More about Muay Thai as a martial art

A more in depth look at Muay Thai

Also known around the world as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is an ancient art of self defense that was created and tested in battle by the fearless warriors of ancient Thailand. Today, Muay Thai is seen all around the world. The United States Navy SEALs, Thai military, and even the CIA take full advantage of the devastating and bone crushing techniques this martial art offers.

And the battle art has evolved into a popular sport.

Muay thai has always been a sport for the people as well as a military fighting skill. In all its golden ages, the people have trained and practised the sport whether they were King or commoner. It was part of the school curriculum right up to the 1920′s when it was withdrawn because it was felt that the injury rate was too high. The Thai people however, continued to study it in gyms and clubs just as they do today.

The skills that are taught with Muay Thai are far more dominant than other striking based martial arts.This art uses very little grappling, but focuses more on powerful kicks, punches, and elbow strikes. Students of Thai fighting can often take an opponent down with just one shot, often times breaking bones and sometimes even killing them with just one lethal kick or elbow. The reason why this kick boxing style doesn't utilize ground grappling or submission holds is because it was developed in ancient battlegrounds where there were always multiple attackers. These attackers had credible sword fighting skills, which made the need for a dependable fighting system a necessity.

The 1930′s saw a radical change in the sport. It was then that it was codified and today’s rules and regulations were introduced. Rope bindings of the arms and hands were abandoned and gloves took their place. Groin guards had already been used for many years.

An amateur Muay Thai fight. Notice their protective gear.

Photo credit Flickr

Along with the introduction of gloves, came weight classes based on the international boxing divisions. These and other innovations – such as the introduction of five rounds – substantially altered the fighting techniques that boxers used causing some of them to disappear.

Although there are other martial arts that put a lot of emphasis on striking, Muay Thai is quite different. The first area in which it differs is the effective use of both elbows and knees strikes. The elbows and knees that are used with most Thai techniques are feared all around the world by boxers and other stylists.

Kicking and kneeing are two of the main forms in practice with this art form. In order to become efficient with kicking, the shins need to be conditioned, although in  a Western training center, shin guards may be used. Through years of training and conditioning, fighters can become lethal and deadly weapons.

If you live in a big city and wish to study Muay Thai kickboxing, chances are good that you'll find a center that teaches it. Many gyms and dojos offer their 'soft' version of Thai kickboxing, some using belt and grading systems, others using the techniques purely for exercise.

Training at Tiger Muay Thai

Photo credit Flickr

All in all, Muay Thai is a great martial art for defense and competition. It is one of the strongest martial arts in the world, and practitioners often enjoying pitting themselves against those who study other martial arts, to see who is the strongest....