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What is Muay Thai?

the-history-of-muay-thai-naikhanomtomMuay Thai is the national sport of Thailand known as the science if eight limbs.

Fists, elbows, knees and kicks combined with stand up grappling are all used in Muay Thai to create a very distinguished and deadly fighting art. It is as graceful as it is brutal. It is often confused with kick-boxing. Muay Thai is more tactical  as the use of knees, elbows and grappling and kicks to the legs are forbidden in kick-boxing. 

Muay Thai

  • Elbows allowed
  • Knees allowed
  • Punches allowed
  • Stand up Grappling allowed
  • Kicks allowed
  • Kicks to the leg allowed
  • In professional Muay Thai no shin guards or leg padding is worn or allowed

Kick-Boxing

  • Elbows not allowed
  • Knees not allowed
  • Punches allowed
  • Stand up Grappling not allowed
  • Kicks allowed
  • Kicks to the leg (unless freestyle rules)
  • Use of shin/foot pads are a must (unless stated freestyle kick boxing).

During a Muay Thai bout the fighter’s battle almost rhythmically to music called ‘Sarama’.

Before the fight begins, both fighters perform the ‘Wai Khru’, this is to pay respect to parents and teachers/instructors and also to the training camps they belong to. After performing the ‘Wai Khru’ they perform the ‘Ram Muay’ this is a personal ritual dance that can be very simple to very complex. It is to demonstrate to the audience the fighter’s prowess.

So Muay Thai can be taken to many different levels depending on how deep you wish to study it. There are a million arts out there, all of them are good in their own rights but only some prepare you for ‘Real Assault’ for self defense.

 

History Of Muay Thai

the-history-of-muay-thaiThe sources aren't clear and often contradict each other,there are two main theories. One says that the art developed as the Thai people moved down from China; honed in the struggle for land. The other theory of the history of Muay Thai says that the Thai people were already here and that Muay Thai developed to defend the land and people from constant invasion threats.  What is known is that the history of Muay Thai was an essential part of Thai culture right from its dawn. And in Thailand, it's the sport of kings

Muay Thai Equipment History

In the history of Muay Thai, Muay Thai has always been a sport for the people as well as a military fighting skill. In all its golden ages, the people have trained and practiced the sport whether they were King or commoner. It was a part of the school curriculum right up to the 1920's when it was withdrawn because it was felt that the injury rate was too high. The people however, continued to study it in gyms and clubs just as they do today.

The people have always followed the sport and have been instrumental in moving it from the battlefield to the ring. They have been as much a part of making it a sport as have the Kings. One of the prime movers in transforming the sport was the Tiger King, who not only influenced fighting styles but also the equipment.

 

The changes that the sport has undergone have been changes to equipment used rather than radical change. For example, Thai fighters have always worn groin guards. A kick or knee to the groin was a perfectly legal move up until the 1930's. In the early days, the protection was made from tree bark or sea shells held in place with a piece of cloth tied between the legs and around the waist.

the-history-of-muay-thai-prajead

The 1930's saw the most radical change in the sport. It was then that it was codified and today's rules and regulations were introduced. Rope bindings of the arms and hands were abandoned and gloves took their place.

 

Weight Classes in the History of Muay Thai

From the history of Muay Thai, before the introduction of weight classes, a fighter could and did fight all comers regardless of size and weight differences. However, the introduction of the weight classes meant that the fighters were more evenly matched and instead of there being one champion, there became one for each weight class.

Most Muay Thai fighters belong to the lighter weight classes. Seventy percent of all fighters belong to the fly and bantam weight divisions. There are welterweight and middleweight fights but they are not seen that often and the heavier categories seldom fight.

Present and Future of Muay Thai...

the-history-of-muay-thai-naikhanomtomMuay Thai has changed across the years. Changed and evolved from a battlefield close quarters killing ground technique based on a fighting tradition passed on from generation to generation up to the present time.

But despite the changes of history, Muay Thai has lost none of its exotic appeal and even mystique. Muay Thai is still the fighting art to beat. The fighting art that defeats all challenges from Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwando and the latest kickboxing fashions. They have all come to Thailand, not just once but many times and from many places to test themselves.

Muay Thai has lost none of its appeal in Thailand. The television fight broadcasts rate among the Kingdom's most popular programmes. In the provinces, villages cluster around any available TV to watch. In the city, people disappear from the streets while Thailand is watching Muay Thai.

Thai Boxing is also becoming increasingly popular outside of Thailand. It has its enthusiasts and practitioners in the Americas, Australia, Japan, Europe, as well as in many other countries around the world.

The illustrious history of Muay Thai will continue as it receives greater recognition and gains in international popularity.