Как пишется тайский бокс по английски

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.

Перевод «тайский бокс» на английский

nm

Каждый фокусируется на определенных техниках, но именно тайский бокс считается национальным видом спорта.

Each one focuses on particular techniques, but it is Thai boxing is considered the national sport.

Тайский бокс по праву считается самым зрелищным видом спорта на арене.

Thai boxing is rightly regarded as the most spectacular type of sport in a ring.

Солдаты тех дней должны были изучать тайский бокс наравне с традиционными видами оружия.

Soldiers in those days had to learn Muay Thai along with the use of traditional weapons.

Муай тай или тайский бокс также доказали свою высокую эффективность за пределами ринга и была поддержана бойцами различных боевых искусств, спортсменами, военными и сотрудниками правоохранительных органов.

Muay Thai has also proven very effective outside the ring and has been embraced enthusiastically by practitioners of a variety of self-defense, sporting, military, and law enforcement organizations.

Тайский бокс нередко называют «наукой восьми конечностей».

Thai Boxing is often referred to as the science of eight limbs.

В те времена тайский бокс или муай-тай были использованы для целей самообороны и борьбы.

Back in those days, Thai boxing or Muay Thai was used for self-defense purposes and fighting.

Тайский бокс может быть сложным для тех, которые не использованы любой другой вид бокса раньше.

Thai Boxing can often be difficult for people haven’t used any different type of boxing before.

Фактически, это был тайский бокс, который был сначала профессионализирован (с тринадцатью весовыми категориями).

In fact, it was Thai boxing which was first professionalised (with thirteen weight categories).

Очень часто тайский бокс показывают и по телевидению, особенно в вечернее время.

Thai Boxing may also be seen on television every day, usually in the evening.

Тайский бокс задействует все части тела, потому что в нем разрешены все удары.

Thai boxing works out the entire body, since hits of all kinds are allowed.

Рудиментарные элементы, которые определены тайский бокс, как боевой стиль начала укореняться.

The rudimentary elements that defined Thai Boxing as a fighting style began to take root.

Тайский бокс предъявляет особые жесткие требования к общей и специальной физической подготовке спортсмена.

Thai boxing demands strict requirements to the general and special physical training of the athlete.

Тайский бокс — одна из них.

В наше время, тайский бокс считается спортом и средством самообороны.

Thai boxing is both a sport and means of self defense.

Тайский бокс — это стройная система, позволяющая в минимальные сроки овладеть техникой, тактикой, а также…

Thai boxing is a slender system that allows you to master techniques, tactics, and…

Тайский бокс называют ударным видом спорта.

Моя программа подготовки включает в себя бег, танцы, тайский бокс и, конечно, стрельбу.

My program includes running, dancing, Thai boxing and of course shooting.

Тайский бокс задействует все части тела, потому что в нем разрешены все удары.

Thai boxing involves all parts of the body because all boxes are allowed in it.

Для юного организма очень важно укрепление суставов и связок, тренировка сердечно-сосудистой системы, и все это дает тайский бокс.

For the young organism it is very important to strengthen the joints and ligaments, train the cardiovascular system, and all this gives the Thai Boxing.

Муай Тай бокс матчи полный контакт без каких-либо ограничений тайский бокс.

Muay thai boxing matches are full contact with no thai boxing restrictions.

Ничего не найдено для этого значения.

Результатов: 385. Точных совпадений: 142. Затраченное время: 101 мс

Documents

Корпоративные решения

Спряжение

Синонимы

Корректор

Справка и о нас

Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900

Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200

тайский бокс

Морфемный разбор слова:

Однокоренные слова к слову:

muay thai

1 муай-тай

2 A. Yang Thai Manufacturing

3 Prefix to Thai warship names.

4 Royal Thai Air Defence System

5 Royal Thai Air Force

6 Royal Thai Armed Forces

7 Royal Thai Army

8 Royal Thai Government

9 Royal Thai Navy

10 Taste Of Thai

11 Thai

12 Thai API Consortium / Thai Industrial Standard

13 Thai Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System

14 Thai Baht

15 Thai Farmer Bank

16 Thai Industrial Standard

17 Thai Invention Association

18 Thai Journalists Association

19 Thai Nation

20 Thai Ridgeback Dogs

См. также в других словарях:

Muay Thai — Muay thaï Muay thaï (มวยไทย) … Wikipédia en Français

Muay Thaï — (มวยไทย) … Wikipédia en Français

Muay thai — Muay thaï Muay thaï (มวยไทย) … Wikipédia en Français

Muay thai — มวยไทย Practicantes de Muay Thai Otros nombres Thai Boxing, Pahuyuth Origen … Wikipedia Español

Muay Thai — Logo Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, Aussprache: /muːaj tʰaj/) oder Thaiboxen ist eine Kampfkunst und der Nationalsport Thailands. Das Muay Thai entwickelte sich aus regulären Kampfkünsten. Wenn Schwert und Speer unbrauch … Deutsch Wikipedia

muay thai — (izg. mȕaj tȃi) m DEFINICIJA sijamski boks, v. sijamski … Hrvatski jezični portal

Muay Thai — For the drink with a similar sounding name, see Mai Tai. Muay Thai (มวยไทย) Fighters perform the Wai Khru Ram Muay before an amateur muay Thai match. Also known as Thai boxing, Thai kickboxing, Tharshanning Focus … Wikipedia

Muay thaï — Muai thaï (มวยไทย) … Wikipédia en Français

Muay Thai — /mueɪ ˈtaɪ/ (say moohay tuy) noun → Thai boxing. … Australian-English dictionary

Muay thai — El MuayThai se puede definir como defensa personal, deporte, ciencia, y arte, a decir de algunos, sin embargo su acepción de deporte de contacto y espectáculo de entretenimiento es la forma común de entender esta actividad. Nacido en Siam,… … Enciclopedia Universal

Muay Thai — noun A sport practiced in Thailand which is similar to boxing but also allows strikes with the feet, elbows, and knees … Wiktionary

Источник

тайский бокс

1 муай-тай

2 бокс

3 блок-бокс анализатора

4 бокс для ремонта

6 бокс

7 боксёрский

8 бокс

9 бокс (команды судей)

«Бокс!» — «Box!»

«Брек!» — «Break!»

«Продолжайте!» — «Box on!», «Go on!»

«Секунданты, за ринг!» — «Seconds, out!»

«Стоп!» — «Stop!»

10 боксёр

11 бокс

12 перчаточный бокс

13 бокс

14 бокс

15 бокс

бокс объекти́ва — lens housing / shell

16 боксёрский

боксёрские перча́тки — boxing gloves

боксёрские трусы́ — boxer shorts, boxers

17 бокс Прибнова

18 бокс Хогнесса

19 Прибнова бокс

20 ТАТА-бокс

См. также в других словарях:

Тайский бокс — Муай тай มวยไทย Бой по правилам «Муай тай» … Википедия

Кубок короля Таиланда (тайский бокс) — Вид спорта тайский бокс Основание 2003 год Страна … Википедия

Прекрасный боксёр (фильм) — Прекрасный боксёр บิวตี้ฟูล บ๊อกเซอร Жанр биография / драма / комедия Режиссёр Экачай Уэкронгтам Продюсер … Википедия

Муай тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Муай-тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Сурия Со. Пхленчит — สุริยา ส. เพลินจิต Личная информация Гражданство: таец Специализация: Тайский бокс, бокс Дата рождения: 2 апреля 1980 года Место рождения: Накхонратчасима, Таиланд … Википедия

Шехов, Владимир Геннадьевич — Владимир Геннадьевич Шехов (родился 22 июля 1963 года в деревне Дарьино Старицкого района Калининской области) российский писатель, теоретик боевых искусств, изобретатель, создатель авторской программы на Нижегородском телевидении, правозащитник … Википедия

Владимир Геннадьевич Шехов — (родился 22 июля 1963 года в деревне Дарьино Старицкого района Калининской области) российский писатель, теоретик боевых искусств, изобретатель, создатель авторской программы на Нижегородском телевидении, правозащитник. Владимир Шехов Содержание… … Википедия

Источник

ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ МУАЙТАЙ РОССИИ

ОБЩЕРОССИЙСКАЯ ОБЩЕСТВЕННАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ

Официальный представитель WMF в России

Муай Тай и Тайский бокс, в чем разница?

Многие из вас, возможно, не раз сталкивались с такими названиями, как «Тайский бокс» и «Муай Тай».

