The Art Of Muay Thai

HISTORY

Various forms of kickboxing have long been practiced throughout Southeast Asia. As with most countries in the region, Thai culture is based on that of Khmer, India, and China. These countries had a hand in the development of local martial arts. Indian boxing forms like Musti-yuddha are remarkably similar to Muay Thai and it is often said that every move in Muay Thai has a similar equivalent in Shaolin kung fu. Muay Thai's origin in Thailand can be traced back to its ancestor Muay Boran ("ancient boxing"). This was the form of unarmed combat used by Siamese soldiers in conjunction with Krabi Krabong, the weapon-based style. The precedence Muay Thai and Muay Boran give to the kicks may be indigenous to Thailand and the surrounding area, since Indian boxing as well as southern Chinese styles use even low kicks sparingly. Another influence from Thailand's weapon style can be seen in the pre-fight Wai Kru ritual which is based on the sabre dance of Krabi Krabong. Eventually Muay Boran was divided to:

Muay Korat (Northeast) emphasized strength. A technique like "Throwing Buffalo Punch" was used. It could supposedly defeat a buffalo in one blow.

Muay Lopburi (Center region) emphasized movements. Its strong points were straight and counter punches.

Muay Chaiya (South) emphasized posture and defense, as well as elbows and knees.

Muay Pra Nakorn (North) emphasized speed, particularly in kicking. Because of its faster speed, it was called as well "Ling Lom" (windy monkey or Loris).
There is a phrase about Muay Boran that states, "Punch Korat, Wit Lopburi, Posture Chaiya, Faster Thasao. (หมัดหนักโคราช ฉลาดลพบุรี ท่าดีไชยา ไวกว่าท่าเสา)".

As well as continuing to function as a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, Muay Thai became a sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. This kind of muay contests gradually became an integral part of local festivals and celebrations, especially those held at temples. It was even used as entertainment to kings.

Eventually, the previously bare-fisted fighters started wearing lengths of rope wrapped around their hands and forearms. This type of match was called muay kaad chuek (มวยคาดเชือก).

Royal Muay
Muay gradually became a possible means of personal advancement as the nobility increasingly esteemed skillful practitioners of the art and invited selected fighters to come to live in the Royal palace to teach muay to the staff of the royal household, soldiers, princes or the king's personal guards.[citation needed] This "royal muay" was called muay luang (มวยหลวง).

Some time during the Ayutthaya Period, a platoon of royal guards was established, whose duty was to protect king and the country. They were known as Grom Nak Muay (Muay Fighters' Regiment). This royal patronage of muay continued through the reigns of Rama V and VII.

The Muay Renaissance
The ascension of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a Golden Age not only for muay but for the whole country of Thailand. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king's personal interest in the art. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, recreation, and personal advancement. Masters of the art such as former fighters or soldiers began teaching muay in training camps where students were provided with food and shelter. Trainees would be treated as one family and it was customary for students to adopt the camp's name as their own surname.

After the occurrence of a death in the ring, King Rama the VII pushed for codified rules for Muay Thai, and they were put into place. These included the rules that the fighters should wear modern gloves and cotton coverlets over the feet and ankles. It was also around this time in the 1920s that the term Muay Thai became commonly used while the older form of the style was referred to as Muay Boran.

Legendary heroes
At the time of the fall of the ancient Siam capital of Ayutthaya in 1767, the invading Burmese troops rounded up a group of Thai residents and took them as prisoners. Among them were a large number of Thai boxers, who were taken by the Burmese to the city of Ungwa.

In 1774, in the Burmese city of Rangoon, the king of the Burmese, King Mangra decided to organize a seven-day, seven-night religious festival in honor of Buddha's relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment, such as the costume plays called likay, comedies and farces, and sword-fighting matches. At one point, King Mangra wanted to see how Muay Boran would compare to the Burmese art Lethwei. Nai Khanom Tom was selected to fight against the Burmese champion. The boxing ring was set up in front of the throne and Nai Khanom Tom did a traditional Wai Kru pre-fight dance, to pay his respects to the Burmese king, as well as for all the spectators, dancing around his opponent, which amazed and perplexed all the Burmese people. When the fight began, he charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, pummeling his opponent until he collapsed.[2]

The referee however stated that the Burmese opponent was too distracted by the Wai Kru, and the knockout was invalid. The King then asked if Nai Khanom Tom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought them all, one after the other with no rest periods in between. His last opponent was a great boxing teacher from Ya Kai City. Nai Khanom Tom mangled him by his kicks and no one else dared to challenge him any further.

King Mangra was so impressed that he remarked, "Every part of the Thai is blessed with venom. Even with his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents. But his Lord was incompetent and lost the country to the enemy. If he would have been any good, there was no way the City of Ayutthaya would ever have fallen."

King Mangra granted Nai Khanom Tom freedom along with either riches or two beautiful Burmese wives. Nai Khanom Tom chose the wives as he said that money was easier to find. He then departed with his wives for Siam. Other variations of this story had him also winning the release of his fellow Thai prisoners. His feat is celebrated every March 17 as "Boxer's Day" or "National Muay Thai Day" in his honor and that of Muay Thai's.

Today, some have wrongly attributed the legend of "Nai Khanom Tom" to King Naresuan, who was once taken by the Burmese. However, Nai Khanon Tom and King Naresuan were almost two centuries apart.

The Tradition of Wai Khru

One of the most important traditions of Muay Thai is Wai Khru (Paying Respect to Teachers). In order to become a fully-fledged Muay Thai fighter, a person has to pass through a series of ceremonies. First comes the Initiation as a Trainee Fighter Ceremony (Kuen Khru), in which the khru muay accepts young fighters as his students and pledges to teach them to the best of his ability. After fighters have been accepted, they must demonstrate a good conduct, diligence and endurance, in addition to training as hard as they can, following implicitly all the teacher's rules.

