The philosophy extended

Originally intended to run for just six to nine months, the theatrical kick boxing performance “Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives” has proved so popular with visitors to Bangkok that its creator celebrated its first anniversary on stage by adding 30 minutes of real Thai boxing to the show.

“I took the decision after receiving requests from tour agents who wanted to offer muay Thai experiences to their clients, now that Lumpini Boxing Stadium has moved away from central Bangkok,” says acclaimed director Ekachai Uekrongtham, who created the show.

“I think it’s a good idea too as the audience can now follow the journey of muay Thai from past to present, and also witness muay Thai as a modern-day discipline.”

“Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives” tells the story of the origins and heroes of muay Thai over a time span of 300 years. The show portrays muay Thai’s greatest proponents from Pra Jao Sua, the Ayutthaya era king and an exceptional boxer who nurtured muay Thai, through Nai Kanom Tom, the first Thai boxer to have imprinted the art of Thai boxing with dignity, and many other iconic figures in muay Thai history. Rare muay Thai moves that are too deadly to be allowed in real bouts are also revived on stage by professional boxers, all in the intimate purpose-built theatre, |The Stage at Asiatique.

Ekachai, who directed the hit movie “Beautiful Boxer”, shakes off criticisms that he is turning the sport into “pop entertainment”, saying his intention is to take the history and philosophy of muay Thai to a much wider audience.

“It is a mass show and it is designed for tourists,” he says. “Of course entertainment comes first, and that’s what audiences get through the exciting stunts, the drama, the comedy and daring muay Thai moves. But they learn something, too. 

The show is not about kicking and punching for the sake of it but demonstrates the essence of muay Thai, what the boxers believe in and how the art has evolved over the centuries. 

“Muay Thai is not a sport. It’s not a martial art. It’s a philosophy and an important element of “Thainess”. Thai people are artistic by nature and we have turned the powerful muay Thai into a beautiful and unique art form. It also has a built-in conflict that is perfect for creating a good work of art. First you have to understand that muay Thai was mandatory for all warriors in ancient times because even when they lost their weapons, they could still protect themselves and kill the enemy. Muay Thai was designed to take life, not to become sport, so it has to be violent. It was only after the war that muay Thai was adapted into a sport.” 

Ekachai is proud of the improvements in the skills of the performers after a year of constant training. “Our troupe consists of stuntmen, mixed martial arts and parkour practitioners as well as professional prize boxers, including Asanee Suwan, the lead actor from “Beautiful Boxer”. 

We have the best of every genre working together very closely, training and teaching each other. After one year you can really see the improvement, and that’s what a long-running show is supposed to be – evolving and ever improving.” 

In the near future, fans can learn muay Thai from the troupe, starting with muay Thai as self-defence class for women, and basic muay Thai training for children. 

“The two initial projects are, again, at the request of the audience. I’m very proud that so |far we’ve more and more Thai audience coming to see the show, including women and families with children. I’m happy to see the show becoming an inspiration for people to learn more about muay Thai. Tony Jaa kick-started the martial arts movement and became a role model for young generation. Hopefully we will be an |inspiration, too.”

 

  “Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives” is staged nightly except Mondays at The Stage, Warehouse 4 at Asiatique.

 The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost from Bt1,200. |Call (02) 108 5999.