Для многих это означает одно и тоже. Но… Между этими двумя понятиями лежит глубокая пропасть. И вот почему.

Попробуем разобраться. «Тайский бокс» – это понятие, пришедшее в обиход совсем недавно. Это простое обозначение соревновательной формы боевого искусства Муай Тай. Всем, наверняка, встречались так же выражения – «английский бокс», «французский бокс», «киТайский бокс» и т.д. Но именно в таком виде, данные выражения не прижились. Все знают «бокс», «сават» или «кунг-фу» («у-шу»).

В прежние времена людям было просто обозначить единоборства, пришедший из определенной страны, общим названием, не вдаваясь в подробности этих видов единоборств, будь то боевое искусство или спорт. У многих в голове отложилось, что бокс – это бой руками. Но в других видах, таких как, к примеру, Тайский бокс, французский или китайский, дерутся не только на руках, но и ногами, а где-то еще коленями и локтями. Отсюда можно сказать, что эти термины не корректные. И это скорее международное название, так как в каждой стране свой вид единоборства, все называют оригинальным именем. Так и в Таиланде, все знают только «Муай Тай» и лишь в общении с иностранцами, иногда говорят «тайбоксинг». Так в чем же все-таки разница между этими двумя понятиями?

И лишь в начале 90-х годов стали создаваться и проводиться первые любительские международные Чемпионаты Мира. Тогда то, этот вид и пришел к нам в Россию. Так что, «Тайский бокс» – это вид спорта, в котором два спортсмена соревнуются с друг другом на ринге, в перчатках, по определенным правилам, с определенными ограничениями. Отсюда и пошли разграничения, на спортивный вид и все остальное, как традиционные виды. Что дает понять, что в тайском боксе, можно не придерживаться традиций, а оставлять лишь соревновательную форму. Все иначе обстоит с понятием «Муай Тай».

«Муай Тай» имеет очень глубокие исторические корни. Конечно, сейчас очень тяжело найти исторические упоминания о данном виде борьбы. Но, большинство считают, что оно зародилось более 2000 лет назад. Как вид боевого искусства «Муай» или «Муай Тай» рождался на полях сражений, смешиваясь с техниками боевых искусств других стран и постепенно превращаясь в тот вид, который мы знаем сейчас. «Муай Тай» дословно можно перевести как «Борьба Таев», именно «таев», а не тайцев. Так как предками современных тайцев, были именно «Таи». Отсюда и современное название страны пишется именно так, а не иначе – «Таиланд», без «Й», что переводится как, «страна таев». В свое время, племена и земли «таев» никто не мог завоевать и их прозвали «свободными». Отсюда и пошло название, что Таиланд – страна свободных и тайцы очень гордятся тем, что их ни разу не колонизировали. Да, были захваты, были потери территорий, но никогда Королевство не стало ни чьей Колонией.

Опять же и отсюда, некоторые называют «Муай Тай», как «Борьба Свободных». Так же не совсем корректно переводить «Муай Тай» как, «искусство восьми конечностей». Вообще-то «Искусство 8 конечностей» звучит на тайском, как «Силапа Пэд Кхен Кха». Так что, давайте делать перевод более корректно. А все другие названия использовать только для описания искусства «Муай Тай». Так в чем же еще, принципиальная разница, между «Муай Тай» и «Тайским боксом», кроме исторической составляющей и древних традиций. Их не мало.

Есть так же направления, где дерутся без перчаток. В тайском боксе не обязательное исполнение традиционного танца перед боем «Рам Муай», в Муай Тай – это обязательное условие. В тайском боксе дерутся не более 3 раундов, в Муай Тай их 5. В тайском боксе не изучают древних и исторических техник, в Муай Тай их можно применять на ринге. В тайском боксе есть ограничения по работе в клинче и по работе локтями и коленями. В Муай Тай это приветствуется в большей степени. В тайском боксе почти всегда дерутся в защитной экипировке, в Муай Тай на вас только шорты и перчатки. Этот список можно еще долго продолжать. Начиная от использования атрибутики и амулетов, до званий и Чемпионских титулов, где везде будут существенные различия.

К чему все это? Можно, конечно, говорить, что «Муай Тай» и «Тайский бокс» это одно и то же. Но… Мы уже указали, в чем существенная разница этих понятий. В Таиланде – это ВСЕГДА «Муай Тай». И… времена меняются и все более широкие массы просвещаются, понимая, что к чему. Почему же единственная аккредитованная в России «Федерация Тайского Бокса России» (ФТБР), которая никому не дает развивать Муай Тай в стране, совсем недавно ввело в свое название дополнительное слово «муайтай» и стала теперь «Федерация Тайского Бокса-Муайтай России» (ФТБМР). Если это одно и тоже, то ЗАЧЕМ. И почему, только в этой Федерации, не используются оригинальные названия техник и ударов Муай Тай, а используется слэнг «Кикбоксинга». Странно… Ведь во всех других азиатских единоборствах, развивающихся на территории России, используются именно оригинальные названия и команды, оригинальная форма одежды спортсменов и ритуалы. Возьмите, к примеру, Каратэ, Тхэквондо, У-шу, Айкидо и т.п. Что не так с тайским боксом. Почему они так не любят и не уважают свой вид? Может потому, что это не Муай Тай, а лишь «Кикбоксинг с локтями»?

Источник

муай+тай

1 муай-тай

См. также в других словарях:

Муай тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Муай-тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Муай Тай (фильм) — Муай Тай Muay Thai Chaiya ไชยา Жанр … Википедия

День национального бокса Муай Тай — Боец Муай Тай демонстрирует мастерство Тип официальны … Википедия

Международная федерация любительского Муай Тай — Вид спорта Муай тай Основание 1990 Сайт ifmamuaythai.org Международная федерация любительского Муай Тай (МФЛМ; англ. International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, IFMA) международная федерация любительского муай тай. Основана в 1990 году … Википедия

Муай Боран — Муай Боран традиционный стиль боевого искусства Таиланда, прародитель современного таиландского бокса муай тай. В переводе с тайского Муай Боран (มวยโบราณ) означает «древний бокс». Если классический с … Википедия

Май-тай (значения) — Май тай (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Май тай (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты… … Википедия

Май тай — (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Май тай (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты (фруктовые соки), ликеры.… … Википедия

Май-тай — (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Маи Таи (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты (фруктовые соки) … Википедия

Тайский бокс — Муай тай มวยไทย Бой по правилам «Муай тай» … Википедия

Маилов, Роман — В этой биографической статье о человеке из России или страны СНГ не указано отчество. Вы можете помочь проекту, добавив отчество в текст статьи и переименовав её соответственно … Википедия

Источник

муай-тай

1 муай-тай

См. также в других словарях:

Муай тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Муай-тай — Бойцы муай тай Тайский бокс (Муай тай) древнее боевое искусство Таиланда. Термин «муай тай» переводится как «поединок свободных» или «свободный бой». Термин официально принят в 1912 году. В современном муай тай можно наносить удары кулаками,… … Википедия

Муай Тай (фильм) — Муай Тай Muay Thai Chaiya ไชยา Жанр … Википедия

День национального бокса Муай Тай — Боец Муай Тай демонстрирует мастерство Тип официальны … Википедия

Международная федерация любительского Муай Тай — Вид спорта Муай тай Основание 1990 Сайт ifmamuaythai.org Международная федерация любительского Муай Тай (МФЛМ; англ. International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, IFMA) международная федерация любительского муай тай. Основана в 1990 году … Википедия

Муай Боран — Муай Боран традиционный стиль боевого искусства Таиланда, прародитель современного таиландского бокса муай тай. В переводе с тайского Муай Боран (มวยโบราณ) означает «древний бокс». Если классический с … Википедия

Май-тай (значения) — Май тай (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Май тай (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты… … Википедия

Май тай — (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Май тай (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты (фруктовые соки), ликеры.… … Википедия

Май-тай — (слинг) (mei tai) приспособление для ношения детей, применялось в Китае. см. Слинг. Маи Таи (коктейль) (mai tai) классический слабоалкогольный коктейль на основе рома. Содержит ром (белый, темный или оба вида), фрукты (фруктовые соки) … Википедия

Тайский бокс — Муай тай มวยไทย Бой по правилам «Муай тай» … Википедия

Маилов, Роман — В этой биографической статье о человеке из России или страны СНГ не указано отчество. Вы можете помочь проекту, добавив отчество в текст статьи и переименовав её соответственно … Википедия

Источник

Произношение Тайский бокс
Ваш броузер не поддерживает аудио

Not to be confused with Mai Tai.

Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: muai thai, pronounced [mūa̯j tʰāj] (listen)), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.^[1] This discipline is known as the «art of eight limbs», as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.^[2] Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (P.A.T), sanctioned by The Sports Authority of Thailand (S.A.T.).

Muay Thai is related to other martial art styles such as musti-yuddha, Adimurai, muay Chaiya, muay boran, muay Lao, lethwei, pradal serey and tomoi.^[3] Muay Thai developed from the traditional muay boran.^[4] A practitioner of muay Thai is known as a nak muay. Western practitioners in Thailand are sometimes called nak muay farang, meaning «foreign boxer».^[5]

History[edit]

The history of muay Thai can be traced at least to the 16th century as a peace-time martial art practised by the soldiers of King Naresuan.^[6] An exhibition of muay Thai was observed and reported by Simon de la Loubère, a French diplomat who was sent by King Louis XIV to the Kingdom of Siam in 1687, in his famous work and the Ayutthaya Kingdom Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)^[7] Muay boran, and therefore muay Thai, was originally called by more generic names such as toi muay or simply muay. As well as being a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, muay became a sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. These muay contests gradually became an integral part of local festivals and celebrations, especially those held at temples. Eventually, the previously bare-fisted fighters started wearing lengths of hemp rope around their hands and forearms. This type of match was called muay khat chueak (มวยคาดเชือก).

19th century[edit]

The ascension of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a golden age not only for muay but for the whole country of Thailand. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king’s personal interest in the sport. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, attacking, recreation and personal advancement.^[8]

The modern era[edit]

1909-1910: King Chulalongkorn formalized muay boran («ancient boxing») by awarding (in 1910) three muen to victors at the funeral fights for his son (in 1909). The region style: Lopburi, Korat and Chaiya.^[8]

1913: British boxing was introduced into the curriculum of the Suan Kulap College. The first descriptive use of the term «muay Thai».

1919: British boxing and muay Thai were taught as one sport in the curriculum of the Suan Kulap College. Judo was also offered.

1921: First permanent ring in Siam at Suan Kulap College. Used for both muay and British boxing.

1923: Suan Sanuk Stadium. First international style three-rope ring with red and blue padded corners, near Lumpinee Park. Muay and British boxing.^[9]

King Rama VII (r. 1925–1935) pushed for codified rules for muay and they were put into place. Thailand’s first boxing ring was built in 1921 at Suan Kulap. Referees were introduced and rounds were now timed by kick. Fighters at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium began wearing modern gloves, as well as hard groin protectors, during training and in boxing matches against foreigners. Traditional rope-binding (khat chueak) made the hands a hardened, dangerous striking tool. The use of knots in the rope over the knuckles made the strikes more abrasive and damaging for the opponent while protecting the hands of the fighter.^[10] This rope-binding was still used in fights between Thais but after a death in the ring, it was decided that fighters should wear gloves and cotton coverlets over the feet and ankles. It was also around this time that the term «muay Thai» became commonly used, while the older form of the style came to be known as «muay boran», which is now performed primarily as an exhibition art form.

Muay Thai was at the height of its popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Top fighters commanded purses of up to 200,000 baht and the stadia where gambling was legal drew big gates and big advertising revenues. In 2016, a payout to a superstar fighter was about 100,000 baht per fight,^[11] but can range as high as 540,000 baht for a bout.^[12]

In 1993, the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, or IFMA was inaugurated. It became the governing body of amateur muay Thai consisting of 128 member countries worldwide and is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.

In 1995, the World Muaythai Council, the oldest and largest professional sanctioning organisations of muay Thai, was established by the Thai government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

In 1995, the World Muay Thai Federation was founded by the merger of two existing organisations, and established in Bangkok, becoming the federation governing international muay Thai. In August 2012, it had over 70 member countries. Its president is elected at the World Muay Thai Congress.

In 2006, muay Thai was included in SportAccord with IFMA. One of the requirements of SportAccord was that no sport can have a name of a country in its name. As a result, an amendment was made in the IFMA constitution to change the name of the sport from «muay Thai» to «muaythai» —written as one word in accordance with Olympic requirements.

In 2014, muay Thai was included in the International World Games Association (IWGA) and was represented in the official programme of The World Games 2017 in Wrocław, Poland.

In January 2015, muay Thai was granted the patronage of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and, from 16 to 23 March 2015, the first University World Muaythai Cup was held in Bangkok.

In 2020, there are more than 3,800 Thai boxing gyms overseas.^[13]

Rules[edit]

According to IFMA rules and regulations, Muay Thai is a martial art that uses every part of the body’s limbs, therefore allowing for strikes including the fists, legs, knees and elbows.

Generally, for a strike to count towards the point score, it has to hit without being blocked or guarded against by the opponent. Strikes also do not score if they hit the opponent’s glove, forearm, foot, or shin. Strikes to the groin are against the rules and if found to be intentional are counted as fouls.^[14]

If both Muay Thai fighters have the same score at the end of the round, the winner is determined by which fighter has the more powerful strike.

Olympics[edit]

Timeline of International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) from founding to International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition:^[15]

• 1992 – National Federation of Muaythai Associations founded.
• 1995 – International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (IAMTF) founded.
• 2012 – Official request for International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition launched.
• 2016 – First endorsement received.
• 2017 – Muaythai is included in the World Games.
• 2021 – On June 10, the IOC Board of Directors agreed on the full endorsement of IFMA at the 138th IOC General Assembly in Tokyo.
• 2021 – On July 20, the IOC General Assembly granted full recognition to the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) and Muaythai.

Traditional wear[edit]

The mongkhon, or mongkol (headband), and pra jiad (armbands) are often worn into the ring before the match begins. They originated when Siam was in a constant state of war. Young men would tear off pieces of a loved one’s clothing (often a mother’s sarong) and wear it in battle for good luck as well as to ward off harmful spirits. In modern times, the mongkol (lit. «holy spirit», «luck», «protection») is worn as a tribute to the fighter’s gym. The mongkol is traditionally presented by a trainer to the fighter when he judges that the fighter is ready to represent the gym in the ring. Often, after the fighter has finished the wai kru, the trainer will take the mongkol off his head and place it in his corner of the ring for luck. They were also used for protection. Whether the fighter is a Buddhist or not, it is common for them to bring the mongkol to a Buddhist monk who blesses it for good luck prior to stepping into the ring.

Techniques[edit]

Formal muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: mae mai (แม่ไม้), or «major techniques», and luk mai (ลูกไม้), or «minor techniques». Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another.^[16] This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand, but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit where the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Almost all techniques in muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, elbow and block.

Punching (Chok)[edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Jab	หมัดหน้า/หมัดแย็บ	Mat na/Mat yaep	[màt nâ]
Cross/Straight	หมัดตรง	Mat trong	[màt troŋ]
Hook/Swing	หมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น	Mat tawad/mat wiang san	[màt wìəŋ sân]
Overhand/Haymaker	หมัดเหวี่ยงยาว	Mat khork/mat wiang yao	[màt wìəŋ jaːw]
Backfist/Spinning Backfist	หมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ	Mat wiang klap/Mat clap lang/Kwang jag narai	[màt wìəŋ klàp]
Uppercut	หมัดเสย/หมัดสอยดาว	Mat soei/Mat ngat	[màt sɤ̌j], [màt sɔ̌j daːw]
Superman punch/Cobra punch	กระโดดชก	Kradot chok	[kradòːt tɕʰók]

The punch techniques in muay Thai were originally quite limited, being crosses and a long (or lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilisation with Western boxing and Western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used: lead jab, straight/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands, as well as hammer fists and back fists.

As a tactic, body punching is used less in muay Thai than most other striking combat sports to avoid exposing the attacker’s head to counter strikes from knees or elbows. To utilize the range of targeting points, in keeping with the centre line theory, the fighter can use either the Western or Thai stance which allows for either long range or short range attacks to be undertaken effectively without compromising guard.

