BANGKOK — Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ proposal to allocate a budget of 275 million baht (approximately 7.6 million US dollars) for the Muay Thai Soft Power Project for the year 2024.
The project aims to elevate Muay Thai from a national self-defense martial art to a global level. This includes establishing Muay Thai curricula, training referees and coaches, setting up centers to verify standards for Muay Thai trainers, and certifying Muay Thai camps abroad.
“We must prioritize this because Muay Thai is globally recognized, and it has ‘Thai’ in its name. No one can dispute its origin. However, there are similar sports to Muay Thai, so we must show that we are the originators and help elevate Muay Thai to an international standard,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that as Thailand is the rightful owner of Muay Thai, he proposed to the Minister of Tourism and Sports that, just as football has FIFA to govern it, Muay Thai should have its own international governing body like FIFA.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Kanika Oonjit revealed on July 30 the details of the allocation of 275.65 million baht from the central budget for emergency or necessary expenditures in the 2024 annual budget.
Budget Divided into Six Key Projects
This funding will support the MUAYTHAI SOFT POWER Project 2024, which is divided into six projects as follows:
- Development of Muay Thai Knowledge: 4,925,400 baht
- Increasing the number and efficiency of personnel in the Muay Thai sports industry: 46,602,400 baht
- Organizing Muay Thai competitions to generate enthusiasm and stimulate the economy: 143,716,800 baht
- Promoting and publicizing Muay Thai sports domestically and internationally: 23,641,800 baht
- Certifying Muay Thai standards to generate national revenue: 51,042,600 baht
- Supervising, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting results: 5,717,800 baht
“The MUAYTHAI SOFT POWER project aims to promote Muay Thai as a global martial art, creating opportunities for Thai boxers, trainers, and industry operators to compete internationally and share their expertise, showcasing Thai cultural heritage,” Oonjit explained.
“This initiative seeks to generate revenue and uphold world-class standards for sustainable success. It is expected to contribute 2,234 million baht (approximately 62 million US dollars) in economic value and raise awareness of Muay Thai in 190 countries, attracting tourists to Thailand and boosting the country’s revenue.
Muay Thai Film Features 7-Language Subtitles
Recently, Chulalongkorn University premiered the documentary “MUAYTHAI: POWER & SPIRIT,” based on the research project “The Story of Muaythai,” on Friday, July 26, at Samyan Mitrtown. The film, featuring subtitles in seven languages, aims to promote Thai boxing as a conscious soft power for Thailand.
Professor Dr. Sunetra Chutinthranon, Director of The Multicultural Studies and Social Innovation Center (MSSIC) at the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, led the event. The project received primary support from the Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) and involved both public and private sectors, including TV Burapa Co., Ltd., Banchamek Co., Ltd., the Asia Research Center of the Institute of Asian Studies at Chulalongkorn University, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 45-minute documentary includes subtitles in seven languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic, to support its international dissemination. This distribution is facilitated through collaboration with governmental bodies, private entities, and the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA).
The project showcases Thai cultural research on a global scale and aims to contribute to cultural appreciation and economic value within Thai society. Furthermore, it aligns with current governmental strategies that focus on soft power as a crucial aspect of contemporary international relations.
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