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Feb 11, 2014Final Fight Nights At The Famous Lumpinee Stadium

Images from the legendary Lumpinee stadium, one of Bangkok's oldest boxing venues which is being demolished after 57 years. Lumpinee's circular structure, with an ageing tin roof that lets in rain and sunlight, is a stone's throw from the central oasis of Lumpini Park and had avoided Bangkok's frenetic building boom. The stadium harks back to the capital's golden days before the invasion of skyscrapers that now soar above it. But it stands on prime real estate and its lease was not renewed by the Crown Property Bureau, one of Bangkok's biggest landlords and the fund that supports Thailand's monarchy. That is forcing the stadium to move to a new venue on the outer fringes of the sprawling city - a logistical hassle for tourists and Thais who have flocked to Lumpinee for decades.

A fighter focuses before his fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight from the wooden stands during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Referees and staff have their picture taken after the closing fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Thai boxing team members from the red corner follow their fighter during the closing fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Sattan Muanglek and his team members pray before their fight during the closing fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Live music is being performed during the closing fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A tourist poses for a picture after the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Gloves are prepared for fighters during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium, one of Bangkok's oldest boxing venues which is being demolished after 57 years. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A fighter is helped after being knocked out during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A fighter in interviewed after his win during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight from a stand that is known for gambling during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Fighters get ready for the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight from a stand that is known for gambling during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A fighter prays before entering the ring during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Sattan Muanglek focuses before his fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A spectator follows a fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

An entertainer passes by a ringside bar during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A fighter is helped after being defeated during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight from a stand that is known for gambling during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Leaflets are attached to seats during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Spectators follow a fight from a stand that is known for gambling during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Sattan Muanglek is prepared for his fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A fighter celebrates his win during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

A picture of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit is displayed before the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS

Boxers fight during the closing Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, fight night of the legendary Lumpinee stadium in Bangkok. DAMIR SAGOLJ/REUTERS
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