About Muay Thai
|Muay Thai - freely translated as
Thai Style Boxing - is pronounced, "moo ee tie". Known
in Europe as Thai Boxing, it originated in Thailand over 2000
years ago. Muay Thai is the traditional Martial Art of Thailand,
an exciting combat sport and an excellent self-defence method.
Muay Thai training differs from other martial arts in
several respects; patterns do not exist in Muay Thai, kicks,
knees, elbows and punches are delivered with full force and
without holding back. Focus, power, timing and reflexes are
developed by regular sparring practice, hitting and kicking
the punch bags and training pads and participating in matches.
In order to avoid unnecessary injuries participants wear protective
equipment during sparring and at the novice stage of competition.
Muay Thai rules in Europe are slightly more restricted than
those in Thailand. The use of the elbows and knees to the
head are not allowed in training or competition, and refereeing
is stricter. With these modifications (known as the "European
Rules") the sport has an excellent safety record.
Muay Thai Development
The Thais as a race have deserved sympathy for a long time. They
were constantly harassed and their peaceful existence disturbed
until about 250 B.C. when they left the rich and fertile land called
Thai Mung or Thai Muang.
In order to avoid enslavement, the Thais emigrated and dispersed
in all directions, but eventually and under great difficulties,
moved southwards. They encountered many hardships and had to cope
with starvation, injury, disease and death; but at the same time
became experts in what is today called traditional medicine. Fending
off wild animals and all-too-frequent battles with savage warlords,
who never missed a chance to attack, only strengthened their fighting
spirit. Their love of freedom overcame all difficulties.
When the refugees had settled in an area where there was "fish
in the water and rice in the fields", elders of the different
clans attempted to build up the courage and skill of the young men
by promoting athletic games such as wrestling, running, swimming,
boat races and acrobatics. For reasons of security and to ensure
their future freedom, a system of self-defence was devised which
after generations of changes and improvements resulted in what is
today known as Muay Thai.
When the clans were finally unified into a nation, a manual of
warfare, the "Chupasart", was drawn up. It dealt mainly
with the use of weaponry such as knives, swords, spears, battle-axes,
halberts, throwing knives and poisoned arrows. During times of peace
the young Thais trained under the guidance of experienced warriors;
learning the different fighting techniques based on the manual,
but often substituting the "arm" for the real weapon,
in other words practising unarmed combat, or what is commonly known
to Thais as "Dee Muay" or boxing.
The Best known and most celebrated of the early fighting greats
was Nai Khanom Dtom who, having been captured by the Burmese, regained
his freedom by defeating twelve of the enemy's best fighters in
an unarmed contest witnessed by the Burmese King.
Muay Thai reached the height of its popularity during the reign
of Pra Chao Sua, the "Tiger King" (1703-1709). Siam was
at peace with her neighbours and the army was idle. Muay Thai became
the favourite pastime of the population. The King himself was a
skilful fighter and it is reported he visited village arenas incognito
to challenge and defeat the local champions. Some of the techniques
used today are based on Pra Chao Sua's style of fighting.
By the beginning of the 19th Century Muay Thai was being taught
in all schools throughout Thailand. In the 1930s Muay Thai underwent
a major transformation; rules and regulations from international
boxing were adopted, boxing gloves were introduced and weight divisions
were established. According to some "old-timers" it meant
the death of Muay Thai and the birth of a new sport.
In the old days, once a new student was accepted the "WAI
KHRUU" or KHUEN KRUH" ceremony (a very important entrance
ritual) was performed. Even today, in Thailand, most modern physical
education colleges insist on this practice for those students taking
a Muay Thai course. The most important part of the "KHUEN KRUH",
which is held in front of a Buddha Shrine, is the vow of loyalty.
After the students have made their offerings of flowers, a piece
of white cloth, joss sticks, candles and perhaps a few coins or
small presents, they pray together and recite their pledge.
An important part of Muay Thai is the pre-fight ritual dance "RAM
MUAY", a slow motion, ballet-like set of steps and motions
performed to traditional Thai music. The RAM MUAY can be performed
in many different ways, each camp having its own style. The RAM
MUAY also serves as pre-fight warm-up exercise and it can last up
to five minutes. During the pre-fight ritual fighters also wear
the "MONGKON" or crown, a cord about a finger thick and
worn around the head. The MONGKON belongs to the Instructor and
it is considered sacred. After the completion of the RAM MUAY and
before the first round starts, the instructor and fighter come together
and bow while saying a short prayer; the Instructor lifts the MONGKON
off the fighters' head blowing on his hair for good luck.
We can also often see fighters wearing a string or piece of cloth
around one or both biceps. This is called the "KRUANG RANG"
and may be worn throughout the fight. The KRUANG RANG contains protective
charms, a small picture of Buddha or a saint, or an herb, which
is said to have magic powers.
There are a number of further traditions to which the fighting
community adheres, though they are not necessary particular to Muay
Thai but rather part of the Thai's life-style and the Buddhist religion.