An Introduction to Thai Culture and the art of Muay Thai

Like the Thais themselves little is know of the history of Muay Thai. By studying the art of Muay Thai (Thai style boxing) one gains an insight into the Thai People and their culture.

Its unclear as to where Martial Art called Muay Thai originated. Probably in China and perhaps in the Buddhist Temples and then migrated with the Thai People to what is now called Thailand.

Muay Thai reflects the pride and culture of Thai people along with the principle religion of Buddhism and how these are tied in with this most Noble of Fighting Artsaware Muay Thai is a traditional style of unarmed combat elevated to an art form over thousands of years as it grew on the battlefields of the never-colonized Thai people. It is perhaps the most advanced and ferocious of all the martial arts but at the same time holds a great deal of honor and is very closely tied in with the teachings of Buddhism.
Because historical records where destroyed when the Burmese Armies captured and destroyed Ayuddhaya. Few Provincial records remain and much of the history is oral with few written material from foreign visitors.

Much of what is known about the early history of Thai Boxers comes from Burmese accounts of warfare between Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Thailand during the 15th and 16th centuries. The earliest reference (1411 AD) mentions a ferocious style of unarmed combat that decided the fate of the Thai kings. A later description tells how Nai Khanom Tom, Thailand's first famous boxer and a prisoner of war in Myanmar, gained his freedom by roundly defeating a dozen Burmese warriors before a Burmese court. To this

It can be assumed that the connection that exists between Muay Thai and the Wats is as old as the fighting art.

King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605) was a great Thai boxer himself, and he made Muay Thai a required part of military training for all Thai soldiers. Later another Thai king, Phra Chao Seua (the 'tiger king), further promoted Thai Boxing as a national sport by encouraging prizefights and the development of training camps in the early 18th century. These are accounts of massive wagers and bouts to the death during this time. Phra Chao Seua himself is said to have been an incognito participant in many of the matches during the early part of his reign. Contestant's fists were wrapped in thick horsehide for maximum impact with minimum knuckle damage. They also used cotton soaked in glue and ground glass and later hemp bindings. Tree bark and seashells were used to protect the groin from lethal kicks

The Buddhist Temples were the social and cultural center of the villages. The art of Muay Thai was passed from the Monks, many who were ex-soldiers to the children of the community.

Everything was centered on the Buddhist Temples, and the community was prepared to defend them with the available weapons they had, their hands.

When villages banded together and became Kingdoms these trained Muay fighters became the armies. The Martial art training in peacetime honed combat skills in the defense of the Kingdom.
After the country became united with its Capital in Ayutthaya Muay Thai became a way of advancement for skilled fighters. During this time royalty were trained in this martial art.

Boxing became the favorite pastime of the people and people from the villages supported their local champions. And Muay Thai was taught in the schools.

It was customary to bind the hands and forearms with strips of horsehide. Later this was replaced with hemp ropes called Kaad chuek.

In the 1930's the kaad chuek was replaced by boxing gloves. At that time many international boxing rules the groin guards of tree bark or seashells were replaced with a metal cup as a groin protector.
During this time techniques were developed and standardized.

Nurtured by the Buddhist monks Muay Thai developed into a Martial Art combining strength, endurance, the ability to ignore pain, and grace. Muay Thai is a very beautiful and could be considered an art form such as Ballet.

From its humble beginnings in the distant past Muay Thai now has became a truly International Sport.
There is much ritual surrounding the art of Muay Thai. A Thai boxer usually adopts the name of his training camp as his own last name and his relationship with his trainer is a close one filled with respect. In many cases poor families leave their male children with the Master.

In the past before a fighter was accepted into the Muay Thai Camp Family he participated in a "Wai Kru Ceremony (Honor the teacher). This has all but been abandoned in the ever-increasing commercialism of this sport.

Before a boxer begins a fight, he will dance the 'ram Muay' (boxing dance) as a way to honor the King, his trainer, his camp and the boxing spirits as ringside musicians manage to make a heck of a lot of noise with only a few instruments. Every fighter wears a headband and armbands, and both are sacred objects. The headband will be removed before the fight begins but the armbands will be worn throughout the event and hold small Buddha amulets inside that offer protection to the fighter.

