Anantara Chiang Mai’s Muay Thai World Champion Inspires More Women to Take Up Sport

Muay Thai champion Natthanicha Suparat — the 26-year-old known to fans as Kru Saifha — took up residency at Anantara Chiang Mai in the hopes of seeing the sport embraced by more women. According to Suparat, anyone, regardless of fitness level, can practice Muay Thai, with women having an advantage in terms of agility and speed.

Suparat started Thai kickboxing at 9, winning international titles in her teens. She trains locals and foreigners in her home province of Phayao. Her own experience with the sport began on a family trip to her uncle’s boxing gym, after which she convinced her father to let her stay and train. She quickly caught the attention of the provincial women’s boxing authority and won the Northern Women’s Boxing Championship. By 15 years old, she was a member of the Women’s Boxing Association of Thailand.

Natthanicha Suparat © Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

As one of Anantara’s gurus (a network of experts), she teaches Muay Thai to hotel guests, with a range of programs including Muay Thai Fight Fit Class to Muay Thai Self-Defence Class. Muay Thai employs your fists, elbows, knees and shins, providing a full-body workout. The resort also offers a daily group kickboxing dance class with Suparat, incorporating kickboxing moves and upbeat music.

The resort’s Wai Khru Ram Muay Ceremony invites guests to participate in a dance ritual fighters perform before bouts begin. The ritual is intrinsic to Thai culture.