Thailand is stepping up the promotion of its traditional form of boxing, Muay Thai, to draw tourists and to counter Cambodia’s claim that it is the actual birthplace of the martial art. The government plans to create a new visa for people coming to the Southeast Asian country to learn Muay Thai, and introduced the martial art in a recent multinational military exercise.
In late March, the government carried out a one-day Muay Thai tour for foreign reporters, diplomats and others. Participants visited a well-known Muay Thai gym and fighting arena in Bangkok to experience the sport, watch matches and learn its history.
An official from the Embassy of Japan who participated in this first tour of its kind said, “I recognized the Thai government’s earnestness to disseminate the attractions of Muay Thai to the world.”
