MAX Muay Thai, Muay Thai fights in Pattaya

MAX Muay Thai opened in November 2014 and is one of the best-known Muay Thai stadiums outside Bangkok. It has hosted several MAX World Championships events. The organization shortened its bouts to three rounds and added ring girls who walk around the ring between rounds, in the style of Western promotions.

The organization was founded in 2013 and is known for bouts with international fighters and four-man tournaments. The stadium was the third in Pattaya, after the Thepprasit stadium, built in 2006, and the Pattaya Boxing World stadium, built in 2012. The organization's 2026 series is called THE GLOBAL FIGHT and is broadcast on True Visions Now.

Fighters who have stepped into its ring include Buakaw Banchamek, Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Liam Harrison. In July 2026 the stadium also hosted a boxing fight by Tyson Fury, the former world heavyweight champion, in front of about 1,500 spectators.

Muay Thai is called the art of eight limbs because fighters strike with their fists, elbows, knees and legs. In Bangkok a standard bout is five rounds of three minutes. The art developed centuries ago, when Thailand was at war with its neighbours. In 1774 the fighter Nai Khanomtom defeated ten Burmese champions and won his freedom, and 17 March is marked in Thailand as Muay Thai Day.

Before a Muay Thai bout it is customary to perform the Wai Kru Ram Muay ritual. The fighter honours his teacher and former trainers, touches the corner posts of the ring and performs a short dance. Each training camp has its own version, and according to tradition some movements are based on Hanuman, the monkey god of the Ramakien epic.

In traditional Muay Thai the bouts are accompanied by Sarama music, played live with the pi java, drums and cymbals. The tempo changes with the action in the ring, and it is meant to energise both the fighters and the crowd.