Thai Martial Arts: Muay Thai

Muay thai is the national sport and ancient cultural martial art of thailand

it originated from “Muay Boran”, it is a form of self-defense when a soldier lost his weapon on the battlefield - Muay Boran is partially credited in why Thailand being the only country that never got colonized.

 

In the early 1700s, Muay Thai became a sport outside of the army. During times of peace soldiers stayed busy by training muay thai at the time there were no rules people just fought each other until someone was left standing no rounds no time limit and rarely a referee.

 

In 1774 after the Burmese invasion in the Ayutthaya kingdom, a man named Nai Kanom Tom was captured as one of the thousands of Thai prisoners being held by the Burmese king.

A festival for their victory was being held and the Burmese king wanted to see if the style of Muay Boran held up

against his native Burmese boxing.

 

Nai Kanom Tom was chosen to face the champion of the Burmese kingdom and proceeded to knock him out.

The referee claimed the win was not valid because the Burmese champion was distracted by the music

the Burmese king then sent nine other fighters out to face nigh one by one without time breaks between the fights. They were put on the ground by the hands knees kicks and elbows of Nai Kanom Tom. Impressed by these abilities the Burmese King

granted Nai Khanom Tom and all of his Thai prisoners of war freedom.

 

This day is celebrated every year in Thailand on march 17th known as the Muay Thai day.