The clash of legendary arenas in the heart of Bangkok. Get to know the 2 best Muaythai Stadium.

Rajadamnern Stadium

(Thai: สนามมวยราชดำเนิน) alternatively spelled Ratchadamnoen Stadium,

stands as a prominent sports arena in Bangkok, Thailand. It shares the spotlight with Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, establishing itself as one of the primary venues for contemporary Muay Thai. 

In 1941, the Thai Prime Minister, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, issued directives to construct a national boxing stadium on Rajadamnern Avenue. Impresse Italiane All’ Estero-Oriente secured the construction rights, and on March 1, 1941, the foundation stone for the 258,900 baht project was laid.

Due to the scarcity of construction supplies during World War II, the project faced a pause until August 1945. Upon resumption, it took merely four months to complete. The inaugural boxing match occurred on December 23, 1945, with ticket prices ranging from 70 to 300 baht. Pramote Puengsoonthorn served as the first stadium manager, holding the position until his retirement in 1947.

Originally an open-air structure, resembling a Roman amphitheater, the stadium underwent changes six years later. In 1951, a concrete roof was added, rendering it weather-proof. After seven years of government ownership, the stadium incurred financial losses.

On May 24, 1953, Chalerm Cheosakul, the stadium manager at the time, sought permission from the Crown Property Bureau to manage the stadium independently. This led to the establishment of “Rajadamnern Co., Ltd.” The company operates the stadium to this day, solidifying its status as one of the primary Muay Thai boxing arenas in Thailand.

In 2022, Global Sport Ventures Company Limited (GSV), a subsidiary of Plan B Media Public Company Limited, declared its investment in Rajadamnern Stadium Company Limited. The investment seeks to innovate and usher in Rajadamnern World Series featured a ‘new style’ of Muay Thai, with revamped rules to make the sport more exciting and understandable for everyone.

The first change was to show scoring for every round, both for the audience’s clarity and the fighter’s own awareness of their situation. The second change was to reduce the number of rounds from five to three and decrease the stage size. The last change is to add bonus points in the group stage and to make it so that a faster knockout would also yield higher points. 

“We want to attract newer generations and international fans to Muay Thai. To achieve our goals we made adjustments in both stadium infrastructure and competition format to lower the entry barrier of the sport.”

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Lumpinee Stadium

Lumpinee Stadium, born out of General Praphas Charusathien’s vision, stands as a monumental pillar in Thai sports history. Unveiling its grandeur on December 8, 1956, it operates under the watchful eye of the Army Welfare Department of the Royal Thai Army, with proceeds enriching various army departments. The board of directors, helmed by Army Commander Apirat Kongsompong in 2020, is exclusively comprised of army officers.

Behind the scenes, eleven promoters diligently organize thrilling bouts, following rules akin to Rajadamnern. Fighters must tip the scales above 100 lb, be aged 15 or older, and face opponents with a weight difference not exceeding 5 lb. However, a noteworthy restriction persists, with women prohibited from entering the ring or participating in matches.

Among the luminaries of Lumpinee, Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn shines brightest, reigning undefeated as the Lightweight champion for four remarkable years in the early-1980s. His retirement was not due to defeat but rather a shortage of worthy opponents.

In early 2021, the Army contemplated privatization or transformation into a museum for Lumpinee Stadium. In response, Lumpinee’s management envisioned a vibrant future, intending to re-brand with groundbreaking changes. These included welcoming women into the arena for fights, hosting thrilling mixed martial arts bouts, and enforcing a gambling ban to cultivate a non-gambling audience. This visionary shift became tangible on November 13, 2021, when Lumpinee Stadium hosted its inaugural female fight card featuring the clash between Buakaw Mor.Kor.Chor.Chaiyaphum and Sanaejan Sor.Jor.Tongprajin.

Further etching its name in history, Lumpinee Stadium ventured into uncharted territory on January 16, 2022. Fairtex Fight Promotion orchestrated an unprecedented mixed martial arts event, seamlessly blending both Muay Thai and MMA fights. Embracing evolution, Lumpinee has been the host venue for ONE Championship events since August 2022, predominantly featuring Muay Thai rules.

For those seeking an immersive experience into the heart of Muay Thai in Bangkok, tickets for Lumpinee Muay Thai are your gateway to witnessing these historic moments and the unmatched vibrancy of the sport.

Check Lumpinee Schedules

Browse the list of upcoming events, From the Most Knockout rate showdowns to cultural spectacles, there’s something for everyone.