Rajadamnern Stadium

Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium
(Sanam Muay Rajadamnern)
Location Thailand No. 1, Thanon Ratcha Damnoen Nok, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, Thailand
Coordinates 13°45′40″N 100°30′32″E / 13.76111°N 100.50889°E / 13.76111; 100.50889
Owner The Rajadamnern Co. Ltd
Construction
Built 1941-45
Opened December 23, 1945
Construction cost ฿ 258,900 baht
Main contractors Imprese Italiane All' Estero-Oriente
Tenants
Choocharoen Boxing Promotion

Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium or, in Thai, Sanam Muay Rajadamnern (Thai: สนามมวยราชดำเนิน; rtgs: Sanam Muai Ratcha Damnoen), is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Stadium, the Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern Muay Thai. The stadium has its own ranking system and championship titles up to Middleweight (160 lbs).[1]

Muay thai contests are held on every Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The fights usually start around 6.30 p.m. Ticket prices range from 1,000 (third class) to 2,000 (ring-side) Baht.[2]

History

In 1941, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram gave orders to build a national boxing stadium on Rajadamnern Avenue. Impresse Italiane All' Estero-Oriente won the construction rights, and the 258,900 baht project foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1941.[2]

Due to the lack of construction supplies during the World War II, the project was halted until August 1945. When the war ended and the construction resumed, it took only four months to complete it. The first boxing match was held on December 23, 1945. Tickets were priced at between 70 and 300 Baht. Pramote Puengsoonthorn became the first stadium manager, who remained in the post until his retirement in 1947.

The original stadium was an open-air construction, resembling a Roman amphitheatre in design. Six years later, in 1951 a concrete roof was added, making it more convenient and weather-proof.[3] After seven years of government ownership, the stadium was running in loss, and on May 24, 1953, Chalerm Cheosakul, the stadium manager at the time, asked permission from the Crown Property Bureau to run the stadium and founded the "Rajadamnern Co Ltd". The Rajadamnern Co. Ltd operates it to this day, and it has become one of the world-renowned boxing stadiums of Muay Thai in Thailand.[2]

In 1969, Rocky Marciano attended Rajadamnern as a guest referee for the International Boxing title match between Raksak Wayupuk and Saknoi Sor Kosum. Since then the tradition is kept that the last fight of the night is always an international-level fight.

Chuwattana Muay Thai & Boxing camp is the official promoter of the Rajadamnern stadium licensed by the Thailand boxing commission.

Gambling

Gambling is legal and takes place at the second level. The betting is done by hand-signals, as in a stock exchange trading floor. Often such signs are misunderstood by one side and additional fights may erupt outside the ring between gamblers. The security service at Rajadamnern Stadium is managed by armed military police officers. Foreigners usually occupy the expensive ringside seats, while gamblers and aficionados prefer the second or third ring of seats upstairs.

List of former champions

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stadiums in Thailand". www.muaythaionline.org. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  2. 1 2 3 "Stadiums". www.Muaythai2000.com. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  3. ↑ "History of Rajadamnern Stadium". wmtc.nu. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
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