On March 1 this year, China and Thailand officially implemented the agreement on mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, which has greatly facilitated the exchanges between the people of the two countries. Muay Thai is one of the most popular sports tourism experiences for tourists from all over the world, and many people visit Thailand every year to see and learn Muay Thai. At this year's Paris Olympics, Muay Thai was included in the showcase. So what is the charm of Muay Thai?
In Bang Ramong, about 40 minutes from Bangkok, Thailand, there is such a humble Muay Thai gym. Every day at four o'clock in the afternoon, the gym gradually comes alive. Originally from Yunnan, Zhang Jitao has always wanted to be an athlete after graduating from a sports school. He came to Thailand in 2018 and started Muay Thai.
Chinese boxer Zhang Jitao: When I first arrived in Thailand, my coach taught me a lot of things, teaching me how to live Thailand, and how to communicate with Thailand people in a Thailand way in Thailand.
Chinese boxer Zhang Jitao: The main feature of Muay Thai is that it is more comprehensive in standing fighting, also known as eight-arm boxing, which means that he can use punches, elbows, knees, and legs.
Muay Thai is a part of Thailand culture and is dotted with gyms in Thailand, attracting tourists and enthusiasts from all over the world. Zhang Jitao has become the first Chinese fighter to sign a contract with Thailand's top fighting event, "Battle of Thailand".
Zhang Jitao, Chinese boxer: The first time I competed in Muay Thai, I remember I had 17 stitches on my face, and I didn't know Muay Thai at that time, and then I was thinking about whether to continue the program, but then I realized that I still had to beat myself. In recent years, I think more and more Chinese are learning about Muay Thai, and more and more athletes are exposed to Muay Thai. As an athlete, if you compete in this country, the communication between countries is the same as the communication between people, and when the people of this country and the people of this country have exchanges, the whole country will have exchanges.
Source: CCTV news client