Lumpini and Ratchadmnoen Stadiums are the two best-known venues for Muay Thai fights in Bangkok but fights can be found in the smallest of towns. Another aspect worth investigating is one of the thousands of Muay Thai training camps throughout the country. The number of foreigners attending these camps is steadily on the rise but is warned. Trainees must follow a strict daily routine similar to that of a military boot camp.

'A fascinating insight into the history and culture of Thai people revealed through the ancient sport of Thai Boxing'.

In this article we will describe just a few of the many thousands of Camps in Thailand Muay Thai experts recommended three camps, and one was discovered mostly by accident. In the future we will travel and report on more camps. One Camp is in Bangkok, one in Pattaya, one in Buriram province, and the last in Pee Mai (70 kilometers from Buriram)

We will discuss them in the order we visited them.

1. Sasiprapa Muay Thai Gym
401 Soi Laprao 130 Klongchan
Bangkok 10240 Thailand
Tel. 662-379-0270 Mobile 661-856-6684
Fax 662-378-0922
e-mail thakoonp@hotmail.com
Manager - Thakoon Pongsupha
This is an excellent, highly professional, and well-organized Muay Thai training camp located in the Bangkapi area in Bangkok. Accommodations are available at the camp or there are hotels close by. Rates are 400 Baht per day for training and 800 Baht per day for accommodations. Women fighters are accepted.
One ring and many body bags, plus training equipment.
Number of Trainers: - Four.
One of the trainers and Master Thakoon speak English.
How to get there: By local bus or Taxi.

Interview:

Q: How old is your Gym? A. My Father started this Gym over forty years ago.
Q. Why did your Father start the Gym? A. Because he was ex-fighter and a soldier that loved the sport.
Q. How many fighters do you have at this time and how do you get them? A. Forty but the number varies. Many of
my fighters are brought to my camp by their parents. Some come from other Camps in the Provinces hoping to
become Champions.
Q. Do all of the fighters live at the Gym? A. Yes, once accepted they are part of my family.
Q. Do you have any special advise for beginning fighters? A. Yes, start young and develop the basic skills before
becoming a professional fighter.
Q. What are the basic skills required in Muay Thai? A. Boxing, wrestling, kicking, self-defense, endurance, and
footwork.
Q. What is a typical training routine? A. Running morning and afternoon, shadow boxing, punching and kicking body
bag, wrestling, controlled sparring sessions with trainer. This routine varies from day to date in intensity so as not
burn out the fighter. Also the changing routine keeps the fighter from becoming bored.
Q. Have this Gym ever produced a Champion? A. Yes, my Father trained twenty Champions and I have trained one.
After my Father died seven years passed before I managed a Champion.
Q. What do you think about Muay Thai becoming an International Sport? It is an honor to see a Thai Sport become
famous Internationally. It is also a chance for Thai Fighters to become well known and get better purses.
Q. How did you find your Trainers and how long have they been with you. A. They are all ex-fighters from this camp
and stay after their fighting career to teach the new fighters. They all have the ability to teach with patience and to
take good care of the fighters.
Q. How often do the fighters fight. A. About once a month.
Q. Will your Children follow in your footsteps. A. Yes I hope so.

2. Pundit Mangphimai Camp
284/3 M.14 Pimea
Naconrachasima 30110
Thailand
Mobile phone 661-071-6963
No fax or e-mail
This is a very small rural training Camp near the ancient Khmer Ruins in Pimia The Manager is a professional Muay Thai fighter. There are no accommodations at the camp but there are Quest Houses near by. Daily training rate is 250 Baht per day and a guesthouses will cost about 200 Baht per day.
There is one ring and some training equipment.
Number of trainers- one. Neither the manger nor the trainer speaks English. But the manger's Sister has some English skills.
How to get there: By Bus from Bangkok. It's about a five-hour trip.

