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Muay Thai (มวยไทย)
is known by many names, Thai Boxing being the most common. It is
also known as The Art of Eight Limbs. Some people also refer to it
as kickboxing, although this is incorrect.
Muay Thai is the national sport of
Thailand. Developed over a thousand years ago, its roots are still
largely unknown. This ancient yet practical system is without a
doubt one of the most effective, basic and brutal of all stand-up
fighting styles known today.
Muay Thai is a popular ring-sport,
utilizing a four-sided, roped ring, similar to that used in western
boxing. A typical Muay Thai fight lasts for 5 x 3 minute rounds,
with a 2 minute rest break between rounds. Fighters are allowed to
use any part of their legs or arms to strike each other and may
grapple while standing, using a wide range of wrestling techniques
and throws to over-power each other. This practice of upright
wrestling is called Plam.
Head-butting, biting and striking to the
groin are not allowed.
Today, Muay Thai techniques and training
systems have been incorporated into many other styles and
competitions, including the hugely popular Ultimate Fighting
Championship (UFC), Pride and K1.
Muay Thai first came to universal
recognition in the late 70’s and early 80’s, with the explosion in
popularity of martial arts movies in the western world. Movies like
“Kickboxer” starring Jean Claude Van Damme, inaccurate though they
were, brought international recognition to the sport. More recently,
“Ong Bak” starring Thai action star Tony Jaa, has sparked even more
curiosity about this amazing fighting art.
Originally used by the armies of the
kingdom of what was called Siam, now Thailand, as a form of un-armed
battlefield combat, Muay Thai has constantly changed and adapted
over hundreds of years into the form we see today. Its history is
the history of Thailand.
When the Burmese army sacked and razed
Ayuddhaya (then capitol of Siam) to the ground, the archives of Thai
history were lost. With them, much of the early history of Muay Thai
also disappeared.
The little we do know comes from the
writings of the Burmese, Cambodian, early European visitors and the
few surviving chronicles of the Lanna Kingdom in Chiangmai.
What all sources agree on is that Muay
Thai began as a close combat battlefield fighting style. It was
developed as a way of training the local farmers and peasants in a
very short space of time so that they could defend their homes and
their kingdom from invaders.
As to where Muay Thai came from, the
sources aren't clear and often contradict each other. The
predominant theory, however, is this:
For over 1000 years, the entire area of
South-east Asia was fraught with struggle and bloodshed. A warm,
fertile land, with constant rain, and wild food aplenty, this area
must have seemed like the ultimate destination for so many people
from all over Asia. As all those immigrants surged into the area,
competing with the locals for food and shelter, it is likely that
many battles sprang up between the different groups.
With all the varied cultures mingling
and competing for resources, it was unavoidable that the fighting
styles of all should eventually mingle, creating the style called
Muay Boran. Old Style Boxing, as it is known in Thailand, was the
precursor to Muay Thai.
In the ensuing centuries, as the people
of the region began to settle into a more structured civilization,
Muay Boran grew increasingly popular, not just as a wartime
practice, but as a way of life and entertainment for the populace.
The history of war between Thailand
(Siam) and Myanmar (Burma) is fascinating in itself. Even today, the
two countries are constantly fighting and their peoples loathe each
other with every fiber of their beings. The history books are full
of accounts of the bloody battles between the two countries with
victories for both sides. The Burmese have their own fighting style
called Bando. Nearly every country in the region has its own form of
martial art, though none have proven to be anywhere near as popular,
successful or effective as Muay Thai.
Since its introduction to the Western
world in the late 1970’s, Muay Thai has enjoyed a steady growth in
popularity. It has spread to all four corners of the globe and today
has championship quality fighters in almost ever country on earth.
Each country has accepted Muay Thai in its own way and each country
has added its own particular flavor to the style.
For over 20 years, fighters from
America, Europe and Australia have regularly traveled to Thailand to
train and compete against the Thais and one another. At first, the
Thais dominated, but recently, the foreigners, or “falang” have
begun to assert themselves. The standard of training and competition
in these countries has improved to the point where it is now easily
comparable to Thailand and the results reflect this. Perhaps more
significant is the way the Thai fighting style has changed to
compete with foreign styles. Punches are now far more prevalent than
they were even 10 years ago in Thai Boxing matches, due largely to
the effectiveness of the Western Boxers with their superior hand
skills.
Thus we see that not only has Muay Thai
changed the way the Western world views the fighting arts, but we
too have changed the way the Thais view their own art.
The future looks bright for Muay Thai.
With the rising popularity of Mixed Martial Arts around the globe,
fighters from all styles are looking to Muay Thai as the complete
stand-up fighting system. Combining Muay Thai with Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu and its superior ground game seems to be the winning formula
for most MMA champions.
As Muay Thai continues to evolve and
adapt in the coming years it is important to remember the origins of
the sport. With its proud heritage and rich history, Muay Thai has
more to offer than mere fighting prowess. By respecting the
traditions and beliefs of the Thai people who created this style, we
will enrich our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Remember, Muay Thai and indeed all
martial arts in general are not just about fighting. They are about
self-improvement. We study to make ourselves better and in so doing
make the world a better place, one person at a time. |
