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Muay Thai - General Information.

 

Muay Thai is the national form of martial art of Thailand, which uses bare hands. It is a tradition to arrange Muay Thai matches in various festivals. Nowadays, it is well known worldwide and various clubs have been established to promote and teach Muay Thai in many countries.   In Thailand, Muay Thai has received much public support so that boxing stadiums have been established in almost every province. It is an important business that will boost the nation's economy and bring fame to the country.  

In keeping up with the progress in modern society, the rules and regulations of Muay Thai have been kept updated, relying on the leadership of the Thai Government. But the original rules have not been ignored.

  Nowadays, Muay Thai is popular and well known in many other Countries. Boxing equipment and stadiums have been devised individually. The Ratchadamnoen Stadium, which opened in December 1945, believes that Muay Thai is national Thai heritage, unique to their Country, and should therefore be protected. It is a basis for further development to exceed other Countries on this field. In order to reach this goal, it is necessary to improve and update the factors in administration and the rules and regulations, and to keep a written record as a guideline which can be changed or altered if necessary in the future. Stadiums wishing to make use of these rules and regulations may do so freely.

 

   

History of Muay Thai

 

The origins and history of Muay Thai are unknown, and many books on Muay Thai conclude that it has been in the nation since the distant past, a unique national martial art. In war with neighbouring countries, it is believed to have been practiced by the army, and used to keep enemies beyond the range of old weapons such as swords.  The Thais used the art of Muay Thai, especially dteh and teeb, to keep their opponents at a distance, as well as to keep them off balance so that they would surrender more easily. Besides using this art for protecting the Country, it was also used for self-defence. 

In the past Muay Thai boxing was done with bare hands and training was undertaken at well-known camps in various parts of the Country, Nahy Khanohm Tohm was famous for his battle against a group of Burmese before Bangkok became the capital of Thailand. Some Thai Kings, such as Phra Seua and Phra Chao Taksin, and warriors, such as Phrayas Pichai Dab Huk, were also great Muay Thai fighters. 

 

Muay Thai is a martial art of fighting with elbows, knees, feet and bare fists as weapons.

In the old days, Asian men of Mongolia descendant from China down to the Malaya peninsular had been through wars by fighting face to face with enemies. Thus, the art of fighting has been developed as element of personal capability.

 

The Caucasian counterparts in Europe, however, have concentrated more in developing weapons than personal ability to fight. Consequently, martial art has been rather advanced in this part of the world, especially in Thailand, most of the Kings and great warriors went to the wars by fighting fist with enemies. Muay Thai has been one of the most efficient ways to fight.

 

Since modern technologies did not exist in the ancient times, Thai children did not have mechanical toys to play with. Instead, they used their bodies to play games. Those simple games served as basic exercises for Muay Thai. They made parts of the bodies ready.

 

Muay Thai involves all parts of the body. The students of Muay Thai learn about the bodies weak points understand how to exercise one's physical parts. Since much training was involved at all levels of Thai life, many great schools of practice evolved their own techniques, During the Bangkok period, Muay Thai could be grouped into five recognised periods; those of Suan Gulab, in which the fighters used string bindings, not gloves; Ta Chang. In which gloves started to be used; Suan Sanuk, when Muay Thai produced a number of famous boxers: Luk Muang and Suan Chao Chet periods, when Muay Thai became accepted widely as a favourite sport. After the Second World War, Muay Thai moved to Europe and America, and since then expanded all over the World.   

Training camps have been set up in many Countries, creating a large number of professional and amateur Muay Thai boxers, coached by many Thai as well as non-Thai Instructors. In 1994 there was an enthusiastic movement to set up an association for the Muay Thai amateurs, and in 1995 such an association, the International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (I.A.M.T.F.) was established with the full support of the Ministry of Education, its headquarters is at the Department of Physical Education in Thailand with its International office being based In Manchester, U.K. its membership growing quickly over the first few years with members from over 54 Countries joining.

