History of Muay Thai

Muay Thai History and Tradition

A system of unarmed combat, Muay Thai (or Thai Boxing) originated in what is now Thailand over two thousand years ago. Its precise beginnings are shrouded in legend, but early records show that monks trained novices to become bodyguards for the royal family. Exhibition fights were frequently staged for the royal court, and they could be brutal. Fighters had their hands wrapped with rope, which was coated with a sticky resin and then dipped into crushed glass. The bouts often ended in death.

Muay Thai differs from Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Kung Fu in several respects; Kicks and punches are delivered with full power and without holding back. Even today, boxers fight barefoot, wearing only cotton anklets on their feet and boxing gloves on their hands. Patterns, or so-called "Katas", do not exist in Thai Boxing. Focus, power, timing, and reflexes are developed by constant sparring practice, hitting the kicking and punching bags and pads, and participating in matches.

Thankfully, Muay Thai has evolved over the centuries. Competitors now wear protective equipment as they try to score with punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Rugged and spectacular, Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. It is also enjoying a surge of international popularity with practitioners is countries such as in England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Australia, Brazil, the United States, and Canada.

Muay Thai is primarily a pugilist (boxing) system, which uses basic, but powerful kicks, punches, knee and elbow strikes. Practitioners of other martial disciplines because of its devastating effect revere the Thai swing kick (roundhouse). When aimed at an opponents lower region (rib cage, thigh, or knee) the target area often becomes numb which may cause the recipient to drop to the ground immediately due to the pain. Along with that, add punishing elbow and knee strikes that are commonplace in the Muay Thai arsenal and this system becomes an almost unstoppable weapon for the stand up fighter in the ring or in the street.

Muay Thai is a traditional martial art with a long history. In the past, Muay Thai was considered as the prestige martial art which was exercised by warriors in many struggles for the independence of Thailand. The art has been transmitted from generation to generation until recognized an important part of the Thai national heritage.

Thai boxers practicing Muay Thai emphasize the pacified mind, strict self-decipline, gentle behavior, gratitude and sportmanship. In the Thai culture to pay respect and gratitude to parents and teachers is very important for good persons; thus the Thai boxers must pay respect and gratitude to the Kru Muay Thai, the training teacher