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History and Traditions of Muay Thai

Muay Thai Chronology

MuayThai in the Sukhothai Era

Thailand’s capital was situated at Sukhothai from around the Buddhist years

1781-1951 (1238-1408 CE). Inscriptions in stone columns at Sukhothai indicate

that Sukhothai fought with its neighbors quite often. Consequently, the city had to

instill in her soldiers knowledge and skills concerning the use of weapons such as

swords and spears, and also how to use the body as a weapon in situations of close

person-to-person combat. Skills such as kicking, kneeing, punching, and elbowing

were thus developed.

During peacetime, young men in Sukhothai practiced MuayThai to build

character and their self-defense skills. These skills would serve them well during

their time in the military and thus the practice of MuayThai became a good

custom. MuayThai training centers arose around the city, for example, the

Samakorn Training Center in Lopburi. Some were in temple areas where monks

doubled as instructors.

During this period, MuayThai was considered a higher art and was a part of

the royal curriculum. It was intended to develop good and brave warriors with

great physical fitness into great and brave rulers. The first King of Sukhothai,

Phokhun Sri In Tharatit, believed in the benefits of MuayThai so much that he sent

his two sons to train MuayThai at the Samakorn Training Center to prepare them

to take the throne. In B.E. 1818-1860 (1275-1317 CE) Phokhun Ram Khamhaeng

wrote a war text that included the teachings of MuayThai as well as instruction in

other fighting skills.

MuayThai in the Krungsri Ayutthaya Era

The Ayutthaya Era lasted from B.E. 1988-2310 (1445-1767 CE). This period

was characterized by frequent wars between Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia.

Therefore, young men had to prepare themselves by developing self-defense

skills. These skills were taught by experienced masters. The training spread from

the Royal Palace out to the public. The Phudaisawan Sword Training Center was

very famous in that era, and it had many pupils. They were trained with wicker

swords in the arts of sword and pole fighting. They were also trained to fight

barehanded and thus learned MuayThai skills. In addition to fighting, such

training centers also gave education in everyday matters.

King Naresuan The Great Era (B.E. 2133-2147, 1590-1604 CE)

King Naresuan would call for young men of his age to train with him. They

were trained to be brave, self-confident warriors. They had to be skilful with all

weapons and in boxing. King Naresuan set up the Scouting Corps to fight in

guerrilla warfare. It was this Corps of soldiers that were able to free Thailand from

Burma during this time.

King Narai The Great Era (B.E. 2147-2233, 1604-1690 CE)

During this period Thailand was very much at peace and there were many

developments in the Kingdom. King Narai supported and promoted sports,

especially MuayThai, which became a professional sport. At this time there were

many boxing training centers. The boxing ring was set up in regular playgrounds

where a rope would be laid out in a square shape to indicate the fighting area.

Boxers wrapped their hands with threads that were dipped in thick starch or tar.

This technique was called Kad-Chuck (wrapped with threads) or Muay Kad-Chuck

(boxing with thread-wrapped hands). Boxers wore a head band, called the

mongkon , and an amulet, or pa-pra-jiat, wrapped around their upper arms when

they fought. Boxers did not fight according to weight, height, or age. The rules

were simple: Fights lasted until there was a clear winner. Gambling accompanied

the bouts. Villages would often challenge each other to boxing matches and

boxing became an activity central to folk plays and festivals.

King Prachao Sua Era (B.E. 2240-2252, 1697-1709 CE)

King Prachao Sua, also known as the Tiger King as well as Khun Luang

Sorasak, loved MuayThai very much. Once he went, dressed in plain clothes, to a

district called Tambol Talad-guad with four royal guards. There he entered a

boxing competition. The promoter did not recognize the King, but knew that the

boxer came from Ayutthaya. He let the King fight against very good fighters from

the town of Wisetchaichan. They were Nai Klan Madtai (killing fists), Nai Yai

Madlek (iron fists), and Nai Lek Madnak (hard fists or punches). The Tiger King

won all three fights. King Prachao Sua also trained his two sons, Prince Petch and

Prince Porn, in MuayThai, sword fighting, and wrestling.

During the early part of the Ayutthaya period the Department of Royal Boxing

was founded. One of its responsibilities was to recruit young talented boxers to

fight for the King’s entertainment. The top boxers were chosen for the Royal

Quarries, called Thani Lir (chosen guards). They were responsible for the security

of the royal palace and the King at all times. These boxers were to become the

boxing masters who trained the soldiers and the Princes.

In the later part of the Ayutthaya Period, after the second loss to Burma in B.E.

2310 (1767 CE), there was one boxer of note.

Nai Khanomtom

Nai Khanomtom was a prisoner of war captured by the Burmese when

Ayutthaya was sacked for the second time in B.E. 2310 (1767 CE). In B.E. 2317

(1774 CE), the Burmese King, King Angwa, wanted to hold a celebration for the

Great Pagoda in Rangoon. Boxing was included in the celebrations. Good Thai

boxers were called on to fight with Burmese boxers. On the 17 th of March of that

year, Nai Khanomtom fought and defeated 10 Burmese boxers in succession with

no rest period between fights. It was the first time that MuayThai was used in

competition outside of Thailand. For his achievements, Nai Khanomtom was

honored as the Father or MuayThai or the Inventor of MuayThai, and the 17 th of

March is now named MuayThai Day.

