Orleans had a bayou that went from the Mississippi to the Lake with bars and brothels - now it's an interstate highway. That would be a huge draw today (of course the brothels are now hidden there) - only thinking of the dollar now and not the many in the future.

Yes, from a purely sentimental point of view, losing this iconic venue along with so much else in central Bangkok that's being replaced with stereotypical big city steel & glass is sad. The building obviously was in pretty bad shape and the real estate can probably generate more revenue with a change in use, but some squeaky clean new place with air conditioning and modern this & that won't seem the same.

Can't see it as ever being a ripoff. If you went there to see Muay Thai, you saw the real thing. Ringside seats were expensive, but I don't remember anyone dragging people off the street and forcing them to sit there.

It is interesting than when farang feel they're losing face about something, it's a highly principled stance (and never the money ha,ha), but when Thais feel they're not being treated fairly, their reaction is regarded as primitive 3rd world face-saving.

I call ticket prices written in Thai for 100/200 baht, and written in English 1000/2000 baht for the same seats a ripoff, plain and simple. But you're right, for many, it's NOT the money. It's the idea that you're held in such utter contempt that they think they're somehow tricking you - farang reu mak, mai dee.

Anyway, whatever it is that's distasteful, many people share that distaste, and you will see more people voting with their feet. Thai tourism is long overdue for a 'correction'.

Agree with this entirely - Actually if the prices were the same for Farang as Thai then they would get more Farang. There are other ways to entertain Farang/tourists at such venues - superior seating, AC, wine service (rather than beer in cans/plastic cups), food service, meeting the fighters etc. many many add ons which can increase the revenue from Tourist/Farang. It always "sticks in my craw" when there is dual pricing in Thailand as I'm sure it does for many tourists visiting.

Having said this ther is a certain charm about the run down place - but heck there are plenty of other venues all around Thailand which have the "spit and sawdust" feel. Perhaps the new venue will be a world class facility which will help to promote the sport worldwide.

[IsaanUSA]

The new place is being built down the street from where I live. Suan Muay Lumphini is owned by the Army. It is now being built on Army sports club land. No MRT or BTS even close, so traffic will be even worse.

Its being built here: http://goo.gl/maps/8VZO0

Thanks for the link. It looks like it should be pretty close to the ARL when it is built in the next few years.

Actually the BTS should be pretty close. Sukhumvit line, planned station N17 Wat Pra Si. But I think the ARL will be built before the BTS extension.

[wellred]

I'm really looking forward to finally watching some boxing here when I come in a few weeks. This may be a good place to ask a few questions.

What nights are best to go? Do they hold fights every night and are they all real?

I don't mind paying more for my ticket being farang but do you pay on the entrance or can you get them before hand?

Thanks

[IsaanUSA]

I'm really looking forward to finally watching some boxing here when I come in a few weeks. This may be a good place to ask a few questions.

What nights are best to go? Do they hold fights every night and are they all real?

I don't mind paying more for my ticket being farang but do you pay on the entrance or can you get them before hand?

Thanks

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thai_boxing.htm

http://www.muaythaionline.org/features/thaistadiums.html

I would assume the fights at the actual stadiums are the real deal. The male fights at MBK don't look so "real" (more like sparring) but the female fights do look real.

[JSPS]

Once "Nicks #1" went it clear that there was nothing sacred.

[carra]

Good, robbing bastards.

I and I am sure many other expat residents would have gone regularly if it wasn't for the extortionate pricing for foreigners.

Can't understand why one calls himself or his friends "expats". Maybe I am totally wrong - sorry for that. But for me "expat" means something about living in a country where you were not born. And seeing it that way I ask myself: How can one live in any country without knowing at least a few basic rules about not getting ripped off?

What I try to say here is: I have got my Thai driving licenses (car and motorcycle) to show at any place where you have to pay a kind of entrance fee - and if you can show that you are living here - you will be charged the Thai price! Easy as that. Stop complaining about things YOU can change. It's not our contry - we have to follow Thai rules.

I am not complaining, i didn't start the thread, and i am fully aware of the rip offs.

I have a work permit and a Thai driving licence, go and try and get thai price at Lumphini stadium with those items and see how far you get, in fact don't waste your time, i can already tell you the answer, you will not get in for thai price even with those items so it's not as 'simple as that' is it?

'Stop complaining about things YOU can change. It's not our contry - we have to follow Thai rules' ????

I have no idea what you trying to achieve with the 'expat' comment either, I am an expat as are my friends, we all know the rip offs, and we all know that the id will not work at lumphini stadium, something you do not seem to be aware of.

[Imkah]

Went to the 'replacement' Suan Lum, aka Asiatique, Saturday evening. As much charm as a walk in Beverly Hills, with prices to match.

