You can’t walk through Chiang Mai without being handed a flyer promoting Real Muay Thai Fights. I had seen a couple of free exhibition fights in Bangkok and couldn’t resist the urge to check out the real thing.
Alas, it wasn’t very real at all. There are three different places that feature fights, but they’re all set up to bring in the tourist dollar and are quite small affairs, seating maybe 100 people at most. The fights were lackluster and neither opponent seemed to be too interested in winning. Two of the fights involved young boys as in the photo above and they made more of an effort than the pros.
My friend Dave and I had chosen this night because and American nicknamed RoboCop was at the top of the bill. We had a chance to talk to him before his bout and ironically,he turned out to be a fellow Austinite. When asked how long he’d been fighting, he replied “I’ve been training for five weeks. This is my first fight.” Oh boy…
He faced off against a 40-year-old veteran whose main intent seemed to be “don’t hurt the farang” and though RoboCop made a good effort, he had zero chance of winning the fight. The promoters simply featured him at the top of the bill to draw in foreigners.
Bored and feeling 400 baht poorer, we left before the main fight and headed to the Chiang Mai Gate in search of some cheap beer and street food.
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This capture gives no indication the fights were lackluster. His eyes are so intense. Too bad it wasn’t exciting.
Kyle and I went to one in CM, went to some effort to find it, turns out it was basically hookerville, quite seedy. Card not nearly as advertised, an it was just super weird with a “halftime show” of a dozen or so ladyboys lip synching to YMCA.
I’m really glad we’re not the only ones I know who got to witness the pseudo spectacle:)
Your post was very educational in that we have often wondered how interesting these fights are that are advertised so much to tourists. Have never attended one and, after reading your post, not planning to do so in our next trip.
Your photo conveys a great deal of confidence and poise in the young fighter, very nice. Thanks for the post.
This collection gives no indication of the fighting was mediocre. Her eyes are so intense. Too bad it was not exciting.
Actually his fight was probably the best of the night. He won, as well.
I was expecting so much more from the Thai Fights but I guess they do what they need to just simply bring in the dollars from tourists. The real action probably goes on where only the locals know about them.
The fact that he’s a young boy makes me uneasy. Like, is this Thai boxing enslavement? :) Well, the upside is the kids do have something to punch and are nimble and quick.
I think it’s about the same as a kid getting tennis or soccer lessons at a young age. Muay Thais is *the* sport here and being a champion fighter carries a lot of prestige (and probably makes a decent living doing it).
Good lord we are everywhere!
That kid totally looks involved.
Three boxing arena’s do exist in CM and only one of them is genuine. Surprise surprise this arena is the only one not in the tourist area and flyers are not given to tourists. They only have bouts twice a week (not every evening as do the tourist traps) and do not entertain “Robocops” or similar unless they are serious contenders.
This is serious fighting and I’d be prepared for plenty of blood when those elbows make real contact to the face. I always recommend talking to ex pats who live in the area for advice. However helpful the Thai’s are the commission involved in tourist traps is just too tempting to resist!
Mark, can you tell us where this ‘authentic’ boxing arena is located?
I’m narrowing in on it. It’s east of town, I believe, on the other side of the river. Hoping to go next Friday.
It was funny to read that robocop had only been training for five weeks…it probably would not have been as funny if it had been my money though…
A friend of mine was participating in the amateur fights there while travelling in Thai. Got a boxing gloves and a bruise as a present )
ha! No thanks ;)
I also went to a fight in Chiang Mai and found it difficult to watch. Have you seen girls fight yet, I watched a documentary on two sisters who fight to make enough money to go to school. It is the only way they can afford it.
Yeah I have seen a couple of women’s fights and they were quite serious about it. I wouldn’t want to go up against any of them.
Muay thai is becoming more and more popular here in Sydney (a bit random, I know!) and I know a few people who have jetted off to Thailand to take courses or participate in fights. Personally? I don’t really get it.
That is a great shot… I wonder what the kid is thinking???
He was *focused*
I saw a show/fight back in 2001 and, while there was a bench at the front with about ten tourists, the back seats and standing area cage was filled with rowdy locals, so it felt pretty authentic to me. It’s amazing because they are so different from what we think of as boxers in the West.
What a bummer. It would be awesome to witness a “real” match, but of course most of them would be aimed at tourists…. certainly one of the problems with Muay Thai being so popular! But you did get this great photo out of the experience, so hopefully that was worth it. ;)
Oh man, I hope Robodude got a few cheap beers after his beating too!
Even though the fights lacked pizzazz, at least you tried it. Perhaps you went on a dud night, and everyone had been out late the night before! That’s why the kids were the only alert ones! Tee hee hee. I’d probably get suckered into going to the fights too – seems like it would have been fun. Oh well.