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Top Ten Facts about Thailand鈥檚 National Sport

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Thai boxing or 鈥楳uay Thai鈥� as it is commonly known, is the national sport of Thailand, and can be witnessed and experienced by tourists and visitors on a variety of different levels.

In terms of being a spectator, there have always been plenty of large and small-scale bouts all over the country that are not that difficult to catch, and Muay Thai is televised a few times a week in Thailand.

It is largely the 鈥榤ain cards鈥� though that are the ones deemed most important by real fight aficionados, and these events tend to be focused around the two main stadiums, which happen to be in Bangkok.

The history of Muay Thai is quite long and it could be said a little shady in some areas, but it has apparently been around for something in the region of 700聽years.聽 This particular discipline of martial art, not unsurprisingly perhaps, does have some similarities with others in the region, which is where some of the areas start to become slightly grey.

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From a historical viewpoint, Muay Thai would undoubtedly have been used in some form as a hand-to-hand combat skill by Thai warriors on the battlefield. It eventually transitioned into becoming a popular ring sport, sponsored by the King of Thailand who was influenced by Western Allies in the First World War.

After utilising a ring in bid to become more civilised and acceptable to modern society, eventually many of the other international boxing rules such as rounds and corner men were incorporated, helping to eventually shape Muay Thai into a professional sport that became recognized worldwide.

In the last couple of decades, or at least gradually since the 1970s when the 鈥榢ung fu boom鈥� was rife, the art of Thai Boxing has continued to attract investigative interest from all over the world, particularly from practitioners of other martial arts.

Since the advent of mixed martial arts鈥� (MMA) massive increase in popularity thanks largely to the huge exposure now enjoyed by the UFC, Muay Thai has pretty much become the undisputed king of stand-up striking. This means that all serious MMA practitioners are training in the sport, and usually, at least for a short time, a proportion of that is likely to be in Thailand.

The game has had its fair investment of glitz, glamour and much higher exposure in recent years due to worldwide interest, 鈥榮uper-fights鈥�, and also the Asian MMA extravaganza One Championship. One has incorporated Muay Thai into its roster of events and is home to a multitude of Thai and other Asian superstar fighters.

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Unfortunately though, happy endings are still very rare for the majority of the hordes of hopeful young 鈥榥ak muay鈥� (young Thai fighters) across the country in Thailand.

Largely uneducated and inexperienced, many of these fighters have limited knowledge of anything outside the world of Muay Thai and often find themselves being exploited and manipulated, usually by their own trainers and camp. Eventually they may even find themselves back in poverty before too long and give up all hope of the 鈥榖ig time鈥�.

And even though the 鈥榠nside world鈥� of Muay Thai in many ways still remains largely off-limits to foreigners, the growing popularity of the sport has helped to develop many aspects of it.

There are probably more Muay Thai gyms and camps everywhere today both in Thailand and the rest of the world, and this has provided many life-changing opportunities for retired fighters everywhere (Singapore鈥檚 Evolve MMA being a prime example). The MMA connection is also a route that will be taken by more and more young, Thai fighters with their eyes on big bucks in the future.

Anyway, regardless of what you may have heard about the sport of Muay Thai, here are the top ten facts, in no particular order, about the national sport of Thailand.

1. Muay Thai is called the 鈥淎rt of Eight Limbs鈥�

because combatants always have eight different methods of striking available to them, including punches, elbows, kicks, and knees. This means that unlike other striking arts like boxing and kickboxing, the range can be significantly closer once the knees or elbows are bought into play.

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2. There is considerable debate relating to the origins of the art

with some historians allegedly tracing it back to 1238, when the first army of 鈥楽iam鈥� in the northern city of Sukhothai fought hand to hand combat to repel their enemy invaders, alongside the use of weapons. Their training is reported to have been the first evolution of Muay Thai, which they continued to develop as a military art of combat. Muay Thai fighters and practitioners are known as 鈥渘ak muay鈥� in Thailand (which literally translates as 鈥榙o boxing鈥�).

3. The first modern-style Muay Thai boxing ring

was named 鈥楽uan Kulap鈥�, and was located at the Suan Khoolab School in 1921 in Thailand, just after the end of World War I.

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4. The two main stadiums are Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok and Ratchadamnern Stadium

Ratchadamnern was actually the first one, and there are still the only respected and officially recognised muaythai championship stadiums in Thailand. Lumpinee Stadium is run by the Royal Thai Army. It was relocated a few years back, and along with 鈥楻aja鈥�, continues to be considered as a mecca of the sport.

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5. Professional Muay Thai bouts have 5 rounds.

In basic Muay Thai rules, the matches have no more than 5 rounds, with each round of 3 minutes鈥� duration and a two-minute rest period in between.

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6. All fighters perform a pre-fight ritual known as the wai kru or ram muay.

This is a mark of respect to their instructor and gym, their Kru, and participants from each region of Thailand have their own particular take on this ritual, indicating which gym and region they are from.