Elbow (Sok)[edit]

The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning,and flying. From the side, it can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent’s eyebrow so that blood might block his vision. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms but are less powerful. The elbow strike is considered the most dangerous form of attack in the sport.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Elbow slash	ศอกตี (ศอกสับ)	Sok ti	[sɔ̀ːk tiː]
Horizontal elbow	ศอกตัด	Sok tat	[sɔ̀ːk tàt]
Uppercut elbow	ศอกงัด	Sok ngat	[sɔ̀ːk ŋát]
Forward elbow thrust	ศอกพุ่ง	Sok phung	[sɔ̀ːk pʰûŋ]
Reverse horizontal elbow	ศอกเหวี่ยงกลับ (ศอกกระทุ้ง)	Sok wiang klap	[sɔ̀ːk wìəŋ klàp]
Spinning elbow	ศอกกลับ	Sok klap	[sɔ̀ːk klàp]
Double elbow chop	ศอกกลับคู่	Sok klap khu	[sɔ̀ːk klàp kʰûː]
Mid-air elbow strike/Jump elbow chop	กระโดดศอก	Kradot sok	[kradòːt sɔ̀ːk]

There is a distinct difference between a single elbow and a follow-up elbow. The single elbow is a move independent from any other, whereas a follow-up elbow is the second strike from the same arm, being a hook or straight punch first with an elbow follow-up. Such elbows, and most other elbow strikes, are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw a hook at the opponent’s head.

Elbows can be used to great effect as blocks or defences against, for example, spring knees, side body knees, body kicks or punches. When well connected, an elbow strike can cause serious damage to the opponent, including cuts or even a knockout.

Kicking (Te)[edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight kick	เตะตรง	Te trong	[tèʔ troŋ]
Roundhouse kick	เตะตัด	Te tat	[tèʔ tàt]
Diagonal kick	เตะเฉียง	Te chiang	[tèʔ tɕʰǐəŋ]
Half-shin, half-knee kick	เตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่า	Te khrueng khaeng khrueng khao	[tèʔ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰɛ̂ŋ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰàw]
Reverse roundhouse kick	เตะกลับหลัง	Te klap lang/Jorakhe faad hang	[tèʔ klàp lǎŋ]
Down roundhouse kick	เตะกด	Te kot	[tèʔ kòt]
Axe heel kick	เตะเข่า	Te khao	[tèʔ kʰàw]
Jump kick	กระโดดเตะ	Kradot te	[kradòːt tèʔ]
Step-up kick	เขยิบเตะ	Khayoep te/yiep te	[kʰa.jɤ̀p tèʔ]

The two most common kicks^[17] in muay Thai are known as the thip (literally «foot jab») and the te chiang (kicking upwards in the shape of a triangle cutting under the arm and ribs), or roundhouse kick. The Thai roundhouse kick uses a rotational movement of the entire body and has been widely adopted by practitioners of other combat sports. It is done from a circular stance with the back leg just a little ways back (roughly shoulder width apart) in comparison to instinctive upper body fighting (boxing) where the legs must create a wider base. The roundhouse kick draws its power almost entirely from the rotational movement of the hips, counter-rotation of the shoulders and arms are also often used to add torque to the lower body and increase the power of the kick as well.^[18]

If a roundhouse kick is attempted by the opponent, the Thai boxer will normally check the kick, that is, he will block the kick with the outside of his lower leg. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to strike with his foot or instep. Shins are trained by repeatedly striking firm objects, such as pads or heavy bags.

Knee (Ti Khao)^[19][edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight knee strike	เข่าตรง	Khao trong	[kʰàw troŋ]
Diagonal knee strike	เข่าเฉียง	Khao chiang	[kʰàw tɕʰǐəŋ]
Curving knee strike	เข่าโค้ง	Khao khong	[kʰàw kʰóːŋ]
Horizontal knee strike	เข่าตัด	Khao tat	[kʰàw tàt]
Knee slap	เข่าตบ	Khao ti/khao top	[kʰàw tòp]
Knee bomb	เข่ายาว	Khao yao	[kʰàw jaːw]
Flying knee	เข่าลอย	Khao loi	[kʰàw lɔːj]
Step-up knee strike	เข่าเหยียบ	Khao yiap	[kʰàw jìəp]

• Khao dot [kʰàw dòːt] (Jumping knee strike) – the boxer jumps up on one leg and strikes with that leg’s knee.
• Khao loi (Flying knee strike) – the boxer takes a step(s), jumps forward and off one leg and strikes with that leg’s knee.
• Khao thon [kʰàw tʰoːn] (Straight knee strike) – the boxer simply thrusts it forward but not upwards, unless he is holding an opponent’s head down in a clinch and intend to knee upwards into the face. According to one written source, this technique is somewhat more recent than khao dot or khao loi.^{[citation needed]} Supposedly, when the Thai boxers fought with rope-bound hands rather than the modern boxing gloves, this particular technique was subject to potentially vicious cutting, slicing and sawing by an alert opponent who would block it or deflect it with the sharp «rope-glove» edges which are sometimes dipped in water to make the rope much stronger. This explanation also holds true for some of the following knee strikes below as well.

Foot-thrust (Teep)[edit]

The foot-thrust, or literally, «foot jab», is one of the techniques in muay Thai. It is mainly used as a defensive technique to control distance or block attacks. Foot-thrusts should be thrown quickly but with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight foot-thrust	ถีบตรง	Thip trong	[tʰìːp troŋ]
Sideways foot-thrust	ถีบข้าง	Thip khang	[tʰìːp kʰâːŋ]
Reverse foot-thrust	ถีบกลับหลัง	Thip klap lang	[tʰìːp klàp lǎŋ]
Slapping foot-thrust	ถีบตบ	Thip top	[tʰìːp tòp]
Jumping foot-thrust	กระโดดถีบ	Kradot thip	[kradòːt tʰìːp]

Clinch and neck wrestling (Chap kho)[edit]

In Western boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch; in muay Thai, however, they are not. It is often in the clinch that knee and elbow techniques are used. To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used in the clinch. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore, the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers if they are intertwined, and it becomes more difficult to release the grip in order to quickly elbow the opponent’s head.

A correct clinch also involves the fighter’s forearms pressing against the opponent’s collar bone while the hands are around the opponent’s head rather than the opponent’s neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent’s head backward or elbow them, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to «swim» their arm underneath and inside the opponent’s clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.

Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch or chap kho [tɕàp kʰɔː], including:

• Arm clinch: One or both hands controls the inside of the defender’s arm(s) and where the second hand if free is in the front clinch position. This clinch is used to briefly control the opponent before applying a knee strike or throw.
• Side clinch: One arm passes around the front of the defender with the attacker’s shoulder pressed into the defender’s arm pit and the other arm passing round the back which allows the attacker to apply knee strikes to the defender’s back or to throw the defender readily.
• Low clinch: Both controlling arms pass under the defender’s arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents.
• Swan-neck: One hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent before a strike.^{[citation needed]}

Defence against attacks[edit]

Defences in muay Thai are categorised in six groups:

• Blocking – defender’s hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target (e.g. the shin block described in more detail below)
• Parry/Block – Parrying or blocking uses the kickboxer’s hands as defensive tools to deflect incoming attacks. As the opponent’s punch arrives, the boxer delivers a sharp, lateral, open-handed blow to the opponent’s wrist or forearm, redirecting the punch.
• Avoidance – moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike. For example, the defender moves their front leg backward to avoid the attacker’s low kick, then immediately counters with a roundhouse kick. Or the defender might lay their head back from the attacker’s high roundhouse kick then counter-attack with a side kick.
• Evasion – moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, e.g. defender jumping laterally or back from attacker’s kicks
• Disruption – Pre-empting an attack e.g. with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, foot-thrust or low roundhouse kick, generally called a «leg kick» (to the outside or inside of the attacker’s front leg, just above the knee) as the attacker attempts to close distance
• Anticipation – Defender catching a strike (e.g., catching a roundhouse kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (e.g., defender’s low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker initiates a high roundhouse kick).

Defences in practice[edit]

Defensively, the concept of «wall of defence» is used, in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker from successfully executing techniques. Blocking is a critical element in muay Thai and compounds the level of conditioning a successful practitioner must possess. Low and mid body roundhouse kicks are normally blocked with the upper portion of a raised shin (this block is known as a «check»). High body strikes are blocked ideally with the forearms and shoulder together, or if enough time is allowed for a parry, the glove (elusively), elbow, or shin will be used. Midsection roundhouse kicks can also be caught/trapped, allowing for a sweep or counter-attack to the remaining leg of the opponent. Punches are blocked with an ordinary boxing guard and techniques similar, if not identical, to basic boxing technique. A common means of blocking a punch is using the hand on the same side as the oncoming punch. For example, if an orthodox fighter throws a jab (being the left hand), the defender will make a slight tap to redirect the punch’s angle with the right hand. The deflection is always as small and precise as possible to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and return the hand to the guard as quickly as possible. Hooks are often blocked with a motion sometimes described as «combing the hair», that is, raising the elbow forward and effectively shielding the head with the forearm, flexed biceps and shoulder. More advanced muay Thai blocks are usually in the form of counter-strikes, using the opponent’s weight (as they strike) to amplify the damage that the countering opponent can deliver. This requires impeccable timing and thus can generally only be learned by many repetitions.