During their apprenticeship, young fighters will experience the second type of Wai Khru ritual, the Annual Homage-Paying Ceremony (Wai Khru Prajam Pee). This annual ceremony is usually held on Muay Thai Day (March 17) for young fighters to pay respect to their teachers and souls of teachers long passed away. The ceremony then progresses to the students honoring all the teachers present, who will mark sacred symbols on the fighters' forehead in order to bestow prosperity and success upon them - a custom known as jerm. The ceremony culminates with the third form of Wai Khru, the Ritual Dance of Homage (Wai Khru Ram Muay) performed by the fighters as a mark of respect.

It is only when fighters have passed all these three milestones (initiation, training and participation in contests) that they are entitled to call themselves as real Muay Thai fighters. When fighters have satisfied their teachers on all these counts, then they can participate in the fourth Wai Khru ritual, the Initiation as a Teacher Ceremony (Khrob Khru), which bestows on them the rank of khru muay and again involves a performance of the Ritual Dance of Homage.


Approaching the Ring Rites (Kuen Suu Weitee)
In ancient times, Siamese people believed in the power of incantations and protective amulets, the common belief was that everything was ruled and inhabited by unseen spirits, and that places were either blessed or cursed. Because of these beliefs, it was necessary to perform special rites before a fighter entered the ring, asking the spirits' permission to do so.

Even today, before entering the ring many fighters perform rituals. It is very much a matter of individual preference these days, with no prescribed rules. Some may kneel before the ring, others might pray with their khru muay or perform a series of repetitive movements, such as touching the ring ropes 3 times and avoiding the bottom stair before taking the first step up to the ring.

Fighters always leap over the ropes into the ring, because the head is considered to be more important than the feet and therefore it has to stay always above the feet while entering the ring, then they will go to the center and pay respect (panom muae wai) in all four directions to the spectators.


Ritual Dance of Homage (Wai Khru Ram Muay)

"The Kneeling Sequence" Wai khru ram muay.
"The Standing Sequence" Wai khru ram muay.Wai Khru Muay Thai is a tradition which goes back to ancient times, it is not an optional ritual or reserved for special occasions: the official Muay Thai regulations specify that both fighters must perform the Wai Khru Ram Muay before each and every bout. It's a tradition in which fighters pay respect to their teachers, parents and things they hold sacred and pray for their safety and victory. The ritual has been developed in different ways, in different regions, even under different teachers and therefore it is theoretically impossible for two fighters to perform identical Wai Khru.

The Wai Khru is graceful and aesthetic ritual, both practical and spiritual. In a practical sense, it functions as a final pre-fight warm-up and gives the fighter some time alone before the fight to collect his thoughts. It can be divided into three main sections:

The Royal Homage Sequence
This was originally intended to show devotion to the King, going back to the days when fighters were selected to display their skills in front of him. It has three subsections: Prostration, Outstretched Arms and Act of Homage.

The Kneeling Sequence
This section is performed in a kneeling posture, one knee on the ground and the other leg out in front. the fighter pivots around on the spot to repeat the same sequence facing all four sides of the ring, a tradition which comes from Krabi Krabong.

The Standing Sequence
In this section, the fighters go out from the center of the ring in one direction, to perform the Dramatic Interlude. Some fighters imitate the motions of "Rama Shooting an Arrow" from the Ramakien, a hunter, a soldier, or an executioner. Some fighters use this ritual to attempt to scare their opponents, commonly by stomping around them. But in a deeper sense, the fighter is expressing religious devotion, humility, and gratitude. Transcending both physical and temporal limitations, he opens himself to the divine presence and allows it to infuse his heart.


Removal of the Head Circlet (Pitee Tod Mongkon)
After the Wai Khru is completed, the fighters return to their own corners for the Removal of the Head Circlet Ritual (Pitee Tod Mongkon). The fighter stands in his own corner, lowers his head and raises hands to his chest for panom mue wai pose, while khru muay standing outside of the ropes facing the fighter, raises his own hands to return the wai. A fighter maintains the posture while the teacher utters an incantation and blows three times on top of fighters' head before removing the Mongkon. On the completion of this ritual and after a review of the rules by the judge and a glove shake, the contest may begin.

Muay Thai techniques

Muay Thai techniques
In its original form, Muay Thai consisted of an arsenal of nine weapons - the head, fists, elbows, knees and feet - known collectively as na-wa arwud. Although in modern Muay Thai, both amateur and professional, headbutting an opponent is no longer allowed. Muay Thai is unique in the way it uses all parts of the body, including the elbows and knees, for both training and competitions.

To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used: the clinch. Formal Muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: Mae Mai or major techniques and Luk Mai or minor techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another. This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand, but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit. With the success of Muay Thai in mixed martial arts fighting, it has become the de facto martial art of choice for competitive stand-up fighters. As a result, it has evolved and incorporated much more powerful hand striking techniques used in western style boxing and the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Note: when Muay Thai fighters compete against fighters of other styles (and if the rules permit it), they almost invariably emphasize elbow (sok) and knee (kao) techniques to gain a distinct advantage in fighting. Almost all techniques in Muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, and block. The rotation of the hips in Muay Thai techniques, and intensive focus on "core muscles" (such as abdominal muscles and surrounding muscles) is very distinctive and is what sets Muay Thai apart from other styles of martial arts.


