The History of Muay Thai

With origins in Thailand, Muay Thai is a popular sport in many Eastern countries. Surprisingly, it began as a martial art known as Krabi Krabong (a Siamese martial art) in which weapons were used. This is quite unique, considering that in modern Muay Thai, weapons are not used at all. Krabi Krabong soon morphed into the ancient Muay Boran, a martial art very close to the Muay Thai as it is known today. Again, with time, Muay Boran evolved yet again and was divided into four different art forms for different regions North, Northeast, Center Region and South and were called Muay ThaSao, Korat, Lobburee, and Chaiya.

Each of these different forms placed emphasis on a particular philosophy or technique the Center region (Muay Lobburee) took intelligent and quick movements to heart while the South (Muay Chaiya) preferred to emphasize a student’s defense techniques and proper posture. The most famous of stories belonging to the history of Muay Thai involves a Master by the name of Nai Khanomtom.

During a match with a Burmese martial artist, Nai Khanomtom performed his best for the king during that time King Mangra. King Mangra, however, was impressed and asked that Nai Khanomtom fight nine more Burmese opponents to prove himself. Although it is true that Muay Thai has had its hand in contributions to many martial arts that are, in fact, well known in other countries, such as kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts.

A.   Ancient Muay Thai

Muay Boran is the Other name of Ancient Thai Boxing. It is a traditional form of Muay Thai which is still taught and practiced in Thailand. Muay Boran is still practiced and taught in order to preserve the Boxing Techniques from Muay Thai’s History before the introduction of formalized rules and the introduction of gloves in the 1930s.

Muay Boran is the ancestor of the modern day Muay Thai Boxing. The late Arjarn Samai Messamarn from the Buddhai Swan Institute in Thailand was able to make a study of the Thai empty hand system using the scant resources available in Thailand. Only two records of the techniques, hand-painted on parchment now exist.

Arjarn Samai’s son, Arjarn Werayut Messamarn recently visited England bringing with him one of these unique documents. Most people recognize this period in the history of Muay Thai as fighters used to wrap their hands in cotton twine. Today, people refer to this style of fighting (during this period) as “Muay Kaad Chuak” although at the time, this isn’t the term people used.

Although the government of the time prohibited this style of fighting(with wrapped hands) people still continued to practice the arts and fight underground. Eventually, by introducing rules, and providing fighters with better protection, competition became safer, and the sport of Muay Thai was born.

Here are some information of the techniques used: Technique 6 (Buddhai Swan) - The boxer grabs the opponent’s neck twisting him from side to side, and then throwing a knee to the opponent’s body, finally the boxer will push the opponent away finishing with a high kick to the opponent’s neck. From the 60 major techniques in the Buddhai Swan syllabus there are other minor techniques plus many different variations and additional moves that can follow on from the main techniques.

Besides the Buddhai Swan techniques, we have uncovered at least another 60 different techniques from various sources including Arjarn Yodthong from the Sityodthong Camp, Arjarn Panya Kraitus author of the book “Muay Thai Most Distinguished Art of Fighting”, the late Khun Bunyuen Suvanatdha former head of the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand and Kru Lang of the Sitpralang Camp in Ayuddhaya.

The discovery of Muay Boran in the West has taken us on a journey back through time.

B.   Muay Thai-thai Kickboxing

Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing has been described as the world’s toughest ring sport and is one the most lethal forms of martial art. Malaysians call it Tomoi, Muay Lao in Laos, Lethwei to Burmese and Pradal Serey in Cambodia.

Punching techniques or Chok are similar to Western boxing: the straight punch (Mud Trong), Mud Wiang San or hook, the swing- Mud Wiang Yao, the uppercut Mud Seuy, Cobra Punch or Kra-dod Chok, and the undercut or Mud Hook. Teh, or kicking techniques are an essential part of Muay Thai combat. It consists of the straight kick Teh Trong, the roundhouse Teh Tud, diagonal kick Teh Chiang, the shin-knee kick Teh Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao, the down roundhouse kick Teh Kod, the axe heel kick Teh Kao, jump kick Gra-dodeh Teh, step-up kick Kha Yiep The, and the spectacular spinning heel kick Teh Glub Lang.

The dangerous Neb or pecking kick is an often executed Muay Thai kick and is very similar to the straight kick. Clinching in Muay Thai involves putting one’s hands behind the head of the opponent and pulling it downwards. The different knee strikes are the Kao Trong or straight knee strike, the Kao Chiang or diagonal knee strike, Kao Kong curving knee strike, Kao Tud horizontal knee strike, Kao Tod knee slap, Kao Youwn knee bomb, Kao Yiep step-up knee strike and the Kao Loi or flying knee strike.

Traditional Muay Thai training methods were grueling and literally took blood,sweat and tears to endure.

C.   An Insight Into Muay Thai Kick Boxing

King Nareasan was victorious, freed, and returned home where he declared the fighting style (then called Siamese style boxing) a national sport.

The art of muay thai kick boxing is known as both a hard martial art and as “the deadly art.” Muay thai kick boxing is a self defence art developed in Thailand and it enjoys immense popularity in many south-Asian countries as well.

Muay thai kick boxing is the national sport of only Thailand, though it has become popular in many other countries. The main point that separates muay thai kick boxing from western developed boxing is the fact you are allowed to use shins, knees, elbows and fists. This practice was ended when international muay thai kick boxing tournaments began.

This ultimate full-contact martial art, builds stamina and mental toughness. Unlike other forms of martial arts where grappling is done on the floor, the grappling done in muay thai kick boxing is done while standing. Muay thai kick boxing appears as an extremely violent form of martial arts.