 

The I.A.M.T.F. organised the First World Amateur Muay Thai Championships in 1995, and in 1996 the Second of it's World Amateur Muay Thai Championships, taking part in Bangkok, Thailand, this was fully supported by the Government, various bodies in the public and private sectors, such as the Office of the National Culture Commission the Department of Physical Education, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Airways International.

 

The I.A.M.T.F. has continued to hold World championships in 1997,1999,2001, 2003.

The name of the federation changed to WMF ( World Muay Thai Federation) in 2004 at the congress held in Chiang Mai where the Championships were held in association with AMAT (Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand) They have now held four  European Championship, the first in 1998 which was held in Calafell, Spain. The second was in 2000 in Pathos, Cyprus, the third one was held in 2002 in Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal, and the fourth in Prague, Czech Republic. At this time the European Muay Thai Confederation held its first congress.

  It also held the first Military Games in Croatia, and held its first Friendship Games in Greece, so over the last  8 years it has been a very busy federation, so in true I.A.M.T.F. fashion they also held their first Muay Thai Conference in February 2002 in Bangkok with the finale of the Conference  hosting an outside tournament which was held at Ayutthaya, the fighters and Distinguished Guests being taken down the river on three boats, music being played out loud, the boxing ring was set up on the river at the edge of the bank this was a huge success with the people of Ayutthaya and surrounding areas watching the tournament, which  was opened by General Tienchai and the Mayor of Ayutthaya.    

 

 

The Practice of Ancient Muay Thai

"Nawa-attawut" or the 9 principal weapons in Muay Thai include head, 2 fists, 2 elbows, 2 knees, and 2 feet. In addition, there are combination weapons, which are shoulders and arms. The practice of using both the principal weapons and the combination weapons in Muay Thai requires not only hard work but also proper steps and tough endurance.

There were 3 major cities well known for Muay Thai camps: Chaiya, Korat and Lopburi. Chaiya was a front town for army drafting. Muay Thai from these 3 Cities has been recognized since the Reign of King Rama V, for their excellent capability.

The 3 towns were named as Muay Thai cities. Prominent boxers from these towns were brought on to perform at the Royal Ceremony of Kromkoonmarupongsiripat. The 3 top boxers who were honoured with the title of "Muen" were Muen Muey MeeClue (Plong Chumnongtong from Chaiya), Muen Mua man (King from Lopburi), and Muen Cha-ngat Chueng Bok (Daeng Yhaiprasert from Korat). There was an old saying glorifying tactic and style of these three boxers; Korat fists, wit from Lopburi, good beat Chaiya. These three Muens displayed the exotic styles and techniques of Muay Thai as skilfully as their titles signified.

Somdet Phraputhavharn (Som Chanano), the former Abbot of Wat Sudhasthepwararam has related to a Muay Thai Master from Chaiya as follows:

The practice of Muay Thai is done in steps starting with "Pong Pat Pid Poed" (Guard, close, open), followed by "Loh Lo Lop Leak" (Lure and Evade), "Tum Tup Chap Huck" (Pull down and knock down) "Prakop Prakup Chup Runk Khao Khan Lak Dud Kan Khaw" as the last step of defeating an opponent. Above all, a boxer has to be trained the skill of "Yaang Saam Khum" which is the walking rhythm in Muay Thai movement.

Each Master has his own style of "Yaang Saam Khum". The perfect movement is the technique that can twist the counteracting action to be attacking movement in the most efficient and subtle manner. The well known style was invented by Luang Wisandaroonkorn.

The primary position in "Yaang Saam Khum" was to set up the fists. The basic principle was trying to swing your self to be as thin a target as possible in order to avoid the attack from an opponent while skillfully fighting back. The sparring equipments in former times were not as advanced as today. Simple materials from nature were adapted and applied into practice, for instance, the binding of the fists.

