PATHUMTHANI STADIUM, FROM CINEMA TO BOXING!

Temps de lecture : 2 minutes

Serge Trefeu

PATHUMTHANI STADIUM, FROM CINEMA TO BOXING!

by Serge TREFEU (2026)

This boxing stadium was once a major cultural center that housed a cinema, a theater, and even a skateboard and roller skating rink. Built in 1973 in the Bang Prok district of Pathumthani (40 km from Bangkok), this famous venue was then called the “Charoenphol Rama”.

During the 80s and 90s, generations of teenagers flocked there to discover the films showing. After its closure in the 2000s, the building remained virtually abandoned before experiencing a second life. Renovated and transformed into a Thai boxing stadium, the place has retained its soul; one can still admire the original wall decorations and the old theater stage that now overlooks the fights.

**After several months of renovation work, the Pathumthani Boxing Stadium was officially inaugurated in January 2025**

The building is located right next to the Haw Saeng Chai Market, a large covered market. Converted into a boxing stadium in 2025, it now hosts Muay Thai fights every Monday evening since its inauguration earlier this year.

**Between its giant screen and its own TV channel, the Pathumthani stadium boasts state-of-the-art equipment for a complex of its size**

The main promoter of these events is lawyer Mr. Achariya Ruangratanapong, owner of the Top Fairy Gym camp and also a promoter at the World Siam Boxing Arena in Bangkok. For those unable to attend, the fights are streamed live on the PRYDE TV app.

**The promoter Mr. Achariya Ruangratanapong**

**Top Fairy Gym promotion at Pathumthani stadium**

Although foreign visitors are still rare, this place offers an authentic immersion into provincial boxing.

The atmosphere within this stadium has remained deeply local, a far cry from the often tourist-packed venues of Bangkok.

Here, it’s truly traditional Muay Thai. Matches are contested over five rounds, meticulously respecting the rituals of Ram Muay and Wai Khru under the watchful eyes of the bettors. The strong scent of Nammuay (camphor oil) permeates the entire arena, as the boxers prepare just steps from the central ring.

**The boxers have taken over the old cinema stage, transforming it into a warm-up area before they enter the ring**

**Off to the side of the stage, a dedicated room welcomes the fighters for their warm-up massages**

**The young boxers wait patiently, attentively watching the live fights and soaking up the atmosphere before their own bout**

**The Ram Muay and Wai Khru ceremonies are meticulously observed before each duel in the ring**

**Mutual respect runs just as deep among these young boxers as it does among the adult fighters**

The vast majority of the program features Nakmuaydek (child boxers). These bouts are particularly popular with bettors due to their unpredictable nature. Unlike adult fights, where a favorite often emerges, children’s matches offer constant twists and turns and complete uncertainty until the final bell.

This enthusiasm attracts major figures in the sport, such as Mr. Pikai Keoprapon, one of the most influential betting bosses in northern Bangkok, who is a regular at these events.

**Promoter Mr. Achariya Ruangratanapong (Yellow Shirt) with Mr. Pikaï Keoprapon**

Fueled by the encouragement of their families, these true little warriors ignite the Pathumthani stadium every Monday. It is in this popular arena that the future stars of the Kingdom of Siam are born, on the ancestral land of this unique martial art!