Called Muay Thai in Thailand, it’s one of the 4 types of boxing using feet and fists, the 3 other ones being French boxing (foot boxing), Full-Contact, and Kick-Boxing.

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It is doubtless the most spectacular, physical and all-round feet-fists boxing because it allows 2 opponents fighting in the same category to use feet, fists, elbows and knees to kick each other. It is also supposed to be the eldest of these 4 types of boxing.

Fights go on following a fascinating ritual. Boxers, before the fights starts, knell down and then bow down three times : it is called Waï Kru, sign of respect towards their coach. This is followed by a type of dance around the ring called Ram Muay, which is also a  type of warm up before the fight. Boxers wear a head band around the forehead and arm bands. The forehead one is called "mongkhol", it is supposed to bring luck and is removed before the beginning of the fight.

All the fight goes on with an obsessing background music plays "in live" by a small Thai band, the music rhythm being in harmony with the intensity of the fight going on  the ring. But the attraction is also among the audience as the betters' frenzy is itself an attraction ! 

Muay Thaï is still nowadays the most popular sport all over the kingdom. Muay Thai fights are among the most looked at programs in the TV. In the smallest areas, inhabitants gather around the few existing TV sets to support their favorite fighters.. and of course also to gamble! In Bangkok, streets are empty when big Muay Thai fights take place.

Muay Thai history

The origin of Thai boxing is rather unknown, the various Burmese invasions having destroyed most of the kingdom records. One thing is sure, Muay Thai was first of all a military close combat technique which was used by Kings to solve their disputes.

At the XVIth century end, King Naresuan The Great who had a reputation of great boxer forced his soldiers to learn and train themselves in Muay Thaï  which  he made compulsory for them.

In 1774, Nai Khanom Tom was famous for his feats of valor during battles against Burmese troops. He was captured by Burmese when they looted the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya. As he was a prisoner, Nai Khanom Tom took part in a tournament organized by Burmese soldiers. He fought and worsted ten or a dozen of the best Burmese fighters. Burmese  King Mangra  was the first to applause the winner of the tournament he had seen. He freed  Nai Khanom Tom and the King went back to Ayutthaya where he was welcomed as a hero.

At the same period, King Pra Chao Seua, whose nickname was "Tiger King" promoted Muay Thai to national sport rank. He is supposed to have "incognito" taken part to fights when he was young.

This is how a Kings' martial art became a very popular sport.  The population eager of action, crowded to training camps and first bets were organized. This progressive evolution towards sport influenced mainly the practice (creation of a fight area, use of horsehair bands to protect hands and, jock strap) but not the techniques of the fight. Muay Thaï was part of Thai youth till 1920 but the frequency of would forced authorities to forbid it. It reappeared in 1930, adopting English boxing principles: ring, gloves, and weight categories. The development of tourism in Thailand allowed Europeans to discover it.

Technique

Muay Thaï is a very complete sport which associates very old techniques of kicking with the feet (circular kicks to push back the opponent) elbow kicks only authorized within some professional competitions) and knee kicks mainly used in hand to hand fights), with the fists kicks of English boxing. Both opponents have to be very vigilant because kicks may come from everywhere. The seize on the opponent allow the boxer to slightly recover. The throwing out don't bring any point: they are only a way of escaping a hand to hand and gaining the ascendancy over the opponent.

Fist Kick

Foot kick

Knee kick

Elbow kick

Muay Thaï has borrowed from English boxing its major competition rules. Kicks can be given on full body (face, bust and legs). A Thai boxer wears gloves and a short but he is bare foot.

Fights unfold in 5 three minute periods with 2 minute break between each round. As in English boxing the match is won by K.O. either by points. Three judges count the opponents points and if no K.O. happens, the winner is the opponent who got the best capital of points.

For numerous adepts, Muay Thaï is an occasion to discover the kingdom and its culture. Some of them go on holiday to Thailand to join a  Muay Thai training camp in Bangkok. If you wish to see a Muay Thai fight in Thailand, go to Lumphini or Ratchadamnoen stadiums, which are among the most prestigious ones in Thailand (see below).

Thai boxing became very popular outside the country. A lot of adepts may be found in the U.S.A, in Australia, in Japan and mainly in Europe. French and Dutch are particularly good in this field.

To get an idea about Thai Boxing you may see the movie "Kick Boxer" with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Shot in Thailand, it gives a rather exact idea of Thai boxing fights (of course you must take the movie with a grain of salt... it is a fiction!). However the atmosphere around the ring is not too much exaggerated...

To attend a fight :

The easiest way : Thai boxing fights on Thai TV on Channel 7 every Saturday from noon till 2 p.m.

The most typical way : go to one of the 2 Thai boxing sanctuaries in Bangkok, Lumphini or Ratchadamnoen Stadium. Expect to pay from 220 B for the cheapest places which are of course also the farthest from the ring, till 1000 B and over for places located close to the ring.

