Thai Boxing
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You might have heard about it, or even seen it on TV—the furious punches, crushing elbow
strikes, lethal kicks, powerful grappling and artful feints. But nothing compares to seeing them executed to loud cheers
and heart-racing tune of an accompanying wind-and-percussion ensemble. Welcome to the exciting world of Muay Thai, a
martial art like no others, and a proud heritage of a nation
The history of Muay Thai is interwoven with the history of
the Thai people. A gentle, peace-loving people, for centuries Thais had to defend themselves and their land from
aggressive powers. They developed a form of close, hand-to-hand combat best suited for the kind of rough-terrain battle
they were fighting. Over time it became a rite of passage for Thai men to take up training in this martial art. King
Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), one of the country’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. Another milestone in the
history of Muay Thai was the triumph of Nai Khanom Tom over 10 Burmese boxers in 1774. Taken captive after the Thai
capital fell in 1767, Nai Khanom Tom was picked to fight before the Burmese king. After defeating ten of them in a row,
he was freed and returned home a hero.
In the old days, Muay Thai was a dangerous sport, with no safety gear of any kind for the fighters, and only lengths
of cords to wrap around the fists in place of gloves. Over the years rules have been written along the line of
international boxing regulations. In recent years the sport has attracted a wide following outside of the country, and
training facilities have been set up in countries as far as the U.S. and the former Soviet states. In 1995 the World
Muay Thai Council was set up by cabinet resolution in 1995 to promote this national heritage at national and
international levels. At a conference held that same year, 78 member countries voted for the establishment of a training
school where all elements of Muay Thai would be taught. The Muay Thai Institute was founded in 1997 and is now the only
training school accredited by the Ministry of Education.
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An International Passion
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Muay Thai, along with soccer, is certainly the most
passionately followed sport in the country. Television networks broadcast fights five days a week, and the fight results
at major stadiums are reported in all major newspapers. International boxing is also very popular, and the country has
produced dozens of world champions, but they all started out as Muay Thai fighters. So it is not surprising that a boy
as young as seven or eight would start training to become one—and many do, at stables across the country. Most
provincial capitals have a boxing ring, but the ultimate dream of young boxers is to fight at Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen,
the biggest and most famous stadiums in the country. Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen alternate, so there is a fight program
every night. Tickets on an average evening are 500, 1,000 and 1,500 Baht, but on big nights prices of ringside seats may
go up to 2,000 Baht. Ratchadamnoen’s Sunday Special rates are good bargains, with ringside tickets going for 500
Baht
each. Fights usually begins around 6:30 p.m., with preliminary bouts featuring younger, less experienced boxers, and
build up towards the main event, usually around nine o’clock.
Muay Thai is fought in five three-minute rounds with
two-minute breaks in between. The fight is preceded by a wai khru dance, in which each contestant pays homage to his
teachers. Besides the symbolic meaning, the dance is a good warm-up exercise. You will notice that each boxer wears a
headband and armbands. The headband, called mongkhol, is believed to bestow luck to the wearer since it has been blessed
by a monk or the boxer’s own teacher. Since Buddhism and the teacher play important roles in the life of Thais, the
headband is both a lucky charm and a spiritual object. It will be removed after the wai khru dance, and only by the
boxer’s trainer. The armbands, meanwhile, are believed to offer protection and are only removed when the fight has
ended.
A match is decided by a knockout or by points. Three judges decide who carries the round and the one who wins the
most rounds, win the fight. The referee plays a very important role, since boxers’ safety depends on his decision.
To one side of the ring is the band section, comprising a Javanese clarinet, drums and cymbals. They accompany the
fight from the homage dance to the conclusion. The tempo goes up as the action inside the ring intensifies. The
musicians are mostly old-timers who have seen just about anything, yet their music always makes the heart race faster.
It is said that the tune is a siren song that the true Muay Thai devotee can never resist.
On fight nights at major stadiums, especially at Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen, tourists fill up a sizable portion of the
seats, and the number is growing. Most opt to sit at ringside, to see the action up close. On nights of major events,
usually advertised days in advance, it can be hard to get tickets. You might want to book through your hotels or travel
agents.
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Equipment used in Thai Boxing Match
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Equipment that is necessary for Muay
Thai matches must be provided by the stadium. There are a stopwatch, a signal gong, a warning bell, boxing gloves of
various sizes according to the rules, equipment to provide water for boxers, and other additional personal accessories
for boxers who have not prepared their own such as boxing shorts in red or blue, jock straps, surgical tape, or sacred
cords. Thai boxing can be classified into two major types, the first is muay lak which puts the emphasis on caution and
patience, and is very rare nowadays. Theo- ther is muay kiew which is full of tricks and feints performed to catch the
opponent off guard. |
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Basic rules of Thai boxing matches
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A 'Muay Thai'
match formally have no more than 5 rounds, each round take 3 minutes to last, with a two-minute rest period in between.
No additional rounds is allowed.
Boxers must regularly wear gloves, each weighing not less than 6 ounces (172 gramm).
The gloves must not be squeezed, kneaded or crushed to change its original shape.
