Paris: Mr. Surawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening ceremony of 'Thai Fists in Thai Fest', an activity designed to promote Muay Thai under the Thai Festival. This event was organized by the Sports Authority of Thailand in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris. Attendees included Mr. Saran Charoensuwan, Thai Ambassador to Paris, Asst. Prof. Pimol Srivikorn, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, and other notable figures from the sports and tourism sectors, who gathered at Bagatelle Park, Paris, France.
According to Thai News Agency, the goal of 'Thai Fists in Thai Fest' is to promote Thai cultural heritage, specifically Muay Thai, as a recognized international sport and to support the sustainable sports tourism industry. The event features an array of activities including Wai Khru Muay Thai performances, skill demonstrations, and ancient Muay Thai fighting exhibitions by renowned boxers such as Nabil Anan, Yodsanklai Fairtex, and Daniel Rodriguez. These activities are aimed at showcasing the art form's allure.
In addition to the performances, the event includes Muay Thai workshops that have garnered significant interest from attendees. There are also Business Matching activities facilitating connections within the Muay Thai industry, and opportunities for fans to meet famous boxers.
The 'Thai Fists in Thai Fest' is scheduled to take place from 24-25 May 2025 at the Bagatelle Gardens in Paris. The event seeks to elevate Muay Thai to the global stage, highlighting it as a valuable cultural heritage and a key component of Thailand's Soft Power strategy to attract foreigners to visit and train in Muay Thai in its homeland.