US soldiers receive Muay Thai lessons from Thai champion

Thailand's champion Sombat Banchamek, or Buakaw, gives Muay Thai lessons to U.S. Marines as part of the "Cobra Gold 2023" (CG23) joint military exercise at the Lopburi Province, Thailand, March 5, 2023. REUTERS/Napat Wesshasarta

THAILAND, Lopburi (Reuters) - American soldiers received Muay Thai lessons from a champion fighter in Thailand during the annual multilateral "Cobra Gold" military drills hosted by the Asian nation.

Soldiers took instruction and punched and kicked alongside Thai champion Sombat Banchamek, or Buakaw (White Lotus) as he is widely known in the country.