More and more Muay Thai fighters are being sent to the Thai-Cambodian border as tensions between the two countries continue to rise. Many of them serve in the Thai military, which runs boxing programs across various branches. With the situation escalating, fighters are now part of the growing military presence along the border.
Among the latest to be deployed are five fighters from Bangkok’s well-known T-Ded 99 gym: Superball, ET, Wuttidet, Jamesak, and Petchderndong. Superball, in particular, was in the spotlight just last week after knocking out Ibragim Abdulmedzhidov at ONE Friday Fights 116 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Other well-known names have also been spotted on the frontlines. Boonlong, a popular Rajadamnern World Series fighter, is currently serving with a special operations unit of the Royal Thai Army, helping to defend Thailand’s sovereignty in the contested border region.
The situation escalated on July 24 when Cambodian forces reportedly fired rockets and artillery into Thai civilian areas, killing several people, including a child. Thailand hit back with airstrikes using F-16 fighter jets, targeting Cambodian military sites near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple.
With heavy fighting ongoing and over 100,000 people already forced to leave their homes, Thailand has rejected international offers to help mediate the crisis, while Cambodia has taken the dispute to the International Court of Justice. For now, there’s no sign the situation will calm down any time soon.
