Rajadamnern Stadium
Rajadamnern Stadium (Thai: สนามมวยราชดำเนิน; RTGS: sanam muai ratchadamnoen), also spelled Ratchadamnoen, is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, 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]
Location | 1, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, Thailand |
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Coordinates | 13°45′40″N 100°30′32″E |
Owner | The Rajadamnern Co. Ltd |
Operator | Chuwattana Muay Thai & Boxing camp |
Capacity | 8,000 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1 March 1941 |
Built | 1941-1945 |
Opened | 23 December 1945 |
Expanded | 1951 |
Construction cost | 258,900 baht |
Main contractors | Imprese Italiane All' Estero-Oriente |
Tenants | |
Choocharoen Boxing Promotion | |
Website | |
rajadamnern |
History
In 1941, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram 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 1 March 1941.[2]
Due to the lack of construction supplies during the World War II, the project was halted until August 1945. When construction resumed, it took only four months to complete it. The first boxing match was held on 23 December 1945. Tickets were priced at between 70 and 300 baht. Pramote Puengsoonthorn became the first stadium manager and remained in the post until his retirement in 1947.
The original stadium was open-air, resembling a Roman amphitheatre in design. Six years later, in 1951 a concrete roof was added, making it weather-proof.[3] After seven years of government ownership, the stadium was losing money, and on 24 May 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." Rajadamnern Co., Ltd. operates it to this day, and it has become one of the chief muay Thai boxing stadiums in Thailand.[2]
Chuwattana Muay Thai & Boxing camp is the official promoter for 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 on a stock exchange trading floor. Often such signs are misunderstood by one side and fights may erupt outside the ring between gamblers. The security service at Rajadamnern Stadium is managed by armed military police. Foreigners usually occupy the expensive ringside seats, while gamblers and aficionados prefer the second or third ring of seats upstairs.
List of former champions
Current champions
As of February 2020
Rank | Mini flyweight | Light Flyweight | Flyweight | Super Flyweight |
---|---|---|---|---|
C | Ryuya Okuwaki | Anantachai KittyMuaythai | Phetsomjit Jitmuangnon | Fahboonmee Birdrangsit |
1 | Superlek Jitmuangnont | Banleurit Sitwatcharachai | Den Sorsu Saphankwai City | Rungnarai Kiatmoo 9 |
2 | Teplikit SitAor.Chao | Olaylek Sor.Kaenjai | Phetsommai Sor.Sommai | Yodpot Nor.Anuwatgym |
3 | Yodkra Esan Tractor | Phetsila MTM. Academy | Chanalert Meenayothin | Peunkol Tor.Surat |
4 | Plaipayak Sor.Tumanin | Phetdet Wor.Sangpapai | Piraphat Muayded 789 | Fahboonmee Birdrangsit |
5 | Phetpanat Nor.Anuwatgym | Kongburapa Tipthamai | Tabnar Moopingaroi-Jungboie | Phetsuphan Por.Daorungruang |
Rank | Bantamweight | Super Bantamweight | Featherweight | Super Featherweight |
C | Saotho Sitchefboonthum | Saoek Sitchefboontham | Phetpangan Mor.Ratanabandit | Yodthongthai Sor.Sommai |
1 | Kumandoi Petcharoenvit | Kompatak Sinbeemuaythai | Nawaek Sitchefboonthum | Lumnammullek Aor.Atchariya |
2 | Chatploy Sor.Punsawat | Saksri Kiatmoo 9 | Kumantong Jitmuangnont | Superlek Kiatmuu9 |
3 | Dokmaipa Tor.Surat | Pichitchai Mor.Sudpasert | Luknimit Singklongsi | Detsakda Sor.Jor.Tongpajin |
4 | Nongyot Sitjekan | Kaipa 13 Rian Resort | Surachai Sor.Sommai | Mongkolpetch Petchyindee |
5 | Muangsab Soonkela Namaipai | Samindum Chor.Atjaraboon | Kiewpayak Jitmuangnon | Gingchanglek Tor.Laksong |
Rank | Lightweight | Super Lightweight | Welterweight | Junior Middleweight |
C | N/A | Panpayak Sitchefboontham | Rambo JPowerRoofSamui | Kunsuk Sitchefboonthum |
1 | Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang | Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon | Phetkantas MU.Den | Capitan Petchyindee Academy |
2 | Extra Aor.Bor.Jor.Udon-Thanee | Thananchai Rachanon | Saensiri J-Power Roff Puket | Pongsiri P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym |
3 | Kaonar P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym | Kongklai AnnyMuayThai | Pon-Ek Aor.Kwanmuang | Detrit Sathian Gym |
4 | Phet Utong Or. Kwanmuang | Prabsuk Si-opal | Saenpon Phetpachara Academy | Denkaosaen Tor.Pirapath |
5 | Rungkao Wor.Sanprapai | Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai | Rungrat Pumpanmuang | Wanchalerm Nuantong Snooker |
Rank | Middleweight | |||
C | Shinya Ishige | |||
1 | Eddy Paci | |||
2 | Thaweechai Sor. Prasopchok | |||
3 | Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai | |||
4 | Siangchai PLS.Gym | |||
5 | Sorgraw Petchyindee | |||
References
- "Stadiums in Thailand". Muay Thai Online. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- "Rajadamnern Stadium". Muay Thai 2000. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- "History of Rajadamnern Stadium". wmtc.nu. Archived from the original on 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2008-01-20.