PATTANI, Thailand – Fourth Army Area Commander and Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Lt. Gen. Norathip Poinok presided over the “Wasukri Fight” Muay Thai event in Pattani province. The event highlights grassroots Muay Thai as a key driver of economic growth and tourism in the Southern Border Provinces.
The “KATPRO On The Beach: Wasukri Fight” event held at Wasukri Beach in Saiburi District, Pattani Province, was attended by Pattani Governor Pateemoh Sadeeyamu, Dr. Supranee Guptasa, Advisor to the Kickboxing Association of Thailand, and a large number of tourists and local audiences.
The event is part of a project to elevate traditional community activities into cultural sport tourism products. By revitalizing cultural assets, the project aims to create economic value through a public-private partnership that recognizes the importance of grassroots Muay Thai. This foundation of the national martial art serves as a primary attraction for sport tourism, stimulating financial circulation in the southern border region.
The event showcased the region’s strong multicultural society and featured a drone display of 500 units forming images in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.
Lt. Gen. Norathip emphasized that the project is a collaboration between the National Sports Development Fund and the Sports Authority of Thailand. It supports grassroots Muay Thai fighters, particularly youth in the three Southern Border Provinces, providing a platform to showcase their potential and transition into professional careers. The program also seeks to protect and carry forward national cultural wisdom, following the example of world-class boxers like Captain Sombat Banchamek, famously known as “Buakaw.”
The ISOC Region 4 Forward Command reaffirmed its commitment to promoting creative activities that reflect local cultural beauty and drive tourism toward sustainable peace. Authorities also intend to use such events to strengthen ties and foster mutual understanding with neighboring Malaysia. (NNT)