• Sanam Muay Lumphini : Thanon Pra Rama IV, close to Lumphini park. Fights take place at 6.30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 5 and 8.30 p.m. Saturdays.
• Sanam Muay Ratchadamnoen : Thanon Ratchadamnoen Nok, close to TAT office. Fights at 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 and 8 p.m. Sundays.

Most touristic way : In all touristic locations of the kingdom you will find Thai boxing fights. Not really authentic, but it allows you to discover this sport. Take this more as a demonstration than a real fight as you may see in specialized locations (see above).

You want to take a Thai boxing training session in Thailand ?

Hundreds of training centers exist in Thailand and not only in Bangkok. To be admitted, you have to fully respect the rules in use in those camps particularly in terms of diet, rudimentary housing, and health hygiene. Thai language basis are also quite compulsory. Tariffs go from 50 to 200 euros per week. All is included (food, housing and courses).

A few addresses in Thailand:

• Far East Fighting Institute : offers all included stays in Thailand for training in the famous Pattaya training camp of Sidyodthong or attend fights at Lumpini ou Radjadamroen stadiums.
  Web Site : http://www.fe-fi.com/
• Pattaya International Muay Thaï Training School :193/15 Moo 11, Thanon Thepprasit Pattaya. Tel. : 038 41 01 11. 
• Fairtex Muay Thai : 99/2 Moo 3, Soi Buthamanuson, thanon Thaeparat Bangpli Samut Prakan. Tel. : 02 385 5148 ou 02 385 5149.
  Web Site : http://www.muaythaifairtex.com/
• Jitti's Gym Thai Boxing and Homestay 13 Soi Krasab, Thanon Chakraphong, Banglamphu, Bangkok Tel. : 02 282 35 51. Specialized in internships for foreigners. Tariff : 10 000 B for one month (all included).
• Muay Thai Institute : 336/932 Prachatipat Thanyaburi Patumthani Rangsit Bangkok (close to International Airport Don Muang de Bangkok). Tel. : 02 992 00 96. 
• Lanna Boxing Camp : 64/1 Soi 1, Thanon Huay Kaew, Chiang Maï. Tel. : 053 27 31 33. Specialized in internships for foreigners.
• Pathong Boxing Club : 59/4 Moo 4, Thanon Na Nai, Pathong Beach Phuket. Tel. : 01 978 93 52. Specialized in internships for foreigners.
• Sit Hou Muang Unon : Wing 21 Stadium Tumbol. Nai Muang Amphur. Muang Ubon Rachatani. Tel. : 01 967 34 95.
• Por Muang Ubon : 78/1 Thanon Sri Narong. Ubon Rachatani. Tel. : 045 24 23 99. 

But also in France :

• Wang Chan Noi & Piem Outhaithavy Camp : S.N.S.C. Muaythai - 157, Bd Jules Verne - 44300 NANTES. Tel.: 06 61 87 90 45 Fax : 02 51 89 69 97. Email: piem.boxe@free.fr.
• C.N.M.T. Commision Nationale de Muaythai : 32 Rue des Îles, Saint Maur les Fosses. Tel.: 01 43 97 49 96, 01 48 83 78 28 Fax : 01 42 83 26 85
• E.M.T.U : Head Referee Kouider Abdelmoumeni 17 Rue de l'Hôtel Dieu, 95500 GONESSE. Tel./Fax : 01 39 87 64 24
• Muay Thai France : Pudpadnoi 13 Rue Malebranche, 75005 PARIS Tel.: 01 43 26 25 43
• Plaisir Isis Camp : Ferme des 4 Pignons, 78850 THIVERAL
• Swaying Naga Camp : 13 Rue Racine, 76000 ROUEN. Tel. : 01 35 88 09 98
• Aventure World France : 52 Bld koenigs 31300 Toulouse. Tel. : 06 77 34 91 93. Email: aventureworld@yahoo.fr. Web Site : http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/BOXING.MUAY.THAI - 4 weeks internship in August 2003 for 1500 euros per head : 1500 €/pers. (see advertising)

A few useful Internet addresses to get to a core on this subject

• "Fédération de Boxe Thaï, Muay Thaï et Disciplines Associées" - Head quarter : 1, rue Tristan Tzara 75018 Paris - Informations Tel/fax 01.45.18.50.86. Administration and licenses : Boite Postale 05 - 27800 BRIONNE Tél.: 02 32 44 06 25. Web Site : http://www.fbtmtda.org/
• Thai boxing internships : http://monsite.wanadoo.fr/THAILAND.ADVENTURE/page5.html
• A nice site in English language : http://www.elbowko.com/
• Belgium Muay Thai federation official site : http://www.muay-thai-belgium.be/

» Find a book about Thai boxing onAmazon.fr

That’s it : you almost know everything about this sport.