After listening to the Master, a student used a loin cloth called "Pa Khao Ma" hung from his neck using the back of his hands to bind the cloth round his fists. One hand was raised for about 8-12 inches away from the forehead amid the eyebrows. The other hand was held up at chin level, the elbow hung 2.3 inches closely to the body to protect the side when getting kicked at.

When the hands were set ready, the same foot as the hand at forehead level would step out followed by the punching from that same side fist. Alternative fists were punched out in accordance with the stepping feet.

Other materials were also used in sparring. The great Master Kimseng Taweesidh used coconut shells to make gloves. Some used limes by tying 10 limes with thread 6 inches apart onto the bamboo rail at the height of one's throat and letting the trainee punch and  elbow, without the limes bouncing back at his face or head, or dropping off the stems.

After the boxing practice, the protection of the upper body from to waist would be trained and tested. The trainee would put powder mixed with water on his face and sit cross-legged flat on a rice mortar. Another trainee wearing gloves, simply sewn up from canvas pieces with fingers all exposed, would do the trainee sitting off the mortar  not letting the powder shed off his face so much.

For the feet training, a trainee had to jog in the water at ankle level first leaving the ripple line behind each wading step, then jogging further in the water at front leg level. For kicking practice, a banana trunk of 5-6 inches in diameter about 3 feet long was used as a sandbag. A trainee had to keep kicking the trunk with alternate feet so as not let the trunk drop.

Then the trunk could be changed to 4 feet in length for higher kicking practice. The skilful trainers in this training method were Mr. Tub Chumko from Korat and Master Nual from Lopburi.

When the sandbag came in to use for punching and practice, Master Charoon Taweesidh told his students, "do anything you like with it, but keep the bag on a slant at a 30 degree angle or more for 3-5 minutes, starting with a bag filled with wooden scrapes and later to a real sand filled bag.

Traditional Rope Binding in Muay Thai

The rope binding or fist binding is a unique character in Muay Thai varying in pattern and style of each region.

Korat Boxing: The swing of each punch and kick is wide in angle, commonly known as "Wieng Kwai" or Buffalo swing. The raw thread is used to wind up with knot folded round the arms to elbows to absorb the impact from kicking.

Lopuri Boxing: Lopuri is known for precise and straight boxing rather than protecting. The fist binding is done by raw thread round the hands only.

Chaiya Boxing: Boxers form Chaiya are skilful in fighting with arms and elbows. So the wrists need to be covered as for protection against bruising or injury.

The purpose of rope binding is to keep the hands secured into fist form. The raw thread used for this purpose is ordinary thread. No evidence has been found that anybody had mixed broken glass or rubber oil in the thread, as may be misunderstood by some people now.

Teacher Khet Sriyapai has explained the method of rope binding: a boxer places his hands downward, fingers spread out. A boxing Master places "Prachiat or Mongkol" (Headgear for boxer) onto the boxer's head before other amulets; such as, "Trakrut Pismorn". The rope binding starts from the wrists to keep 8 pieces of bones secured and stable, then moves on loosely around the back of the hands to the fingertips, back up to the wrists by pulling thread from fingertips through to the nape of the hands thus leaving the knuckles exposed. At this stage, the bound fists are still soft and when the thread is left about 1 meter long, the Master will twist the thread into a hard shell-shape. The boxer has to move his finger slightly so that the binding may not be too tight. Each shell-shape knot is lined up all over the back of the boxer's hands gradually tighten up. Then the Master uses 1 metre long thread as thick as a match stick called "Rope tail" to pull through the shell-shape knots in order to tighten them to stand firmly on the knuckles.

Evidence found in the history of min Ayutthaya period during the Reign of Phra Chethathiraj (Phra Borom). He suspected that Phraya Klahom Suriyawongse was rebellious and ordered that he came to the palace. Muen Sunphetpakdee secretly sent a warning note to Phraya Klahom. The note read, "It's the King's request that you come to watch the boxing match. Everything is ready. You should come in with rope-bound hands."

