Taking on the World, One Fight at a Time
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is an ancient martial that originated in Thailand. It is a form of full contact kickboxing that utilizes kicks and punches as well as elbow and knee strikes.
Because of the eight points of contact (two feet, two fists, two knees, and two elbows), Muay Thai is often called “The science of the Eight Limbs“. To this day, Muay Thai is the official national sport of Thailand. The goal in Muay Thai competition is to defeat the opponent by knockout or in the absence of a knockout by a decision of the judges.
Modern Muay Thai is derived from Muay Boran and Krabi Krabong both older forms of martial arts and military weaponry training from Thailand. Kicks, punches, elbows, and knees eventually replaced weapons to simulate the devasting strikes of the handheld weapons used in warfare.
The term Muay Thai became prevalent in the 1920s as did the adoption of some of the equipment and rules from Western boxing including the use of boxing gloves, boxing rings, dividing bouts into rounds, timekeeping in minutes and the introduction of new rules to regulate the fights. For example, head butts and ground fighting were eliminated from the contests.
Prior to the introduction of boxing gloves, Thai Boxers would wrap their hands in hemp rope or leather strips instead of gloves. Pieces of broken seashells or glass were sometimes ground into the hand wraps to make the punches even more dangerous. These practices are no longer allowed.
Our Recent Travel to
Bangkok, Thailand
My son, Na’il, and I arrived in Bangkok from Malaysia on 13 Feb 2019 for a four-day visit. While there on 14 Feb we attended ‘fight night’ at the Rajadamnern Stadium located at 1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, in Bangkok. On a previous visit to Thailand, I had the opportunity to visit a Muay Thai exhibition held at a different location. But this would be the first time either of us had attended a professional Thai boxing event.
All photos were taken by me, including the cover photo for the video, but NOT the video itself which I downloaded from UTube. Because of the way in which seating is arranged at the stadium, there is almost no vantage point for close-in viewing without ring ropes partially obstructing one’s view, even at ringside. A long lens fixed to my Nikon D7000 provided some relief, and later cropping providing additional benefit. I hope that presented conveys an impression and understanding what took place.
Rajadamnern Stadium
Above. The fighters perform set rituals prior to the fight. Below. Once the fight starts this cheering section is animated wild with excitement as gloves, knees, feet, and elbows fly as the fighters engage in combat. However, the gentlemen below seem oblivious to it all.
Sarama (Thai Music)
Sarama is the rhythmic music that accompanies Muay Thai matches as well as the pre-fight ritual, the Ram Muay, also referred to as Phleng Muay. The music is performed by four musicians each playing either one of two kinds of oboe, a pair of Thai drums or cymbals.
During the Ram Muay the tempo of the music starts out slow and stately to match the mood of the ritual. When the fight commences the tempo is increased and becomes frenetic at moments of excitement during a match. The music is a part of the atmosphere of a Muay Thai match and urges fighters to fight harder.
Rajadamnern Stadium
Address: 1 Ratchadamnoen Nok Rd, Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium
Muay Thai Boxing Techniques
1. Jab
The most basic punch in Muay Thai is the jab. The jab is often the first offensive weapon a fighter will learn.
2. Cross
The cross is a weapon that is known has the power shot. This is a punch that will put fear into your opponent if you connect properly.
3. Straight Right (or Left)
Similar to the Cross, but rather than a diagonal angle, the straight right does not veer diagonally but rather is a straight punch.
4. Hook
The hook is a technique that is extremely effective if you can connect on your opponents chin. It’s also known as the knockout punch.
Spectators Gallery
Bangkok is a major tourist hub, attracting a few million visitors a year. The Muay Thai boxing event is just one of the major attention grabbers available to visitors in this illustrious city.
Muay Thai Fight Gallery
While many people associate Muay Thai with elbows and knees, there is a whole range of techniques that are available to Muay Thai practitioners of the sport. While not all techniques are created equal, it is important to understand the different types of offensive and defensive weapons that are available for a fighter (See Above).
