On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, Khon Kaen University (KKU) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for academic collaboration and research in sports science and technology specifically for Muay Thai, alongside the promotion and support of the sport. This partnership is established to sustainably elevate the standard of Muay Thai globally through the integration of knowledge in sports science, research, and innovation.

The signing ceremony took place at the Sarasindh Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University, and was honoured by the presence of executives from both KKU and SAT, 8 regional partner organisations, and members of the press.   

The MOU was signed by key executives from both organisations: Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., the President of Khon Kaen University, and Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization. Representing the Sports Authority of Thailand were Mrs. Prodpran Sanammit, Deputy Governor for Professional and Boxing Sports, and Ms. Pornmesa Pannoi, Head of Boxing Sports Supervision.

   

Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., the President of Khon Kaen University, stated that this collaboration marks an excellent starting point for encouraging students and youth to pursue professional athletic careers. This partnership will help gain wider acceptance and demonstrate that Thai sports can achieve a leading global standing.

“By integrating knowledge in sports science, the collaboration between the university and the sports sector aims to further internationalise Muay Thai,” the President said. “We are confident that this MOU will lead to comprehensive cooperation across education, research, and management, ultimately creating new innovations for the domestic Muay Thai and sports science sectors, reaching international standards.”

Mrs. Prodpran Sanammit, Deputy Governor for Professional and Boxing Sports, Sports Authority of Thailand, observed that Muay Thai is not merely a national sport but also a cultural heritage. The SAT is committed to developing the capabilities of athletes, coaches, and related personnel, ensuring their readiness in physical fitness, technique, skills, and modern knowledge. She emphasised that working with a highly capable educational institution like Khon Kaen University will serve as a crucial mechanism to drive this mission forward.    าบันการศึกษาที่มีศักยภาพสูงอย่างมหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่นจะเป็นกลไกสำคัญในการขับเคลื่อนภารกิจดังกล่าว

Assoc. Prof. Pensri Jaroenwanit, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs and Innovation Commercialization. explained that the Memorandum of Agreement is valid for three years and focuses on five key areas:

1. Promoting academic collaboration, studies, and research related to Muay Thai.
2. Developing the potential of sports science personnel, coaches, and athletes.
3. Organising academic activities, conferences, seminars, and knowledge exchange forums at national and international levels.
4. Boosting the health and physical fitness of boxers and the public using sports science principles.
5. Promoting Muay Thai as a cultural art and a high-potential national sport. 

 

Partnership Network and Soft Power

In addition to the signing between the two principal organisations, the ceremony included the signing of Letters of Intent (LOI) demonstrating support for the collaboration by 8 regional partner organisations: the Tourism Council of Thailand, the Roi Kaen Sarasin Group, the Northeastern MICE Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of the Central Northeastern Provincial Cluster, the Khon Kaen Provincial Cultural Council, the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, the Khon Kaen Tourism and MICE Association, the Khon Kaen Provincial Muay Thai Sports Association, and Kampan Muay Thai.

The involvement of these eight network partners reflects a broader integration of cooperation, encompassing sports, education, culture, tourism, and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry. This comprehensive effort is designed to jointly propel Muay Thai as both a national ‘Soft Power’ asset and a creative economic driver for the region. 

This collaboration represents a crucial initial step towards elevating Muay Thai based on academic rigour and sports science, providing a vital mechanism for the sustainable development of athletes, personnel, and knowledge related to the sport. It reflects Khon Kaen University’s role as a “Research and Development University for Society,” utilising academic expertise to drive national sports, culture, and economy alongside international sustainable development. Furthermore, this initiative establishes a blueprint for Muay Thai development that harmoniously merges art and science, preserving the identity and value of classical Muay Thai techniques while simultaneously raising professional standards through modern science, technology, and innovation.