In Thailand, Muay Thai and gambling are inseparable. In fact, gamblers make up the majority of ticket buyers and spectators at Bangkok’s stadiums. At a sold-out event at Rajadamnern, the world’s oldest Muay Thai stadium, the gamblers’ shouts echo so loudly that you can hear them from the street. The concept of Muay Thai for entertainment is a more modern phenomenon; gambling has always been at the root of the sport, as was the case at the fully-packed stadiums during the golden era. Despite the sport’s growing global popularity and a shift in marketing from targeting gamblers to promoting Muay Thai as entertainment, gamblers remain the old guard, maintaining a firm grip on the sport.
For this feature on Muay Thai and gambling, we explore how gambling operates at the major stadiums, including Rajadamnern, Lumpinee, Channel 7, Omnoi, Rangsit, and more.
At these stadiums, you’ll notice that gamblers gather in areas known as the ‘locks,’ informal sections where they typically sit. Generally speaking, they don’t appreciate it when spectators join them, as they are there solely to work; the fights move fast, and so do they. In a single night of fights, millions of baht will pass through the hands of the gamblers.
Before the fight, the odds are set by the ‘Big Legs,’ who are similar to the house in Vegas. These pros have earned their moniker by typically gambling the most money, thus yielding significant influence. The opening odds get set after weigh-ins, which either the gamblers or their lackeys attend. They check the fighters’ overall well-being post-weigh-in and whether they made weight or had to cut extra. Bets get placed as soon as the wai kru begins and can change multiple times each round. Because of this, fighters start extremely slow in the first round to keep the odds as even as possible. If you make a mistake early on, you’ll be playing catch-up for the rest of the fight. This is also why fighters often don’t engage in the fifth round: if you’ve already done enough to win, why risk it? Instead, fighters get instructed by the gamblers to fight off the back foot and play defense.
During the fight, the gamblers use simple but widely recognized hand signals to indicate the odds, who’s the underdog, and whether they are betting on the blue or red corner. Make no mistake: these guys move fast, placing multiple bets throughout the fight. If the odds fall in your favor, are played correctly, and placed at the right time, gamblers make money regardless of who wins. However, in cases like this, the payout will be much smaller.
The gamblers also protect their winnings by betting against the forecasted winner. In these cases, you’ll put down a 10-1, 20-1, or even 50-1 bet to cover your butt in the rare instances of a come-from-behind KO victory.
Gamblers, like fighters, have nicknames by which they are known within their tight-knit community, where everyone knows everyone. They often form relationships with gyms and fighters, offering mentorship and providing training supplements. Fighters who have proven themselves may even be offered bonuses before a fight as an incentive to win.
During the fights, gamblers pool their money together to offer massive tips, known as ‘injections’ in Thai, to fighters who turn things around, either when the expected winner starts to fall behind or when a dark horse emerges.
While you’ll rarely see a top-tier fighter like Superlek glance at the gamblers during a fight, up-and-comers in the stadium scene often turn to them for reassurance – much like a basketball player checking the scoreboard. In razor-close fights, it’s usually the gamblers who can tell you who’s winning. During the fight, especially between rounds, the gamblers often tell the cornermen what to do. Still, it’s important to know your gamblers, as they can lead fighters astray.
Over the years, gambling has shaped the sport in both positive and controversial ways. It still has its purpose, especially at the stadiums in Bangkok. Gamblers fuel ticket sales, and their input and extensive knowledge of the sport contribute to better and more exciting matchups. The gamblers also provide financial incentives to the fighters, allowing them to make more money than just their fight purse, which, aside from a handful of promotions, remain consistently low in Thailand. The prospect of earning generous tips for a standout performance keeps fighters driven and focused during their frequent and grueling fight camps.