Thailand is a country that is located in the middle of mainland Southeast Asia. It is the 50th largest country in the world and shares its border with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. It is a popular tourist destination famous for its magnificent beaches, beautiful temples and delicious food. Cuisines such as Tom Yum and Pad Thai are well-known and available all around the globe, but to have an authentic Tom Yam in Thailand is incomparable.
Thailand is also known as the land of smiles, and this nickname comes from its friendly and welcoming locals. For most, when people think of Thailand, they think of the sun and beautiful sandy beaches, but have you heard of Muay Thai? Do you know that it originates from Thailand?
In recent times, Muay Thai has gained popularity all around the globe. More and more people are becoming interested in this martial art, which is excellent news for anyone looking to learn or teach it. This article will explore the history, sports and fitness development, attire, and other aspects of this beautiful martial art.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, originated in Thailand and is widely called the art of eight limbs. It is a stand-up striking martial art, meaning that fighters cannot take the fight to the ground and must remain standing throughout the match.
Muay Thai is very similar to kickboxing. A lot of people tend to have the misconception that they are the same thing when, in fact, they are very different. They share similarities, such as their fighters’ techniques and training to master these martial arts. On the surface, they may look the same, but the truth is both Muay Thai and kickboxing are different at a fundamental level.
One of the most noticeable contrasts is that Muay Thai incorporates an 8-point striking system. This is why Muay Thai is also known as the art of the eight limbs. Kickboxing, on the other hand, only uses a 4-point striking system. So what is an 8-point striking system or the art of the eight limbs? Muay Thai uses 8 points for striking and punching. These eight are their hands, elbows, knees and feet. A Muay Thai fighter can use all of these in their strikes. Kickboxing, on the other hand, only uses their hands and feet. In kickboxing, the use of knees and elbows is not permitted.
Another significant difference between the two is the techniques that are used. Kickboxing mainly concentrates on using multiple angles and footwork to coordinate attacks on opponents. Muay Thai, on the other hand, is more about being patient and finding the right opportunity to attack their opponents. A Muay Thai fighter will wait for the right opportunity instead of just attacking like a kickboxer will do. Most of the time, in a Muay Thai fight, the participants will wait for the chance, usually right after their opponent’s attack, to deal with a perfectly timed, quick and powerful counterattack.
History of Muay Thai
There are many different stories and versions of the history of Muay Thai. One of the widely known beliefs is that it has its roots in Siam, the former name of Thailand. At the same time, others state that it originated from Cambodia.
It’s no secret that Muay Thai has had a significant role in Thai history for centuries. The Siam army utilised Muay Thai as a form of combat. For those who may not be familiar, Siam was the former name of Thailand. Thai warriors relied on Muay Thai for both offence and defence during wartime, which proved incredibly effective.
So much so that a manual was created to document the techniques and methods used in Muay Thai combat - called Chupasart. This manual delved into utilising every part of the body for martial arts, emphasising the importance of more than just weapons in warfare.
Since Muay Thai was mainly used on battlefields by soldiers, you might wonder how it gained popularity outside the military. This happened during the reign of King Parachao Sua. During this time, Muay time was first recorded as being practised as a sport. During the reign of King Parachao Sua, Thailand enjoyed a time of peace. This did not stop him from ensuring that Muay Thai was preserved. He ordered all his soldiers to train and practice Muay Thai nonetheless.
This is what helped spread the Muay Thai competitions in Thailand. King Parachao Sua was such a fan of Muay Thai that he used to conceal his true identity and compete secretly in the Muay Thai competitions held in the villages in Thailand. He was not only a fan of this martial art. He won many of those competitions against trained, skilled fighters.
There is a saying: ‘Nothing can stand against you except yourself’. This can be seen in the legendary Muay Thai fighter, Nai Khanom Tom. He made Muay Thai famous as a prisoner in Burma. He defeated 10 of Burma’s top fighters, propelling the sport to legendary status.
Muay Thai is a martial art ingrained in the Thai military, where soldiers still use it for hand-to-hand combat. It’s about patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike, not just striking as much as possible. People from all walks of life enjoy Muay Thai, leading to the establishment of training camps nationwide.
Development of Muay Thai in the Sports Arena
In 1930, Muay Thai was finally codified with rules set in place to make it an official sport. In the early 20th century, Muay Thai was finally recognised internationally as a safe ring sport. There are eight divisions of Muay Thai boxing, and slight changes were made to this sport.
One of the most apparent changes is the rope bindings. Unlike Western boxing, Muay Thai did not use boxing gloves. Instead, they used rope binding on their hands. This change occurred after Muay Thai was codified and accepted as an international sport. Nowadays, Muay Thai fighters use boxing gloves similar to Western boxers. Did you know when Muay Thai competitions first started in Thailand, fighters did not use anything to cover and protect their hands?
One of the most notable platforms for Muay Thai is the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), recognised internationally as the sport’s official governing body. IFMA organises and promotes numerous world championships and major tournaments, ensuring the sport’s widespread participation and visibility. These events attract top athletes from different countries, showcasing the highest Muay Thai skills and techniques.
Muay Thai’s presence in international competitions extends to events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, and World Combat Games. The sport’s representation in these multi-sport events highlights its significance and growing acceptance in the international sports community.
In 2013, Muaythai joined the International World Games Association (IWGA), and it made its debut at The World Games 2017 in Wrocław, Poland.
A significant milestone was achieved in 2023 as Muay Thai finally received its much-deserved recognition when it was officially included in the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Muay Thai Attire
In the early days, fighters practised without footwear and only wore shorts and headbands to keep sweat away from their eyes. Nowadays, most fighters wear typical Muay Thai gear like shorts, t-shirts, gloves, shin guards, and mouth guards for training and fights. However, some fighters still opt for traditional clothing with significant historical value.
One of the items worn by Muay Thai fighters is a type of headgear known as a Mongkol. This headgear serves as a sign of reverence and esteem towards the fighter’s instructor or coach. Additionally, it is believed to bring luck and safeguard the fighters during their matches.
The Pra Jiad armband, another traditional item, is typically worn on the upper arm in combat. Crafted from a blessed fabric gifted by a monk, this armband offers safeguard and fortune to the fighter.
Evolution of Muay Thai in Current Times
Today, Muay Thai is a sport and a means of keeping fit. Because Muay Thai uses the entire body, unlike other martial arts like boxing, many people these days pick up and learn Muay Thai to stay active. This sport helps them maintain their fitness and stay healthy. Many classes are available worldwide and online to help people get fit using Muay Thai. Aside from this, there are many benefits to practising Muay Thai.
This martial art has come a long way and has joined popular culture, where movies that include Muay Thai have taken the stage and garnered positive feedback. One of those movies is the Ong Bak movie. This movie is about a guy named Ong Bak who goes to Bangkok to retrieve a stolen Buddha statue from his village. He uses traditional Muay Thai to combat these enemies. This movie was a big hit worldwide, making more people interested in Muay Thai martial arts.
Muay Thai is a martial art with a rich and exciting history from Thailand. One can learn this martial art to be a serious fighter and for fitness. Its extraordinary and unique fighting techniques have been developed for years and even used in the Thai military until today. It has garnered recognition internationally and will finally be included in the Olympics. This shows how the influence of Muay Thai martial arts has reached every corner of the globe.
Are you wondering where to learn Muay Thai? We recommend signing up for private lessons with Superprof instructors. Not only will you receive personalised attention and guidance, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn and master the fundamentals of this fantastic martial art.
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