Punching techniques (Chok)
English Thai Transliteration IPA
Straight punch หมัดตรง Mud Trong mɑd troŋ
Hook หวัดเหวี่ยงสั้น Mud Wiang San mɑd wɪɑŋ sɑn
Swing หมัดเหวี่ยงยาว Mud Wiang Yao mɑd wɪɑŋ jɑːo
Spinning backfist หมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ Mud Wiang Glub mɑd wɪɑŋ glɑb
Uppercut หมัดเสย ( หมัดสอยดาว ) Mud Seuy mɑd sɣɪ
Cobra punch กระโดดชก Kra-dod Chok grɑ doːd tʃog
Undercut หมัดฮุก Mud Hook mɑd hug

The punch techniques in Muay Thai were originally quite simple being crosses and a long (or lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilization with Western boxing and western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used (jab, straight right/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches plus overhand or bolo punches).


As a tactic, body punching is used less in Muay Thai than most other striking martial arts to avoid exposing the attacker's head to counter strikes from knees or elbows.


Elbow techniques (Tee sok)
The elbow can be used in seven ways: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. From the side it can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent's eyebrow so that blood might block his vision. The blood also raises the opponent's awareness of being hurt which could affect his performance. This is the most common way of using the elbow. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms, but are less powerful. The uppercut and flying elbows are the most powerful, but are slower and easier to avoid or block. The downward elbow is usually used as a finishing move.

English Thai Transliteration IPA
Elbow Slash ศอกตี Sok Tee sɔ̀ːk tīː
Horizontal Elbow ศอกตัด Sok Tud sɔ̀ːk tàd̥
Uppercut Elbow ศอกงัด Sok Ngud sɔ̀ːk ŋád̥
Forward Elbow Thrust ศอกพุ่ง Sok Poong sɔ̀ːk pʰûŋ
Reverse Horizontal Elbow ศอกเหวี่ยงกลับ Sok Wiang Glub sɔ̀ːk wìːaŋ klàb̥
Spinning Elbow ศอกกลับ Sok Glub sɔ̀ːk klàb̥
Elbow Chop ศอกสับ Sok Sub sɔ̀ːk sàb̥
Double Elbow Chop ศอกกลับคู่ Sok Glub Koo
Mid-Air Elbow Strike กระโดดศอก Gra-dode Sok

There is also a distinct difference between a single elbow and a follow-up elbow. The single elbow is an elbow move independent from any other move, whereas a follow-up elbow is the second strike from the same arm, being a hook first with an elbow follow-up. Such elbows, and most other elbows, are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw a hook at the opponent's head.


Kicking techniques (Teh)

English Thai Transliteration
Straight Kick เตะตรง Teh Trong
Roundhouse Kick เตะตัด Teh Tud
Diagonal Kick เตะเฉียง Teh Chiang
Half-Shin, Half-Knee Kick เตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่า Teh Krueng Kheng Krueng Kao
Spinning Heel Kick เตะกลับหลัง Teh Glub Lang
Down Roundhouse Kick เตะกด Teh Kod
Axe Heel Kick เตะเข่า Teh Khao
Jump Kick กระโดดเตะ Gra-dode Teh
Step-Up Kick เขยิบเตะ KhaYiep Teh

The two most common kicks in Muay Thai are known as the teep (literally "foot jab,"), and the Teh(kick)chiang (kicking upwards in the shape of a triangle cutting under the arm and ribs) or angle kick. The Muay Thai angle kick has been widely adopted by fighters from other martial arts. The angle kick uses a rotational movement of the entire body. The angle kick is superficially similar to a karate roundhouse kick, but omits the rotation of the lower leg from the knee used in other striking martial arts like Karate or Taekwondo. The angle kick draws its power entirely from the rotational movement of the body. Many Muay Thai fighters use a counter rotation of the arms to intensify the power of this kick.

If a round house kick is attempted by the opponent the Muay Thai fighter will normally block with his shin. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. While sensitive in an unconditioned practitioner, the shin is the strongest part of the leg for experienced Muay Thai fighters. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to strike with his foot or instep.

Muay Thai also includes other varieties of kicking, such as the axe kick, side kick or spinning back kick etc. These kicks, are only used in bouts by some fighters. It is worth noting that a side kick is performed differently in Muay Thai than the traditional side kick of other martial arts. In Muay Thai, a side kick is executed by first raising the knee of the leg that is going to kick in order to convince the opponent that the executor is going to perform a teep or front kick. The hips are then shifted to the side to the more traditional side kick position for the kick itself. The "fake-out" almost always precedes the kick in Muay Thai technique.






Knee techniques (Tee kao)


English Thai Transliteration
Straight Knee Strike เข่าตรง Kao Trong
Diagonal Knee Strike เข่าเฉียง Kao Chiang
Curving Knee Strike เข่าโค้ง Kao Kong
Horizontal Knee Strike เข่าตัด Kao Tud
Knee Slap เข่าตบ Kao Tob
Knee Bomb เข่ายาว Kao Youwn
Flying Knee Strike เข่าลอย Kao Loi
Step-Up Knee Strike เข่าเหยียบ Kao Yiep

Kao Dode (Jumping knee strike) - the Thai boxer jumps up on one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
Kao Loi (Flying knee strike) - the Thai boxer takes step(s), jumps forward and off one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
Kao Tone (Straight knee strike) - the Thai boxer simply thrusts it forward (not upwards, unless he is holding an opponents head down in a clinch and intend to knee upwards into the face). According to one written source, this technique is somewhat more recent than Kao Dode or Kao Loi.[citation needed] Supposedly, when the Thai boxers fought with rope-bound hands rather than the modern boxing gloves, this particular technique was subject to potentially vicious cutting, slicing and sawing by an alert opponent who would block it or deflect it with the sharp "rope-glove" edges which are sometimes dipped in water to make the rope much stronger. This explanation also holds true for some of the following knee strikes below as well.
The clinch version of this move was scientifically proven recently to be the strongest blow using the legs in martial arts. The test subject delivered the strike to a high-tech dummy. On a person the blow would have fragmented the ribs, caused two inches of chest compression, and caused severe internal bleeding in the organs.

