While sports betting, except on horse races, is not legal in Thailand, placing bets on Muay Thai fights appears to be allowed as part of tradition practices. Actually, there are registered Muay Thai arenas where registered bookmakers are allowed to accept bets.
The Lumpinee Boxing Stadium for one, is owned and operated by the Thai Royal Army, and along with the older Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium formerly owned by the government but now operated by the Chuwattana Muay Thai & Boxing camp, pose as the most prestigious Muay Thai boxing arenas in the country.
While the two stadiums hold Muay Thai championship competitions under the auspices of the Thailand Boxing Commission, each stadium maintains a different system of ranking prize fighters.
According to fight organizers, the main reason why these stadiums are popular is the gambling activities that take place during fights. In fact avid Muay Thai bettors place wagers not only on the outcome of a match. Similar to football betting, bettors also place side bets on several other spontaneous outcomes related to the ongoing fight. However, placing wagers on side bets is quite complicated as wagering carries on by way of sign language.
Using gestures by way of hand and finger signals, spectators and facilitators communicate about betting on favorites or on underdogs, as well as on odds and betting prices. Yet this method can be quite confusing and risky. If one is not as knowledgeable with the hand gesturing technique, a mistake could lead to hostile arguments and big losses.
An alternative to this method of betting on Muay Thai boxing events is to สมัคร คาสิโนออนไลน์ (apply at an online casino) that offers mobile sports betting. There are now localized online gambling sites that tailor fit their betting products and services according to the preferences of Thai gamblers.
What Exactly is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai simply translates as “Thai Boxing,” as it is regarded as Thailand’s national combat sport. It is a form of martial art that originated as a military fighting technique of the Sukhothai Kingdom during the 13th century.
The Muay Thai fighting technique is often described as the “Art of 8 limbs” since 8 points of contact by way of fists, elbows, feet and knees are used in punching, kicking, clinching, throwing and sweeping an opponent. A key distinction of a Muay Thai from traditional boxing is the its observation of traditional rituals like the pre-fight dance known as Wai Kru Ram Muay and use of Sarama music as accompaniment, whilst wearing the traditional Mongkon head piece.
Today, Muay Thai is widely practised as a form of self defense and as a combat sport in many countries across the globe. This was after it was formally introduced as a combat sport sometime during the 20th century, along with the codification of rules patterned after the British boxing rules. The rules included the wearing of padded boxing gloves instead of the traditional practice of wrapping the fists with ropes.
As Muay Thai boxing arenas sprouted across the country, the government under the leadership of then Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram ordered the construction of the original open-air Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium at Rajadamnern Ave.
