The History of Muay Thai

We are always on the lookout for a dynamic sport at BOOTCAMP 619. No one can deny the exciting appeal of Thai Boxing.

Thai Boxing, now commonly known even in the U.S. as Muay Thai, is also known as the Art of Eight Limbs due to its use of so many body parts as weapons. It utilizes the shins, elbows, knees and hands and has been widely influenced by martial arts from its neighboring countries.

Both a beautiful and exciting sport, Muay Thai is often the center of many festivals and holiday events as a spectator sport. There are a variety of different forms of the sport practiced in each region of Thailand.

Enjoyed by the royal courts of Thailand, the best fighters were often brough to live in the house of the king to both show the sport teach their skills to both the royal family and their guard.

King Rama VII of Siam was the first to assign rules to the sport after a death occurred during a match. One of the rules required fighters to wear gloves much like the modern ones we see today, as well as covers on the ankles and feet. As the sport evolved so did its rules. It was in the 1950’s that it became illegal to deliver a blow to the groin in the sport.

The 1970’s began a golden age for all Asian martial arts with the new popularity of Bruce Lee. Muay Thai also followed suit and gyms and training schools began popping up in Europe, Australia and the United States.

Even today people in the provinces of Thailand can be found crowded around any available TV set to see the matches. All professional fighters have ring names which are usually a combination of their own name and the training camp to which they belong. The sport is enjoyed and practiced by both men and women.

An essential part of Thai culture, Muay Thai is on the rise in the United States.