Muay Thai students during a training session at a boxing camp in Phuket. (Photo via Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s Facebook page)
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has applauded the numerous Muay Thai boxing camps in Phuket for exemplifying Thailand’s globally-recognized cultural influence, which attracts visitors for extended stays and drives significant local revenue. On his Facebook page this past Sunday, the prime minister noted that there are approximately 300 Muay Thai camps of varying sizes scattered across Phuket. He highlighted “Muay Thai Village” on Soi Ta-iad Road in tambon Chalong in Muang district, known for its concentration of Muay Thai boxing schools.
On Soi Ta-iad, the largest training camp is Tiger Muay Thai, which boasts over 100 Muay Thai trainers and more than 80,000 registered participants in its courses over the past year, according to Mr. Srettha.
“There are 12 arenas for competition. How many economic activities can this one boxing camp generate?” the prime minister mused in his Facebook post.
Further elaborating, Mr. Srettha mentioned that these camps attract not only Muay Thai enthusiasts but also international families, including young children who relish learning the martial art alongside their parents. With courses ranging from 15 days to several months, trainees spend substantial amounts of time in Phuket, achieving the government’s goal of generating revenue from tourism in exchange for its infrastructure investments.
“Soi Ta-iad was once lined with rubber plantations. Local residents have transformed the area into bustling hubs with hotels, eateries, shops, and laundries, thereby distributing income within the community,” Mr. Srettha pointed out.
Students often purchase Muay Thai-related products and share their training activities and matches on social media, thereby inspiring others to pursue Muay Thai, he added.
Former Muay Thai champions are now earning up to 2,000 baht per hour offering training services in these camps, demonstrating that the careers of professional Muay Thai boxers extend far beyond their fighting days, the prime minister noted.
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