On 28 February 2024, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, received a courtesy call by the executives from the Malaysia Muaythai Association, led by Dato’ Muhammad Shahnaz Azmi, President of the Association, at the Royal Thai Embassy.

 

Both sides exchanged information and views on important developments and ways to promote Muaythai in Malaysia. The Association shared that after Thailand, Malaysia has the most Muaythai enthusiasts in the world, whereby the Association has played a role in organising Muaythai activities in Malaysia as well as hosting international events, including the 2014 Muaythai World Championships in Langkawi, the 2022 Muaythai Youth World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. The Association also sponsored a TV production “Challenger Muaythai Battlegrounds”, which was a reality competition series, in 2011 and 2023 respectively.

 

The Ambassador was pleased to learn of the Association’s success and progress, particularly the expansion and promotion of Muaythai in Malaysia, both as sport and soft power, which are in line with the Embassy’s efforts to further strengthen cordial relations between Thailand and Malaysia through such activities as Thai films and Muaythai. The Ambassador also welcomed the opportunities to support the Association’s activities to ensure continued popularity of Muaythai in Malaysia.

 

Malaysia Muaythai Association was established in 2010. It is registered under the Malaysian Sports Commission, and is an affiliated member of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the International Federation of Muaythai Association (IFMA) in Thailand. Currently, more than 250 Muaythai clubs across Malaysia are registered as members of the Association.