"Amazing MuayThai World Festival 2026" at Ratchadamnoen was officially opened by Pimol, President of the Thai Olympic Committee, celebrating Muay Thai's emergence onto the global stage.
The "Amazing MuayThai World Festival 2026" commenced grandly at Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium on 25 June 2026. The opening ceremony was honored by Associate Professor Pimol Sriwikrom, President of the Olympic Committee of Thailand, who presided over the event. Also present were Mr. Taweedet Thong-on, Director of Activities at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Major General Thanapon Phakdeephum, Chairman of the World Boxing Council MuayThai (WBC MuayThai) and Chairman of the Asia Boxing Council (WBC Asia), who all participated in the ceremony.
The event's atmosphere was vibrant and grand, featuring a parade of national flags carried by over 950 athletes from 62 countries participating this year. The program included beautiful Thai cultural performances such as traditional Muay Boran demonstrations, the Muay Thai Wai Kru ritual dance, and immersive technology experiences showcasing Muay Thai's unique artistry and heritage to the world.
Mr. Taweedet Thong-on stated, "The Amazing MuayThai World Festival 2026 serves as a key platform to promote Muay Thai and advance sport tourism. Muay Thai is positioned as a vital tourism product, delivering travel experiences through sports and adventure events that encourage ongoing tourism consistent with the '365 Days (Destination Thailand)' policy. This policy aims to foster year-round tourism, reduce congestion during peak seasons, increase tourism revenue, and generate tangible economic benefits. We anticipate over 15,000 attendees, generating at least 250 million baht in tourism revenue, while leaving lasting positive impressions on both Thai and international visitors."
Major General Thanapon Phakdeephum noted, "The Amazing MuayThai World Festival 2026 is held from 25 to 29 June 2026 at Nimibutr Indoor Stadium, National Stadium. The public can attend and support the event free of charge. The opening ceremony is a special occasion held at the historic Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium, a legendary venue in the Muay Thai community."
"This is the fifth edition of the competition, previously held twice in Thailand and twice in Italy. Its purpose is to promote Muay Thai as a soft power of Thailand, alongside promoting Thai culture and sport tourism. The event follows international amateur Muay Thai rules certified by the Sports Authority of Thailand and WBC MuayThai, with safety measures adhering to global standards."
This year, 950 athletes from 62 countries worldwide are participating. It is expected that over 3,000 people including athletes, coaches, and delegates will attend, reflecting the continuous international growth of Muay Thai.
A key highlight this year is the collaboration between WBC MuayThai and Cognition Alpha to launch "Fight IQ," a sports technology platform integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and neuroscience. It aims to enhance safety, brain health, and performance for Muay Thai fighters, developing the concept of the "Quantified Fighter," which supports training, performance assessment, and injury risk prevention in modern combat sports.
The Amazing MuayThai World Festival 2026 is not only an international Muay Thai competition but also a significant step in advancing Muay Thai as a global sports and cultural industry, harmoniously combining traditional values with innovation and future technologies.