"Muay Thai" is
the national sport of Thai society. It has been held for competition
continuously since Sukhothai period, between 1257 - 1377 AD.
During the reign of King Pha Chao Sua, he disguised himself
to box with ordinary people in 1702. "The Tiger King," he
loved Muay Thai so much that he often fought incognito in village
contests, beating the local champions. During the reign of
the Tiger King the nation was at peace. The King, to keep the
army busy, ordered it to train in Muay Thai. The interest in
the sport was already high, but now it took off yet again.
In
1774, Nai Khanohm Thom was famous for his battle against a group
of Burmese. Nai Khanom Thom was a prisoner of war in Burma. The
Burmese had captured him when they sacked and burnt Thailand's
ancient capital Ayutthaya. Nai Khanom Thom must have been a great
fighter. Without pause, he took them on one by one through a
battering and bruising contest. He defeated ten of Burma's best.
King
Mangra was one of the first to applaud the feat he had witnessed. "Every
part of the Thai is blessed with venom, even with his bare hands
he can fell nine or ten opponents." The King gave Nai Thanom
Thom his freedom and he returned to Ayutthaya - and a heroes
welcome.
Thailand's
army fostered the growth of Muay Thai. Soldiers have trained and
used the techniques for as long as there has been an army in
Thailand. For the military it has always been the close combat
fighting skill, the martial art of the battlefield. When a Thai
soldier fights hand to hand he uses Muay Thai. But then so does
every Thai person, male or female. Watching it, learning it,
copying it is a part of Thai childhood. It always has been.
Muay Thai
became the favorite sport and pastime of the people, the army
and the King. Historical sources show that people from all walks
of life flocked to training camps. Rich, poor, young and old
all wanted some of the action. Every village staged its prize
fights and had its champions. Every bout became a betting contest
as well as a contest of local pride. The betting tradition has
remained with the sport and today large sums are wagered on the
outcome of fights. Muay Thai competition was an activity that
earned income for boxers throughout Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and
Rattanakosin periods.
Up
until 1921, the competitions were held on the ground, within
a "ring" the width of 20 m. (spectators sit or stood
around the boxers to form the boundary). Today, modern style
boxing rings are used. The changes that the sport have undergone
have been changes to equipment used rather than radical change.
1923
marked the end of the practice of "rope" wrappings
used around the knuckles (in place of gloves!) entirely. The
police by the interior Ministry prescribed the boxers to wear
gloves instead and groin guards, as well. The groin guard later
became a triangular shaped pillow, red or blue, tied around the
waist with another strap running between the legs.
This
innovation was also in response to the growing success of Thai
Boxers in international boxing. The groin was a perfectly legal
target up until the 1930's. In the early days, the protection
was made from tree bark or sea shells held in place with a piece
of cloth tied between the legs and around the waist.
The
establishment of stadiums, instead of makeshift rings and courtyards,
began during the reign of Rama VII - before the Second World
War. During the war, they gradually disappeared, but mushroomed
again soon afterwards - Muay Thai had not lost any of its appeal.
The
Thai boxers from "up-country" once again headed toward
fame and fortune in Bangkok. The glory could be found at stadiums
like Rajdamnern and Lumpinee. Muay Thai can be seen live on air
on TV Ch3, Ch5, Ch7, Ch9, Ch11, ITV and UBC. The television fight
broadcasts rate among the Kingdom's most popular programs. In
the provinces, villages cluster around any available TV to watch.
In the city, people disappear from the streets while Thailand
is watching Muay Thai.
Other's
become legends because of a particular skill in the Muay Thai
art. Like Apidej Sit-Hirun, known as "The Champion of Seven
Titles," the most fearful kicker that Muay Thai may ever
have seen - he once broke his opponent's arm with his kick strike.
Thai
Boxing is also becoming increasingly popular outside of Thailand.
It has its enthusiasts and practitioners in the Americas, Australia,
Europe, Holland, Finland, Russia and Japan, as well as in many
other countries around the world. Training camps have been set
up in many countries, creating a large number of professional
and amateur Muay Thai boxers, coached by many Thai, as well as
non-Thai Instructors.
Dutch
Born Ramon Dekker is probably one of the best known European
Thai boxers of all time. He has fought against some of the top
Thai boxers of his time, including Coban whom he fought twice,
knocking out Coban in round one, then in a following bout, being
knocked out by Coban in an almost copycat version. He has
competed around the world and won several championships
throughout his career.
Noted
as a skilled fighter with powerful punches and kicks, and a
tendency to go head -to-head with his opponents, Dekker is a
favorite with the Thai's. Dekker is a very good Muay Thai
fighter and one who had beaten many Muay Thai champions, including
Nangpon Nongeeb Pahuyuth for the World Muay Thai Championship
in Holland.
Today,
there are two international organizations for Amateur Mauaythai:
The International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (IAMTF) organized
the First World Amateur Muay Thai Championships in 1995, and the
International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur (IFMA), which manages "WORLD
CUP" competitions.
Amateur
Muay Thai fighters wear protective helmets and padded vests. International
Professional competition is governed by the World Muay Thai Council
(WMC) or the Thailand Professional Muay Thai Association. Every
person associated with Muay Thai (Boxers, Promoters, etc...) is
protected by these organizations "Laws of Muay Thai." There
is always a referee posted on the ring for each fight.
Muay Thai
has become a sport recognized globally for both it's combat effectiveness
and rich, colorful history. Muay Thai prize fighters are now respected
and accepted by the world's communities as the true Professionals
that they are.
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