[PRESS RELEASE]
The world’s first Muay Thai Expo in Buriram, Thailand is officially underway. Yesterday the elite of Muay Thai gathered at the Sports Authority of Thailand for the official press conference.
To open festivities, those in attendance were treated to a Muay Boran demonstration by none other than Sagat Petchyindee. The expo is cutting no corners, bringing together all the truly amazing elements of Muay Thai. It goes beyond the martial art into the deep cultural traditions of Thailand and the rich history it entails.
The four day event is being headlined by a 10 fight card on Friday the 5th of October. Muay Thai legends Somrak Khamsing and Samart Payakaroon were on hand at the press conference to promote their exhibition match. The pair were truly humbled to have witnessed first hand the monumental growth of the sport in the last decade, and were honored to take part in such a historic event.
The fight card, dubbed ‘Legend of Muay Thai’ will feature both Thai and international competitors, with fighters from Mongolia, to Turkey. American teen sensation, Bekah Irwin will also be on the card, defending her Nai Khanom Tom Muay Thai Sports Association Title against Thai prospect Kaenkaew Kor.Klomkliem.
The Sports Authority of Thailand, together with the Nai Khanomtom Association, aims to use this event to showcase Muay Thai on an international scale. It is being held in conjunction with the first ever MotoGP in Thailand, PTT Thailand Grand Prix.
The event organizers will also be selling polo shirts with partial proceeds going to the the Nai Khanom Tom Association and its program designed to help retired fighters with medical expenses. There are only a limited number of shirts available and those interested in purchasing this limited edition item will also get event entry and reserved seating at the fights.
Events like these, with the Chang International Circuit, didn’t happen when these fighters were growing up. It’s a testament to the growth of the sport and Buriram that young Isaan and Buriram fighters can fight on massive shows like this for their people.
Muay Thai mogul Boat Petchyindee was on hand, calling Buriram the ‘City of Muay Thai’. He credited the province for having raised many champions of the sport.
Those who already have tickets to the MotoGP can enter the expo free of charge. Otherwise, tickets are 200 Baht per day, and will be available at the door. Those with a PTT Blue card are entitled to a 25% discount.
Don’t forget, 4-7 October at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram from 10:00 to 20:00 daily. with fights set to be broadcast on Amarin TV.
More details to follow. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/muayt
Full Fight Card:
Pakorn PK Saenchaimuaythaigym (Thai) vs Nima Vakilitamoughen (Iran) 67kg
Kongsak Sitboonmee (Thai) vs Atakan Mert (Turkey) 68kg
Watcharapon Phor.Visetgym (Thai) vs Rungnarai Mor.Rattanabandit (Thai) 114lbs
Tawanchai PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym vs Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piekuthai (Thai) 137lbs
Nai Khanom Tom Muay Thai Sports Association Championship Belt Fight
Muangthai Klongsuanplu Resort (Thai) vs Superlek Mor.Rattanabandit (Thai) 133lbs
Samart Payakaroon vs Somrak Kamsing
Pongsiri PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym (Thai) vs Reza Ahmadnezhd (Iran) 65kg
Boonlang Klongsuanplu Resort (Thai) vs Borkhuu Mega (Mongolia) 65kg
Songkram Burapastarnation (Thai) vs Saliman Zegnoun (Algeria) 65kg
Nai Khanom Tom Muay Thai Sports Association Championship Belt Fight (FEMALE)
Kaenkaew Kor.Klomkliem (Thai) vs Rebecca Irwin (USA) 122lbs
