Photo essay : Sunday afternoon Muay Thai

Two fighters pray before the fight starts during a Muay Thai at Chang 7

Im currently in Bangkok covering the ongoing political situation, yesterday was one of the rare days that i didn’t have anything to cover so i used the chance to document a Muay Thai fight.

I wasn’t too keen on shooting the actual fights rather the atmosphere, the touts & the bookies. Spectators, mainly local men pack themselves into this tiny room, it’s akin to a stock exchange with bookies making hand gestures signalling odds, collecting & handing out cash with the ensuing angry punter demanding he got given incorrect odds. Fighters are blessed and a brutal battle in the ring proceeds. As enthralling as the action is inside the ring it’s equally so on the perimeter.

A Muay Thai fighter or combatant gets talked to by his coach during a Muay Thai or Thai boxing fight at Chang 7

A Muay Thai fighter or combatant gets his gloves strapped before a fight by his trainers during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

A Muay Thai fighter about to walk into the ring with his trainer during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

Spectators read the fight list while a boookie in the background signals odds for the current match during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

View of the ring during a Muay Thai at Chang 7

A spectator looks at a piece of paper with the draw card with betting odds written on it during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

Two Muay thai fighters on the ropes during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

Spectators celebrate the victory of a fighter during his Muay thai bout at Chang 7

A fighter showing some nerves amongst the crowd before his fight during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

A bookie holds onto a note pad with bets placed while standing next to a punter holding onto his cash during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

Men who have placed bets on the fight count their winnings during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

 

Supporter crew of one of the combatants celebrate as their fighter makes contact his opponent during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

A punter exchanges money with a bookie during a Muay Thai fight at Chang 7

 

<br

You can view more photos here http://tinyurl.com/abr-muay-thai

Where?
This particular fight took place at the Ch7 tv studio, however don’t think you will be entering a fancy studio cause it isn’t, it’s basically a bare concrete building with some metal stands surrounding the ring.
How to get there?
Take the BTS to Mo Chit, walk on the opposite side of queen Sirikit park walk towards Ratchadaphisek Road & turn right at soi Ruam siri mit. It’s about 150meters down the road. It’s not the easiest place to get to but just ask a local for ‘chang 7’ or ‘shadow box’ and they should put you in the right direction

How much & when?

Free…yes, Free Muay Thai in Bangkok!!

Every Sunday at 1pm

By Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Follow me on Google+