Muay Thai

Muay Thai
          The nation if Thailand ( Siam) was born and built up in 1238, Sukhothai its capital, 772 years ago.
The forefathers of Thailand created martial art called “Rum Mud Rum Muay”
now know as “ Muay Thai which is a science of Fighting, this skilled fighting gave victory to Thai warriors against its enemies.
Thailand can be proud that this type of fighting helps to preserve its country.

          Muay Thai is an art with the spirit of Thai blood line since its inception,
valuable in our heritage and culture and our way of thinking. With Graceful dancing style and hidden aggression,
10 body parts(weapons) 2hands, 2 feet, 2 knees, 2 elbows head and hip moving meticulously together
making a Muay Thai warrior a lethal  fighter. Muay Thai martial art is widely accepted from
people around the world as being near perfect and elegant mixing together science and art.

          Since the period of Sukhothai, Krung Sri Ayuthya, Thonburi to Krung Rattanakosin,
all Thai Kings were warriors. They protected the country by using weapons and Muay Thai martial arts.
The King always led by example leading his heroes and heroines on the front lines to fight their enemy.
If their weapons fell to the ground they would continue the fight using Muay Thai martial ar
t ready to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of Thailand and their King.

          “ Rum Mud Rum Muay” has developed over the years from the science of skilled fighting
for war to martial art on stage. This is our culture heritage the way of thinking of our forefathers
that Thai people should be proud of and preserve Muay Thai along with Thailand forever.



Muay Thai
          Muay Thai is Thai martial arts which has long history.
Muay Thai was used a method of fighting is past wars. Nowadays Muay Thai has become a sport, only now they wear protective gloves when opponents fight each other to prevent serious injuries.
          Muay Thai has a reputation as the science of the Eight attacks,
which include 2 hands, 2 feet, 2 elbows and 2 knees, some references
also mention a attacks which include the head
or even 10 attacks(or weapons) which includes the hip( or buttock).

          Muay Thai is passed on from ancient style fighting.
Each area of Thailand has its own brand of Muay Thai style fighting.
These areas were divided up as follow;
            •          Muay Chaiya( South)
            •          Muay Lopburi and Muay Pranakorn( Central)
            •          Muay Thasao(North)
            •          Muay Korat( Northeast)

Muay Thai art.
          In the past they taught Muay Thai in schools. Schools are different from fighting
camps in that they have teacher experts in Muay Thai skills and well know in Thailand.
Those teachers whose desire to pass on their knowledge of Muay Thai to future
generations, only teaching those students committed and have a great desire to
learn Muay Thai fighting to its highest level. Fighting camps are Muay Thai fighters getting
together to share their experiences with one another to improve their skills for
future competitions. These were two types of schools.
          1) Royal school (Government run).
          2) Civil school (Civilian run). Some would practice fighting with a sward (Krabi)
          and some would practice with a staff( Krabong).
          There was also another style of fighting for use in defense and war.

          In the past, Muay Thai competition matches were held at festivals or temple ceremony events. School of fighting and fighting camps would send their students and/or teachers to compete against one another to see who would be champion and receive an award (money) that was collected from bets on all matches. All competitors were treated equally. There are stories that the King would disguise himself and go to those competitions to fight against civilian fighters in order to show his abilities and skill as a Muay Thai fighter, such as King Sua( Khun Luang Sorasuk) , King Taksin and Praya Pichai Dabhuk ect.
          In past history one of the wars that Thailand lost to Myanmar, many Thai citizens were taken captive and held as prisoners. One of those prisoners was Nai Kanom Tom, a teacher of Muay Thai from Ayuthya, was forced to fight against Burmish fighters and won many times, proving his greatness in Muay Thai fighting.
          In the late Ayuthya period of Thailand, the department of law and the Royal police department were established to be responsible in protecting the King and the Royal family. They required to learn Muay Thai fighting and wrestling. Because of the requirement, many Muay Thai teachers and skilled fighters worked for the Government. Those Government workers would perform and show their skills in front of the King in the palace during various special festivals, a tradition that continued annually.
          Muay Thai fighting was very popular in early Rattanakosin period up until King Rama 5,6 and 7. During King Rama 5 reign the Government official arranged Muay Thai fighting to be shown in front of the King on a regular basis in the rose garden palace. Most of the competitors ( Fighters) were Thai, but on the occasion they did bring in foreign fighters.
          Early in Muay Thai competition the competitors used to wrap their hands with ropes, called “Muay Kad Cheak”. This continued up until Pae Leargprasert threw a devastating punch and killed his Cambodian opponent. After this incident they started to use padded gloves. During this period Muay Thai fighting rules were set up and the first standard boxing ring was built in Lumpini and Ratchadamnern. These rules are still used to this day in Muay Thai competitions.

