The WMC officially
launched the " MUAYTHAI against Drugs" at
a well-attended press conference held at the Emerald
Hotel , Bangkok, March 5th 2003.
In total 7 TV news stations and the main national
papers covered the conference which was attended
by many dignitaries from the sporting and political
world.
The Chair was General Pichitr Kullavanaijaya, Privy
Councilor to His Majesty, the King and also Head
of the Advisors for this campaign.
In attendance at the Head table were General Chetta
Thanjaro, President WMC, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, President
IFMA, representatives from the Sports Authority,
the Tourist Authority, government departments.
The Committee and Advisory Board is made up of
such people as General Chetta Thanjaro, President
WMC, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Pongpol Adireksarn,
the Minister for Tourism and Sports, Mr. Sontaya
Kheunpluem, the Police General of the Philippines,
the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and other
influential people who all work from love of MuayThai.
The campaign has to be established with the cooperation
of the Thai government, the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, Thai International the World MUAYTHAI
Council the Amateur MUAYTHAI association of Thailand
(AMAT) and the International Federation of MUAYTHAI
Amateur (IFMA) in cooperation with several government
departments.
All
speakers clearly outlined the Aims and Goals
of the campaign :
1. Remove the prejudice that
Thailand is a drug country. Clearly spread
the message that the Thai people do not support
drugs in any way but rather sports and athletes
from around the world.
"DO SPORT- NOT
DRUGS"
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2. To promote MUAYTHAI as an international sport
3. To further boost Thailand as a tourist destination.
4. To develop an Education programme for children.
This is the KING programme, developed by MC5 Global,
using MuayThai Superheroes to encourage children
to move away from drugs and give them positive alternatives.
5. To establish a 24-hour digital MuayThai network.
His Excellency, General Pichitr Kullavanaijaya,
General Chetta Thanjaro, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, representatives
of the American digital network and The SmartTeam
and the Vice-President of the WMC, Mr. Stephan Fox
delivered some very powerful speeches.
MuayThai, Thailand’s national sport has spread
from Thailand around the world and has taken audiences
by storm. The people of Thailand should be proud
of how many people, young , old male and female
from all walks of life are practicing MuayThai for
many reasons.
The WMC’s priority has always been to preserve
and foster Thai culture, to introduce Thai values
along with the art of MuayThai. Thai people may
not appreciate how important this aspect of MuayThai
is for people around the world. Training sessions
across the globe start with the traditional "Wai
" to a picture of His Majesty, the King and
then to the Instructor.
The WMC and IFMA have been primarily responsible
for MuayThai spreading in this way.
" MUAYTHAI Against Drugs" is not just
an empty slogan. The evil of drugs has many faces,
knows no borders and respects no social structures.
There are drugs made for any budget and no family,
regardless of social status, can be considered safe.
The world media has often wrongly portrayed Thailand
as one of the world’s leading drug countries. When
tourists travel to Thailand, they are continually
warned of the dangers of the drug trade here. It
is a shame that such an impression has been created.
MUAYTHAI is more than just a sport - it is an art
made in Thailand. As MUAYTHAI increases in popularity,
Thai culture, traditions and values spread with
it.
His Majesty, the King of Thailand, who we all deeply
respect, has tackled this problem in His birthday
speech, making some valid points.
The WMC sees that to tackle this evil we need to
create an awareness program which has to include
educational and also physical awareness – this is
planned on through cooperation with MC5Global’s
KING programme.
The WMC has been running this campaign since 1999,
with many shows and events already having been held
in countries around the world.
At the WMC World meeting in July 2002 in Bangkok,
the 50 most powerful MUAYTHAI Countries made a decision
to step up the campaign and make it a global one.
The slogan chosen was:
" United we stand –
Divided we fall "
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1.
MUAYTHAI Against Drugs - promotions in Thailand.
The opening World event will
be in Thailand, to be held for HRH, the Crown
Prince’s birthday around the July 28th 2003.
This event will be unlike anything Thailand
has ever seen before. Negotiations are made
in order to telecast the event live around
the globe.
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As the anti-drugs message is an international one,
an emotion shared by many – Thailand will not launch
this campaign alone and will be supported by all
WMC member countries.
The July event will also see the launch of an educational
comic-book by The SmartTeam. The storyline for these
is that Thai Superheroes will fight the evil of
drugs using MuayThai skills. The comic-books will
travel with the events from country to country,
with local heroes being included in each edition.
All of this as part of a loving and respectful
celebration of HRH, the Prince’s birthday, thus
showing for all to see how important the Royal family
is to Thailand.
Special events will be held at Thailand’ s main
tourist destinations as a lead-in to this celebration
with the proceeds going to Children’s charities.
This is worldwide campaign is something which the
world of MUAYTHAI has never seen before; it will
certainly be Thailand’s sporting event for 2003.
2. " MuayThai Against Drugs - promotions
outside of Thailand.
Following on from this spectacular opening, the
event will move every month to a different country.
Many governments have already confirmed participation
in the World Series.
Australia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada, Mexico,
Russia, England, France, Holland, Czech Republic,
Germany, South Africa, Malaysia.
These are just some of the leading countries. Shows
will be telecast live on National TV in the respective
countries.
To summarise the main aims of the WMC/MC5Global’s
KING project are:
To remove the stain of drugs from Thailand image
– both here and abroad
- To promote Thailand as a tourist destination.
- To promote the Thai national sport - MuayThai.
- To carry out a Drug-Education programme using MuayThai.
- To establish a 24 hour MUAYTHAI network.
Together let’s give the world a
clear message:
110 countries-One Message
MuayThai Against Drugs
Unite to Fight.
