A First-Time Visitor’s Guide To Bangkok’s Muay Thai Stadiums

There are two types of visitors who leave Bangkok — those who didn’t visit a Muay Thai stadium and those who did. And in almost every case, I imagine, those who did never regretted it, while those who didn’t, did. Don’t be one of the those.

Why Visit A Muay Thai Stadium For Your First Time In Bangkok?

You can’t really say you’ve been to Bangkok without watching the matches at one of the city’s iconic Muay Thai stadiums. These stadiums are where you get to see Thai culture unfold right in front of your eyes, from the sacred wai kru to the gamblers to the fights that build up and reach their crescendo in round four before dying back off in round five. I may be biased, but these stadiums are where all the excitement in Bangkok lives. Even after all these years, these stadiums and the things that happen inside of them still speak to my soul, and I believe they’ll do the same for you.

How Much Time Should You Block Out Of Your Trip?

You’ll most likely need to dedicate half a day to visiting any of the Muay Thai stadiums during your first time in Bangkok. On average, you’ll spend at least an hour or two traveling to and from the stadium, depending on where you’re staying in Bangkok. The events themselves last up to four hours, sometimes more.

Which Muay Thai Stadium Should You Visit During Your First Time In Bangkok?

I get asked this question a lot. But I don’t like giving a definitive answer because all the stadiums are great in their own ways. So, you should pick one based on your preferences.

But if it was my first time in Bangkok, I’d recommend the following. If you want to watch traditional Muay Thai, go to Rajadamnern Stadium. It’s the oldest Muay Thai venue in Thailand and does not disappoint, especially on Thursday nights. Or you can visit Channel 7 Stadium on a Sunday afternoon. On the other hand, if you want to experience entertainment Muay Thai, I recommend going to Lumpinee Stadium for the Friday night ONE Lumpinee event. The fights and atmosphere go unrivaled anywhere else when it comes to entertainment Muay Thai.

How Much Does It Cost To Visit A Muay Thai Stadium In Bangkok?

This depends on what stadium you go to and the seats you pick. You can get into Channel 7 Stadium for free and spend just a few dollars on food and drinks. Similarly, you’ll spend only 200 Thai Baht ($5.50) to enter Siam Omnoi Stadium plus a few more dollars on food and drinks. When you go to the bigger venues, expect to spend more. Tickets to a Friday night Lumpinee Stadium event cost anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 Thai Baht ($27 to $83). While a ticket to Rajadamnern Stadium costs between 1,500 to 3,500 Thai Baht ($40 to $97). You can eat and drink at both stadiums for an extra 200 to 300 Thai Baht ($5.50 to $7.75).

• Channel 7 Stadium: < $5 per person
• Siam Omnoi: < $15 per person
• Rajadamnern Stadium: > $40 per person
• Lumpinee Stadium: > $27 per person

Where Should You Stay For Your First Time In Bangkok?

Usually, people visit one of the Muay Thai stadiums as a side trip during their first time in Bangkok. I’m sure you’re planning to do the same. So, you can book a hotel anywhere in Bangkok and still be able to get to any of the stadiums in under an hour.

What Is The Best Day To Go?

You can watch Muay Thai every day of the week in Bangkok, but that doesn’t mean you should. Certain days tend to be better than others. That said, below is a lit of the days and stadiums I recommend going to for the best experience.

• Thursday: Rajadamnern Stadium
• Friday: Lumpinee Stadium
• Saturday: Siam Omnoi Stadium (or Rajadamnern Stadium if Omnoi isn’t convenient)
• Sunday: Channel 7 Stadium

Can You Bring Your Children To The Muay Thai Stadiums?

Children are welcome at all of the Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok. In fact, I have two daughters (8 and 10) that I bring with me on occasion, and they both enjoy themselves. That said, if you have younger kids who tend to get cranky late at night, you might want to plan for an early exit. But if you’re traveling with teens, you should be fine.

What Should And Shouldn’t You Bring To The Stadiums?

If it’s your first time in Bangkok, you might not know that certain stadiums in Bangkok have stricter security measures than others. In general though, here’s what you should/could bring:

• Umbrella (during the rainy season from July to October)
• Camera for taking pictures and video (no flash; no live streaming in some cases)
• Long pants or dress (Channel 7 doesn’t allow shorts or skirts)

Here’s what you shouldn’t bring:

• Outside food or drinks
• Weapons
• Drugs

Are The Stadiums Safe?

The Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok are safe. In fact, Lumpinee Stadium is run by the Thai Army, so it is well secured. Rajadamnern Stadium employs a security team to watch over both everything and everyone on the inside and outside of the stadium. Siam Omnoi Stadium hires local police for its events. In all my years of going to the stadiums (dating back to 2007), I’ve only seen one minor scuffle between the bettors, and it was over as fast as it began.

The only real threat you face at the stadiums is the scrupulous taxi and tuk-tuk drivers who wait outside the stadium. They will be eager to give you a ride back to your hotel, but they won’t want to turn on the meter. Politely decline to get into any taxi if the driver doesn’t want to turn on his meter.

How Can You Get To The Muay Thai Stadiums?

Most of the Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok are located near public transportation. For instance, you can take the BTS to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS Station and then a short taxi ride to Lumpinee Stadium. To get to Rajadamnern Stadium, you can take the MRT to Sam Yot MRT Station and then a short taxi ride.

As for Channel 7 Stadium, you can walk there from Mo Chit BTS Station or Chutachak Park MRT Station. Siam Omnoi Stadium is the only venue a bit further out of the city, but you can still get there by getting off at Lak Song MRT Station and then taking a taxi the rest of the way down Phey Kasem Road. For more details, I wrote a guide on getting to Bangkok’s Muay Thai stadiums.