The sport – martial arts Muay Thai is extremely popular in Thailand and, along with Sepak Takraw to the national sport.
Whenever discussions begin on the history of Muay Thai, it is always a contentious point on when things actually began.
Generally, the 16th century and the ancient Kingdom of Siam are accepted by most as the time when a martial art practiced by the soldiers of King Naresuan was first born. During battles between the Burmese and the Thais, a form of Muay Boran, including the use of weapons in battle, was first ever recorded historically. This martial art became later known simply as Muay.
There are also many old and now legendary tales surrounding the birth and growth of Thai martial arts, the most famous of which being the legend of Nai Khanom Tom.
The story has it that the Thai warrior, who in the mid 18th century was captured by the Burmese army and forced into slavery, fought off eleven Burmese soldiers one by one in front of the King and the Burmese Court to secure his personal freedom and was subsequently released in honour. Upon returning home to Thailand, Nai Khanom Tom was celebrated as a national hero and spent the rest of his days teaching Muay Boran.
Today, March 17th is celebrated annually as Nai Khanom Tom day in Thailand, a day that has grown to become an important cultural and historical event in modern Muay Thai circles – in Thailand and all around the world.
Muay was a practical fighting art for soldiers in real battles but also became increasingly popular as a sport. Fighters would face off against each other bare knuckle and later with rope wrapped hands in makeshift rings on the earthen ground and people would watch for fun and for betting. In time, such fights became popular live events and regularly took place at festivals, in temples and at large celebrations all over Siam. Fights with rope wrapped fists became known as “Kard Chueak”.
Through the centuries, Kings and the nobility became increasingly interested in Muay, and by the early 20th century, Rama V, King Chulalongkorn, formalised the sport of Muay Boran and its many regional styles nationwide. As interest in boxing, the use of gloves and fighting in a boxing ring slowly grew, so the term Muay Thai became official. By the mid 1920’s, the first international style three-rope ring with red and blue padded corners was in use, near Lumpini Park in Bangkok.
King Rama VII voiced his interest in rules and regulations for Muay Thai, referees were soon introduced, fighters and techniques were given points and the rounds were timed. Fighters began wearing soft hand wrapping, boxing gloves, groin protection and boxing shorts and the first fights versus foreign fighters began. The traditional martial arts style of Muay Boran and the sporting, boxing style of Muay Thai were hereafter both firmly established and grew rapidly as proud national sports of Thailand.