The free shuttle boat service is life-threatening: boats filled to over-capacity, standing room only. There were TWO accidents involving boats on that evening: one, a big dinner cruise boat drifted forward as one of the regular river shuttle boats was departing, and scraped its bow along the port side of the shuttle, and two, the shuttle we were on sideswiped a large metal pylon in the river, scraping all along the length of the boat, as people were resting their arms on the rail, and leaning out to take pictures. Only a miracle that no one lost a limb...

The people trying to manage the queue and directing people into the various lanes spoke no English, other than "You go over dere!" What a fine example of tourist-friendly Thailand...

This place is becoming pathetic. Yeah, I know, "If you don't like it here, go home...". Standard answer by morons.

As is the "another nail in the coffin" - bit. How many nails can a coffin take? Been to the Lumpini stadium maybe 5-6 times the latest 30-some yrs.: Place a (small) bet outside - makes it all a little more exciting having a stake in the game - and at the same time demand a Thai entry fee. Always works. And by the way: If you don't like it here - move to Ram Inthra!

[attento]

First the Night Bazarre and now the stadium; eventually they will realize that the lost the charm of Bangkok - and it's just a high rise mecca of empty condos. My hometown of New Orleans had a bayou that went from the Mississippi to the Lake with bars and brothels - now it's an interstate highway. That would be a huge draw today (of course the brothels are now hidden there) - only thinking of the dollar now and not the many in the future.

Yes, from a purely sentimental point of view, losing this iconic venue along with so much else in central Bangkok that's being replaced with stereotypical big city steel & glass is sad. The building obviously was in pretty bad shape and the real estate can probably generate more revenue with a change in use, but some squeaky clean new place with air conditioning and modern this & that won't seem the same.

Can't see it as ever being a ripoff. If you went there to see Muay Thai, you saw the real thing. Ringside seats were expensive, but I don't remember anyone dragging people off the street and forcing them to sit there.

It is interesting than when farang feel they're losing face about something, it's a highly principled stance (and never the money ha,ha), but when Thais feel they're not being treated fairly, their reaction is regarded as primitive 3rd world face-saving.

I call ticket prices written in Thai for 100/200 baht, and written in English 1000/2000 baht for the same seats a ripoff, plain and simple. But you're right, for many, it's NOT the money. It's the idea that you're held in such utter contempt that they think they're somehow tricking you - farang reu mak, mai dee.

Anyway, whatever it is that's distasteful, many people share that distaste, and you will see more people voting with their feet. Thai tourism is long overdue for a 'correction'.

Sadly, dual pricing for nationals and non, is a feature in many countries. I agree that Thailand doesnt have to follow that practice, but such is life

[Kilgore Trout]

Good riddance, this place was one of the worst examples of 2 teir rip off pricing

Sent from my GT-S5660 using Thaivisa Connect App

[Kilgore Trout]

you may think this is a rip off,but compare wages? and how can they make money if they charge us the same as the locals? compare prices aus$3.00 for locals,$30.00 farang,to go see WWF in Australia,$100.00 across the board,still cheap entertainment.

I know many, many thais who make well over 300k baht per month, I don't make anywhere near that. Why should i pay 10x more? Please, do tell

Sent from my GT-S5660 using Thaivisa Connect App

[DLock]

I understand the dual pricing complaints. They are valid.

But this stadium is more than a tourist attraction. It is what Madison Square Garden is to boxing. I have been there dozens of times.

Admittedly the place could do with some maintenance and cleaning, but it's sad to knock down such an iconic stadium. It has seen some epic fights and champions. Pity the army doesn't spend a fraction of the cost of a new building on fixing up Lumpini.

Interestingly women cannot fight at Lumpini and it is one of the few places in Thailand where gambling is legal.

[soomak]

I visited the stadium several times in the late 80's and early 90's with my Thai father in law, all to watch the Muay Thai boxing. I don't remember there being a different price for entry at that time. Must be a later thing. And we did indeed see the real Thai boxing, it was not nice and friendly. Afterwards my father in law would go chat with some of the trainers, pick up his winnings and arrange to meet them at some late night chicken fighting spot run by a local cop.

I always liked its slightly decayed charm. It seems to me that the aura of casual neglect is required part of any of these martial arts. It just doesn't seem right in a gleaming chrome and plastic setting.

You're correct. The first time I remember there being dual pricing was in approx. 1996. It was about 2x then. Over the years, it has graduated to the big-time ripoff at 10x. Same progression as many other attractions, like the Grand Palace/Wat Phrakeaw, national parks, etc.

I won't even comment on davejones post, except to say that it's clueless.

The thing is that tourists come here for a few days, and they don't want to miss the "attractions" they read about in Lonely Planet or in TripAdvisor. For them the dual pricing is not an issue.

As for most of us who live here, I guess it's more of an issue.

I myself prefer to avoid the dual pricing places, but sometimes its not avoidable (national parks for example)

[BigC]

shame victims of greed. the highly over priced tickets yet the place for the best muay thai in the world.

if the move out these tourist and lesure areas and replace with real estate then the real estate might not be so real as they are only close to other big building what is the fin in that