The WMC officially launched the " MUAYTHAI against Drugs" at a well-attended press conference held at the Emerald Hotel , Bangkok, March 5th 2003.

In total 7 TV news stations and the main national papers covered the conference which was attended by many dignitaries from the sporting and political world.

The Chair was General Pichitr Kullavanaijaya, Privy Councilor to His Majesty, the King and also Head of the Advisors for this campaign.

In attendance at the Head table were General Chetta Thanjaro, President WMC, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, President IFMA, representatives from the Sports Authority, the Tourist Authority, government departments.

The Committee and Advisory Board is made up of such people as General Chetta Thanjaro, President WMC, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Pongpol Adireksarn, the Minister for Tourism and Sports, Mr. Sontaya Kheunpluem, the Police General of the Philippines, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and other influential people who all work from love of MuayThai.

The campaign has to be established with the cooperation of the Thai government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai International the World MUAYTHAI Council the Amateur MUAYTHAI association of Thailand (AMAT) and the International Federation of MUAYTHAI Amateur (IFMA) in cooperation with several government departments.

All speakers clearly outlined the Aims and Goals of the campaign : 1. Remove the prejudice that Thailand is a drug country. Clearly spread the message that the Thai people do not support drugs in any way but rather sports and athletes from around the world. "DO SPORT- NOT DRUGS"

2. To promote MUAYTHAI as an international sport

3. To further boost Thailand as a tourist destination.

4. To develop an Education programme for children. This is the KING programme, developed by MC5 Global, using MuayThai Superheroes to encourage children to move away from drugs and give them positive alternatives.

5. To establish a 24-hour digital MuayThai network.

His Excellency, General Pichitr Kullavanaijaya, General Chetta Thanjaro, Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, representatives of the American digital network and The SmartTeam and the Vice-President of the WMC, Mr. Stephan Fox delivered some very powerful speeches.

MuayThai, Thailand’s national sport has spread from Thailand around the world and has taken audiences by storm. The people of Thailand should be proud of how many people, young , old male and female from all walks of life are practicing MuayThai for many reasons.

The WMC’s priority has always been to preserve and foster Thai culture, to introduce Thai values along with the art of MuayThai. Thai people may not appreciate how important this aspect of MuayThai is for people around the world. Training sessions across the globe start with the traditional "Wai " to a picture of His Majesty, the King and then to the Instructor.

The WMC and IFMA have been primarily responsible for MuayThai spreading in this way.
" MUAYTHAI Against Drugs" is not just an empty slogan. The evil of drugs has many faces, knows no borders and respects no social structures. There are drugs made for any budget and no family, regardless of social status, can be considered safe.

The world media has often wrongly portrayed Thailand as one of the world’s leading drug countries. When tourists travel to Thailand, they are continually warned of the dangers of the drug trade here. It is a shame that such an impression has been created.

MUAYTHAI is more than just a sport - it is an art made in Thailand. As MUAYTHAI increases in popularity, Thai culture, traditions and values spread with it.

His Majesty, the King of Thailand, who we all deeply respect, has tackled this problem in His birthday speech, making some valid points.

The WMC sees that to tackle this evil we need to create an awareness program which has to include educational and also physical awareness – this is planned on through cooperation with MC5Global’s KING programme.

The WMC has been running this campaign since 1999, with many shows and events already having been held in countries around the world.

At the WMC World meeting in July 2002 in Bangkok, the 50 most powerful MUAYTHAI Countries made a decision to step up the campaign and make it a global one. The slogan chosen was:

" United we stand – Divided we fall "

1. MUAYTHAI Against Drugs - promotions in Thailand. The opening World event will be in Thailand, to be held for HRH, the Crown Prince’s birthday around the July 28th 2003. This event will be unlike anything Thailand has ever seen before. Negotiations are made in order to telecast the event live around the globe.

As the anti-drugs message is an international one, an emotion shared by many – Thailand will not launch
this campaign alone and will be supported by all WMC member countries.

The July event will also see the launch of an educational comic-book by The SmartTeam. The storyline for these is that Thai Superheroes will fight the evil of drugs using MuayThai skills. The comic-books will travel with the events from country to country, with local heroes being included in each edition.

All of this as part of a loving and respectful celebration of HRH, the Prince’s birthday, thus showing for all to see how important the Royal family is to Thailand.

Special events will be held at Thailand’ s main tourist destinations as a lead-in to this celebration with the proceeds going to Children’s charities.

This is worldwide campaign is something which the world of MUAYTHAI has never seen before; it will certainly be Thailand’s sporting event for 2003.

2. " MuayThai Against Drugs - promotions outside of Thailand.

Following on from this spectacular opening, the event will move every month to a different country. Many governments have already confirmed participation in the World Series.

Australia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, USA, Canada, Mexico, Russia, England, France, Holland, Czech Republic, Germany, South Africa, Malaysia.

These are just some of the leading countries. Shows will be telecast live on National TV in the respective countries.

To summarise the main aims of the WMC/MC5Global’s KING project are:

To remove the stain of drugs from Thailand image – both here and abroad

• To promote Thailand as a tourist destination.
• To promote the Thai national sport - MuayThai.
• To carry out a Drug-Education programme using MuayThai.
• To establish a 24 hour MUAYTHAI network.

Together let’s give the world a clear message:

110 countries-One Message
MuayThai Against Drugs
Unite to Fight.