Sityodtong has given B500,000 to 40 camps in the two regions, hotbeds for producing Muay Thai fighters yet areas where the sport is plagued with poverty, reports the Bangkok Post.
“Last year, I travelled all over the country to meet gym owners and athletes. I felt very sorry for them. They made low income, everyone was at a loss,” Chatri said.
“So me and my team wanted to give a hand to the fighters, gym owners, and small promoters all over the country. Not just in the Bangkok area. ONE and I invest all over the country for Muay Thai, because if I don’t do it, who will?
“This is very important because Muay Thai is our heritage. It has a long history in our country, and it would be a shame if no one helped or invested in our gyms and fighters. It’s not just an investment for today, we have to think in the long term.”
ONE has changed the landscape of Muay Thai in Thailand, with the promotion now airing the highest-rated weekly Muay Thai event - ONE Lumpinee - on Thai television from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Now, Chatri continues to elevate the sport from the ground up, rather than simply putting on world-class events in Thailand.
“You can fight in ONE Lumpinee and maybe go on to ONE Championship. But [we] must invest first, and now almost every gym is losing money,” he said.
“Many gyms received 500,000-baht donations, better gear, better food for fighters, so they could afford to pay for trainers. We help them with many things.”
ONE’s roster is now home to a swathe of top Thai talent, each with their own unique “rags to riches” story.
Chatri hopes that by nurturing up-and-coming talent at the grassroots level, he can unearth even more stars capable of achieving more fame and fortune on a global scale.
“When ONE Lumpinee started, this event provided inspiration to boxers and gyms across the country because it is the pathway to escape poverty,” he said.
“We have great stories like Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Superlek Kiatmoo9, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, or Stamp Fairtex, Phetjeeja. These are the stories of world-class Thai heroes. I want to make ONE Lumpinee the platform to find the next superstar. It gives the gyms a purpose and gives fighters a purpose for success in their lives.”