Lumpinee Stadium will once again go through some major changes — this time not in location, but purpose and appearance.
The Royal Thai Army and LUMMAX have signed an agreement to transform Lumpinee Stadium into an entertainment hub that promotes Muay Thai, concerts, esports, and Thai cultural events.
Signing on behalf of the Royal Thai Army was Lt. Gen. Pongchart Kampalanuwong, Director of the Army Sports Development Center, the organization that oversees Lumpinee Stadium.
Kampalanuwong went on record to say that modifications will be made to how the iconic arena on Ram Inthra Road is run to improve its standing within the Muay Thai, entertainment, and tourism industries. He also said these changes will benefit Thailand’s economic, social, and cultural development.
The Lt. Gen. also noted that many international and local partners have supported the plan — one of them being LUMMAX.
Signing the agreement on behalf of LUMMAX was the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Krongkwan Lertjaruanun.
She said that LUMMAX would be responsible for revamping the arena’s audio and lighting technology, plus live broadcasting quality. LUMMAX also wants to create commercial advertisement space to lure in more business opportunities.
This is exactly what Rajadamnern Stadium recently did, to mixed opinions. The outside perimeter of the interior ringside seating area of Rajadamnern is lined with digital advertisements. Even the tops of the ring posts have digital advertisements. Some fans have complained that they get in to the way of the viewing experience.
Whether Lumpinee goes to these advertisement extremes, only time will tell. But in an industry still recovering from the challenging COVID era, every bit of profit helps.
After all, the Royal Thai Army depends on the income it generates from Lumpinee to support its many programs. It has been this way since the construction of old Lumpinee Stadium on Rama IV Road in the mid-1950s.