What is Muay Thai?

No, it’s not the name of a Thai dish, just in case you are wondering. ‘Muay’ stands for boxing and ‘Muay Thai’ simply means Thai boxing. Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is also known as ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’ as the hands, shins, elbows and knees are used extensively in this art.

To know more about Muay Thai, see ‘The A to Z of Muay Thai’ below.

When did Muay Thai start?

Though the history of Muay Thai is said to date back to more than 2000 years ago, the great upsurge of interest in Muay Thai as a battle field skill date back to slightly more than 400 years ago.

Muay Thai has a long history that is interwoven with the history of the Thai people. The Thais has for centuries to defend themselves and their land from aggressive powers. Accordingly, they developed a martial art that transformed their hands, legs, elbows, and knees into deadly weapons.

How has Muay Thai developed over the years?

From being a form of military combat, Muay Thai developed into a sport, although in the past it was a dangerous sport. There were no safety guards of any kind for the fighters, and instead of gloves, boxers wrapped length of cord around their fists. In the modern era, however, rules, along with gloves were introduced and followed largely the regulations of international boxing.

Who has made an impact in Muay Thai History?

King Naresuan the Great (1590-1605), one of Thailand’s most celebrated warrior heroes, is believed to have been an excellent boxer himself, and it was he who made Muay Thai a required part of military training.

Where to learn Muay Thai?

Learning Muay Thai in Thailand

In 1995, the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) was set up by a cabinet resolution to promote this heritage sport at national and international levels. At a conference held in the same year, 78 member countries voted for the establishment of a training school where all elements of Muay Thai would be taught. Thus, the Muay Thai Institute was founded in 1997 with accreditation by the Ministry of Education.

The Muay Thai Institute was established with the goal of preserving the art of Muay Thai and making it accessible to all. Run by a professional team of instructors, promoters and officials, the Institute offers accredited training courses for boxers, instructors and referees.

Today, examples of training institutes/schools include:

1.Muay Thai Institute
336/932 Phahonyothin Road, Thanyaburi, Phathum Thani
Tel: 66 2992 0096-99

Other Training schools:

2.Fairtex Muay Thai Camp 99/2 Mu 3 Thepharak Road, Amphoe Bang Phli, Samut Prakan Tel: 66 2385 5148-9, 66 2757 5148 Website: www.fairtexbkk.com	3.Muay Thai Academy 900/32 Sport Club 7/F SV City Towers Rama III Road, Yannawa, Bangkok Tel: 66 2682 8469, 66 2682 8480
4.Flat Si Muay Thai Training Camp At Narong Road, Khlong Toei Bangkok Tel: 66 2240 0939	5.Sport and Martial Arts Centre (SMAC) Q House Building 66 Asok Road, Bangkok Tel: 66 2264 2202
6.Pattaya International Muay Thai Training School Thepprasit Road, Pattaya, Chon Buri Tel: 66 3841 0111 Website: www.alcazar-pattaya.com

Learning Muay Thai in Singapore

It is not too difficult to find a Muay Thai school here in Singapore, and it is definitely not an exaggeration to say that there are at least 10 over Muay Thai schools in Singapore. Here are some of the many Muay Thai schools here in Singapore, in no particular order:

1.Suphanahong Muay Thai Gym 5001 Beach Road # 03-32 Golden Mile Complex Singapore 199588 Tel/Fax:(+65) 6291 0242 or Mobile: (+65) 9711 5079 (Chris) Website: http://www.suphanahong.sg/	2.BXG Boxing & Fitness 324 Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437103 Email: enquiry@bxgfitness.com Tel: +65 6348 8380 Fax: +65 6344 8480
3.Fight G 41C North Canal Road Singapore 059297 Email : mma_academy@pacific.net.sg Tel: 64385788 Website: http://www.fightg.com/	4. Alvin Seet 33D HongKong Street Tel: +65 9338 7845 Email: information@asfitness.com
5. Hilltop "THE GYM" 20 Havelock Road, #01-05, Central Square, Singapore 059765 Tel: 65570105 Email: sales@hilltopthegym.com Web: http://www.hilltopthegym.com	6. Singapore Island Country Club Bukit Gym 240 Sime Road Singapore 288303 Tel: (65) 6466 2244 Fax: (65) 6466 9709
7. NUS Muaythai Club nusmuaythai.blogspot.com Training conducted in NUS sports hall, NUS students only. Khai 96897155 Paul 93691179 nusmuaythai@yahoo.com	8. Muay Thai Workshop - Cairnhill Community Club muaythaiworkshop.com Tel: 96906022
9. RoyalThai Fitness Training Centre (RTF) muaythai.com.sg 55 Newton Road #05-02 Singapore 307987 Tel: 91343349 Fax: 63525192	10. Punch Academy 223A/B River Valley Road, next to UE square www.punchacademy.sg 67362895
11. Bia's Muaythai Gym 88 Boon Lay Place Sajitha : 9774 0573 Bia : 9069 4636 bia_muay_thai@yahoo.com Blog: biasmuaythaigym.blogspot.com	12. Fight Works Asia 565 MacPherson Road Standard photo Building #04-00 Singapore (368234) email: enquiries@fightworksasia.com.sg Website: www.fightworksasia.com.sg blog: fightworkstv.blogspot.com
13. Lana Muay Thai Tanglin Community Club 245 Whitley Road http://www.lanamuaythai.sg

