Amazing Tastes of Thailand

Muay Thai
 MUAY THAI
The term “Muay Thai” conveys a wealth of meaning to its
devotees around the world. One of the most ancient of all
martial arts, it is a workout that toughens the limbs and
hones the mind

…a discipline that pushes both body and soul to their limits and beyond
…a way of life grounded on ethics and respect
… a rich tradition brimming with beauty and grace
…a key to the quest for self-knowledge
…the martial art of kings and the king of martial arts….
4 Muay Thai
Muay Thai: The Martial Art of Kings
Muay Thai is, perhaps, unique in being a royal Royal patronage of muay continued into the
martial art. Originating as a strategic warfare Rattanakosin period (1782 – the present): the reigns
technique, in centuries past four muay fighters, of Rama V andVI (1868 – 1925) were a golden age
their fists bound in hemp cord for additional of muay, laying the foundations for the future
strength, were assigned on the battlefield to protect development of the art. Archive photographs from
the legs of each royal elephant-the war machines of 1898 show muay bouts being staged at a military
their day. Expertise in muay gradually became the funeral in front of King Rama V, enthroned in an
means of personal advancement for such fighters, ornate pavilion in what is now the world-famous
with skilled practitioners invited to live in the Grand Palace complex. It was during the reign of
palace; teach the young princes; and even his successor, King Rama VI, that the first permanent
display their techniques in front of the king. muay arena was established in 1920: muay was well
At some point during the Ayuthaya period on the way to becoming the spectator sport we
(1350 – 1767), an elite guard of exceptional muay know today. Nowadays the Thai royal family still
fighters was formed, giving birth to Muay Luang or continues to take a keen interest in both the
Royal Muay. history and traditions of muay and the future of
Muay Thai.
A king of Ayutthaya, known as “The Tiger King”, was
highly-skilled in muay. A legend relates how in 1702
the young king, hearing that there was to be a
muay contest at a nearby temple fair, disguised
himself as a peasant in order to take part incognito.
Needless to say the king won all of his bouts that
day!

Nai Khanom Tom:

A Muay Thai Hero
If anyone can claim to be the authentic Muay
Thai hero, it is surely Nai Khanom Tom. Taken
prisoner by the Burmese when they ransacked the
capital city of Ayutthaya in 1767, some years later
he was selected to take part in an event staged
before the king in Rangoon to compare the
comparative strengths of muay Siam and muay
Burma. Nai Khanom Tom was victorious and even
King Mangra was impressed by his fighting skills,
being reputed to have declared, “Every part of this
man is blessed with venom. Even empty-handed
he could defeat nine or ten opponents!”
Nai Khanom Tom is commemorated by a statue in
Ayutthaya’s Provincial Sports Ground with sparring
Muay Thai fighters depicted around the pedestal.

Muay Thai 5
 Muay Thai….
for Beginners and Experts
Like any other martial art, anyone wishing to
become proficient in Muay Thai must start with the
basics: the ready-for-action stance; the distinctive
Yang Sam Khum or Muay Thai Shuffle; and methods
of deploying the art’s distinctive arsenal of
weapons-fist, elbow, knee and foot- in five attacking
techniques-punch, elbow-strike, knee-kick,
kick and foot-thrust. It is only when these basics
have been mastered that fighters can move on to
the exciting-and difficult!-range of mae mai Muay
Thai or advanced techniques, the names of which
are thrilling in themselves: the Crocodile Swings its
Tail, Break the Elephant’s Neck and Giant Catches
the Monkey. Beginners and exper ts alike,
however, must understand and participate in the
rich legacy of rites and customs which are closely
intertwined with the art of Muay Thai.

6 Muay Thai
Muay Thai 7
 Wai Khru • Wai Khru Ram Muay or the Ritual Dance of
One of the most important Muay Thai traditions is Homage is performed at the conclusion of the Wai
Wai Khru or Paying Respect to Teachers. In order to Khru Pracham Pi and before the commencement of
become a fully-fledged Muay Thai fighter, a person every bout.
has to pass through a series of ceremonies or “rites
of passage”, all of which come under the generic • Khrop Khru is the final step, reserved for the few
heading of Wai Khru: fighters who become teachers in their own right and
thus entitled to pass on the rich Muay Thai legacy to
• Khuen Khru or Yok Khru is the initiation ceremony their own students.
in which a teacher accepts a would-be-fighter
as his student who in return vows to uphold the
ethics of the art.

• Wai Khru Pracham Pi is the annual ritual which

allows fighters to pay respect not only to their
present teachers but also to the souls of those who
have long since passed away.

