Thailand is set to celebrate the global recognition of Muay Thai with the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival 2025, an event aimed at preserving and promoting the nation’s historic martial art. The festival, organized by the Royal Thai Army in collaboration with government agencies and private sector partners, takes place on February 5-6, 2025, at Ratchapakdi Park in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The event commemorates Muay Thai Day and honors King Sanphet VIII (King Suea), revered as the Father of Muay Thai, on the 323rd anniversary of his accession to the throne.
The festival highlights the cultural and historical significance of Muay Thai, showcasing its evolution from an ancient battlefield technique to an internationally recognized sport. The event features Muay Thai competitions, historical exhibitions, traditional performances, and industry promotion activities, all aimed at strengthening the global appeal of Thailand’s martial arts heritage. A key attraction includes “The Roots of Wisdom of Muay Thai, Glorious to the World,” a large-scale performance by over 2,000 Royal Thai Army personnel, demonstrating the discipline and techniques that have shaped Muay Thai over centuries.
The festival also aligns with Thailand’s efforts to enhance its “soft power” by promoting Muay Thai to a global audience and supporting the government’s new economic model. The event serves as a platform to highlight Muay Thai’s role in Thai history, emphasizing its importance as both a cultural legacy and a professional sport that continues to gain worldwide recognition.
The opening ceremony on February 6, 2025, was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Vejjayachai, who led tributes to historical Thai rulers and observed the performances. Government officials, military personnel, and representatives from various agencies attended the event, reinforcing national and international support for the promotion of Muay Thai.