Interview:

Q. How old is this Gym? A. Twenty eight-years old.
Q. How many fighters do you have at this time and how do you attract them. A. Ten, mostly their parents bring them.
Q. Do all the fighters live at your Gym. A. Most of them.
Q. Do you have any special advise for beginning fighters? A. No.
Q. What are the special skills needed for Muay Thai? A. Ability to endure pain and keep fighting. Leg strength and
endurance.
Q. What is a typical training routine? A. We spar and punch bags every day.
Q. Has this camp ever produced a Champion? No, this is a very small camp.
Q. What do you think about Muay Thai becoming an International sport? A. Nothing to me.
Q. How often do the fighters fight? My trainer and I fight in Bangkok about once a month and train here.

3. Nongkee Pahuyuth Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) School (Sit-o Camp)
24 Seepetch Road.
Amphur Muang ,
159/9 Nongkee Pahuyuth,
Nongkee 31210
Buriram, Thailand
Tel. 044-641185 Mobile 09-844-2601
e-mail: "Pramote Hoimook" nk_pahuyuth@hotmail.com
Master Pramote Hoimook Manager
This is the most beautiful camp I have seen. Master Promote is one of the famous Trainers of Muay Thai. If you want
to learn the traditions and history as well as learning to the art of Muay Thai this is the camp. It's the only camp where
the fighters Wai the trainers before and after training sessions and the fighters start their sessions with out prompting by
the trainers.
There is also a Sit-O Camp in the USA and Mexico. And soon there will be a camp in Australia. All of these camp
Master Pramote certified mangers.
Master Pramote has managed Muay Thai Teams in Overseas competitions. The rates to train at this camp are
$200.00 US Dollars weekly or $1,000.00 monthly including accommodations. At the end of the training period a
Certificate of achievement will be issued. Female fighters are not allowed.
There are ample bags, weights, and other training equipment and two rings.
There are four Trainers and Master Pramote speaks English.
How to get there: Fly or Bus to Korat where you can be met. Otherwise local bus to Nongkee. Ask for directions at
the Police kiosk and it is about one kilometer further.

Interview:

Q. How old is your gym? A. Twenty-five years old. I opened the gym to help others become better fighters and because I
love Muay Thai.
Q. How many fighters do you have at this time and how do you get them? A. About twenty-five. All of my fighters live at
the Camp and many have been brought by their parents. Many of the fighters come from very poor families and they
hope to improve their life. All of the younger fighters attend school daily.
Q. Do you have any special advise for young fighters? A. Yes, learn your trade well and honor the traditions of Muay Thai.
Q. What are the basic skills of Muay Thai? A. Eye/hand techniques, footwork, kicking, punching, wrestling, defensive
techniques, counter attacking with hand, elbow, knee, or foot.
Q. What is a typical training routine? A. We follow a routine but teach to the fighter's needs. But everyone runs twice
daily. Most of the intensive sessions are after school and include shadow boxing, bag work with foot, hand, knee, and
elbow. This is followed by wrestling, ring control, and controlled sparring with trainer with handbags.
Q. Has this Gym ever produced a Champion? A. Yes, I have trained seven Champions.
Q. What do you think about Muay Thai becoming an International Sport? A. I think is good for the sport and the Thai
Fighters. I only worry about the loss of the heritage and traditions of Muay Thai. Then it will only become a sport.
Q. How did you find your Trainers and how long have they been with you. A. They are all ex-fighters and stay to teach the
upcoming fighters the proper techniques because of their love for the sport. One of my trainers will be going to
Australia to teach Muay Thai there.
Q. How often do the fighters fight? A. depending on their skill and size about once a month. Sometimes locally or
Bangkok.
Q. What do you think about females participating in Muay Thai? A. Historically Muay Thai was for men only. Women
fighting is not Muay Thai.

4.Sityodtong Boxing Camp
90M.6 Nongprue,
Pattaya City,
Chonburi 20260
Thailand
Tel/Fax - 6638-730079
Mobile - 661-983-7175
Owner Yodtong Senanan
Chief Trainer- Khun Angkarn Sriwaralak (Khun Toy )
This is an outstanding camp. I really want to call it a factory because of the sheer size of the Camp. Many Champions
train here including one Boxing Champion. Sityodtong also has a branch in the United States and Mexico. And is
affiliated with Camps in Switzerland, Italy, Holland, and Australia. The American Branch has a web site:
http://www.sityodtong.com
The Owner of the Camp is a legendary Muay Thai Champion and is usually present. Master Yodtong is one of the
Famous Trainers in Thailand and has taken Muay Thai Teams to compete internationally.
The rates to train at this camp:
Group rates -Two hundred Baht daily.
Individual instruction - 500 Baht per day.
Accommodations are available near by in Pattaya.
Female Fighters are allowed.
There are three rings plus a adjacent boxing stadium. An amazing amount of equipment is present.
Number of trainers: Thirteen
Khun Toy speaks English.
A certificate of achievement may be offered for a testing fee of 500 Baht upon the applicant's successful achievement of required skills.