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7. A ceremonial Mongkhon (headband) and Pra Jiad (armbands) are worn by all Muay Thai fighters.

These metaphoric decorations of the fighters originate from times when Thailand was always at war with a neighbour, and young men going off to do battle would tear off pieces of a loved one鈥檚 clothing (often their mother or wife) and wear it as a reminder why they were fighting. Of course, in typically Thai style, there was also the belief that this would ward off harmful spirits.

The Mongkhon is worn these days with respect to the fighter鈥檚 gym. It is traditionally presented by a trainer to a fighter once the young fighter is considered ready to represent the gym in the ring. When the fighter finishes the聽Wai Kru,聽the trainer will take the Mongkhon off him and place it on their corner of the ring for luck. It is also common, if not obligatory, for them to have had the聽mongkhon聽taken to a Buddhist monk for a blessing of good luck prior to the fighter stepping into the ring.

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8. Gambling is as much a part of the culture of Thai boxing as the techniques involved in the sport.

One only needs to attend an event in Thailand to see the gamblers and betters going crazy down by the side of the ring and even across the whole stadium. Although gambling of any kind is actually 鈥榮trictly outlawed鈥� in Thailand, you will be hard pressed to find a match without it. Huge side bets are as much a part of the news as the actual result. What many foreigners fail to be aware of is that professional boxing in Thailand is all about gambling and big money.

The less na茂ve amongst fight fans are well aware that one element of this darker side of the sport is fight fixing. Boxers can sometimes be given incentives purposefully lose a fight that are higher than those given for winning, although anyone caught in this act is straight off to jail.

9. Boxing Gloves in the sport of Muay Thai adhere to strict guidelines.

To begin with, only gloves certified by the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) are allowed to be used in any match. The glove requirements need to correspond to their particular weight divisions. Mini Flyweight – Junior Featherweight gloves are 6 oz; Featherweight – Welterweight gloves are 8 oz, and Junior Middleweight up is 10oz.

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The weight of the leather cannot be more than half of the total glove weight, which includes the internal cushioning, and this always needs to be in good condition. The laces are to be tied at the back of the wrist band. To ensure compliance with the regulations, all gloves are inspected by a member of the match committee prior to the fight.

10. Muay Thai utilises specific scoring methodology.

The standard scoring practice awards or deducts points according to various guidelines related to strikes, knock-downs and take-downs, and fouls.

A Muay Thai strike is regarded as being either: a punch, a kick, a knee or an elbow. Points are awarded for what is considered correct Thai Boxing style, combined with hard and accurate strikes.

Points are also awarded for what is considered an aggressive and dominating style of boxing, especially when a fighter is actively dominating his opponent. Use of the traditional Thai style of defence and counter-attack will also please the judges, while anyone considered to be fouling or continually breaking the rules will have points deducted for doing so. The referee is watching for any fouls, but any observed by the judges but apparently not by the referee will also be penalized accordingly.

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Read on if you are interested in the real points-scoring 鈥榥itty gritty鈥�.

Point Scoring Methodology

1. The maximum score for each round is 10 points, with the loser scoring 9 (or less — 8 or 7).
2. A round considered even is scored as 10 points for both boxers.
3. The winner and loser in an indecisive round will be scored 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 which also has a single count will score 10:8 respectively.
6. The winner and loser in a decisive round which has a single count will score 10:7 respectively.
7. Any boxer scoring 2 counts against his opponent will score 10:7.
8. Any boxer committing a foul will have points deducted.

Fouls and strikes considered to violate the rules are biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting, and wrestling. Back or arm locks, or any similar judo or wrestling hold are not allowed, neither is anyone deliberately falling on his opponent. Holding the ropes for any reason is illegal, along with swearing or the use of abusive language during the match. A further considered breach of rules is anyone knocking out or injuring an opponent after an order by the referee for the match to stop for any reason. Any deliberate strike the groin area is prohibited, and a boxer who has been hit in the groin, may request a 5 minute break before commencing the match.

Knockdown scoring methodology

Definition of a knockdown is any part of the body touching the floor except the feet, leaning against the ropes in a state of unconsciousness, being knocked out of the ring, or having the inability to defend himself.

1. During a count, the referee will direct the opposing boxer to the opposite corner, where he must await further instruction. If he does not move or is slow to do so, the referee will halt the count until he does so and then continue. The match will not continue until directed by the referee.
2. The count will be conducted at intervals of 1 second, from 1 to 10. During the count, the referee will signal, with his hand, to ensure that the boxer receiving the count understands.
3. A boxer receiving a count is not allowed to continue the match prior to a count of 8, and on a count of 10 he loses immediately.
4. If both boxers go down, the referee will direct the count to the last one that fell. If both boxers receive a 10 count, the bout is declared a draw. If the boxers lean against each other whilst sitting up, the referee will stop counting at that time.
5. If one of the boxers subsequently goes back down again, the referee will continue the count.
6. A boxer unprepared or unable to fight again after a break when the bell rings, will receive a count, unless the issue is caused by a problem with his attire.