Where To Watch Real Muay Thai In Bangkok

There are dozens of websites that can tell you where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok, and some of them do a good job of listing the top stadiums. But I’ve found that none of them dive into the deeper, sometimes more important, aspects of watching Muay Thai in the Thai capital — and that’s what I’m going to cover in this guide.

As someone who has commentated fights in Thailand for nearly the last decade, there are things I’ve found to be just as important as picking a good Muay Thai stadium or event in Bangkok.

Once you pick a stadium, feel free to explore more about the venue by clicking on the respective links in the Top Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok section. You’ll find everything you need, such as best seats, ticket prices, event times and days, and much more.

Traditional Vs. Entertainment Muay Thai

Not every stadium in the Thai capital offers the same kind of Muay Thai. So, the first you should consider when trying to decide where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok is the kind of experience you’re after. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of Muay Thai:

• traditional Muay Thai
• entertainment Muay Thai

Traditional Muay Thai fights are made up of five, three-minute rounds and include the wai kru (pre-fight dance) and all the associated customs. Gambling and gamblers also play an important role in traditional Muay Thai. Be sure to read my guide below to find out more about traditional Muay Thai.

Find out more: Traditional Muay Thai

Entertainment Muay Thai is usually contested over three, three-minute rounds and sometimes omits the wai kru and other customs. Gambling is usually not permitted at entertainment Muay Thai events. There’s a lot more that separates entertainment Muay Thai from its traditional counterpart, so be sure to check out the guide below.

Find out more: Entertainment Muay Thai

Once you decide on the kind of experience you want, you can then decide on the best stadium to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok. The table below shows the type of Muay Thai held at four of the most popular stadiums in the city.

Bangkok Muay Thai Tickets: Free Vs. Paid Vs. Budget

When it comes to Bangkok Muay Thai tickets prices, they range from free to 12,000 Thai Baht ($350) and everywhere in between.

The most budget-friendly option is Channel 7 Boxing Stadium. It’s free to get in and located just 15 minutes by foot from the Mo Chit BTS station.

Your next-cheapest option is Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium at just 200 Thai Baht ($6) per ticket. However, what you save in ticket prices you’ll pay for in taxi fares. With light traffic, the stadium is at least 45 minutes away from Bangkok’s city center. And on the way back to Bangkok after the event, it could take as long as two hours to get to central Bangkok on a Saturday afternoon.

As far as prices go, both Lumpinee and Rajadamern stadiums’ evening event prices are similar with each other. You’ll pay roughly the same amount to travel to each stadium as well. The total amount you spend at these two major stadiums will be more than the others though. These stadiums serve beer, food, and offer plenty of shopping.

Where To Buy Muay Thai Tickets In Bangkok

After you decide where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok, you’ll need to buy tickets. You can buy tickets to any of the Muay Thai events in Bangkok at the stadiums’ ticket windows. Shows rarely sell out, so you don’t have to worry about booking in advance. If you want to pick a seat, though, then you should book in advance through ThaiTicketMajor.com (for Lumpinee Stadium) and Rajadamnern.com (for Rajadamnern Stadium).

Consider Your Time Investment

If you live in Thailand, then spending an entire day getting to and from the stadium, plus the time spent watching fights, is no big deal. But if you’re here on vacation and don’t have a lot of time to burn, then that may influence your decision on where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok.

If you only have a Sunday afternoon to spare, then Channel 7 Boxing Stadium is your go-to choice. Saturday afternoon? Try Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium or Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. For evening events, both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern are your best choices.

Factor In Convenience

Another thing you want to consider when picking where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok is convenience. How easy will it be to get from where you’re staying to the stadium of your choosing. And once you’re there, how easy is it to get back after the event is over. It may seem like a good idea to pick the budget friendly Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium to watch Muay Thai at, but are you willing to sit in two hours of traffic on a Saturday afternoon to get back into Bangkok, wasting precious vacation time?

What Days Are There Muay Thai Fights In Bangkok?

You can watch Muay Thai in Bangkok seven days a week, except on certain public, religious, and royal holidays. Lumpinee Stadium holds fights on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Saturday early evenings. Rajadamnern Stadium holds fights seven days per week. Channel 7 Boxing Stadium holds a weekly Sunday afternoon event. And Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium hosts a weekly Saturday afternoon event. The table below will help you decide where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok.

What Are The Best Days To Watch Muay Thai In Bangkok?

The answer to this question is purely subjective and depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. If you ask me, the ONE Lumpinee Friday night show at Lumpinee Stadium consistently delivers exciting events. My second choice would be one of the traditional Muay Thai shows at Rajadamnern Stadium (any day but Saturday). If you can’t make an evening event, I’d suggest Channel 7 Boxing Stadium on Sunday.

Should You Book A Hotel Close To The Stadium?

This depends on which stadium you’re going to visit and what you plan to do before or after the Muay Thai fights. If you’re going to watch an afternoon show at Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium, it’s better to book a hotel in Bangkok and take a taxi out to Omnoi.

On the other hand, if you’re going to Lumpinee, Rajadamnern, or Channel 7 stadiums, you might want to book a nearby hotel and then spend the day in the area, as there is plenty to do around each stadium.

Top Muay Thai Stadiums In Bangkok

Having said all that, let’s take a look at where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok.

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is one of the two most revered venues in Bangkok for Muay Thai. The original Lumpinee Stadium on Rama IV Road was knocked down in 2014. However, the owners rebuilt the iconic landmark in northern Bangkok on Rama Inthra Road.

To find out about Lumpinee Stadium ticket prices, how to pick the best seats, and which events its holding this week, check out my guide below.

Find out more: Lumpinee Boxing Stadium: ticket prices, best seats, fights, and more

Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium

Finished in 1945, Rajadamnern Stadium is Thailand’s oldest-standing Muay Thai venue. However, it has undergone some renovations over the years to bring it up to international standards. That said, the allure of the original Rajadamnern can still be felt when you walk in the stadium.

To find out about Rajadamnern Stadium ticket prices, how to pick the best seats, and which events its holding this week, check out my guide below.

Find out more: Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium: ticket prices, best seats, fights, and more

Channel 7 Boxing Stadium

Channel 7 Boxing Stadium isn’t your typical venue — it’s actually a TV studio, which means you get an entirely different atmosphere than one of the main stadiums.

To find out about Channel 7 Boxing Stadium ticket prices, how to pick the best seats, and which events its holding this month, check out my guide below.

Find out more: Channel 7 Boxing Stadium: ticket prices, best seats, fights, and more

Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium

Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium is located in the Om Noi district of Bangkok. It’s one of the furthest stadiums from Bangkok’s city center, but the fights are definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for a traditional Muay Thai experience.

To find out about Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium ticket prices, how to pick the best seats, and which events its holding this month, check out my guide below.

Find out more: Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium: ticket prices, best seats, fights, and more

Thai Fight League

Thai Fight League is located inside Beat Active, near BITEC in Bang Na, Bangkok. You can get there from the BTS line. There are seven fights per night, and the show runs about two hours long.

To find out about Thai Fight League ticket prices, how to pick the best seats, and which events its holding this month, check out my guide below.

Find out more: How to watch Thai Fight League in Bangkok: ticket prices, best seats, fights, and more

Final Thoughts About Where To Watch Muay Thai In Bangkok

When it comes to where to watch Muay Thai in Bangkok, you have plenty of options. The most important things to consider if you’re coming to Bangkok as a tourist, though, it how much time you want to invest in watching the fights, and what kind of experience you’re looking for.