Child boxers[edit]

In 2016, 9,998 children under the age of 15 were registered with Board of Boxing under the Sport Authority of Thailand, according to the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre (CSIP).^[20] Some estimates put the number of child boxers nationwide at between 200,000 and 300,000, some as young as four years old.^[21]

The Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Centre (AIMC) at Ramathibodi Hospital studied 300 child boxers aged under 15 with two to more than five years of experience, as well as 200 children who do not box. The findings show that child boxers not only sustain brain injuries, they also have a lower IQ, about 10 points lower than average levels. Moreover, IQ levels correlate with the length of their training.^[21][22] Beyond brain damage, the death of young fighters in the ring sometimes occurs.^[23]

Adisak Plitapolkarnpim, director of CSIP,^[24] was indirectly quoted (in 2016) as having said that muay Thai practitioners «younger than 15 years old are being urged to avoid ‘head contact’ to reduce the risk of brain injuries, while children aged under nine should be banned from the combat fight»; furthermore, the Boxing Act’s minimum age to compete professionally was largely being flouted; furthermore, quoted indirectly, «Boxers aged between 13 and 15» should still be permitted to compete, but «with light contact to the head and face».^[20] He said that «spectators and a change in the boxing rules can play a vital role in preventing child boxers from suffering brain injuries, abnormality in brain structure, Parkinson’s disease and early-onset Alzheimer’s later in life…Children aged between nine and 15 can take part in [Thai] boxing, but direct head contact must not be allowed». Referring to Findings [of 2014] on the Worst Forms of Child Labour as published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, he said, «We know Muay Thai paid fighters have been exploited in the past like child labourers and the matter still remains a serious concern.»^[20]

At the 13th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in 2018, it was revealed that up to three percent of the upcoming generation will grow up with learning disabilities unless an amendment is ratified that bans children under 12 from participating in boxing matches. International pediatricians have called on lawmakers in Thailand to help.^[25]

Injuries[edit]

Muay Thai is a combat sport that utilises eight different parts of the body (fists, elbows, knees and shins) so injuries are quite common in all levels of muay Thai. An injury is considered reportable if it requires the athlete to rest for more than one day. Many injuries in the sport go unreported as the fighters may not notice the injuries at first, refuse to admit that they need treatment, have a heightened pain threshold, fear that their instructor will perceive the injury negatively, or have confusion as to what is an injury.^[26] Similar to most sports, injury rates tend to be higher in beginners than amateurs and professionals. Soft tissue injuries are the most common form of injury in muay Thai, comprising between 80 and 90% of all injuries. These injuries are caused by repeated trauma to soft parts of the body. During matches there is little to no padding, leaving soft tissue vulnerable to strikes. The second most common injuries among beginners and amateurs are sprains and strains. It appears that these injuries can be easily avoided or reduced. Many participants of a study admitted to inadequate warm up before the event of the injury.^[26] The third most common injuries are fractures. Fractures are more commonly seen with amateur and professional fighters, because they are allowed full contact, while beginners are not. The most common sites for fractures are the nose, carpal bones, metacarpals, digits and ribs. The distribution of injuries differs significantly for beginners, amateurs and professionals, because as a fighter progresses through the different levels, the forces involved grow progressively higher, less padding and protective equipment is used, and athletes are likely to train harder, resulting in more serious injuries among experienced fighters.

Gambling[edit]

According to a Bangkok Post columnist, «…Thai professional boxing is all about gambling and big money. Gambling on muay Thai boxing is estimated to worth about 40 billion baht a year….all the talk about the promotion of Thai martial arts is just baloney.»^[13] Rob Cox, the manager of a boxing camp just east of Bangkok claims that «Without the gamblers, the sport would pretty much be dead. They’re killing it off, but they’re also keeping it alive».^[11]

The practice of fixing fights is not unknown. Boxers can earn from 60,000 to 150,000 baht for purposefully losing a fight. A fighter, later arrested, who threw a fight at Rajadamnern Stadium in December 2019, is an example.^[27] An infamous alleged case of match-fixing was the bout on 12 October 2014 in Pattaya between top Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek and his challenger, Enriko Kehl, at the K-1 World Max Final event.^[13]

Folklore[edit]

An urban legend started being told by Thai people in 1767 around the time of the fall of the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya, when the invading Burmese troops rounded up thousands of Siamese citizens. They then organised a seven-day, seven-night religious festival in honour of Buddha’s relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment, such as costume plays, comedies and sword fighting matches. According to the folklore story, at one point, King Mangra wanted to see how Thai fighters would compare to his fighters. Nai Khanomtom was selected to fight against the King’s chosen champion and the boxing ring was set up in front of the throne. When the fight began, Nai Khanomtom charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows and knees to pummel his opponent until he collapsed. The King supposedly asked if Nai Khanomtom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought one after the other with no rest periods. His last opponent was a great kickboxing teacher from Rakhine State whom Nai Khanomtom defeated with kicks.^[28]

King Mangra was so impressed that he allegedly remarked, «Every part of the Siamese is blessed with venom. Even with his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents. But his Lord was incompetent and lost the country to the enemy. If he had been any good, there was no way the City of Ayutthaya would ever have fallen.»^[29]

To commemorate the story of Nai Khanom Tom, the Muay Thai Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony are staged annually every year on March 17.^[30]

Conditioning[edit]

Like most full contact fighting sports, muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning.^[31] This can create a steep learning curve for newcomers to muay Thai but allows for rapid increases in fitness and stamina provided one avoids overtraining.^[32] Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and, in some cases, weight training. Thai boxers rely heavily on kicks utilising the shin bone. As such, practitioners will repeatedly hit a dense heavy bag with their shins, conditioning it, hardening the bone through a process called cortical remodelling.^[33] Striking a sand-filled bag will have the same effect.

Training specific to a Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. Daily training includes many rounds (3–5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1–2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of muay Thai conditioning that involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads covering the forearms and hands. These special pads (often referred to as Thai pads) are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder in a live situation. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at any time during the round.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defence and counter-punching and may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Due to the rigorous training regimen (some Thai boxers fight almost every other week), professional boxers in Thailand have relatively short careers in the ring. Many retire from competition to begin instructing the next generation of Thai fighters. Most professional Thai boxers come from lower economic backgrounds, and the purse (after other parties have their cut) is sought as a means of support for the fighters and their families.^[34] Very few higher economic strata Thais join the professional muay Thai ranks; they usually either do not practice the sport or practice it only as amateur boxers.^[35]

Famous practitioners[edit]

See also[edit]

• Muay Boran
• Muay Chaiya
• Muay Lerdrit
• Wai khru ram muay
• Pra Jiad
• Mongkhon
• Muay Thai in popular culture
• Krabi–krabong
• Pencak silat

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Kraitus, Panya (1992), Muay Thai The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting, Phuket: Transit Press, ISBN 974-86841-9-9
• Muay Thai The Essential Guide To The Art of Thai Boxing. Tony Moore. New Holland. ISBN 1 84330 596 8.
• Boykin, Chad (2002), Muay Thai Kickboxing – The Ultimate Guide to Conditioning, Training and Fighting, Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, ISBN 1-58160-320-7
• Prayukvong, Kat (2006), Muay Thai: A Living Legacy, Bangkok, Thailand: Spry Publishing Co., Ltd, ISBN 974-92937-0-3
• Hartig, Bastian (4 December 2018). Thai boxing: The dangerous fight against poverty (Video). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
• Nusch, Florian (9 December 2017). Child Thai boxers: A fighting chance (Video). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
• Vail, P. T. (1998). «Modern «Muai Thai» Mythology». Crossroads: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 12 (2): 75–95. JSTOR 40860679.
• Wei, Lindsey (2020) Path of the Spiritual Warrior: Life and Teachings of Muay Thai Fighter Pedro Solana. Auckland: Purple Cloud Press, ISBN 979-8651807901

Not to be confused with Mai Tai.

Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: muai thai, pronounced [mūa̯j tʰāj] (listen)), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.^[1] This discipline is known as the «art of eight limbs», as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.^[2] Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (P.A.T), sanctioned by The Sports Authority of Thailand (S.A.T.).

Muay Thai is related to other martial art styles such as musti-yuddha, Adimurai, muay Chaiya, muay boran, muay Lao, lethwei, pradal serey and tomoi.^[3] Muay Thai developed from the traditional muay boran.^[4] A practitioner of muay Thai is known as a nak muay. Western practitioners in Thailand are sometimes called nak muay farang, meaning «foreign boxer».^[5]

History[edit]

The history of muay Thai can be traced at least to the 16th century as a peace-time martial art practised by the soldiers of King Naresuan.^[6] An exhibition of muay Thai was observed and reported by Simon de la Loubère, a French diplomat who was sent by King Louis XIV to the Kingdom of Siam in 1687, in his famous work and the Ayutthaya Kingdom Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)^[7] Muay boran, and therefore muay Thai, was originally called by more generic names such as toi muay or simply muay. As well as being a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, muay became a sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. These muay contests gradually became an integral part of local festivals and celebrations, especially those held at temples. Eventually, the previously bare-fisted fighters started wearing lengths of hemp rope around their hands and forearms. This type of match was called muay khat chueak (มวยคาดเชือก).

19th century[edit]

The ascension of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a golden age not only for muay but for the whole country of Thailand. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king’s personal interest in the sport. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, attacking, recreation and personal advancement.^[8]

The modern era[edit]

1909-1910: King Chulalongkorn formalized muay boran («ancient boxing») by awarding (in 1910) three muen to victors at the funeral fights for his son (in 1909). The region style: Lopburi, Korat and Chaiya.^[8]

1913: British boxing was introduced into the curriculum of the Suan Kulap College. The first descriptive use of the term «muay Thai».

1919: British boxing and muay Thai were taught as one sport in the curriculum of the Suan Kulap College. Judo was also offered.

1921: First permanent ring in Siam at Suan Kulap College. Used for both muay and British boxing.

1923: Suan Sanuk Stadium. First international style three-rope ring with red and blue padded corners, near Lumpinee Park. Muay and British boxing.^[9]

King Rama VII (r. 1925–1935) pushed for codified rules for muay and they were put into place. Thailand’s first boxing ring was built in 1921 at Suan Kulap. Referees were introduced and rounds were now timed by kick. Fighters at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium began wearing modern gloves, as well as hard groin protectors, during training and in boxing matches against foreigners. Traditional rope-binding (khat chueak) made the hands a hardened, dangerous striking tool. The use of knots in the rope over the knuckles made the strikes more abrasive and damaging for the opponent while protecting the hands of the fighter.^[10] This rope-binding was still used in fights between Thais but after a death in the ring, it was decided that fighters should wear gloves and cotton coverlets over the feet and ankles. It was also around this time that the term «muay Thai» became commonly used, while the older form of the style came to be known as «muay boran», which is now performed primarily as an exhibition art form.

Muay Thai was at the height of its popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Top fighters commanded purses of up to 200,000 baht and the stadia where gambling was legal drew big gates and big advertising revenues. In 2016, a payout to a superstar fighter was about 100,000 baht per fight,^[11] but can range as high as 540,000 baht for a bout.^[12]

In 1993, the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, or IFMA was inaugurated. It became the governing body of amateur muay Thai consisting of 128 member countries worldwide and is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.

In 1995, the World Muaythai Council, the oldest and largest professional sanctioning organisations of muay Thai, was established by the Thai government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

In 1995, the World Muay Thai Federation was founded by the merger of two existing organisations, and established in Bangkok, becoming the federation governing international muay Thai. In August 2012, it had over 70 member countries. Its president is elected at the World Muay Thai Congress.

In 2006, muay Thai was included in SportAccord with IFMA. One of the requirements of SportAccord was that no sport can have a name of a country in its name. As a result, an amendment was made in the IFMA constitution to change the name of the sport from «muay Thai» to «muaythai» —written as one word in accordance with Olympic requirements.

In 2014, muay Thai was included in the International World Games Association (IWGA) and was represented in the official programme of The World Games 2017 in Wrocław, Poland.

In January 2015, muay Thai was granted the patronage of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and, from 16 to 23 March 2015, the first University World Muaythai Cup was held in Bangkok.

In 2020, there are more than 3,800 Thai boxing gyms overseas.^[13]

Rules[edit]

According to IFMA rules and regulations, Muay Thai is a martial art that uses every part of the body’s limbs, therefore allowing for strikes including the fists, legs, knees and elbows.

Generally, for a strike to count towards the point score, it has to hit without being blocked or guarded against by the opponent. Strikes also do not score if they hit the opponent’s glove, forearm, foot, or shin. Strikes to the groin are against the rules and if found to be intentional are counted as fouls.^[14]

If both Muay Thai fighters have the same score at the end of the round, the winner is determined by which fighter has the more powerful strike.

Olympics[edit]

Timeline of International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) from founding to International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition:^[15]

• 1992 – National Federation of Muaythai Associations founded.
• 1995 – International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (IAMTF) founded.
• 2012 – Official request for International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition launched.
• 2016 – First endorsement received.
• 2017 – Muaythai is included in the World Games.
• 2021 – On June 10, the IOC Board of Directors agreed on the full endorsement of IFMA at the 138th IOC General Assembly in Tokyo.
• 2021 – On July 20, the IOC General Assembly granted full recognition to the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) and Muaythai.

Traditional wear[edit]

The mongkhon, or mongkol (headband), and pra jiad (armbands) are often worn into the ring before the match begins. They originated when Siam was in a constant state of war. Young men would tear off pieces of a loved one’s clothing (often a mother’s sarong) and wear it in battle for good luck as well as to ward off harmful spirits. In modern times, the mongkol (lit. «holy spirit», «luck», «protection») is worn as a tribute to the fighter’s gym. The mongkol is traditionally presented by a trainer to the fighter when he judges that the fighter is ready to represent the gym in the ring. Often, after the fighter has finished the wai kru, the trainer will take the mongkol off his head and place it in his corner of the ring for luck. They were also used for protection. Whether the fighter is a Buddhist or not, it is common for them to bring the mongkol to a Buddhist monk who blesses it for good luck prior to stepping into the ring.

Techniques[edit]

Formal muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: mae mai (แม่ไม้), or «major techniques», and luk mai (ลูกไม้), or «minor techniques». Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another.^[16] This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand, but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit where the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Almost all techniques in muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, elbow and block.

Punching (Chok)[edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Jab	หมัดหน้า/หมัดแย็บ	Mat na/Mat yaep	[màt nâ]
Cross/Straight	หมัดตรง	Mat trong	[màt troŋ]
Hook/Swing	หมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น	Mat tawad/mat wiang san	[màt wìəŋ sân]
Overhand/Haymaker	หมัดเหวี่ยงยาว	Mat khork/mat wiang yao	[màt wìəŋ jaːw]
Backfist/Spinning Backfist	หมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ	Mat wiang klap/Mat clap lang/Kwang jag narai	[màt wìəŋ klàp]
Uppercut	หมัดเสย/หมัดสอยดาว	Mat soei/Mat ngat	[màt sɤ̌j], [màt sɔ̌j daːw]
Superman punch/Cobra punch	กระโดดชก	Kradot chok	[kradòːt tɕʰók]

The punch techniques in muay Thai were originally quite limited, being crosses and a long (or lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilisation with Western boxing and Western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used: lead jab, straight/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands, as well as hammer fists and back fists.

As a tactic, body punching is used less in muay Thai than most other striking combat sports to avoid exposing the attacker’s head to counter strikes from knees or elbows. To utilize the range of targeting points, in keeping with the centre line theory, the fighter can use either the Western or Thai stance which allows for either long range or short range attacks to be undertaken effectively without compromising guard.