Kao Noi (Small knee strike) - the Thai boxer hits the inside upper thigh (above the knee) of the opponent when clinching. This technique is used to wear down the opponent or to counter the opponent's knee strike or kick.

Foot-thrust techniques (teep)
Foot-Thrusts also known as Push Kicks or literally "foot jabs" are one of the most common techniques used in Muay Thai. Teeps are different from any other Muay Thai technique in terms of objective to use. Foot-thrusts are mainly used as an offensive technique to block opponent's attacks, and get an opponent off balance. Foot-Thrusts should be thrown quickly but yet with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.[8]

English Thai Transliteration IPA
Straight Foot-Thrust ถีบตรง Teep Trong tʰìːb̥ tròŋ
Sideways Foot-Thrust ถีบข้าง Teep Kang tʰìːb̥ kʰâːŋ
Reverse Foot-Thrust ถีบกลับหลัง Teep Glub Lang tʰìːb̥ klàb̥ làŋ
Slapping Foot-Thrust ถีบตบ Teep Tob
Jumping Foot-Thrust กระโดดถีบ Gra-dode Teep kràʔ dòːd̥ tʰìːb̥


The clinch
In Western Boxing, the two fighters are separated when they clinch, in Muay Thai however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers if they are intertwined, and it becomes more difficult to release the grip in order to quickly elbow the opponent's head.

A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow him or her, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" his or her arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.

Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch, including:

arm clinch, where one or both hands controls the inside of the defender's arm(s) and where the second hand if free is in the front clinch position, this clinch is used to briefly control the opponent before applying a knee strike or throw
side clinch, one arm passing around the front of the defender with the attacker's shoulder pressed into the defender's arm pit and the other arm passing round the back which allows the attacker to apply knee strikes to the defender's back or to throw the defender readily
low clinch, with both controlling arms passing under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents
swan-neck where one hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent (before a strike).[citation needed]

Defense against attacks
Defenses in Muay Thai are categorised in 6 groups:

Blocking - defender's hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target, (eg the Shin Block described in more detail below)
Redirection - defender's soft parries to change the direction of a strike (eg a downwards tap to a jab) so that it misses the target
Avoidance - moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike, eg defender moving the front leg backwards from the attacker's low kick: then immediately counter-attacking with an angle kick: or defender laying the head back from the attacker's high angle kick: then immediately counter-attacking with a side kick from the front leg:
Evasion - moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, eg defender jumping back from attacker's kicks
Disruption - Pre-empting an attack. eg with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, teep or low angle kick (to the inside of the attacker's front leg) as the attacker attempts to close distance
Anticipation - Defender catching a strike (eg catching an angle kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (eg defender's low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker iniates a high angle kick).

Defense against attacks — punches and kicks
Defensively, the concept of "wall of defence" is used, in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker from successfully executing techniques. Blocking is a critical element in Muay Thai and compounds the level of conditioning a successful practitioner must possess. Low and mid body roundhouse kicks are normally blocked with the upper portion of a raised shin. High body strikes are blocked with the forearm/glove, elbow/shin. Mid section roundhouse kicks can also be caught/trapped, allowing for a sweep or counter attack to the remaining leg of the opponent. Punches are blocked with an ordinary boxing guard and techniques similar, if not identical, to basic boxing technique. A common means of blocking a punch is using the hand on the same side as the oncoming punch. For example, if an orthodox fighter throws a jab (being the left hand), the defender will make a slight tap to redirect the punch's angle with the right hand. The deflection is always as small and precise as possible to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and return the hand to the guard as quickly as possible. Hooks are most often blocked with a motion most often described as "combing your hair," raising the elbow forward and effectively shielding the head with the forearm, flexed biceps, and shoulder. More advanced Muay Thai blocks are usually counters, used to damage the opponent to prevent another attack being made.

Conditioning

Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises, and in some cases weight training.

Training that is specific to a Muay Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3-5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1-2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads which cover the forearms and hands. These special pads are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at anytime during the round.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, and counter-punching and may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Due to the rigorous fighting and training regimen (some Thai boxers fight almost every other week) professional Muay Thai fighters have relatively short careers in the ring. Many retire from competition to begin instructing the next generation of Thai fighters. It is a common myth that Thai boxing causes arthritis, this is not true and is in no way more damaging to the body than other sports such as karate or even running. Most professional Thai boxers come from the lower economic backgrounds and the fight money (after the other parties get their cut) is sought as means of support for the fighters and their families. Very few higher economic strata Thais join the professional Muay Thai ranks; they usually either don't practise the sport or practise it only as amateur Muay Thai boxers.

