BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) – The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) join forces to promote Muay Thai business in other countries, especially China.
Lakana Tangjitnop, OSMEP’s director for SME promotion, said both organizations were promoting Muay Thai and related businesses as the value of Muay Thai-related businesses including sports gear and health promotion exceeded 100 billion baht a year.
The businesses and their value were growing steadily and sports schools and health-oriented Muay Thai gymnasiums were expanding rapidly, she said.
There were 5,100 Muay Thai camps in the country and 3,869 similar facilities in other countries. They resulted in the growth of other businesses in the same supply chain including the production of sports clothing and food, beverages and medicines for the people who practiced Muay Thai. Muay Thai-related tourism and demand for Muay Thai trainers were also growing, Mrs Lakana said.
FTI vice chairman Preecha Songwattana said both parties were actively promoting Muay Thai in other countries, especially China where it was popular. He would bring a group of Muay Thai boxers and staff to shows in Shanghai in August.
More foreigners were entering the Muay Thai business, so Thai operators would have to improve their gymnasiums including their designs and services to remain competitive, he said. (TNA)