Elbow (Sok)[edit]

The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning,and flying. From the side, it can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent’s eyebrow so that blood might block his vision. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms but are less powerful. The elbow strike is considered the most dangerous form of attack in the sport.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Elbow slash	ศอกตี (ศอกสับ)	Sok ti	[sɔ̀ːk tiː]
Horizontal elbow	ศอกตัด	Sok tat	[sɔ̀ːk tàt]
Uppercut elbow	ศอกงัด	Sok ngat	[sɔ̀ːk ŋát]
Forward elbow thrust	ศอกพุ่ง	Sok phung	[sɔ̀ːk pʰûŋ]
Reverse horizontal elbow	ศอกเหวี่ยงกลับ (ศอกกระทุ้ง)	Sok wiang klap	[sɔ̀ːk wìəŋ klàp]
Spinning elbow	ศอกกลับ	Sok klap	[sɔ̀ːk klàp]
Double elbow chop	ศอกกลับคู่	Sok klap khu	[sɔ̀ːk klàp kʰûː]
Mid-air elbow strike/Jump elbow chop	กระโดดศอก	Kradot sok	[kradòːt sɔ̀ːk]

There is a distinct difference between a single elbow and a follow-up elbow. The single elbow is a move independent from any other, whereas a follow-up elbow is the second strike from the same arm, being a hook or straight punch first with an elbow follow-up. Such elbows, and most other elbow strikes, are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw a hook at the opponent’s head.

Elbows can be used to great effect as blocks or defences against, for example, spring knees, side body knees, body kicks or punches. When well connected, an elbow strike can cause serious damage to the opponent, including cuts or even a knockout.

Kicking (Te)[edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight kick	เตะตรง	Te trong	[tèʔ troŋ]
Roundhouse kick	เตะตัด	Te tat	[tèʔ tàt]
Diagonal kick	เตะเฉียง	Te chiang	[tèʔ tɕʰǐəŋ]
Half-shin, half-knee kick	เตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่า	Te khrueng khaeng khrueng khao	[tèʔ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰɛ̂ŋ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰàw]
Reverse roundhouse kick	เตะกลับหลัง	Te klap lang/Jorakhe faad hang	[tèʔ klàp lǎŋ]
Down roundhouse kick	เตะกด	Te kot	[tèʔ kòt]
Axe heel kick	เตะเข่า	Te khao	[tèʔ kʰàw]
Jump kick	กระโดดเตะ	Kradot te	[kradòːt tèʔ]
Step-up kick	เขยิบเตะ	Khayoep te/yiep te	[kʰa.jɤ̀p tèʔ]

The two most common kicks^[17] in muay Thai are known as the thip (literally «foot jab») and the te chiang (kicking upwards in the shape of a triangle cutting under the arm and ribs), or roundhouse kick. The Thai roundhouse kick uses a rotational movement of the entire body and has been widely adopted by practitioners of other combat sports. It is done from a circular stance with the back leg just a little ways back (roughly shoulder width apart) in comparison to instinctive upper body fighting (boxing) where the legs must create a wider base. The roundhouse kick draws its power almost entirely from the rotational movement of the hips, counter-rotation of the shoulders and arms are also often used to add torque to the lower body and increase the power of the kick as well.^[18]

If a roundhouse kick is attempted by the opponent, the Thai boxer will normally check the kick, that is, he will block the kick with the outside of his lower leg. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to strike with his foot or instep. Shins are trained by repeatedly striking firm objects, such as pads or heavy bags.

Knee (Ti Khao)^[19][edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight knee strike	เข่าตรง	Khao trong	[kʰàw troŋ]
Diagonal knee strike	เข่าเฉียง	Khao chiang	[kʰàw tɕʰǐəŋ]
Curving knee strike	เข่าโค้ง	Khao khong	[kʰàw kʰóːŋ]
Horizontal knee strike	เข่าตัด	Khao tat	[kʰàw tàt]
Knee slap	เข่าตบ	Khao ti/khao top	[kʰàw tòp]
Knee bomb	เข่ายาว	Khao yao	[kʰàw jaːw]
Flying knee	เข่าลอย	Khao loi	[kʰàw lɔːj]
Step-up knee strike	เข่าเหยียบ	Khao yiap	[kʰàw jìəp]

• Khao dot [kʰàw dòːt] (Jumping knee strike) – the boxer jumps up on one leg and strikes with that leg’s knee.
• Khao loi (Flying knee strike) – the boxer takes a step(s), jumps forward and off one leg and strikes with that leg’s knee.
• Khao thon [kʰàw tʰoːn] (Straight knee strike) – the boxer simply thrusts it forward but not upwards, unless he is holding an opponent’s head down in a clinch and intend to knee upwards into the face. According to one written source, this technique is somewhat more recent than khao dot or khao loi.^{[citation needed]} Supposedly, when the Thai boxers fought with rope-bound hands rather than the modern boxing gloves, this particular technique was subject to potentially vicious cutting, slicing and sawing by an alert opponent who would block it or deflect it with the sharp «rope-glove» edges which are sometimes dipped in water to make the rope much stronger. This explanation also holds true for some of the following knee strikes below as well.

Foot-thrust (Teep)[edit]

The foot-thrust, or literally, «foot jab», is one of the techniques in muay Thai. It is mainly used as a defensive technique to control distance or block attacks. Foot-thrusts should be thrown quickly but with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight foot-thrust	ถีบตรง	Thip trong	[tʰìːp troŋ]
Sideways foot-thrust	ถีบข้าง	Thip khang	[tʰìːp kʰâːŋ]
Reverse foot-thrust	ถีบกลับหลัง	Thip klap lang	[tʰìːp klàp lǎŋ]
Slapping foot-thrust	ถีบตบ	Thip top	[tʰìːp tòp]
Jumping foot-thrust	กระโดดถีบ	Kradot thip	[kradòːt tʰìːp]

Clinch and neck wrestling (Chap kho)[edit]

In Western boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch; in muay Thai, however, they are not. It is often in the clinch that knee and elbow techniques are used. To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used in the clinch. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore, the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers if they are intertwined, and it becomes more difficult to release the grip in order to quickly elbow the opponent’s head.

A correct clinch also involves the fighter’s forearms pressing against the opponent’s collar bone while the hands are around the opponent’s head rather than the opponent’s neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent’s head backward or elbow them, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to «swim» their arm underneath and inside the opponent’s clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.

Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch or chap kho [tɕàp kʰɔː], including:

• Arm clinch: One or both hands controls the inside of the defender’s arm(s) and where the second hand if free is in the front clinch position. This clinch is used to briefly control the opponent before applying a knee strike or throw.
• Side clinch: One arm passes around the front of the defender with the attacker’s shoulder pressed into the defender’s arm pit and the other arm passing round the back which allows the attacker to apply knee strikes to the defender’s back or to throw the defender readily.
• Low clinch: Both controlling arms pass under the defender’s arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents.
• Swan-neck: One hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent before a strike.^{[citation needed]}

Defence against attacks[edit]

Defences in muay Thai are categorised in six groups:

• Blocking – defender’s hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target (e.g. the shin block described in more detail below)
• Parry/Block – Parrying or blocking uses the kickboxer’s hands as defensive tools to deflect incoming attacks. As the opponent’s punch arrives, the boxer delivers a sharp, lateral, open-handed blow to the opponent’s wrist or forearm, redirecting the punch.
• Avoidance – moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike. For example, the defender moves their front leg backward to avoid the attacker’s low kick, then immediately counters with a roundhouse kick. Or the defender might lay their head back from the attacker’s high roundhouse kick then counter-attack with a side kick.
• Evasion – moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, e.g. defender jumping laterally or back from attacker’s kicks
• Disruption – Pre-empting an attack e.g. with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, foot-thrust or low roundhouse kick, generally called a «leg kick» (to the outside or inside of the attacker’s front leg, just above the knee) as the attacker attempts to close distance
• Anticipation – Defender catching a strike (e.g., catching a roundhouse kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (e.g., defender’s low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker initiates a high roundhouse kick).

Defences in practice[edit]

Defensively, the concept of «wall of defence» is used, in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker from successfully executing techniques. Blocking is a critical element in muay Thai and compounds the level of conditioning a successful practitioner must possess. Low and mid body roundhouse kicks are normally blocked with the upper portion of a raised shin (this block is known as a «check»). High body strikes are blocked ideally with the forearms and shoulder together, or if enough time is allowed for a parry, the glove (elusively), elbow, or shin will be used. Midsection roundhouse kicks can also be caught/trapped, allowing for a sweep or counter-attack to the remaining leg of the opponent. Punches are blocked with an ordinary boxing guard and techniques similar, if not identical, to basic boxing technique. A common means of blocking a punch is using the hand on the same side as the oncoming punch. For example, if an orthodox fighter throws a jab (being the left hand), the defender will make a slight tap to redirect the punch’s angle with the right hand. The deflection is always as small and precise as possible to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and return the hand to the guard as quickly as possible. Hooks are often blocked with a motion sometimes described as «combing the hair», that is, raising the elbow forward and effectively shielding the head with the forearm, flexed biceps and shoulder. More advanced muay Thai blocks are usually in the form of counter-strikes, using the opponent’s weight (as they strike) to amplify the damage that the countering opponent can deliver. This requires impeccable timing and thus can generally only be learned by many repetitions.

