Thai boxing is martial arts of Thailand Has outstanding fighting techniques. Which is the use of both body and mind For fighting that uses the body as a weapon It is known as “Nawa-weapon” (Nawa meaning number 9)
which consists of attacks from the body including fists, elbows, knees, and feet if the body is well prepared. It will create a powerful weapon. Muay Thai gained international popularity during the 20th century. When Thai boxers are able to win over famous fighters in other fields. Which Muay Thai competition at the professional level Is maintained by World Muay Thai Council. Current way International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (IFMA) has a plan to push the sport of Muay Thai into [Olympic Games] And in 2014, theUnited NationsMuay Thai has been accepted as a sport by the world community.
A cooperation agreement has been signed withWorld Muay Thai Council andInternational Amateur Muay Thai Federation.
History of Muay Thai :
It is related to the migration of the population living in Yunnan Province on the shore Yangtze River of China according to Thai legend Many people are believed to have left Yunnan Province. China come to Thailand To find land that is fertile for agriculture However, during their migration These Thai people have been attacked by thieves and animals. Moreover, they have to deal with various diseases.
To increase the ability to protect the body and mind, deal with adversity.
Thai Siam So he invented a method of fighting. In the beginning Has been called by name Physical science Although most of the archives of historical texts were lost when they were destroyed by the Burmese army, and expelled from Ayutthaya City In the era Burmese-Thai War (1759–1760), but we can still find it in the records of Myanmar, Cambodia and from european When you visit Southeast Asia for the first time, including from the records of Lanna events or Chiang Mai city at present.
During the reign of King Petchracha (1688–1703)
There are records about boxing during the reign.Somdet Phra Phet Racha that they used boxing to fight the French who might come to seize the city Horseradish which was the port city of Ayutthaya at that time
In June 1698, Ayutthaya received news that India There were many English ships docked at the port. Later there was a ship’s captain.Dutch One person came to inform Ayutthaya that The French navy sailed past.Cape of Good Hope (Cape of Good Hope) has arrived and the French navy will come to seize the city.Puducherry (Pondicherry) in India, and it may be possible that the French navy will come to seize the city of Myeik of Ayutthaya as well, causing King Petraja to He was worried after hearing the news even though Europe had signed an armistice. So King Petchracha conscripted people to have combat training to prepare for the war, such as measles.wrestling boxing contest with swords and practice various fighting skills
Monsieurbroud’s letter to the Director of the Faculty of Foreign Affairs Ayutthaya, 9 June 1699 (1799) Said:-
This news shocked many officials in the royal court. The King of Siam therefore began to conscript people to train in various activities, sometimes to train each other to wrestle. Maybe I’ll learn how to box. Maybe practice swordsmanship. and practice many other things of this kind These trainings provided more work for noble civil servants.
Muay Thai is the cultural heritage of the Thai people that has been passed down for a long time. It is both a martial arts game and a sport. There is no clear evidence that In what period did it first occur? But Muay Thai is considered to be a Thai martial art, similar to Chinese Kung Fu. Japanese Judo and Karate and Korean taekwondo.
Historical events related to Muay Thai
1) Ayutthaya period, King Sanphet VIII or King Suea He liked boxing so much that he disguised himself to fight with villagers. and won over 3 opponents, as shown by the Office of the National Culture Commission specified in the book The art of Muay Thai King Suea disguised himself as a commoner. Come boxing with the skilled boxers of Wiset Chai Chan. and was able to defeat 3 major boxers, namely Nai Klang, the dead puncher, Nai Yai, the iron fist, and Nai Lek, the heavy puncher, all 3 of whom received traumatic defeats from His Majesty’s Muay Thai boxing skills.
