Sports Minister Affirms Muay Thai as Thai Heritage, Rejects IFMA Monopoly Claim
Thailand's Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul declared Muay Thai a national heritage and soft power that belongs to all Thais and cannot be monopolized by any organization. The statement came after the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) claimed sole global governance authority over the sport. The Minister affirmed that Thai law designates the Office of the Muay Thai Commission as the primary regulator and vowed to protect both amateur and professional Muay Thai from external interference.
Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul has come out to clearly state that Muay Thai is a soft power and heritage of the Thai people that no one can monopolize, following the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) issuing letters to domestic and international sports organizations that misled them into believing IFMA is the only organization with authority to govern Muay Thai worldwide, even claiming rights over Muay Thai camps and cultural activities, causing great concern among Muay Thai practitioners.
"Big A Surasak" could not stay silent and ordered the Ministry to issue an official stance immediately to create correct understanding for the global Muay Thai community. He emphasized that Thai law clearly designates the Office of the Muay Thai Commission as the primary regulator with authority to promote and govern Muay Thai, and the law has never recognized a monopoly by any other organization.
The Minister also drew a clear line between amateur Muay Thai, which uses protective gear, and professional Muay Thai (Sports Entertainment), which is backed by the Muay Thai Act with distinct rights, benefits, and purposes.
Furthermore, the Thai government is open to free and fair competition without interference and is ready to support IFMA in developing Muay Thai for the Olympics according to its role, but IFMA must stop interfering in commercial and cultural Muay Thai and must remain neutral, not blocking anyone.
"Muay Thai is a soft power and heritage of all Thai people. We are ready to cooperate with all sectors on the basis of fairness, transparency, and no monopoly to elevate Muay Thai's potential to the world stage," Big A Surasak stated clearly.