Child boxers[edit]

In 2016, 9,998 children under the age of 15 were registered with Board of Boxing under the Sport Authority of Thailand, according to the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre (CSIP).^[20] Some estimates put the number of child boxers nationwide at between 200,000 and 300,000, some as young as four years old.^[21]

The Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Centre (AIMC) at Ramathibodi Hospital studied 300 child boxers aged under 15 with two to more than five years of experience, as well as 200 children who do not box. The findings show that child boxers not only sustain brain injuries, they also have a lower IQ, about 10 points lower than average levels. Moreover, IQ levels correlate with the length of their training.^[21][22] Beyond brain damage, the death of young fighters in the ring sometimes occurs.^[23]

Adisak Plitapolkarnpim, director of CSIP,^[24] was indirectly quoted (in 2016) as having said that muay Thai practitioners «younger than 15 years old are being urged to avoid ‘head contact’ to reduce the risk of brain injuries, while children aged under nine should be banned from the combat fight»; furthermore, the Boxing Act’s minimum age to compete professionally was largely being flouted; furthermore, quoted indirectly, «Boxers aged between 13 and 15» should still be permitted to compete, but «with light contact to the head and face».^[20] He said that «spectators and a change in the boxing rules can play a vital role in preventing child boxers from suffering brain injuries, abnormality in brain structure, Parkinson’s disease and early-onset Alzheimer’s later in life…Children aged between nine and 15 can take part in [Thai] boxing, but direct head contact must not be allowed». Referring to Findings [of 2014] on the Worst Forms of Child Labour as published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, he said, «We know Muay Thai paid fighters have been exploited in the past like child labourers and the matter still remains a serious concern.»^[20]

At the 13th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in 2018, it was revealed that up to three percent of the upcoming generation will grow up with learning disabilities unless an amendment is ratified that bans children under 12 from participating in boxing matches. International pediatricians have called on lawmakers in Thailand to help.^[25]

Injuries[edit]

Muay Thai is a combat sport that utilises eight different parts of the body (fists, elbows, knees and shins) so injuries are quite common in all levels of muay Thai. An injury is considered reportable if it requires the athlete to rest for more than one day. Many injuries in the sport go unreported as the fighters may not notice the injuries at first, refuse to admit that they need treatment, have a heightened pain threshold, fear that their instructor will perceive the injury negatively, or have confusion as to what is an injury.^[26] Similar to most sports, injury rates tend to be higher in beginners than amateurs and professionals. Soft tissue injuries are the most common form of injury in muay Thai, comprising between 80 and 90% of all injuries. These injuries are caused by repeated trauma to soft parts of the body. During matches there is little to no padding, leaving soft tissue vulnerable to strikes. The second most common injuries among beginners and amateurs are sprains and strains. It appears that these injuries can be easily avoided or reduced. Many participants of a study admitted to inadequate warm up before the event of the injury.^[26] The third most common injuries are fractures. Fractures are more commonly seen with amateur and professional fighters, because they are allowed full contact, while beginners are not. The most common sites for fractures are the nose, carpal bones, metacarpals, digits and ribs. The distribution of injuries differs significantly for beginners, amateurs and professionals, because as a fighter progresses through the different levels, the forces involved grow progressively higher, less padding and protective equipment is used, and athletes are likely to train harder, resulting in more serious injuries among experienced fighters.

Gambling[edit]

According to a Bangkok Post columnist, «…Thai professional boxing is all about gambling and big money. Gambling on muay Thai boxing is estimated to worth about 40 billion baht a year….all the talk about the promotion of Thai martial arts is just baloney.»^[13] Rob Cox, the manager of a boxing camp just east of Bangkok claims that «Without the gamblers, the sport would pretty much be dead. They’re killing it off, but they’re also keeping it alive».^[11]

The practice of fixing fights is not unknown. Boxers can earn from 60,000 to 150,000 baht for purposefully losing a fight. A fighter, later arrested, who threw a fight at Rajadamnern Stadium in December 2019, is an example.^[27] An infamous alleged case of match-fixing was the bout on 12 October 2014 in Pattaya between top Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek and his challenger, Enriko Kehl, at the K-1 World Max Final event.^[13]

Folklore[edit]

An urban legend started being told by Thai people in 1767 around the time of the fall of the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya, when the invading Burmese troops rounded up thousands of Siamese citizens. They then organised a seven-day, seven-night religious festival in honour of Buddha’s relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment, such as costume plays, comedies and sword fighting matches. According to the folklore story, at one point, King Mangra wanted to see how Thai fighters would compare to his fighters. Nai Khanomtom was selected to fight against the King’s chosen champion and the boxing ring was set up in front of the throne. When the fight began, Nai Khanomtom charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows and knees to pummel his opponent until he collapsed. The King supposedly asked if Nai Khanomtom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought one after the other with no rest periods. His last opponent was a great kickboxing teacher from Rakhine State whom Nai Khanomtom defeated with kicks.^[28]

King Mangra was so impressed that he allegedly remarked, «Every part of the Siamese is blessed with venom. Even with his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents. But his Lord was incompetent and lost the country to the enemy. If he had been any good, there was no way the City of Ayutthaya would ever have fallen.»^[29]

To commemorate the story of Nai Khanom Tom, the Muay Thai Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony are staged annually every year on March 17.^[30]

Conditioning[edit]

Like most full contact fighting sports, muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning.^[31] This can create a steep learning curve for newcomers to muay Thai but allows for rapid increases in fitness and stamina provided one avoids overtraining.^[32] Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and, in some cases, weight training. Thai boxers rely heavily on kicks utilising the shin bone. As such, practitioners will repeatedly hit a dense heavy bag with their shins, conditioning it, hardening the bone through a process called cortical remodelling.^[33] Striking a sand-filled bag will have the same effect.

Training specific to a Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. Daily training includes many rounds (3–5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1–2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of muay Thai conditioning that involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads covering the forearms and hands. These special pads (often referred to as Thai pads) are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder in a live situation. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at any time during the round.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defence and counter-punching and may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Due to the rigorous training regimen (some Thai boxers fight almost every other week), professional boxers in Thailand have relatively short careers in the ring. Many retire from competition to begin instructing the next generation of Thai fighters. Most professional Thai boxers come from lower economic backgrounds, and the purse (after other parties have their cut) is sought as a means of support for the fighters and their families.^[34] Very few higher economic strata Thais join the professional muay Thai ranks; they usually either do not practice the sport or practice it only as amateur boxers.^[35]

Famous practitioners[edit]

See also[edit]

• Muay Boran
• Muay Chaiya
• Muay Lerdrit
• Wai khru ram muay
• Pra Jiad
• Mongkhon
• Muay Thai in popular culture
• Krabi–krabong
• Pencak silat

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Kraitus, Panya (1992), Muay Thai The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting, Phuket: Transit Press, ISBN 974-86841-9-9
• Muay Thai The Essential Guide To The Art of Thai Boxing. Tony Moore. New Holland. ISBN 1 84330 596 8.
• Boykin, Chad (2002), Muay Thai Kickboxing – The Ultimate Guide to Conditioning, Training and Fighting, Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, ISBN 1-58160-320-7
• Prayukvong, Kat (2006), Muay Thai: A Living Legacy, Bangkok, Thailand: Spry Publishing Co., Ltd, ISBN 974-92937-0-3
• Hartig, Bastian (4 December 2018). Thai boxing: The dangerous fight against poverty (Video). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
• Nusch, Florian (9 December 2017). Child Thai boxers: A fighting chance (Video). Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
• Vail, P. T. (1998). «Modern «Muai Thai» Mythology». Crossroads: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 12 (2): 75–95. JSTOR 40860679.
• Wei, Lindsey (2020) Path of the Spiritual Warrior: Life and Teachings of Muay Thai Fighter Pedro Solana. Auckland: Purple Cloud Press, ISBN 979-8651807901