Muay Thai is a fighting art of Thai people which used fists, elbows, knees, lower arms, limbs, palms, soles, head and torso in fighting. It is practiced in several countries in Southeast Asia and known as Pradal Serey in Cambodia and Muay lao in Laos.

The meaning of the word “Muay”

The meaning of the word “Muay” may originates from the roll of rope or cloth that wraps palms and arms to prevent danger while fighters are fighting.  It may increase danger by mixing glue and sand into the roll. It is like a bun of women’s hair such as Thai women, Laos Song women, Lanna women and Chinese women boxers who like to plait hair and bind round the neck then use it in fighting. Otherwise, it may originate from the word “Mulla” in the Pali language that means to tighten up.

Indian boxing is like the boxing of Muslim in the southern Thailand and the Malay Peninsula that is called Sila or Pencak Silat. Someone named it ‘Pahuyuth Thai boxing’ because it is mixing all martial arts together and uses all parts of body such as head, shin to attack, uses palms, arms and fists to grab, block, punch and push. Legs, knees, soles, foot, heels are used to kick, attack and shove away. The torso is used to throw, overlie and attack (wide used in Sor Yokfad boxing camp). Mixing Martial art is called Maemai or Lookmai up to the trick.

History of Muay Thai

Muay Thai is started to practice and use in wars long times ago. Nowadays Muay Thai is adapted to use in army and called Leadrit.  It is different from the present Muay Thai that is a kind of sport and uses gloves to protect danger. Muay Thai is also named ‘the science of eight attacks’ including  two hands, two feet, two elbows and two knees (other orthodoxy calls  ‘Nawa-awut’ including attacking by the head or ‘Tossa-awut’ including the hip for attack).

Muay Thai varies from the ancient art called ‘Muay Boran’ that was divided into Muay Tasao (North), Muay Korat (Northeast), Muay Chaiya (South) Muay Lopburi and Muay Pranakorn (Center region). There is a phrase about Muay Boran that states “punch Korat, wit Lopburi, posture Chaiya, faster Thasao”.

Practicing the art of Muay Thai

Since ancient times, there were many places for teach boxing that were divided into royal and private place. Some places also taught other fighting sports for self-defense and wars such as Krabi Krabong, sward, cudgel, lance, etc. Learners were king, soldiers and general citizens. These places assigned their students to compete in temple fairs and festivals. Therefore, there were tales about the king or nobleman who took part in competition secretly such as King Suea, King Taksinmaharaj, Praya Pichaidabhak, Kru Dok from Wiseschaicharn subdistrict. When Ayutthaya, the ancient Siam capital was occupied by Murmese troops, Nai Khanom Tom, an Ayutthaya boxing trainer was also taken to Myanmar as a prisoner. He fought against Burmese fighters and won them several times.

At the end of Ayutthaya period, Select Lawyer Department and Royal Police Department were established. Their duty was to protect king and the royal family. Many trainers and fighters walked in the government service because they got a chance to practice both Muay Thai and wrestling in Iran style. They often showed mettle in front of the king in the palace and in important festivals.

Muay Thai was very popular at the beginning of Ratanakosin period till the reign of king Rama the VII. There were several shows in front of the king at Suan Kularb palace both bout between Thai fighters against Thai trainers and the show between Thai fighters against foreign trainers. At the beginning, boxer wrapped their hands with rope.When Nai Pae Liangprasert, a fighter from Tasao, Uttaradit province caused Nai Jia, a Cambodian fighter died in fighting, Thai fighters turned to wear gloves instead. Then rules for Muay Thai were pushed out and there were two standard boxing rings named Lumpini boxing Stadium and Rajadamnern boxing Stadium where is used to hold Muay Thai until the present time.

The picture on the right showed a match in King Rama the VI. The man on the left was a Chinese Kung Fu named Gi Chang. The man on the right was a Thai boxer named Nai Yung Hantale who was acting in Muay Thai style (stand straight, ready to attack and cope with the opponent by using foot and punches). Then this action became a pattern for practicing Muay Thai in most to physical education institutes.

There were many famous Muay Thai coaches such as Prince Chumpon Khet Udomsak, Nai Yung Hantale, Lhuang Wisaldarunkorn (Un Sirikbutr), Kru Sunthorn Taweesit (Gimseng) from Taweesit boxing camp, Tanki Yontrakit from Yontrakit boxing camp, Kru Khet Sriyapai, kru Praeng Muay Chaiya, etc. There were top foreign boxers such as Ramon Dekker. It meant that Muay Thai was popular and admiring around the world.

Nowadays, There are many boxing camps in Thailand and foreing countries. There are several standard boxing rings such as Lumpini boxing stadium and Rajadamnern boxing stadium. There are some institutes where teach Muay Thai including general places and physical education institutes. Muay Thai is practiced in bachelor degree and master degree. At Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University, Muay Thai is practiced in Doctor degree. There are some organizations that support and control the standard and holding Muay Thai in and outside the country. Rules are issued to control and watch over Muay Thai competitions.

The Popularity of Muay Thai

Muay Thai is written in form of cartoons and games such as “The King of Fighter”. The hero of KOF (The King of Fighter) is a Muay Thai champion Joe Higashi. Joe disappears in last section because he is defeated by Marry (Terry’s girlfriend) in the first round. After that, Joe tries to revenge several times but he always suffers pain. Mary uses Sambo to avenge Muay Thai by twisting, bending Joe’s joints. She kicks the Thai fighter’s private part, punches his abdomen and follows with kicking his suspensory.  When Joe subsides, Marry grabs and bend his legs. Finally, Joe died of broken neck, ends the life of Muay Thai champion-the hero of Karo games forever.

The soul of Muya Thai

“If Judo or Jiu-Jitsu refers to the way of politeness, Aikodo means the way of gentleness, Muay Thai is the way of friendship.” The speechf of Mr. Songchai Ratanasuban, a famous promoter that is “Muay Thai…heritage of Thailand…heritage of the world” reflects the soul of Muay Thai well.
Muay Thai is the mixing of science and art which uses talent and power to defeat opponent. Muay Thai depends on not only strength but also soul of grateful, gentle, friendly, patient, forgiving and fresh fighter. Sometimes, Muay Thai seems weak, it is just to delute  the arrogant persons. However, the fighter who has both honorable and worthless experiences understands his purpose of using Muay Thai well. If he can choose, his dream must be the way of a polite fighter.

The art of fighting in Muay Thai style

The art of fighting in Muay Thai style is developed with Thai people’s lifestyle. It is mixed fighting for self-defense and resist trespassers. Moreover, it includes art of using organ of body as many weapons together like Thai people’s character that is showing-off, funny and friendly, respectful and grateful. That is the basic principle of fighting art especially for Thai people and different from other styles. Someone who learns practices and understands it can keep on this style.

Nowadays, Muay Thai-the art of fighting, special techniques to defeat opponent, sports, show is widespread and different form Muay Thai in the past. Pahuyuth Muay Thai is popular among entertainment business and responds to violence that is buried deeply in basic instinct of human being. It is not Muay Thai that is valuable as heritage of Thailand and heritage of the world.