**For more information on Muay Thai in Singapore, please visit http://www.muaythai.sg

Muay Thai-pedia: The A to Z of Muay Thai

From wacky quotes to interesting facts about Muay Thai, here is what you need to know about Muay Thai, from A to Z.

Accuracy

Having tremendous speed and power will do you little good unless you can hit the target you’re aiming for. Therefore, it is essential to develop a sense of accuracy. This can be done by hitting dummy drilling pads. An Easier way? Blow up a balloon and tie it to somewhere at your eye level, practice hitting the balloon continuously with the tip of your hands as quickly as you can.

Beautiful Boxer

A Thai movie which tells the life story of a Muay Thai champion turned transgender model, Nong Toom (Parinya Charoenphol). It bagged 6 awards following its debut in Thailand and the international movie scenes.

Contender Asia

A reality-based television series that follows 16 aspiring Muay Thai fighters from 12 countries as they compete in a series of outdoor challenges and matches. The winner received US$150,000 as well as the title of ‘The Contender Champion’.

Dress code

There are certain dress codes to adhere to when entering for Muay Thai competitions. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short moustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip.No metallized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification.

Etiquette

Muay Thai training camps in Thailand generally have special rules that all fighters, Thai and foreigners alike, must abide by. Some of these rules include:

• Wai (placing your palms together in the praying position at chin level) anytime you enter or leave the ring.
• Females have to enter or leave the ring from under the lowest rope surrounding the ring.

Fouls

During a Muay Thai match, a boxer is considered as having committed fouls if he does the followings:

• Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.
• Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold.
• Deliberately falling on his opponent.
• Holding the ropes for any reason.
• Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.
• Knocking out or injuring his opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.
• Deliberately striking the groin area.

1 point will be deducted each time any of the above is committed.

Gloves

Boxing gloves should be used when hitting anything. They are made not only to protect your hands and wrists, but also your opponents’ lives! There are gloves for training and gloves for competition. How to tell them apart? Gloves for training are usually heavier (for strength training) with Velcro straps (easier to take the gloves off or put it on during training) while gloves for competition are usually lighter (you don’t want to waste too much energy delivering that punch do you?) with lace (so that the gloves will not slip off from your hands that easily during a fight). Always choose a glove one size larger than what your hands can fit into, because you will need to put on handwraps before the gloves.

Hand wraps

Hand wraps are a must when training in Muay Thai. Without hand wraps, all it will take is a wrong punch to injure your knuckles or wrist. The longer the hand wraps, the better because it will provide more cushion when wrapped around your hands. Get elastic hand wraps so as to allow you to clench and open your fists comfortably during fights.

Injuries

Injuries are inevitable in Muay Thai. At some point during training you are bound to run into a strained or pulled muscle, a sprained ankle or extreme soreness. Listen to your body. If something hurts, don’t do it. However, don’t let a little injury discourage you from Muay Thai, as the saying goes, ‘what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger’.

Jumping Elbow

This is one move that every Muay Thai fighters hope to trash their opponent with. This move is done by climbing up the opponent and then bringing the tip of the elbow down onto the opponent’s head, spine or collarbone. It is a beautiful yet difficult technique that is most commonly seen in older version of Muay Thai. This move was featured in Beautiful Boxer.

Knock down

A knock down happens when any part of the body of the boxer touches the floor except the feet. Other cases of knock down happen when the boxer is:

• Leaning against the ropes in a state of unconsciousness.
• Knocked out of the ring.
• Unable to defend for himself.

Lumpini Boxing Stadium

It is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Lumpini Boxing Stadium is one of the 2 most prestigious Boxing Stadium in Thailand and to fight in the Lumpini Boxing Stadium is every Muay Thai boxer’s dream. Muay thai contests are held on every Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The fights usually start around 6.00 p.m. Ticket prices range from 200 to 2,000 Baht.

Mongkhon

The Mongkhon is basically a round band worn around the head of the boxer to bring good luck, success and prosperity to him/her. Another tradition descended from ancient times; the Mongkhon originates from Siamese soldiers tying lucky bandanas around their heads before going into battle.The Mongkhon is a very sacred accessories and should never be put on the ground because it contains Buddhist scriptures inside the band. When not in use, the Mongkhon should always be hung or put on an elevated area. The Mongkhon is placed on the head of the fighter by the teacher before each fight in the ring. It is removed after the Wai Khru / Ram Muay by the teacher as a small prayer is shared between fighter and teacher before the fight.