INSPECTION

Weight divisions
Category Weight (up to)
Super Heavyweight 209 lb+ (95 kg+)
Heavyweight 190 lb+ (86 kg+)
Cruiserweight 190 lb (86 kg)
Light Heavyweight 175 lb (79 kg)
Super Middleweight 168 lb (76 kg)
Middleweight 160 lb (73 kg)
Junior Middleweight 154 lb (70 kg)
Welterweight 147 lb (67 kg)
Junior Welterweight 140 lb (64 kg)
Lightweight 135 lb (61 kg)
Junior Lightweight 130 lb (59 kg)
Featherweight 126 lb (57 kg)
Junior Featherweight 122 lb (55 kg)
Bantamweight 118 lb (54 kg)
Junior Bantamweight 115 lb (52 kg)
Flyweight 112 lb (51 kg)
Junior Flyweight 108 lb (49 kg)
Mini Flyweight 105 lb (48 kg)

According to rule 8, section 2, the minimum weight to compete is 100 pounds (45 kg).


Boxing gloves
Category Weight (up to)
Junior Middleweight and upwards 10 ounce (284 grams)
Featherweight - Welterweight 8 ounce (227 grams)
Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight 6 ounce (132 grams)

OTHER

Dress Code
A. BOXER'S ATTIRE

5.1. Only boxing shorts are to be worn, the colour of which depending on the corner; red, pink, or maroon or with a red stripe for the red corner; blue, bright blue, black for the blue corner. The dressing gown will be as specified by the World Muay Thai Council.

5.2. To ensure the boxer's safety, a groin protector must be worn and tied only at the back.

5.3. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short mustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip.

5.4. The Mongkol should be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher), prior to the match start. Amulets are only to be worn on the arm or waist and covered by material to avoid injury.

5.5. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arm or legs to prevent sprains, however insertion of a shin guard, etc, is not allowed.

5.6. No metalized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn.

5.7. The use of Vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed.

5.8. Boxer may wear elastic ankle bandages to protect his feet.

B. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until they are corrected.


Wai kru, ram muay and round definition
Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters shall perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher), and Ram Muay (boxing dance), accompanied by the appropriate Thai traditional music, incorporating the Ching (cymbal), Klong khaek (tom-tom)and pi Java (Thai reed pipe). 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.


Scoring
The standard scoring practice is as follows :

A: A strike either by a punch, kick, knee or elbow.

1. Scoring from a strike:

1.1. Points will be awarded for a correct Thai Boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes.

1.2. Points will be awarded for aggressive and dominating Muay Thai skill.

1.3. Points will be awarded for a fighter actively dominating his opponent.

1.4. Points will be awarded for the use of a traditional Thai style of defense and counter-attack.

1.5. Points will be deducted from a boxer who fouls or breaks the rules.

2. Non scoring strikes:

2.1. A strike which is against the rules.

2.2. A strike in defense against the leg or arm of an opponent.

2.3. A weak strike.

B. Fouls.

1. The judges will deduct points for any foul as directed by the referee.

2. Any foul observed by the judges but not by the referee, will be penalized accordingly.

C. Method Of Scoring

1. The maximum score for each round is 10 points, the loser scoring either 9, 8 or 7.

2. A drawn round will be scored as 10 points for both boxers.

3. The winner and loser in an indecisive round, will score 10:9 respectively.

4. The winner and loser in a decisive round will score 10:8 respectively.

5. The winner and loser in an indecisive round with a single count, will score 10:8 respectively.

6. The winner and loser in a decisive round with a single count, will score 10:7 respectively.

7. The boxer scoring 2 counts against his opponent will score 10:7.

8. Any boxer who commits a foul will have points deducted from his score.


Fouls
18.1. Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.

18.2. Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold.

18.3. Deliberately falling on his opponent.

18.4. Holding the ropes for any reason.

18.5. Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.

18.6. Knocking out or injuring his opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.

18.7. Deliberately striking the groin area.

To be penalized by the deduction of 1 point for each time committed.

A boxer who has been hit in the groin may request a 5 minute break before continuing the match.


Medical Inspection
22.1 All boxers will be certified by the doctor prior to the start of any fight and must not be suffering from any sickness or exhibit any prohibited symptom or disease, as specified in the medical manual of the Council.

22.2 Any boxer due to fight in a foreign country, will be physically examined by a doctor appointed by the Council Committee. He must also conform to the medical regulations of that country.


Procedure After Knock Out or Technical Knock Out
23.1 If a boxer is knocked unconscious or injured, only the doctor and the referee are allowed in the ring. Any others may only enter at the doctor's discretion.

23.2 A boxer losing by a K.O. or T.K.O. will be immediately treated and undergo a physical examination by the doctor.

23.3 Recovery Period - After a match, a boxer is required to rest for a minimum of 21 days prior to fighting again, with the following exceptions:

23.3.1. A winner in the first round is required to rest a minimum of 7 days prior to his next fight.

23.3.2. The winner in the third round is required to rest a minimum of 14 days prior to his next fight.

23.3.3. A boxer losing by T.K.O. or K.O. must rest for a minimum of 30 days prior to his next fight.

23.3.4. A boxer specified under Items 23.3.1 - 23.3.3, must be examined by the doctor at the end of each fight, who will then specify his rest period.

Drug usage
The use of drugs or stimulants, either before or after the fight is strictly forbidden. Any user will be disqualified. The sole drug allowed for the prevention of bleeding is epinephrine 1:1000 topically and must be administered under doctor's directions

RULE

Muaythai rules & regulations of Lumpinee boxing stadium B.E. 2500
( Alterations & additional edition B.E. 2535 (1992) )
( All rights reserved )



๑. THE RING

1. Muaythai contests in general. The ring must consist of the following:
The ring must be in two square sizes. One is a small size of 4.90 m. (16 ft.) and the other one is a large size of 7.30 m. (24 ft.) Both sizes are measuring within the ropes.


2. The ring must be built in a safety, proper level, without any obstruction, and must extend outside the ropes of at least 50 cm. (20 inches). The erect posts of the four corners must be well covered, or in any other ways that will not cause danger to the contestants.