Rules on contestants' boxing costumes.
₪ Contestants must wear only trunks
(red or blue according to their corners) appropriately fit
their bodies.
₪ Contestants must wear
standard supporters or sturdy athletic cups to protect their groin,
Gum shield may be used.
₪ Wear no
shirts nor shoes, but ankle cap is permitted.
₪ A sacred
cord known as Mongkol can be worn around the head only during the pre-fight
ritual of paying homage to ancestral
teachers of Muay Thai, to be removed before the start
of the fight.
₪ Metal or other equipments that
will be harmful to the opponent is prohibited.
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Where & When to see
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Bangkok & Vicinitiy |
₪ Lumpini Stadium |
Rama IV Road, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 252-8765, 251-4303, 253-7702, 253-7940
Fight Nights: Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m, Saturday afternoons 5-8 p.m., Saturday
nights from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside)
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₪ Ratchadamnoen Stadium |
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Tel: (662) 281-4205, 280-1684-6
Fight Nights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, starting at 6.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside); special discount on Sunday nights
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₪ Channel 7 Stadium |
Behind the old Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit), opp. Chatuchak Park, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 272-0201
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 1.45 p.m., third Wednesday of each month starting at
12.00 noon.
Ticket prices: Free admission
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₪ Rangsit Stadium |
336/932 Prachathipat Road, Rangsit, Pathumthani
Tel: (662) 992-0099
Fight Nights: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 110 (women only), 220 Baht
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₪ Samrong Stadium |
Samrong Road, Samutprakarn
Tel: (662) 393-3592
Fight Nights: Fridays and Sundays, from 8.30 p.m
Ticket Prices: 100 Baht for women, 200 Baht for men
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₪ Omnoy Stadium |
74 Moo 12 Tumbon Omnoy, Amphoe Krathumbaen, Samutsakorn
Tel: (662) 420-4317
Fight Schedule: Saturdays from 11.45 a.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
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₪ International Stadium,
Chachoengsao |
23/22 Moo 6 Thepkunakorn Road, Tumbon Sothorn, Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao
Tel: (66-38) 821-746-50
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 4.00 p.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
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Learning Muay Thai
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Muay Thai, with its emphasis on both offense and defense as well as on stamina, is a
martial art anyone can learn: men, women, young or old. With the interest in Muay Thai growing fast, martial-art schools
in Europe, America and Asia have added it to their curricula. Some hire former Muay Thai champions as instructors,
others have trainers who studied with Thai teachers. These schools may teach all the right moves and maneuvers, but Muay
Thai isn’t just about punches and kicks.
To learn Muay Thai is to learn about its roots and its purpose, and there’s nowhere better to do that than in its
homeland. In the past, foreigners wanting “the real thing” would go to one of the stables, where training focuses on
professional competition. For those not so inclined, there wasn’t much choice, and language was sometimes a problem. Not
anymore, since Thailand now has a school for total Muay Thai education for both professionals and amateurs.
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Muay Thai Institute
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The Muay Thai Institute was established
with the goal of preserving and promoting the art of Muay Thai and making it accessible to all. The Institute, which is
located in Rangsit, just north of Bangkok International Airport, offers accredited training courses for boxers,
instructors and referees. Opened in 1997, the Institute is run by a professional team of Muay Thai instructors,
promoters and officials. Its staff instructors are all former champions, hold at least a bachelor’s degree in physical
education, and speak English. Graduates will received a certificate recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education and the
World Muay Thai Council. Since its opening, the school has trained hundreds of amateurs and professionals. Students have
come from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the U.K., and other parts of the world.
Thai students, many of them girls and young women, also come for recreational and professional courses.
The Fundamental Muay Thai Program consists of Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Professional levels and takes 120 day to
complete. The program was designed to provide students with the historical and cultural background to Muay Thai as well
as the physical skills and fitness training. The course includes a study tour to Bangkok’s major stadiums, so students
can experience the real thing live.
Muay Thai for Instructors is ideal for those who want to become Muay Thai instructors or to run training schools. The
program comprises three 15-day courses.
Muay Thai for Referees and Judges is divided into three levels of proficiency: local, national and international, each
taking 15 days.
The Muay Thai Institute occupies a complex next door to Rangsit Stadium. Classes take place in the classroom and in the
well-equipped gym. Students have access to the in-house fitness facilities and Muay Thai library. Dormitory-style
accommodation, with five bunkbeds to a room, TV, and fridge, and meals are available. The Institute can arrange visa and
paperwork for applicants to any of the courses. |
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Tuition and Fees
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Fundamental Muay Thai 1-3: US$ 160 per course
Fundamental Muay Thai 4 (Professional): US$ 1,200
Muay Thai Instructors 1 & 2: US$ 288 per course
Muay Thai Instructors 3: US$ 320
Amature Muay Thai Referees & Judges (International): US$320
Professional Muay Thai Referees & Judges (International): US$320 |
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International visitors who wish to learn Thai boxing can contact:
The Muay Thai Institute, 336/932, Prachathipat, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12130, Tel: 992-0096-9
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