Characteristcs of Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a ccmbative sport which allows the use of atmost
all bodily Organs, e.g., head, hand (fist) foot, knee, and
ellbow, as weapons in combat. Furthermore is an art demonstrating
ability in moving various parts of the body in combat and
self-defense to the accompaniment of music. lt is a kind of
sport that develops functional efficiency in the body systems,
as well as mental development and self-confidence. If can
very useful in daily life since Muay Thai requires prompt
decision makig. Those who train consistently in Muay Thai
will be enabled to make good swift decisions to solve their
Muay Thai is an individual uanrmed combat activity, therefore
a high level of fitness both physical and mental must be reached
through consistent traininhg. The combat may be fatal, particularly
when the training is inadequate, and therefore the compctitors
must strictly fllow the rules and regulations as well as having
good manners and sportsmanship.
Value of Muay
Training in Muay Thai promotes physical , ment , emotionat
and social development as well as translkitting and preservimg
Thai culture. lt is a fom of muartial art the can be used
for self-dcrence endangered. In addition, good fighters can
earn a 1ot of money many competitors receive hundreds thousand
Baht for each fight.
Customs to be
observed by Muay Thai Trainess
Manners to whicch the Trainees must strictly adhere are the
demonstratiton of respect and gratitude to their teachers
who have imparted the knowledge to them and performing a ritual
of acceptance before beginning training. Furthermore, new-corners
must pay respect to their seniors and not fight against others
taught by the same teacher. The traincee swears to observe
these things at the ritual of acceptance. In additton, the
trainee must be very patient, attentive and obedient since
accidents are otherwise likely to occur throughtout training.
History of Muay
Muay Thai is a martial art which allows the use of various
bodily organs for fighting. It originated in Thailand 1ong
ago and can be traced back to the Sukhothai period which is
about 800 years ago. It is now practiced all round the world
and sometimes referred to as Thai Boxing, But should not be
called Kick Boxing.
Muay Thai has been part of military training. Since ancient
times to supplement the use of sword and pike in war. It was
also employed for recreation exercise apd self-defence. There
are always Muay Thai contest at annual festivals particularly
in those for charity .
Mauy Thai was one of the skills of kings in the old times,
Pra Chao Sua, a king in the Ayudhya period, Oftene vtsited
villages incognito to challenge 1ocal fighters in to find
recruits. According to the Department of Fine Arts, Nai Khanon
Thom, who was captured by the Burnlese during the fall of
Ayudhya, defeated ten Burmese Fighters consecutively in a
contest on March 17, 1770. The day is now commemorated as
Muay Thai Day.
In 1927, the Ministry of the Interior legislated for the Regulation
of conditions for Pemitting Betting in Boxing and Wrestling
accordance with the Betting Act B.E. 2470 (1927). The rules
ot compettion were established by the Department of PhysicaI
Education and have been effective from April I, 1937.
Since 1936 the Department of Physical Education had set the
curricula for physical education teacher training. The Third
Class Certificate in Physical Education required the competition
of seven subjects, namely Track and Field sports, Callisthenics,
Teachers Ethics, Boy Scouts Health Educattion and First aid.
The First class Certificate in Physical Education required
4 out of 6 additional subjects, i.e. Sword and Pike Fighting,
Judo, Gymnastic, Fencing, Thai and Boxing.
Muay Thai become a professional sport since the promotion
or contests at the suan Kularb Ring+ The audience, sat or
stood around the ring which was on the ground and was 20 metres
in size. The contestmts tied their hands with strips of cotton,
wore Mongkon at the head and armbands on both ams. The first
stadium for profession Muay Tahi, Rajadamnoen stadium, was
opened on December 23, 1945. The Rules have been revised and
some equipment for injury-prevention has been introduced
Muay Thai has been a sport for competitions since 1971. The
first competition was held in Bangkok with competitors from
five institutes: Srinakrin University: the colleges of Physical
Education at chiang Mai, Maha Sarakham, Yala, And Chon Bun.
Mr.Sawaeng Siriplai was one of the of amateur Muay Thai who
intrroduced rules for international competitions which prescribed
the adoption of some protection for trunk and head to prevent
injury. First time that Muay Thai was one of the competitive
sports in the Thai national Games was in 1993 at Khon Khaen.
The First Internation Muay Thai championship was organized
by the newly established lntemational Amateur Muay Thai Fedcration
(I.A.M.T.F.) in Bangkok in 1995.
Today Muay Thai forms part of the competition for secondary
school students organized annually by the Department of physical
Education. lt is also taught in secondary schools and universities
particularly in all colleges of PhysicaI Education.