3. The ring floor must be covered with soft cloths, straw mat, wood filings, compressed cork, and etc.
The ring floor's thickness must not be less than 2 inches (2.50 cm.) and must not more than 2 inches (5 cm.).
The stadium must be covered with a stretched tight canvas that covered the entire ring floor. There must be 4 paralleled ropes, with a diameter of at least 1.50 inches to 2 inches that stretched from the posts of the corners. The rope heights from the ring floor are: the first rope 55 cm. (1 ft. 10 inch.), the second rope 85 cm. (2 ft. 6 inch), the third rope 115 cm. (3 ft. 10 inch.), and the fourth rope 145 cm. (4 ft. 10 inch.). The ropes must be covered with soft and smooth material. At the 4 corners, the insides of the ropes must be covered with soft materials.


4. There must be stairs at the opposite corners of the ring for the contestants, referee and others to get up and down.


๒. THE GLOVES

1. The boxers must wear gloves that weight of one glove not less than 4 oz. (133.4 g.) and not more than 6 oz. (170.1 g.)
For Mini-Flyweight to Featherweight (100 lbs.-126 lbs.) division, the fighters must use 6 oz. (170.1 g.) gloves.


๓. BANDAGE

1. The width of bandage must not exceed 2 inches and the length of each bandage that will be wrap around each fist of the fighter must not exceed the following limit:
From Mini Flyweight to Featherweight Division, the fighter must use the bandage that not exceeding 10 yards or 2 rolls of bandages.


2. Plaster can be used to cover, but not exceeding 1 packet, or the contestants will agree themselves, and not to cover the fist bone. If agreeable not to exceed 1 packet, and the width of the plaster not to exceed 1 inch., the length not to exceed 5 yards (1 packet).


๔. THE DRESS

The contestants must dress as follows:

1. The protector and the trunks must be worn according to the color of the corner. Not to wear cloth and shoes. Keep polite hairstyle, and cleanly shaved. Nails must be cut and short. The superstitious magical substances can be tied on the upper arms or waist, but not to be dangerous to the opponent.


2. The ankle can be used not exceeding one on each leg.


3. Belt and anything which is metal is not allowed.


4. Using of Vaseline or anything which will be dangerous or diskle on the face, arms or on upper portion of the body are not allowed.


5. A sacred cord must be worn on the head and one has to pay homage.


๕. THE RING EQUIPMENT

The ring must have the following equipment:
• Resting seat for the boxer before the match, 3 seats for each corner.
• 2 towels • 2 sponges
• 2 bottles of water • 2 water cups
• 2 buckets of water • Tables & chairs for officers
• Bell • 1 or 2 stop watch
• Points recording cards • 1 box for keeping points recording cards
• 3 points giving tables • set of First Aid equipment
• Board indicating Round, Event & Time


๖. CLASS & WEIGHT USED IN THE MATCH

1. Mini Flyweight weights not exceeding 105 lbs. (47.629 kg.)
2. Junior Flyweight weights not exceeding 108 lbs. (48.990 kg.)
3. Flyweight weight not exceeding 112 lbs. (50.805 kg.)
4. Junior Bantamweight weights not exceeding 115 lbs. (52.166 kg.)
5. Bantamweight weight not exceeding 118 lbs. (55.341 kg.)
6. Junior Featherweight weights not exceeding 122 lbs. (55.341 kg.)
7. Featherweight weight not exceeding 126 lbs. (57.155 kg.)
8. Junior Lightweight weights not exceeding 130 lbs. (58.971 kg.)
9. Lightweight weight not exceeding 135 lbs. (61.238 kg.)
10. Junior Welterweight weights not exceeding 140 lbs. (63.506 kg.)
11. Welterweight weight not exceeding 147 lbs. (66.681 kg.)
12. Junior Middleweight weights not exceeding 156 lbs. (70.764 kg.)
13. Middleweight weight not exceeding 160 lbs. (72.578 kg.)
14. Junior Heavyweight weights not exceeding 175 lbs. (72.578 kg.)
15. Heavyweight weight not exceeding 175 lbs. ( 79.383 kg.) upwards.


๗. WEIGHT-IN

1. Weighting of the contestants is from 08.00 AM. To 12.00 AM. On the matching day. When the contestants over weight, reweigh is allowed, weighin the limit time not exceeding 12.00 AM. If still over weight, it is stopped, in this weighting, the contestants weigh nakedly.


2. Before weighing, the contestants must be certified and body check from appointed Diploma Doctor that they are fully healthy to perform the fight.


3. The weight must not below 100 lbs., age not less than 15 years and the weight must not differ more than 5 lbs.


๘. NUMBER OF ROUNDS

1. The fight normally not exceeding 5 round, a round is 3 minutes, interval during the rounds is 2 minutes, and the fight must not less than 3 rounds.


2. In case of accident causing the fight cannot perform again, if it necessary to get the result, the fight must be more than 3 rounds, and the result of the fight can be decided by points.


๙. BOXER SECONDS

1. Each contestants has the fight to have 2 boxer seconds and must be under the following rules:
The boxer seconds will not advise, help or support their contestant during the round in the fight.


2. The boxer seconds will not give up the fight for the contestant by throwing sponge or towel into the ring, except there is special agreement.


3. During the fight is going on, both the boxer seconds and their assistant will not standing at the edge of the ring. Before starting each round, the boxer seconds must take towel, bucket, etc. out from the edge of the ring.


4. The boxer seconds of both corners must dress politely.


5. If it is a Championship fight, 3 boxer seconds are allowed.


6. If the boxer seconds or assistant violate the above rules, they may be blamed, and may be decided not to be the boxer seconds of that fight. For the contestant, the referee may warm or blame or decide to be defeated.


