The Mecca of Muay Thai – Lumpinee Stadium set to ‘Hang Up The Gloves’

Thanks to Michael Harbone of Monster Muay Thai for sharing the Bangkok Post article  that leads up to this article on FSA.

It has come to light that the mecca of Muay Thai, the undisputed home of the undisputed greatest Muay Thai fighters in the history of the sport.. Lumpinee Stadium…. is set to close it’s doors in 2014.

Opened in 1956 and run by the Thai Royal Army the stadium was built to compete with the existing Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium. The two stadium’s have had a rivalry that has produced without doubt some of the best champion Vs champion fights in the history of Muay Thai.

the list of champions and fighters who have graced Lumpinee stadium read’s like a who’s who of Muay Thai:

• Samart Payakaroon
• Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn
• Buakaw Por. Pramuk
• Anuwat Kaewsamrit
• Saenchai Sor Kingstar
• Youssop Sor.Thanikul
• Matee Jedeepitak
• Peter Smit
• Coban Lookchaomaesaitong
• Ramon Dekkers
• Rob Kaman
• Ivan Hippolyte
• Dany Bill
• Saiyok Pumpanmuang
• Yodsanklai Fairtex
• Jomhod Kiatadisak
• Orono Wor Petchpun

Many see the closing of Lumpinee stadium as a shame and a disappointing turn of events…. and as much as i love place, the history and the character… i am excited about a change.

The building is very old, hot, not well structured, parking is non-existent,traffic is terrible and the entrance and appearance itself is pretty bad.

There is always an upside to any good story – and the upside is exciting in this case.

A new stadium is in commission and is set to be a HUGE 3 segmented building with a massive 380 million baht price range.

Maj Gen Surakai said the new stadium will be fully equipped and integrated with modern facilities and technological features on offer. It is designed to provide convenience and accessibility to physically challenged people.

The 3 building will include:

building 1) 500 ringside seats, 800 seats on the second floor and 2,500 seats on the third floor. Combined with those with standing tickets, the stadium can accommodate up to 8,000 people!

The second building will have staff offices with rooms for important guests. It will also have an exhibition hall detailing Lumpinee’s history and a Thai boxing museum.

The third is a five-storey building. Boxers will train on the first floor, while the second to the fifth floors will be reserved for car parking space.

The new stadium is not in the heart of BKK city, so visitors will need to make the trip (which they say will be well served by public transport) to the new stadium.

The viewing experience will be better, bigger, and clearer for all.

All in all i think this is a positive move. If you have a soft spot for Old Lumpinee then you have 1 year to fill that spot and get over it, because 2014 is a new arena and a new start for Lumpinee Stadium.