Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, has gained a lot of popularity around the world due to its unique and effective fighting style. This has not only made it a popular sport but has also influenced popular culture in various forms of entertainment. In this article, we will explore how Muay Thai has influenced popular culture around the world, including movies, TV shows, and video games.
Movies:
Muay Thai has played a significant role in the world of movies. In recent years, many films have been released that prominently feature Muay Thai. One such movie is the 2003 film "Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" starring Tony Jaa. The movie showcased the intense fighting techniques of Muay Thai, and Jaa's character utilized various techniques such as elbow strikes and knee strikes in the movie. The movie was a box office hit and paved the way for other movies that featured Muay Thai.
Another popular movie that prominently featured Muay Thai was the 2013 film "The Kick." The movie showcased a family of Muay Thai fighters, and their journey to retrieve a stolen family heirloom. The movie showcased some of the most popular Muay Thai techniques such as roundhouse kicks and clinch fighting. It was also a box office hit and gained a lot of popularity among Muay Thai enthusiasts.
TV Shows:
Muay Thai has also made its way into popular TV shows. In 2014, the TV series "Kingdom" premiered, which follows the life of a retired MMA fighter who becomes a trainer at a gym. The show prominently featured Muay Thai techniques and showcased how they can be incorporated into MMA fighting. The show gained a lot of popularity and was praised for its realistic depiction of the sport.
Video Games:
Muay Thai has also made its way into popular video games. One such game is the "EA Sports UFC" franchise, which prominently features Muay Thai techniques. The game allows players to create and customize their own Muay Thai fighter and compete against other fighters from around the world. The game has gained a lot of popularity among gamers and Muay Thai enthusiasts alike.
Another popular video game that features Muay Thai is "Fight Night Champion." The game allows players to create and customize their own Muay Thai fighter and compete in various championships around the world. The game also features real-life Muay Thai fighters such as Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai.
This has not only helped to increase the popularity of the sport but has also showcased the effectiveness of Muay Thai techniques in various forms of entertainment. Muay Thai continues to influence popular culture, and we can expect to see it featured in more movies, TV shows, and video games in the future.