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 Thai
Boxing (Muay Thai)
Introduction
 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.
An International Passion
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 220, 440 and
1,000 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.
Learning Muay Thai
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.
Muay Thai Institute
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.
Tuition and Fees:
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
Muay Thai Live
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: 220, 440, 1,000 baht (ringside)
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: 220, 440, 1,000 baht (ringside); special discount
on Sunday nights
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
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
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
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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