The Thonburi period extended from B.E. 2310-2324 (1767-1781 CE). It was a

period of reconstruction after the restoration of peace in the Kingdom. MuayThai

training was primarily for man-to-man conflict during wars and or military

service.

The arrangement of competitive boxing bouts during that period involved the

matching of different training camps, usually from remote areas of the country.

There is no evidence of rules or regulations, and it is thought that boxers fought

without any official points system. So, they would fight until one dropped or gave

up, leaving the man standing as the obvious winner.

Bouts took place on open grounds, mostly in temple areas. Boxers wrapped

their hands and wrists in thread, wore a head band or mongkon , and an amulet or

pa-pra-jiat usually around their right arm.

MuayThai in the Thonburi Period

The first era of this period encompasses the rule of King Rama I to King Rama

IV (B.E. 2325-2411, 1782-1868 CE). At this time, MuayThai was considered the

national fighting art. It was an essential part of every festival.

Eventually, it was decided that rules and regulations were necessary,

especially regarding the length of rounds. An intriguing method of timekeeping

was then developed. A coconut shell would have a hole punched in it and be

floated in a water tank. When the coconut shell sank, a drum signaled the end of

the round. There was no limit to the number of rounds, so the boxers fought until

there was a clear winner or until one of them gave up.

King Rama I Period

Pra Puttha Yord Fa Chula Loke, The Great (B.E. 2325-2352, 1782-1809 CE)

King Rama I, himself, trained as a boxer from a very early age. He expressed

keen interest in, and often watched, boxing matches. In B.E. 2331 (1788 CE), two

foreigners, brothers who traveled around the world trading goods, arrived in

Bangkok. The younger of the two proved to be quite a good boxer and won prizes

from matches around the world quite often. He told Pra Ya Pra Klang that he

wanted to fight for prizes against Thai boxers. This request was relayed to King

Rama I and, after consulting with Pra Raja Wangboworn, the Director of the

Boxing Department, a bet of 50 changs (4,000 Baht) was agreed upon. Pra Raja

Wangboworn selected a good boxer named Muen Han to fight the foreigner in a

ring set up behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace. It was

20 by 20 meters square and there was a reception area set up nearby. The fight

was not to be scored, but to continue until a decisive winner emerged. Before the

fight, Muen Han was oiled with herbal ointment, and he wore amulets on his upper

arms. He was then carried to the ring on the shoulders of a friend.

When the fight began, it was clear that the foreigner was much heavier, taller,

and stronger than Muen Han. When the foreigner got in close he employed

wresting tactics to try to break the Thai boxer’s neck and collarbone. To counter

these tactics, Muen Han tried kicking and using stepping kicks. He tried to control

the fight and his footwork was very quick. Eventually, the foreigner began to tire

and it seemed he was going to lose. His brother, realizing this, jumped into the

ring to help his younger brother. This caused a riot to break out among the

spectators. Many foreigners were injured. The two brothers, after recovering from

their injuries, left Thailand.

MuayThai in Ratanakosin Period

King Rama II Period

King Pra Buddha Lert La Napa-Lai (B.E. 2352-2367, 1809-1824 CE)

While young, this King trained as a boxer at Bang Wa Yai Training Center

(Wat Rakangkositaram) with the boxing master, and army general, Somdet

Prawanarat (Tong You). At age 16, he learned more about MuayThai from the

Boxing Department. He changed the sport’s name from its previous name, Ram

Mad Ram Muay, to MuayThai.

King Rama III Period

King Pra Nangklao (B.E. 2367-2394, 1824-1851 CE)

King Rama III learned MuayThai from the Boxing Department. During his

reign, Thai boys loved to fight, and they learned MuayThai and the sword of Khun

Ying Moe. Khun Ying Moe is renowned for leading many brave women to defeat

the invading soldiers of Prince Anuwong from Vientienne, Laos, who were

attacking the city of Korat.

King Rama IV Period

King Chomklao (B.E. 2394-2411, 1851-1868 CE)

When young, King Rama IV loved to dress himself up as a boxer. He also

loved sword and pole fighting. Often, he would box and compete in sword and

pole fighting during festivals in the grounds of the Temple of the Emerald

Buddha. During this time, Thailand saw the growth of western sports and culture.

However, MuayThai remained a popular activity and a strong symbol of Thai

culture.

King Rama V Period

King Chulachomklao (B.E. 2411-2453, 1868-1910 CE)

King Rama V learned MuayThai from the Boxing Department with boxing

master Luang Pola Yotanuyoke. The King loved MuayThai and loved watching

boxing matches. From time to time he would order Royal officers to arrange for

good boxers to fight for him. Such tournaments were used to recruit men for His

Majesty the King’s Royal Guards.

King Rama V recognized the value of MuayThai. In order to promote interest

in Thai sports, the King encouraged MuayThai tournaments. He also encouraged

the promotion of Muay Luang , or royal boxing centers to train youngsters. These

Muay Luang also organized and controlled MuayThai tournaments. The royal

office would also send official invitations to the heads of Muay Luang inviting

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