When the King likes Thai boxing like this As a result, Muay Thai was practiced widely in the royal court. and expanded to houses and temples, especially temples, which are considered to be a source of good knowledge of Muay Thai. Because warlords often become monks when they are old. and teaches martial arts to good students or having gratitude Especially prominent boxers from the latter era. Almost all of them come from training with monks in temples. For this reason, Muay Thai training has become widespread. and expand even more to the common people
2) Boxers with good skills have the opportunity to advance into the government service. Especially being a soldier in the government department called Thay Choek, which is the department that takes care of boxers. whose duty is to protect and maintain the safety of the King
3) When Mr. Khanom Tom was taken captive and was forcibly moved to Inwa, Burma in 1767. Burma organized a victory celebration. in the war with Thailand And Suki Phra Naikong selected Mr. Khanom Tom to fight with a Burmese boxer. Mr. Khanomtom was able to defeat up to 10 Burmese boxers, as Rangsarit Bunchalo said. “The Burmese were defeated by all the Khanom Tom masters until King Angwa praised them by saying, Even Thai people don’t have weapons in their hands. With only two empty hands, there is still poison all around.” It shows that Thai boxers have skills that are well known.
4) During the period when King Taksin the Great was the ruler of Tak. I have a trusted soldier who is very talented in Muay Thai. and is at the forefront of the selection of lawyers named Mr. Thongdee Funkhao or Joi, a native of Phichai city. which later became Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Phichai Governor
The development of Muay Thai as a martial arts sport.
After the reign of King Rama VI, Thai boxing developed further with boxing using boxing gloves. and counting wins and losses. The rounds are determined. The boxers dress according to the corners, namely the red corner and the blue corner. Just like international boxing. There are many boxing camps. And there are many famous boxers. A famous baron named Chao Chetu set up a boxing stadium on his own land. To use income from boxing to support military affairs Later, World War II broke out, so boxing competitions stopped. After World War II ended, Thai boxing competitions flourished again. Because people are interested
On December 23, 1945, the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium was established. and organizes a large number of professional boxing matches There were many famous boxers such as Suk Prasat Hin Phimai, Phon Phra Pradaeng, Saman Dilokwilas, Prasit Chomsrimek, Pengsoon Thiamkamhaeng, Suriya Lukthung. Boxing at that time There is another special feature. There is boxing between generations.
On December 8, 1956, another Lumpinee Boxing Stadium opened. Most boxers therefore used the entire Rajadamnern arena. and Lumpini Stadium for boxing competitions Both of these fields are considered It is a standard boxing stadium in Thailand. Boxers are classified into different divisions. according to the specified body weight The 1955 edition of the Professional Muay Thai Rules was born, which was revised from the 1937 edition of the Department of Physical Education. And on Saturday, September 4, 1955, Thai boxing was broadcast from Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium for the first time. After that, foreigners came to practice Muay Thai. And there are always boxing matches with Thai boxers.
Later, the sport of Muay Thai developed until it was founded as the Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand. which requires that Muay Thai boxing must have protective equipment. To make boxers more safe This causes more foreigners to come to compete each year. And there are more boxing broadcasts on television as well. Makes the boxing business expand widely In the provinces, there are many boxing rings. Provide opportunities for skilled boxers from other provinces. Traveling to fight in Bangkok more
However, Thai boxing nowadays is mostly about wins and losses and business interests are involved. Making the art and essence of Muay Thai The days will fade away Even though there are courses of study in some educational institutions. It is pleasing that Muay Thai is currently being taught at the graduate level, namely the College of Muay Thai Studies and Thai Traditional Medicine. Muban Chom Bueng Rajabhat University Ratchaburi Province Began offering a graduate certificate program in Muay Thai in 2003, Master of Arts program. Muay Thai Studies field since 2005 and later developed into a doctoral level program called Doctor of Philosophy Program Muay Thai Studies Department (Currently, it is taught at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, with the graduate certificate program cancelled.) Muay Thai has therefore begun to develop into a teaching subject. for conservation and seek the value of Thai wisdom more in today’s Thai society There are faculty members on the course such as Dr. Sakchai Tapsuwan, President of the World Amateur Muay Thai Council, Dr. Sawaeng Wittayaphitak, Muay Thai referee technical committee from Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium. Associate Professor Dr. Somporn Saengchai, the master of Muay Thai, Phraya Phichai Dap Hak, as well as Associate Professor Chaisawat Thianwiboon, the Muay Thai teacher of Siam Yut. There is also Associate Professor Dr. Seri Phongphit, expert in Thai wisdom Let’s help create prosperity. Let the knowledge of our ancestors that has existed for over two thousand years endure forever for generations to come.
