History of Muay Thai
A system of unarmed combat, Muay Thai (or Thai-Boxing) originated in what is now Thailand over two thousand years ago.
It's precise beginnings are shrouded in legend, but early records show that monks trained novices to become bodyguards for
the royal family. Exhibition fights were frequently staged for the royal court, and they could be brutal. Fighters had their
hands wrapper with rope, which was coated with a sticky resin and then dipped into crushed glass. The bouts often ended in
Thankfully, Muay Thai has evolved over the centuries. Competitors now wear protective equipment-it as they try to score
with punches, elbows, knees and kicks. Rugged and spectacular, Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, mid is enjoying
a surge of international popularity with practitioners now in England, The Netherlands, Belgium. France, Australia, The United
States and Canada.
-taken from Siam #1 Thai-Boxing School (Toronto) Pamplet
Muay Thai has long been part of Thailands culture. Written records of the sport before 1774 were lost when the Burmese
sacked Ayudhaya. In the 1930s rules were introduced bringing the fights into the boxing ring. Prior to this fights were outside
in a field with no time limit