Interview:

Q. How old is this Gym ? A. Over twenty-one years old. I opened the Gym because I love Muay Thai and wanted to help
Young Fighters.
Q. How many fighters do you have at this time and how do you get them? A. Over fifty, but many are students. Most of
the young fighters are left by their parents as they are poor. We train them, send them to school, and take care of them.
Only a few will become Muay Thai fighters after they graduate from School. But we must help them as that is the Thai
way. There are ten amateur Fighters living and training in the camp.
Q. Do you have any special advise for young fighters? A. Yes, work hard and listen to your Teacher.
Q. What are the basic skills of Muay Thai? A. It is the complete Martial art requiring kicking, punching, and wrestling
skills.
Q. What is a typical training routine? A. We follow a rotating method of training which starts with running, followed by tire
dancing, shadow boxing, wrestling, and sparring with a trainer. The intensity varies from day to day.
Q. Has this Gym ever produced a Champion? A. Yes, I have trained twenty-five Champions.
Q. What do you think about Muay Thai becoming an International Sport? A. I think it is good for Thailand and the sport
of Muay Thai.
Q. How did you find your Trainers and how long have they been with you. A. All of my trainers use to be my fighters.
They stay on to help the new fighters.
Q. How often do the fighters fight? A. About once a month.
Q. What do you think about Female Muay Thai? A. It's OK as long as they don't try to compete with Men.

The life of a Muay Thai Fighter.

The Daily routine varies from Camp to Camp. The Sityodtong Boxing Camp is open only in the after noon ( 3:30 PM.) as many of the fighters are still students. The Nongkee Pahuyuth Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) School has the younger fighters run only and then go to school in the morning. The Pundit Mangphimai Camp has the younger fighters train in the afternoon.

The Sasiprapa Muay Thai Gym only has professional fighters so they train from 06:30 Am till 10:30 Am and then from 3:30 PM until 6:30 PM.

The fighters rise very early in the morning and start running at 06:30 Am. Upon finishing their run they start shadow boxing. After that they start dancing on rubber tires to develop their legs and condition their stamina. After that some start working on the body bags while others work sparring with trainers. Also some other fighters will be in the ring practicing wrestling. During this time the junior fighters clean the training area.

Everything is timed by a bell usually at five-minute intervals. They fight three-minute rounds but train five-minute rounds for conditioning. Some of the fighters are directed to work with weights, do sit-ups and pull-ups to develop their strength.

After the morning session the fighters shower, eat communally, wash clothes, some play guitar or watch TV.

In the afternoon the same routines is followed again but with greater intensity. The intensity is varied from day to day depending on the fighter's fight schedule and other factors.
After the acceptance of a fighter into a camp he becomes a member of the Manager's extended family and is given a fighting name.

In past days this was complied by a ceremony called the Wai Kru and was done at a Buddhist Temple (Wat).

I will not attempt to describe or prescribe a training regime as there are many excellent books on this subject. One being, "Muay Thai, a living legacy" by Kat Prayukvong and Lesley D. Junlakan.
In your travel visit to the "Land of Smiles" please visit a Muay Thai Camp or one of the Stadiums.
While in Bangkok you might like to see the "art work" featured here on show at Atelier Gallery from 3 March until 3 April Mondays through Fridays from 10:30 AM till 7 PM.

A sizeable portion of the proceeds is going to The Autistic Children's Project under the
patronage of HRH Princess Kalaya Ni Wattana.

The Gallery is located at 48/1 First Floor Tisco Tower, North Sathorn, Bangkok
10500. Telephone and Fax: 662-638-0913-