Preamble & Definitions
Royal Command
The Boxing Act, B.E. 2542
Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rex.
Given on the 4th day of December, B.E. 2542 (1999)
Being the 54th year of the Present Reign
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is graciously pleased to proclaim that, whereas it is expedient to have a law governing the sport of boxing, this Act contains provisions restricting certain rights and freedoms of persons, which under Article 29 in conjunction with Articles 48 and 50 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, may be enacted by virtue of the provisions of law.
Section 1: This Act shall be called the "Boxing Act, B.E. 2542 (1999)".
Section 3: In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
- "Muay" / "Boxing" means boxing matches conducted under the rules of Muay Thai or international boxing.
- "Boxer" / "Fighter" means a person competing in a boxing match.
- "Boxing Stadium" / "Arena" means any building, location, or area regularly used for boxing matches.
- "Stadium Manager" / "Representative" means a person acting as a representative to manage the interests of a boxer for remuneration.
- "Promoter" means a person organizing boxing matches.
- "Camp Chief" means the owner of a boxing camp.
- "Referee" means a person officiating a boxing match in the ring or awarding points ringside.
- "Trainer" means a person teaching Muay Thai or international boxing.
- "Fight Fixing" / "Collusion" means competing in a match by pretending to lose or predetermining the outcome.
- "Prize Money" / "Purse" means the remuneration paid to a boxer for competing in each match.
- "Committee" means the Boxing Committee.
- "Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT)" means the national sports agency.
- "Registrar" means the Director of the Boxing Committee Office.
The Boxing Committee
Section 5: Committee Panel Structure
To establish a board called the "Boxing Committee," comprising:
- Appointed Minister (Chairman)
- SAT Governor
- Finance Ministry Representative
- Interior Ministry Representative
- Education Ministry Representative
- Public Health Representative
- Labor Ministry Representative
- President of Professional Boxing Assoc.
- Up to 7 Appointed Experts
- 4 Regional Board Representatives
Section 9: Core Duties & Powers
- 1. Promote, support, conserve, and disseminate the martial art and sport of boxing.
- 2. Formulate strict safety, healthcare, and welfare standards for boxers.
- 3. Establish regulations for licensing, professional codes, and official ethics.
- 4. Oversee standard guidelines and scoring frameworks.
Chapter 1: Sub-committees
Section 10: The Committee holds full authority to appoint sub-committees to carry out research, investigations, or specialized duties within its scope.
Section 11: In performing duties, the Committee or sub-committees hold the power to summon industry personnel (promoters, fighters, managers) to provide testimonies or submit relevant documentation.
Chapter 2: Promotion & Protection
Sections 12 - 13: Welfare & Assistance
The Committee has the power to grant funds, assets, or other benefits to promote the welfare of boxers, trainers, referees, and camp chiefs in case of injury, illness, or accident arising from boxing matches, under WMC rules.
Section 14: Safety Requirements
Stadium managers and promoters must ensure strict safety standards during events:
- 1. Rigorous pre-fight physical checkups by certified medical doctors.
- 2. On-duty ringside doctor or nurse and comprehensive medical equipment.
- 3. Accidental insurance coverage for all competing boxers.
Section 15: Purse & Reward Divisions
Boxers must receive at least 50% of the total compensation/purse negotiated between the promoter, camp chief, and manager. Any agreement allocating less than 50% to the boxer is void. Any cash/gifts given directly to a boxer by fans belong entirely to the boxer.
Chapter 3: Control & Licenses
Professional Licenses (Sections 26 - 47)
Section 26: No person shall organize a boxing match without a license from the Registrar.
Section 28: Boxers, promoters, managers, trainers, referees, and camp chiefs must register and obtain official professional licenses to practice.
Section 30 (Underage Protection): A boxer under 15 years old must obtain written parental consent and comply with special youth safety regulations.
Section 36 (Collusion): Boxers are strictly prohibited from fight-fixing (colluding to throw a fight). No person shall offer or promise rewards to induce a boxer to throw a fight.
Chapter 4: The Boxing Fund
Section 48: To establish the "Boxing Fund" within the Sports Authority of Thailand, dedicated to supporting boxing activities, financing medical expenses, providing welfare grants for injured boxers, and promoting youth Muay Thai programs.
Chapter 5: Penalties & Fines
Penalties & Legislative Fines
Unlicensed Promotions (Section 48): Organizers of unlicensed boxing matches face imprisonment up to 1 year or a fine up to 20,000 Baht, or both.
Underage Violations (Section 49): Any person employing a child under 15 years old for fights without written parental consent or violating safety acts faces imprisonment up to 6 months or a fine up to 10,000 Baht, or both.
Fight-Fixing / Collusion (Section 50): Boxers found guilty of fight-fixing face imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine up to 100,000 Baht, or both.
Bribery & Solicitations (Section 51): Any person offering bribes, threats, or inducing a boxer to throw a fight faces imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine up to 100,000 Baht, or both.