Muay Thai
Muay Thai Principle
          Thai fighting main idea is to defend themselves from the enemy by standing strong and firm, keeping your chin down and both hands up guarding and ready. One foot down pointing forward bearing weight only on half of that foot. The other foot slightly back pointed out arranged out from the shoulder. This foot bearing a quarter of your weight on the big toe area. From this position they can quickly move the front foot forward allows them to always be ready to fight both defensive and offensive style fighting. One forearm is lifted up to shoulder level close to the cheek. The other forearm is lifted up to the other cheek. Both elbows will not be spread out too wide or too close to each other. Head is down to protect the chin taking aim to the middle of your opponents chest. Having quick reactions to every movement of your opponent with appropriate responses of Muay Thai skill.As Muay Thai fighters move around they will pick a specific moment to strike out at their opponents tricking or scaring them.
          Every strike or hit has a purpose, sometimes to trick their opponents . There are close in and distant style fighting that produce many dangerous and famous Muay Thai strikes(hits) that can knock out an opponent such as:
  • Jorakhae Fad Hang( Crocodile tail strike, spin around and strike with the foot).
  • Tane Gwad Lan( Kick with a sweeping motion taking out opponent's feet).
  • Hanuman Tawaiwan( Punch both fists up to the chin).
  • Morn Yan Lak( Kick the body to make the enemy lose balance).
  • Huk Nguang  Iyara( Use opponent's body to jump up and kick the neck).
  • Bun Sean Tossakan( Kick to the neck).
  • Puk Look Toy( Elbow to the enemy's thigh).
  • Monto Nung Tan( Jump up and elbow to the fontanel).
  • Hirun Muan Pandin( Elbow strike backward).
  • Praram Dern Dong( Kick then punch to the same side).
  • Morn Tang Krit( Elbow to the rib cage).
  • Lue si Bod Ya( Jump up and elbow to the middle of the head).
  • Poong Hok Mokka suk( Lift elbow up above the head and strike down to the face. 
          There are many more of Muay Thai tactics, used to trick or knock down opponent such as: touch and kick, touch and push, alternate kick, sweep kick ,high kick, Sawab kick, in and out kick, stick  kick, ground kick, back kick, pinch pick and assorted elbow strikes. ect.
          Muay Thai also uses other parts of the body to defend or attack , for example , to use the palm of the hand to cover , push away, pull, and press opponents and the use of the feet for defensive and offensive movements, jumping and step up on opponents body for high leg strikes.They also use the shoulders and the trunk of the body to trick opposing fighters .
Basic components of Muay Thai
  1. size and proportion of the body.
  2. strength of body and mind.
  3. Spirit of the fighter.
  4. Concentration, wisdom and way of thinking.
  5. Joyful, humble and cheerful.
  6. Believe and be grateful to the teacher.
  7. Never underestimate the situation and have good judgement.
  8. Be a good loser, diligent and patient.
  9. Value Muay Thai martial arts.
Practicing Muay Thai.
  1. Enroll into a school of Muay Thai learn from a faithful teacher.
  2. Train your body to be strong, fast, flexible and to tolerate pain.
  3. Train the use of your sense ( vision, hearing and tactile).
  4. Train to use all body parts to be effective in Muay Thai skill.
  5. Train with various boxing equipment to become stronger.
  6. Train against partners/teachers.
  7. Train how to react in all situation of the fight.
  8. Gain experience from learning with Muay Thai advisors and exchanging fighting experience.
  9. Psychological training for the highest level of fighting.
  10. Nutrition, stress management and self/professional therapy.
Rules

          Current Muay Thai amateur and professional boxing matches have clear rules regulating all fights arranged by the Promotor. There is one ring referee and 3 judges using a point system.Point system as follows:

          Each round has a max of 10 points a fighter can receiver. Points are given as follows: The skill level of Muay Thai martial arts they use/ boxing strikes/ injury/ severity of the wound/ advantage/ point deduction for foul play/ knock downs.
The score is calculated according to Muay Thai rules, experience and knowledge of the judges.

          Most of competition will have 5 round bouts, each round last 3 minutes and rest period for 2 minutes, goal is to produce the winner and to show their high level of martial art skills. The fighter must dress according to Muay Thai rules and wear a sacred cloth on the head. Prior the fight, the fighters will perform Muay Thai dance to show respect to the teachers. They start from sitting position Benjangkapradit bow down to show respect / kneel/ stand-up from sitting position. In Muay Thai dancing sometimes they may walk or side step at the same time and doing hand motions as if pulling a rope chanting in the way they were thought, to spike fear into their opponents.
          Muay Thai dancing position such as Praram Plang Sorn( Praram use the arrow), Lab Hok Mokkasuk( Sharpen the spear), Kwang Leaw Lang( Turned around deer), Hong Hern( flying Swan), Sawnoi Prapang( young lady put on make up). Music will be played to give rhythm in the fight, Sarammahkak song is played for the dancing prior to the fight, Bulan Chok muay song and Cherd song will be played during the fight. Thai music instruments consist of Java flutes, Kak drum and cymbal.     
    Main equipment for Muay Thai fighters.
  1. Boxers outfit which includes : shorts, jock strap guard, fabric to wrap around hands, boxing gloves, back angle, sacred cloth and head rope, robe, tooth protection retainers.
  2. Practice equipment includes: Sandbag, soft bag, tire bag, target for punching, kick and knee target, punching ball or bag, dumb bell, barbell, short staff, long staff, sit-up chair, steal bar, jump rope, manila robe, mirror, tire to practice balance, pillar, wood bar, low fence, single bar, double bar, boxing ring to practice fighting, mat, wood massager. charcoal and compressed massager ect.
  3. Practice equipment includes: Sandbag, soft bag, tire bag, target for punching, kick and knee target, punching ball or bag, dumb bell, barbell, short staff, long staff, sit-up chair, steal bar, jump rope, manila robe, mirror, tire to practice balance, pillar, wood bar, low fence, single bar, double bar, boxing ring to practice fighting, mat, wood massager. charcoal and compressed massager ect. 

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