February 1, 2023
bangkok – Thailand does not have to argue with others because no one can take Muay Thai away from it, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared on Tuesday.
He made this comment during the Muay Thai Day promotional activities at Government House.
A controversy sparked recently when Cambodia announced as host of this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that kickboxing will be renamed “Kun Khmer.” SEAGames 2023 will take place May 5-17.
At Tuesday’s event, Prayut took part in many activities, including a Muay Thai performance by students from the Nong Hin school and professional fighters.
The prime minister also displayed his Muay Thai skills before thanking the organizers and related agencies for preserving the art form, which has been a part of Thai culture for generations.
Prayut described Muay Thai as a unique martial art and valuable cultural wisdom.
He also called on the relevant agencies to continue promoting Muay Thai as a soft power that can help stimulate the economy in a sustainable way.
The Prime Minister also wished the “Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2023” a resounding success. The festival will take place from February 4-6 at Hua Hin’s Rajabhakti Park.
“I want to thank all the relevant sectors for hosting the event that showcases Thai culture and has been preserved for a long time,” he said.
The Cabinet has marked February 6 as Muay Thai Day, because that was the day Sanphet VIII became King of Ayutthaya. Sanphet VIII, the second ruler of the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, was known to be an expert in Muay Thai.