Muay Thai (มวยไทย), translated into English as Thai Boxing, is the national sport of Thailand and is a martial art with origins in the ancient battlefield tactics of the Siamese (or Thai) army.The Art of the Eight Limbs is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. It is known as Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos and as a similar style called Lethwei in Myanmar. The different styles of kickboxing in Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the Malay peninsula. The Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.

 

Muay Thai evolved from Krabi-Krabong, literally sword and baton, the hand-to-hand tactics of the Thai army.  The early Muay Thai bouts pitted different companies within the Siamese army against each other with few rules and no weight divisions or time limits.  They became quite popular and eventually were shown in stadia across the country.  In the early 20th century, time limits, boxing gloves as well as a uniform set of rules were introduced.  During the latter half of the 20th century Muay Thai was exported to many countries and is now practiced by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.

 

The unique martial art of  Thailand is the well –known Thai boxing or muay Thai. It is an art of self-defence developed during the Ayutthaya period. In fact, Thai boxing is considered as a sport and a means of self-defence. The contestants are allowed to use almost any part of their body.However, Thai boxing forbits biting , spitting or wrestling. They may punch , kick and shove and use bare feet, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders and fists to overcome their opponents. A vicious kick in thethroat, anelbow smash to the eyes or a knee into the stomach can immediately floor the toughest opponent.

 

Unfortunately, with high incidence of death and physical injury, new regulations based on international rules have been set for the Thai boxing to follow ; i.e. each bout is limited to five rounds of three minutes duration with a two-minute break in between. Moreover, the contestants have to wear international-style gloves and trunks and their feet are taped but n shoes are allowed. Traditionally before getting into the ring, the boxes will spend about 5 minutes paying homage to their teachers. This traditional practice is called “wai khru” in Thai. The ceremony is done through a series of gestures and body movements performed in rhythm to the ringside musical accompaniment of Thai oboe and percussion.

 

The history of Thai boxing came to light only after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 when thousands of Thai prisoners were taken to the Burmese capital. One day  the Burmese king wanted to see a boxing match between the Thais and Burmese. Representing the Thai side was Nai Kha-nomtom of unknown origin. He gained reputation as Thailand’s first famous boxer as he alone knocked out ten Burmese boxer. The Burmese king loudly exclaimed, “The Thais, even though small, are great fighters. If their rulers had been good, we would not have been able to take Ayutthaya at all”.

 

In fact, Thai boxing was the sport of the kings and several Thai kings were able boxers , for example, King Naresuan, Phra Chao Suea or the Tiger-King and King Taksin . The Tiger King himself earned this name through his courage and cruelty, he was almost a professional boxer. Sometime he even disguised himself as an ordinary citizen and went to compete with other boxers at the public festivals. It is said that the boxing manual which is still in use was compiled by the Tiger-King himself.

 

Indeed, to be a professional Thai boxer, the person must spend several years in a boxing training camp and usually the training should begin at an early age as it is an art that is acquired only through long and laborious training with a master. Nowadays Thai boxing has become more popular among westerners, thus there is an increasing number of bouts staged for tourists in several tourist attraction. In these, the action may be genuine or may be just for show. Even so authentic matches are held daily at the major Bangkok stadiums and at some provincial stadiums. At present, there must be several thousands professional boxers in Thailand and many of them earn their living through this profession, but when they get older, some become a boxing trainers or masters while some switch to other professions they like. Since Thai boxing is not only a martial art, but also a sport, it will remain popular forever as it is an unarmed combat that can be used at any time to defend oneself.

In the old days, Muay Thai was a dangerous sport, with no safety gear of any kind for the fighters, and only lengths of cords to wrap around the fists in place of gloves. Over the years rules have been written along the line of international boxing regulations. In recent years the sport has attracted a wide following outside of the country, and training facilities have been set up in countries as far as the U.S. and the former Soviet states. In 1995 the World Muay Thai Council was set up by cabinet resolution in 1995 to promote this national heritage at national and international levels. At a conference held that same year, 78 member countries voted for the establishment of a training school where all elements of Muay Thai would be taught. The Muay Thai Institute was founded in 1997 and is now the only training school accredited by the Ministry of Education.

 

"Muaythai" is a sport that can help protect you and your love ones when confronted with certain danger. A property trained Muay Thai fighter can be confident that he has an array of “weapon” to deter threats.

"Muaythai" is a form of martial art that is both graceful and lethal as the same time. Furthermore, it is a national heritage that has been a very important part of the thai nation since ancient time.