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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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