๑๐. THE DECISION COMMITTEE

There are 4 members, 1 Referee and 3 Judges. The above mentioned member must be well learned and studied, and have experience in doing their duties.



๑๑. THE DECISION COMMITTEE

1. The Referee has the duty to control the fight in the ring according to the rules with justice during the fight.


2. Has the full power in decision solely, nobody can object it.


3. Advises the contestant or boxer seconds who do not perform according to the rules.


4. The Referee must not give points.


5. Collects & checks total of points in points recording cards of the 3 judges after the fight ends, and decide according to the most points & give the points recording cards tot the chief of decision.


6. The Referee must use 3 orders i.e.
7. The Referee must point out some rules to the contestants & chief of the
boxer seconds before commencing the first round.


๑๒. DUTY OF REFEREE

The Referee has duty to control the match according to the rules with justice.



๑๓. POWER OF REFEREE

1. The Referee has the power to do in the ring.


2. To stop the fight when considers that one has skill more than the other.


3. To stop the fight when considers that the contestant has received severe injury so that he cannot continue the fight.


4. To stop the fight when considers that the contestant does not really fight. In this case, the referee may stop one contestant or both.


5. In any round of the fight, if the boxer is counted, & is ordered to box and after though consideration that the counted boxer does not fully perform the fight, the Referee has the right to stop the fight.


6. To stop the fight to warn the boxer when be does not box according to the rules or by other reasons, thus to make justice in the fight and to reaky do according to the rules.


7. To let the disobey boxer out of the fight.


8. To let the disobey boxer second out of the fight and if reasonable, may let the contestant out of the fight also. (The boxer must responsible his own seconds)


9. To let the foul boxer out of the fight, whether being warned or not, or if considers that such deed is to let him be defeated by foul.


10. The decision of h/ the referee in final without any appeal.


11. In case the referee has made wrong decision, he can re-decide to correct according to points recording cards.


๑๔. COUNTING OF THE BOXER FALLING OUT OF THE ROPES

1. When any boxer falls out of the ring, the referee can count immediately. If the boxer falls out of the ring, the Referee will count. If count up to 20, the fallen boxer cannot come up on the ring, he will be lost by KO

2. If the fallen boxer can come up on the ring before counting up to 20, he can continue the fight without losing the points counted.

3. When any boxer falls out of the ring is opposed by the audiences or held up not to go up the ring, the Referee will stop counting and clearly warn and continue counting.


4. When both the boxers fall out of the ring, the Referee will begin counting, if any boxer tries to hold up by any mean, will stop counting and clearly warn the continue counting. If that boxer does not listen, fines him as lost.


5. When the boxers fall on the floor by any mean, the Referee separates the boxers first and stand-in the middle and beginning counting.


6. In case of both boxers are counted, if one can stand up, stop counting that one and counts the still fallen boxer.


๑๕. JUDGES

1. Three judges must sit at each side of the ring separate from the audiences.


2. Each judge is free in considering points within the rules.


3. The judges must pay attention to both the boxers only.


4. The judges must give points to each boxer in points recording card, after end of each round. Then total up the points after the fight and write the name of the winner with his signature in the points recording card, then give to the Referee.


5. The points announcing will be done only in Championship title contest.


๑๖. THE TIMEKEEPER

1. The specify duty of the Time-Keeper is to keep time of each round, amount of round, interval time during the round, and stopping time when the Referee gives signal without mistake by following procedures:
Must sit on one side of the ring.


2. 5 seconds before each round, must clear the ring by giving signal to let the seconds out of the ring.


3. Giving signal of starting- ending each round by striking the bell.


4. Stopping the time while temporary pause or when the Referee orders.


5. Keeping correct time every period by portable watch or stopwatch.


6. Giving manual signal to the Referee every seconds the Referee counts when the boxer is fallen down.


7. At the end of the round which is not final, if there is a boxer falling or the Referee is counting, when the time fished (3 min.), the bell must not be striked, the striking of bell when the Referee order "BOX"


8. At the end of final round, if there is a fallen boxer and the Referee is counting, when the time finishes (3 min.), the timekeeper must strike the bell immediately.


๑๗. THE DECISION

1. Must be done according to the following rules:
Wins by Knock Out is the contestant falls on the floor or stands holding the rope losing consciousness on the rope, cannot fight or protect himself within 10 seconds, i.e. when the Referee counts up to 10.


2. Wins by Technical Knock Out is as follows:

A. When the opponent is disadvantaged and badly injured and may be more dangerous.

B. When any boxer cannot perform his fight, after interval during the rounds.

C. Or if the boxer is injured, i.e.
I. When the referee considers the wound not less than 2 cm. (Approximately 3 stitches)
II. In case the Referee is not sure, he may consult the stadium doctor.



3. Winning by points. After the fight ends, the Referee collects his own recording card and from the judges at both sides, and decides the boxer who gets most points is the winner.


4. In case both boxers received severe injuries, so that both of them cannot perform the fight, and have agreed to get the results before the fight, if the fight, has been performed not more than half of the specified round, the decision will be draw, if the fight more than half of the specific round, the decision will be according to the points.


5. The winning by the contestant is to be lost, i.e. his opponent does not fight according to the rules so that the Referee decides him to lose the fight with or without any warning before.


6. No decision. When the boxer is decided a "No contest" both or any side, the fight will be declared as "No decision" such as, any boxer has fought with the attempt to lost or both agree with one another or damage to the stadium, the audiences are not in peace so that the fight cannot be continued.