Nam nak

‘Nam Nak’ stands for ‘weight’ in Thai. Muay Thai boxers are paired with opponents under the same weight category as follows:

No.	Weight Division	Max. Weight
1.	Mini Flyweight	105 lbs (47.727 kg.)
2.	Junior Flyweight	108 lbs (48.988 kg.)
3.	Flyweight	112 lbs (50.802 kg.)
4.	Junior Bantamweight	115 lbs (52.163 kg.)
5.	Bantamweight	118 lbs (53.524 kg.)
6.	Junior Featherwweight	122 lbs (55.338 kg.)
7.	Featherweight	126 lbs (57.153 kg.)
8.	Junior Lightweight	130 lbs (58.967 kg.)
9.	Lightweight	135 lbs (61.235 kg.)
10.	Junior Welterweight	140 lbs (63.503 kg.)
11.	Welterweight	147 lbs (66.638 kg.)
12.	Junior Middleweight	154 lbs (69.853 kg.)
13.	Middleweight	160 lbs (71.575 kg.)
14.	Super Middleweight	168 lbs (76.363 kg.)
15.	Light Heavyweight	175 lbs (79.379 kg.)
16.	Cruiserweight	190 lbs (86.183 kg.)
17.	Heavyweight	190 lbs+ (86.183 kg.+)
18.	Super Heavyweight	209 lbs+ (95 kg.+)

Oil

Muay Thai boxers oil themselves up with boxing oil before training or fights. The oil provides heat to prevent muscular spasm. It can also be used for bruises and muscular aches. The most commonly used is the Namman Muay brand. They come in small glass bottles with yellow wrappings and cost around 60 Baht (about SGD3.00).

Prajiat

A pair of armbands that a Muay Thai fighter wears during a match, the ‘Prajiat’ is believed to bring good luck to the fighters as it, like the Mongkhon, contains strips of Buddhist scripts within the bands.

Queensbury rules

The modern rules of boxing are based on the ‘Queensbury rules’, which drawn up in the 1800s. One rule was that all boxers should wear proper leather gloves!

Ring

Muay Thai matches take place in what’s called a ‘ring’, although it is actually square in shape! The word ‘ring’ was first applied not to the boxing area but to the spectators who formed a ring around the fighters. The ring is surrounded by 4 elastic ropes and each side is over 6metres long. The corners of the ring are coloured: one is red, one is blue (one for each opponent), while the other 2 are white (neutral).

Seconds

‘Second’ is a Muay Thai Lingo for helper. Two seconds are allowed to attend the boxer but during the match, the seconds are not allowed to advise, help or instruct their boxer. Any violation of the rules by the seconds or the boxer may result in the boxer's disqualification. In a championship match, 3 seconds are allowed but only 2 are allowed in the ring at any one time during the round break.

Time

A Muay Thai match shall consist of five rounds, 3 minutes per round with a 2 minute break between each round. Any stoppage during the match for any reason, will not be counted as part of the 3 minute round time.

Uppercut

It is a jaw-breaking move that is commonly use when the opponent is in close proximity. This move basically uses the power of shoulder to spring the fist up into the opponent’s jaw. A Muay Thai boxer should learn to always clench his jaw tight during fights to prevent concussion caused by any attack to the jaw.

Vaseline

The use of vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed during Muay Thai competitions.

Wai Khruu

Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters shall perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher), accompanied by the appropriate Thai tradifional music, incorporating the Ching (cymbal), Klong khaek (tom-tom) and Pee Java (Thai reed pipe). There is historical and cultural significance behind the ritual, but its primary purpose is to allow the fighters a chance to pay respect to their teachers. Different fighters have different version of Wai Khruu, and it was said that the wai khruu can be used to identify the teacher of the fighter.

X-Chromosomes

Who says Muay Thai is only for the XY-Chromosomed? Traditionally women were banned from entering a Muay Thai ring because of the belief that women jinx the ring that they enter. Over the years however, we see a gradual increase in female Muay Thai boxers. There are even boxing matches for female boxers. Some stadiums however, separate the women’s boxing rings from the men’s.

Yothasinthop ( The Snap - Thrust Kick)

This kick means the Horse-kick in English – the horse throws a quick violent kick and then moves quickly back. The thrust kick is seen as the most powerful kick as it is the longest and most powerful weapon in a fighter’s range.

Zidov’s Quote

Finally, to end off the A to Z of Muay Thai, we have a quote from Dominik Zidov, one of the Muay Thai boxers in the Contender Asia: ‘Muay Thai is for girls.’