Official opening! The Youth Muaythai Stage Dance Contest 2026 draws youth to continue Muaythai traditions through contemporary dance arts, competing for over 500,000 baht in total prizes.
On 20 June 2026 at MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Bangkae, the final round of the "Youth Muaythai Stage Dance Contest 2026" officially opened. This creative project combines Muaythai art with contemporary stage dance, supported by the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand), the Department of Physical Education, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and various partners. The event was free and open to the public. Dr. Panya Hanlamyuang, Vice President of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand), chaired the opening ceremony. Attendees included Rinlita Adisorn, a party-list Member of Parliament from Bhumjaithai Party and spokesperson for the Legal, Justice, and Human Rights Committee, representing the working group and experts; along with Surat Jaranayothin, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Physical Education; Major General Rinthon Punnotok, Secretary of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand); Dr. Daranee Likhitvorasak, Committee member of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand); Chanyan Thamrongwinichai, General Manager of Marketing at The Mall Group Co., Ltd.; Major General Patchara Rattakul, CEO of Haad Thip Public Company Limited; Eksit Kunanthakul, President of Siam Industrial Park Co., Ltd.; Chatchai Leng-yee and Chaowchai Jiamwijit, China Committee members of the Thai Chamber of Commerce; Panithan Hongthong, Director of the Muaythai and Thai Sports Preservation Group, Department of Physical Education; Nithipong Kimawaha, Head of Standards and Evaluation for Muaythai Sports, representing the Sports Authority of Thailand; Wankla Kwan-kaew, Committee member of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand); Suthon Wichairat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Physical Education; Adulyachat Khamma, Director of the Institute for Personnel Development in Physical Education and Sports; and Theerawat Yui-yim, Committee member of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand), all honored and witnessed the opening ceremony together.
Rinlita Adisorn explained that the project aims to sustain Muaythai art and encourage youth participation in preserving and promoting the nation's cultural heritage through activities aligned with modern interests. It offers youth opportunities to develop creativity, planning, teamwork, and physical activity while learning the value of Thai culture. For the final competition, scoring combines 70 points for skill ability and 30 points for Popular Vote (where 1 Like equals 1 point and 2 Shares equal 1 point). Each team's performance today is structured into three clear segments: a 1-minute introduction, a 2-minute Step Dance blending Wai Khru and Muaythai moves, and a 2-minute applied dance segment, with total performance time capped at 5 minutes. Exceeding this limit results in disqualification from judging. Rinlita emphasized that key judging factors include teamwork, creativity, and using Muaythai art as the core in designing performances combined with modern dance, aiming to create unique works that can develop into exercise activities or inspire youth widely.
The project also prepared prizes for winners in each category, totaling over 500,000 baht throughout the competition. Awards include 50,000 baht for first place, 30,000 baht for runner-up, 20,000 baht for second runner-up, two consolation prizes of 10,000 baht each, a Popular Vote prize of 10,000 baht, and consolation prizes of 5,000 baht per team for those not receiving awards. All prize-winning teams receive trophies from Dr. Sutin Klangsang, President of the Military Sports Promotion Association (Thailand). The event atmosphere was lively, with enthusiastic supporters filling the venue to watch the youth talent competition in the final round.