7. If the decision of the decision Committee cause the audiences are not in peace So that the fight cannot be continued the stadium or Chief of technique section decide as a no contest and declared "No Contest"


๑๘. POINTS GIVING

1. There are 5 points in a round. The best boxer will get full 5 points, and his opponent is reduced by 4 , 4, 3 , 3 accordingly, and not to give points as 4 or 4 .


2. In the draw round, he will get 5 points each.


3. The loser in the not clear round will get 4 points, the winner gets 5 points.


4. The loser in the clear round will get 4 points, the winner will get 5 points.


5. The loser that has clearly seen all the round, with least opposition, fallen down and scramble up again and is counted will get 3 points, the winner gets 5 points.


6. The loser who has done for through the round and is counted twice in one round will get 3 points, the winner gets 5 points.


7. The giving of points will be considered according to the following rules:
1. Any boxer uses Muaythai weapons (fist, kick, knee, and elbow) according to the rules, against his opponent more is the winner.
2. Any boxer use Muaythai weapons against his opponent severely, clearly, violently, badly injured at most important parts is the winner.


๑๙. FOUL

1. The fight not according to rules and fouls is as follows:
Bite, stab eyes, spit his opponent, stick out the tongue, and strike with head.


2. To embrace or to throw down or lock arms his opponents.


3. Holding the rope or trying to hold the rope for his fight and another benefits.


4. Pretend to fall over his opponent or repeat against his opponent who has been fallen down.


5. Using judo and wrestling styles.


6. Using unsuitable words during the fight.


7. In case the fight is going on and there is embracing, when the Referee orders to stop, but both or one boxer do not do according to his order, let the Referee stops the fight any gives warning, or order to out point. If such fight caused knock out to the contestant or received severe injury, the disobeyed boxer is lost by foul means.


8. Kneeing the protector purposely, i.e. catch the neck & kneeing the protector, kneeing the protector or throwing knee at the protector. (In consideration of the Referee whether purposely or not)


๒๐. FALLEN DOWN

1. If any part of the body touch the floor except the feet, or standing unconsciously on the rope, or is boxed out of the rope, or standing unconsciously with opened eyes & falling hands with incapable of protect himself, will consider that boxer as being fallen down.


2. In case any boxer is fallen down 1 second, the Referee will begin counting, let his opponent steps back to the farthest corner immediately. If he does not step back as ordered, the Referee must stop counting until that boxer does according to order, then the Referee will continue counting from the previous count. When the fallen boxer stands up and is order to box from the Referee. He then can continue his fight.


3. When any boxer is fallen down, the Referee counts loudly from 1 to 10 with interval of 1 second counting. The Referee must give hand signal also so that the fallen boxer knows that he is counted. Before counting 1, the period from falling to the floor 1 second, then begins counting 1.


4. If the fallen boxer can stand up before the referee counts to 10 and he is ready to fight, then he can continue to fight. But if the Referee has counted up to 10, the fight is finished and decides the fallen boxer lost by "KO"


5. If both the boxers are fallen, the Referee continues counting all the time any boxer still fallen down. If both of them still fallen down up to counting to 10, the decision is a draw, if there is no other agreement.


6. During the Referee is counting, but not yet up to 8, the counted boxer whether ready to fight or not, the referee will continue his count from the counted number.


7. If any boxer cannot perform his fight after the interval has finished, will be counted or not being in the consideration of the Referee.


๒๑. GIVING OF POINTS TO COUNTED BOXER BY THE REFEREE

1. In any round of the fight, when any boxer is being done by Muaythai weapons (fist, feet, knee, elbow) according to the rules, till he is counted by the Referee, the counted boxer will lost 1 point, by thee counted boxer gets 4 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:4 ) If he is counted again for the second time in the same round, the counted boxer gets 3 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:3 ) And the boxer who is counted twice in the same round is fallen down again for the third time, the Referee will stop the fight by deciding his opponent wins by Technical Knock Out.


2. In any round of the fight, If the contestants have equal points. When any one is counted by the referee once, the counted boxer gets 4 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:4 )


3. In any round of the fight, any boxer has point more (Before or after counting), the consideration is as follows: The leading point boxer is counted once, will lost point, the counted boxer gets 4 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:4 )


4. The leading point boxer, bit is counted second time in the same round, will lose 1 points, the counted boxer gets 3 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:3 )

5. In any round of the fight, any boxer has 1 point more, (Before of after counting) the consideration is as follows: The leading point boxer is counted once, the result in that round, both the boxers will get 5 points each.
( 5:5 )


6. The leading point boxer is counted twice in the same round, the counted boxer will lose 1 point, the counted boxer gets 4 points, the other boxer gets points. ( 5:4 )

7. In any round of the fight, any boxer gets point less, (Before of after counting) The consideration is as follows: The lesser point boxer is counted by the Referee once, will lose 1 points, the counted boxer gets 3 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:3 )


8. The lesser point boxer is counted by the Referee for the second time in the same round, the counted boxer gets 3 points, (The lowest points of the fight) is counted by the Referee once, the counted boxer will lose 2 points, the counted boxer gets 3 points, the other boxer gets 5 points. ( 5:3 )


๒๒. THE HANDS SHAKING

There will be hand catching before starting Round 1 and final round. The boxers will catch hands as traditional, to mark that they will fight as sportsmen, with cleanness according to the rules of the fight and not to catch hands during the fight.



๒๓. THE MEANINGS

Any meaning of this rule or any problem arises due to the contestants, even does not mention in this rule, the Referee will decide. Except such problem has been occurred, & Technical Committee of the Lumpinee Stadium has laid down the procedures, to perform according to such procedures.