Muay Thai Boxing

Because Thai boxers are allowed kick with theiraudience. If you want to see a fight and not have
feet and use their elbows, Muay Thai requires ato face very long lines, your best bet is to go to
lot more skill than western boxing and can seemone of the stadiums around 6:30 p.m. on a
to be a much more brutal show. Yet, there isSunday - when attendance is at its lowest point
often a level of respect between the fightersfor the week. There are usually several lower
that makes it a more honorable sport than theranked fights before the main event - which you
pugilism you may be used to back home. And,can expect to kick off around 9 p.m.
rather than the rap or heavy metal music thatThe Rules
plays at many American matches, you will oftenOf course, Muay Thai has its own unique set of
hear traditional wood winds and chimes at arules which may be confusing at first to a
boxing match in Thailand! What you may notwestern spectator. Before the fight can begin,
know is that Muay Thai is part of Thailand'seach fighter must perform a wai khru dance as a
ancient heritage.way to show respect for his teachers and
Thai Boxing In Historytrainers.
Traditional Thai boxing goes back hundreds ofThere are only five rounds.
years and has been an important part of theBoxers must wear gloves.
country's history. Many people are surprised thatThe gloves must weigh at least six ounces.
Thais, a notoriously peaceful people, excel at thisGloves can not be squeezed in any way that
beautifully brutal sport. The reason they do so iswould alter their original shape.
that for hundreds of years the survival of theirEach round is three minutes long and there is a
nation depended on it. Because the terrain on thetwo minute break in between rounds.
Thailand borders is often rough and uneven, itThe winner is decided by knockout or by points.
was not in the Thai's advantage to develop longWhoever wins the most rounds wins the fight.
range weapons to ward off invaders.Contestants can only wear red or blue trunks.
Instead they decided to create a close hand toShirts and shoes are not allowed.
hand style of fighting that would lead to battlesBoth fighters must wear groin protection.
that favored the defenders over the invadingBefore the fight a sacred cloth called the Mongkol
armies - who would never understand the localmay be worn as a headband. It must be
terrain as well as the patriots they were fighting.removed before the fighting begins. The cloth is
As long ago as the mid 1500s, the celebratedworn to pay homage to the fighter's trainers and
warrior king Naresuan The Great - a boxingheritage. It is also thought to give the fighter good
legend - made Muay Thai a mandatory part of hisluck. All equipment must be provided by the
army's military training.stadium. This includes a stopwatch, a signal gong,
Perhaps the most famous instance of Thai boxinga warning bell, boxing gloves, water, jock straps
in the countries history came 200 years laterand surgical tape.
when the warrior Nai Khanom Tom wasLearning Muay Thai
kidnapped by Burma during a raid on Siam'sSome men, after watching these beautiful guys
capitol. After he was captured he made apummel each other in the ring are tempted to
challenge to his Burmese captors. If he could takelearn the sport themselves. While that used to be
on 10 of their best fighters at once and win,impossible - as local trainers for centuries would
Burma would free him and his people. Thinkingonly train local Thai men starting from a young
that they would easily prevail, the Burmeseage, all that changed in 1997. That's when the
agreed. Nai Khanom then used his Muay Thai skillsWorld Muay Thai Council established the first
to defeat all 10 adversaries and return to Thailandrecognized training academy for the sport. The
as one of the nation's greatest heroes!Muay Thai Institute in Rangsit, just north of
Modern Muay ThaiBangkok was created as a way to make this
For much of its history Muay Thai was a brutalcherished sport accessible to everyone and
dangerous sport. It was raw hand to handpreserve its fabled heritage.
combat - with ropes and cords wrapped aroundAll of the teachers at the institute are former
the hands instead of gloves. As Thailand haschampions and they are required to speak English.
entered the modern age, the rules have changedThey will teach anyone and everyone - including
slightly to protect the fighters, who now wearwomen and foreigners. The course covers most
padded gloves and protection for their groins.of the historical and cultural background of Muay
While boxers can still use their elbows and feetThai as well as the physical skills and fitness
during the match most of the other rules havetraining. You can take classes to learn how to be
been modified to comply with international boxinga referee or on how to start your own stadium
regulations. This has allowed the popularity ofor training program. Dormitories are available but
Muay Thai to spread throughout the world andyou might be considerably more comfortable
today you can find Thai Boxing training centers intaking a nearby hotel for your 15 day stay.
most of the western world including the UnitedThe first three levels of training cost roughly $160
States and Russia.per course, while the fourth, expert level course
In Thailand itself Muay Thai is even more popularis much more rigorous and costs about $1,200.
than soccer and is broadcast on television five toSchool management can help you with any
seven nights a week. Many of the fighters beginstudent visa issues that may pop up.
training when they are only seven or eight yearsCome And Enjoy The Show
old and some have made the move to westernWhether you want to just sit back and watch the
style boxing - and become international stars inguys fight, or if you want to lace up your gloves
their own right! The best modern Muay Thaiand join in yourself, Thai boxing is something no
combatants fight in the Lumpini orone should miss on any trip to Thailand.
Ratchadamnoen stadiums to a universally packed