San francisco: Muay Thai, a thriving soft power, has seen an impressive turnout as 800 Americans engaged in studying this martial art, with renowned fighters Saenchai, Yodsaenklai, and Petchpanomrung offering classes in the United States.
According to Thai News Agency, the "Muay Thai Master Class 2025" project was organized by the Subcommittee on Driving the Sports Industry in collaboration with the Boxing Commission of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). The event took place in San Francisco, California, at Ohlone College's Epler Gymnasium from July 31 to August 2. Mr. Chalitrat Chantrubeksa, Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Sports Industry Promotion, led the opening ceremony, with key figures such as Mrs. Prodpraon Samanmit, Deputy Governor for Professional Sports and Boxing, SAT, and Ms. Wipawee Waiwat, Director of the Boxing Sports Administration Division, among those in attendance.
The event featured top Muay Thai fighters, including Saenchai P.K. Saenchai Muay Thai Gym, Yodsaenklai Fairtex, and Petchpanomrung Kiatmoo9. They conducted classes covering the fundamentals and techniques of Muay Thai. Over 750 participants registered in advance, with additional attendees signing up on the spot, bringing the total to over 800. The event concluded with a celebration of Saenchai's 45th birthday on July 30th.
A significant highlight was the presentation of the Standard Muaythai Gym (SMG) certification to ten gyms meeting the Boxing Commission's standards. The certified gyms included Rise Combat Sport, El Nino, Ascend, and others. Public relations activities were organized to provide guidance on applying for a 90-day Non-Immigrant ED Visa and a 180-day Muaythai DTV (Destination Thailand Visa), aiming to inspire Americans to study Muay Thai at standard Thai boxing camps, fostering economic growth and inter-industry connections.
Mr. Chalitrat expressed surprise at the increased attendance compared to a previous event in Los Angeles, which had around 350 attendees. He noted that Muay Thai is gaining popularity not just as a sport but as a form of exercise enjoyed by a diverse demographic. This trend supports the promotion of Muay Thai in Thailand and the growth of the global Muay Thai ecosystem.
Ms. Prodpraon Samanmit highlighted the unexpected high registration numbers and mentioned that the SAT's future focus will shift toward trainer training. This approach will upgrade international Muay Thai gyms by offering trainer certification and C-license exams, further enhancing Muay Thai's quality abroad.
The Muay Thai Master Class 2025 project aims to visit ten countries, having already made stops in Hong Kong, Brazil, England, and Scotland. The United States is the fifth destination, with upcoming events planned in Munich, Germany, followed by France, Spain, Portugal, and Australia.