Phraya Klahom, having been warned and prepared, came in with his army and took over the throne and became King Prasatthong. The term "Rope binding" was believed to have been in use long before that time and was known as a secret code among the rebels in Ayutthaya period.

It is unfortunate that the rope-bound boxing was abolished during the period of Lak Muang boxing Arena owing to the death of Mr. Chia Kaek Kamane who was hit dead by Mr. Pae Liangprasert.

A Master of Muay Thai

A master transfers the knowledge of Muay Thai through direct teaching to a student or a student can learn by way of "Kru Puk Luk Chum" which means learning through observation from other boxers.

The Initiating Rite" or the Master Reverence Ceremony: Thursday is usually chosen to perform this ceremony as believed "Teacher's Day" A student will provide flowers, candles, incense sticks, loin cloth and a pail. The amount of money to be offered is up to the Master to require, whether it is 6 salungs or 6 baht or none at all. The ceremony is performed in front of the Buddha image and the student will accept the oath as the Master states.

Master Kimcheng Taweesidh states 4 oaths as follows:

I will take care of myself to keep clean and strong and will live my life with honesty and truth.

I will not harm the weak, I will  love and unite and help each other when possible.

I will sacrifice for others and love dearly my nation.

I will avoid any kind of un-peaceful events.

Boxing Dance in Respect for the Master

The style of dance differs from region to region representing the boxing style in each area. Boxers from high plateau or from the north usually have strong legs. Therefore, the dancing is firm, stiff and heavy. While boxers from the south from Chumporn and Chaiya downwards, dance smoothly and softly as their style of boxing is more for the protection and evasion.

For the central region, there are many styles applied into the dance. The popular one is called, "Thep Pa Nom Phrom See Na"

The famous boxing dance of Master Kimseng Taweesidh is named as "The Suk Kasem". The dance from Chaiya is called, Sua Lark Hang" which is not only beautiful but also composed of guarding positions and ready to attack.

The boxing dance can also be used as a clue to remind boxers to love one another. The style of dancing will show whose Master the boxer belongs to. The united feeling towards the same Master or region will lead to the loyalty to the Head of the King. And this is why a boxer turns his head towards the direction of the Head of State to pay homage and to pay gratitude to his parents and Master.

Mr. Kanomtom was a famous and successful during Ayutthaya period. He was the boxer who had disseminated the art of Muay Thai in Burma when he was taken by the Burmese into Ung Wa. The King of Ung Wa had made the restoration at the Plra jedi Ket That in Rangoon. The work was completed in 774. At the grand opening on 17 March, the King wanted to have Muay Thai show compared to the Burmese boxing. Mr. Kanomtom was a Thai boxer who defeated 10 Burmese boxers on that day. The King praised the Thai boxer as appears in the Thai and Burmese historic records:

"The Thai, being small, but dangerous."

Weera Ampansuk Mentioned that the victorious day of Mr.Kanomtom was on 17 March, that day should be regarded as Muay Thai Day. Mr. Kanomtom was an able boxer in those days bringing the fame and reputation to Muay Thai until today.

The Thai boxers were well known for their fighting ability. There were other Thai boxers who had made good reputations for Muay Thai. People used to be so proud of this national martial art. The knowledge has been transferred though generations from Masters to students in good faith without expecting anything in return. Boxing Masters in those days were qualified with sincerity and sacrifice towards their students in transferring knowledge without any disclosure. Now that Muay Thai has turned into somewhat a commercialised business or even gambling, people know the terms like Jab, hook and upper-cut forgetting the old terms like Mahd Kwang (Swing punch), Mahd Dtrong (Straight punch), and Mahd Suhy (Uppercut). Muay Thai knowledge is both artistic and scientific. It is beautiful, dangerous, and ethical.

There is an analysis by Klongchak Ngammeesri showing 5 skills: by punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbowing.

The percentages are as follows:

Kicking 45.51 %

Knee hitting 24.41 %

Boxing 22.13 %

Footing 7.49 %

Elbowing 0.46 %

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