8 8 Muay Thai
Of all the forms of Wai Khru, Wai Khru Ram Muay • It gave the fighter a chance to assess his
is by far the most celebrated. A graceful and opponent’s physical state and pinpoint any possible
aesthetic ritual which has no specific religious weaknesses.
connotations, its origins are lost in the mists of
time. However, it is believed to have evolved as a • It demoralized the opponent if expertly
stylized peace-time form of training in the days performed.
when muay was a military art. Over time the
Wai Khru Ram Muay developed to serve several • In the days when contests were held outdoors
functions: and on the bare earth it allowed the fighter to
assess the ground conditions and the direction of
• It enabled the fighter to pay respect to his the sun.
teacher and propitiate the spirits.
Many of these points still hold true today.
• It mentally and physically prepared him for the
forthcoming contest.

Muay Thai 9
 Rules and Judging
Muay Thai is practised all over the world, with the rules
varying somewhat from country to country and
according to the presiding organization. Basically, a bout
consists of a maximum of 5 rounds of 3 minutes, with a
2-minute break between each round.

The complete set of 24 Muay Thai Rules cover all aspects

of professional fights, including the minimum age (15);
the referee; judges and chairman. Points are awarded for
hard and accurate strikes with the muay arsenal; for
appropriate Muay Thai style; for dominant muay skills;
and for the deployment of traditional defence and
counter-attack techniques. The three judges, each sitting
on a different side of the ring, are not permitted to confer
and complete score sheets for each round. The referee
collects these either at the end of the bout or at the end
of each round for a championship fight. The score
sheets are passed on to the Chairman, who verifies and
authenticates them before announcing the result.

10 Muay Thai
Muay Thai 11
 Outfit of a Professional
Muay Thai Fighter
In accordance with the Muay Thai regulations the following items must be worn during a professional bout: red or
blue shorts; gloves certified by the World Muay Thai Council and in accordance with the weight division, worn over
fists bound in 5 cm x 6 m of soft tape; a groin protector tied only at the back; a mouth guard; and the mongkhon
(head circlet) during the performance of the Wai Khru Ram Muay. Permitted optional items are amulets (only on
the arms-prajied-or waist and covered by material to avoid injury); and single elastic bandages on the arms, legs or
ankles. Shin guards, metallic decorations and the application of Vaseline or similar substances prior to a bout are all
forbidden, as are long hair, beards and a moustache which extends over the lips.

2) mongkhon

3) mouth-guard

1) gloves +hand-wraps

4) prajied

5) groin-protector

6) shorts

1) gloves +hand-wraps
2) mongkhon
3) mouth-guard
4) prajied
7) ankle supporters 5) groin-protector
6) shorts
7) ankle supporters

12 Muay Thai
Muay Thai for Kids
Muay Thai training can have distinct benefits for children
of all ages and both sexes. It teaches them how to defend
themselves against a real-life physical attack; builds their
confidence and discipline; strengthens their physical
health and responses; trains their mental alertness and
control; and, through the wai khru traditions instills
ethical principles and respect. Muay Thai can therefore
be regarded as good all-round training for the youngsters
of today.

Muay Thai and Kickboxing

The most common misconception concerning Muay Thai
is that it is one and the same as kickboxing whereas in
fact that is very much a newcomer compared to Muay Thai
which stretches back for at least a millennium… In the
late 1950s Osamu Noguchi, a boxing entrepreneur,
visited Thailand to observe Muay Thai. In the following
years he devised the concept of kickboxing, fusing Muay
Thai’s kicking techniques with aspects of karate and
boxing. When he introduced this sport to Europe, the
confusion between Muay Thai and kickboxing started.
Among the essential differences between the two is the
stance, which in kickboxing favours punches, while its
punch-kick combos derive from karate. The scoring
system for the two martial arts is also different.

Muay Thai 13
 Where to Watch Muay Thai
No trip to Thailand for Muay Thai aficionados would
be complete without a pilgrimage to one or both of
Bankok’s two main stadiums where they can spend
every night of the week watching bouts. Weekend fights
are usually lower level, so aim for a weekday, with the
highlight being the bouts taking place at around 21:00.

The Rajadamnern Stadium, the older and, with its

air-conditioning, arguably the more comfortable of the
two, was founded in 1945 and marked the final step
in the transformation of muay from a traditional
martial art to a commercial venture. Situated in the city’s
government district on so-called Champs Elysée of
Thailand, the rules and regultions of modern Muay
Thai were formulated here.

Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

and Sunday (18:30)
Tel: +66 2281 4205, +66 2280 1084
Website: www.rajadamnern.com Vimanmek Mansion Museum
www.facebook.com/rajadamnern
For taxi: เวทีมวยราชดำาเนิน

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The Rajadamnern Stadium

The Lumpinee Stadium

14 Muay Thai
The less glamorous-only electric fans!-but perhaps Tel: +66 2251 4303, +66 2522 6843 and
even more renowned Lumpinee Stadium opened in +66 2282 3141
1956 and is run by the military on behalf of the Thai Website: www.muaythailumpinee.net
government. The fights staged here are regarded by For taxi: เวทีมวย ม ินี
some as being of a higher quality and it is one of the few
places in Thailand where betting is legal. In February Admission charges for both stadiums are in the
2014, the stadium has been moved to its new location general range 1,000 to 2,000 baht, depending on the
on Ram Inthra Road, which can approximately hold fight lineup and the location of the seat, with ringside
up to 8,000 audiences. being recommended for enhanced excitement and
adrenaline!anced excitement and adrenalin!
Open: Tuesday & Friday (18:30);
Saturday (16:00)

Muay Thai 15
 Camps
Muay Thai camps are to be found everywhere in
Thailand and can tailor training programmes from
one day to several months. Many such camps cater
specifically to overseas visitors and provide
accommodation together with English-speaking
instructors. Broadly speaking, the camps can
be divided into five categories:

Muay Thai in Luxury

The luxurious Fairtex Sports and
Racquet Club in the resort of Pattaya
(www.fairtexpattaya.com) features
over 60 different sports, including
Muay Thai, complete with Olympic pool
and also provides fitness facilities for kids.

Muay Thai for Champions

For those intent on fighting for real in the ring, two
“no frills” camps with a very Thai atmosphere and tiptop
khru that are worth checking out are Jitti Gym (www.
facebook.com/jittigym.jitti) and Kaewsamrit Gym
(www.kaewsamritgym.com), both in Bangkok.

Muay Thai for Fitness

Two major Bangkok facilities cater for those
interested in Muay Thai for fitness…and at very low
prices. The National Sports Stadium’s Martial Arts Center is
affiliated to the Department of Physical Education (www.
Muay Thai for Traditionalists
Those wishing to train in muay as a pure martial art can
dpe.go.th)
go to camps specializing in the various forms of Muay
Boran (Ancient Muay). Khru Lek (Baan Chang Thai: www.
samkhum.com) and Khru Praeng (Muay Chaiya Siam Yuth
Center: www.muaychaiya.com) teach Muay Chaiya in
Bangkok, while Muay Korat is taught by Khru Amnaj in
Bangkok (www.facebook.com/muaykorat)

Muay Thai for Beach Bums

Inexpensive beachside Muay Thai camps proliferate
along Thailand’s tropical shores, catering for
those who want a “sea and sun” vacation with a
difference. The world-famous resort islands of Phuket
and Samui are popular destinations: check out
www.muaythai-camp-thailand.com
www.tigermuaythai.com
www.wmcmuaythai.org

Disclaimer: the inclusion of a camp in this publication

does not constitute a recommendation by the Tourism
Authority of Thailand, which accepts no responsibility in
association with such listings.

16 Muay Thai
Muay Thai 17
 Muay Thai Souvenirs As for Muay Thai dance, it is to convey the specific
characteristics of a Muay Thai master or camp. Muay Thai
boxers who perform the same style of Wai Khru and Muay
Muay Thai devotees will not want to leave Thailand
Thai dance will usually not fight each other since they
without buying souvenirs…and there is a wide
understand that they have the same master.
choice available! Apart from authentic Muay Thai
gear and accessor ies, T-shir ts, figur ines and
The ancient capital of Ayutthaya is home to the annual
publications/DVDs are on sale everywhere. But perhaps
World Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony and Miracle Muay
the best souvenir is something no money can buy:
Thai Festival. Each year, Muay Thai boxers from around
the special feeling of being in the birthplace of Muay
the world participate in the event to pay respect to their
Thai…the M ar tial Ar t of K ings and the K ing
teachers, pay homage to the legendary Muay Thai folk
of Martial Arts.
hero, Nai Khanom Tom, and show their appreciation
for the beautiful art of Muay Thai at Ayutthaya World
World Wai Khru Muay Thai Heritage Site. There are also many activities such as:
- Muay Thai demonstrations
Ceremony - Muay Thai tournaments with boxers contending for the
W.P.M.F. belt
17 March each year -Learning and enjoying the demonstrations of Thai
For the Muay Thai training, the first thing for all arts, handicrafts, and culture, including the Traditional
boxers to do is to perform the “Wai Khru” or respect Thai Tattoo, making of swords, performing of Thai
paying ceremony which has long been observed martial arts, and an exhibition of ancient weapons.
until this day. The Wai Khru ceremony is to show the For further information, visit
boxers’ regard and gratitude for their parents, the www.tourismthailand.org,
sacred objects, and the masters who have taught them, www.muaythaifestival.com.
which brings auspiciousness to the boxers and makes
their minds calm and mindful.

18 Muay Thai
 Muay Thai

Printed in Thailand by Promotional Material Production Division,

Marketing Services Department,
Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.
www.tourismthailand.org E/FEB 2018
The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.