Muay Thai

History

 

The ancient art of Muay Thai known as Muay Boran, or Mae Mai Muay Thai is considered too dangerous therefore rules have been introduced to ensure the safety of the boxers. Some of these rules include, boxing gloves, weight divisions, and rounds with time limits.

 

Muay Thai has also been proven to be for self-defense and is taught to men, women and children in over 80 countries around the world. It's devastating effectiveness has gained the respect of martial artists worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the beginning Muay Thai boxers fought bare-fisted. Early competitive forms of Muay Thai had no grappling: fighters moved in and then quickly withdrew again. There was no attempt to pair opponents based on their weight. They needed only to express a willingness to fight. Sometimes fighters on a winning streak could be matched against several opponents in succession. There were no real rules. The head was used as a weapon and the groin was an acceptable target. The ring was a bare patch of earth. At some point came the division of the contest into rounds. Time for these was measured by placing a coconut shell with a hole bored through the bottom into water. When the coconut was filled with water and thus submerged, the round was over. Tree bark, seashells and later kapok-stuffed triangular cushions were used to protect the groin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The development of Muay Thai saw the transformation of the human body into a multi-faceted weapon inspired by the weapons common to the time. The shin becme the staff of the pike, used to block and strike. The arms became the raised twin swords of defense. The fist functioned as the jabbing tip of the spear. The elbow developed into the battle axe, used to smash and to crush. The knee too, axed it's way into the enemies defenses. Finally, there was the transformation of the flashing foot in pike, arrow and knife. As each part of the body became a weapon into itself, a new closed combat fighting skill was born: Muay Thai. Since it's initial development, Muay Thai has changed in may ways. It's now a modern sport rather than a battlefield art. But in it's heart are carried old traditionns and an anciet fighting spirit.

 

Muay Thai is part of the cultural heritage of the Thai people. Their histories are intertwined. But their historical development is dificult to discern clearly. When the Burmese scked the Thai capital of Ayutthaya, the archives of Thai history were, for the most part lost. Along with them were lost the historical accounts of the development of Muay Thai. What little we do know comes primarily from the writings of Burmese, Cambodian and early European visitors to Thailand as well as chronicles form the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai. All these sources agree that Muay Thai orginated to be used in the battlefield in person to person combat. As to the specific origins, however, therse sources are unclear and often contradict each other.

 

There are, however, two main theories. The first suggests that the art of Muay Thai developed as the Thai people migrated from China to what is now Thailand. It would have been an essential tool for in the migrants' stuggle for land. The second theory contends that the Thai people were already settled in Thailand and developed Muay Thai as means of self-defense against invasion. Whichever account is correct, what it is indisputable is that Muay Thai was an essential part of Thai culture from it's very beginnings.

 

The first great upsurge in interest in Muay Thai as a sport and not just a military skill, occured in the Ayutthaya period during the rule of King Naresuan in 1584 CE. At the time every soldier as well as the King himself, trained in Muay Thai. Muay Thai slowly eveloved from it's roots in the Chupasart - a warfare manual - and new techniques were developed. This development continued under the reign of King Prachao Sua, the Tiger King, who so loved Muay Thai that he often fought incognito,in village contests. Thailand was at peace during his reign, so soldiers were ordered to train Muay Thai. Interest in the sport subsequently took off. Muay Thai became the favorite past time and sport of the Thai people, who flocked from all walks of life to Muay Thai training camps. Every village staged prize fights and had it's own champion.

 

While Muay Thai has always been popular, there have been times when it was especially popular. The reign of King Rama V was one such golden age for the sport. Many boxing camps were set up and talent scouts, under royal command, recruited fighters from around the country to fight for the King. Match makers arranged grand bouts, which were fought for large prizes and honor.

 

At that time the matches were not staged in a ring as they are now. Any available space - a coutyard or village clearing, for instance - would be used. It was not until the reign of King RamaVI that the standard ringsurrounded by ropes came into use, as did time keeping by the clock.

 

Muay Thai has always been a sport for the people as well as a military fighting skill. Regardless of social position, Thai people have always practiced Muay Thai. It was part of the school curriculum until the 1920's, when it was withdrawn because it was thought that the injury rate was too high. Thai people, however, have continued to practice in gyms and clubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thai Kings of course have been powerful forces in the development of the sport. One such prime mover was King Prachao Sua, or the Tiger King. He not only influenced fighting styles, but also the equipment that was used. At the beginning of his reign, the hands and forearms of fighters were bound with strips of horse hair. This both protected the fighter and inflicted more damage on the opponent. Horse hair strips were later replaced by hemp ropes or starched strips of cotton. For particular challenge matches, and with the fighter's agreememt, ground glass was mixed with glue and spread on the strips.

Changes in the sport since that time have primarily been changes in equipment rather than radical changes. For example, while Thai fighters have always worn groin guards to protect from the legal blows that were accepted until the 1930's, these gurads have evolved from tree bark to the modern groin protector which was brought back from Malaysia bt a Thai boxer who traveled there.

 

Modern Muay Thai History

 

As late as the 1920's kaad cheuk (wraped hands) was still in use. In a tragic event fighter Jia Kaegkhmen died in the ring of the Lak Muang Arena after being punched by Pae Kieng Prasert. He clung to the ropes dying but refused to give up. After this a new rule was introduced, that fighters should wear gloves and kaad cheuk was slowly phased out. The sport took the name Muay Thai post 1920's after the introduction of gloves and other elements of Thai Boxing. In 1928 a rudementary ranking system was introduced. There was a title fight held in November of that year and people flocked to see the fight. The following year modern groin protectors were used in Siam for the first time. Thde convenience and safety of these quickly caught on. Blows to the groin were legal until the 1930's. In 1950 a fully developed ranking system was implemented with 8 weight divisions. Radjadamoen and Lumpinee Muay Thai boxing stadiums were erected in Bangkok with standard regulations adopted by the sport.

 

Introduction of modern training methods

 

During the 1920's and 1930's Modern Muay Thai training was developed. Gyms with newly adopted equipment such as gloves, pads, punch bags, balls, became widely available everywhere. The organization of fights into five rounds substantially altered the fighting techniques employed by the fighters. Many techniques were considered illegal and were either modified or eliminated. Many other techniques have now dissapeared. 

 

The establishment of stadiums instead of makeshift rings, bagan during the reign of KIng Rama VII, before World War II. During the war they gradually dissapeared only to return with a strong presence afterwards. Boxers from up-country once again headed for fame and fortune in Bangkok. Glory could be found in stadiums such as Radjamoen and Lumpinee. With the introduction of television coverage,the popularity of the sport was enhanced. Channel 7 began broadcasting fights in color over 30 years ago. Today, four Thai television stations broadcast fights free to millions of Muay Thai enthusiasts throughout Thailand.