Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is a martial art since the old Siam, traced back to the middle of the 16th century. It combines the use of head, hands (fists), elbows, knees and feet that makes full-contact fighter very efficient. Previously Muay Thai fighters use rope, some Thais call Manila rope, like mooring rope to wrap around their hands and arms in fighting (Sometimes they use long cloth instead). The rope harms the fighters seriously and causes the bloody fight.
Back to many decades since the black and white televisions in Thailand, Muay Thai fighting was one of the popular shows since that time until the present.
The most popular Muay Thai stages were Lumpini Boxing Stage and Rachadamnern Boxing Stage in Bangkok. The Muay Thai fighting show becomes much more popolar in 20th century when many countries have the show broadcast on television.
On the boxing stage, you will see three indenties of Muay Thai, Wai Khru, Mongkol and Pra-Jiad. Wai Khru is a (slow) dance of fighters before the fighting begins. Wai [ไหว้] is a traditional greeting and respecting, Khru [ครู] means a teacher. They do this (1) for respecting their teachers, (2) to threaten the rival and (3) to do the final exercise.
Mongkol is a head ring, made with twisted cloth, a fighter wears on the head. It is a kind of an amulet to make the fighter confident. Pra-Jiad are armbands wearing on upper arms. It is from ancient when they were at war, young men would tear off pieces of there mother’s clothing (or sarong) and wear it to battle for good luck and to ward off harmful spirits. Mongkol and Pra-Jiad will be taken off before the fighting begins.
At the present, Muay Thai is a famous sport that many Thais and foreigners, men, women and children practice for many reason such as self protection, sport, exercise and securities. There are many Muay Thai boxing schools open in many countries and cities around the world such as America, Japan and Europe. You can see many Muay Thai boxing shcool in many famous cities in Thailand such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, ChiangMai and others.
On Dec 6, 2016, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has accepted to recognize Muay Thai as a combat sport for 3 years, meaning that the governing unit for the sport will receive at least $25,000 annually from the committee and have the opportunity to apply for additional grants. During these 3 years, committee executives can vote to fully recognize Muay Thai, after which it could petition to be included in the Games.
