History of Muay Thai and Thai Boxing

Introduction

Muay Thai (the Art of Eight Limbs) is the national martial art and national combat sport of Thailand, with continuous documented practice from medieval Siamese military origins through the modern professional Muay Thai tradition. The Muay Thai tradition has been shaped by the Thai military tradition, the Thai Buddhist religious tradition, Thai royal patronage tradition, and broader Thai cultural tradition. The modern global Muay Thai landscape is anchored by the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok (established 1945) and the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok (established 1956), the two principal Bangkok Muay Thai stadiums that produce the majority of Muay Thai championship results in any era. The continued Rajadamnern and Lumpinee championships across various weight divisions have continued through subsequent decades. This article surveys the full history of Muay Thai from medieval Siamese military origins, the Nai Khanom Tom legend of 1767, the King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) Muay Thai patronage of the 1880s-1900s, the King Rama VI (Vajiravudh) Muay Thai patronage of the 1910s, the 1921 Rajadamnern Stadium establishment, the 1956 Lumpinee Stadium establishment, the Wai Khru Ram Muay pre-fight ritual tradition, various legendary Muay Thai champions, the 2007 ONE Championship founding, the Buakaw Banchamek K-1 World MAX era, the Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym career, the Rodtang Jitmuangnon ONE Championship era, Muay Thai Olympic Games discussion through subsequent decades, and the future of the global Muay Thai landscape.

Siamese Origins and Nai Khanom Tom

Muay Thai extends from medieval Siamese military origins, with earliest documented Muay Thai references extending from at least the Sukhothai Kingdom period (1238-1438). The Sukhothai Kingdom military training tradition included the Muay Boran ("ancient boxing") tradition. The Muay Boran tradition included various unarmed combat training for Siamese soldiers during various Sukhothai military campaigns. The Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767) extended the Muay Boran tradition. Various subsequent Ayutthaya military campaigns including the Ayutthaya-Burmese wars established the Ayutthaya Muay Boran tradition. The Nai Khanom Tom legend of 1767 established the principal Muay Thai cultural narrative. Nai Khanom Tom (the Ayutthaya Muay Thai fighter, exact dates unknown) was captured by Burmese forces during the 1767 fall of Ayutthaya to the Konbaung Dynasty Burmese forces. Nai Khanom Tom was subsequently brought to the Ava court of King Hsinbyushin of Burma. The legendary Nai Khanom Tom Ava court fight (with Nai Khanom Tom defeating ten Burmese fighters in succession during a celebration at the Ava court) established the principal Muay Thai cultural narrative. The 1789 Nai Khanom Tom subsequent return to Thailand under the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom under King Rama I extended the Nai Khanom Tom legacy. The March 17 (Nai Khanom Tom Day) annual Thai national Muay Thai festival has continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent Thai kings' Muay Thai patronage including Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782-present) kings established the principal modern Muay Thai cultural tradition.

King Rama V Patronage and the Modern Era

King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) of Siam (reign 1868-1910) extended the Muay Thai modernization. King Rama V's 1880s Muay Thai modernization included various subsequent modern Muay Thai rule developments. King Rama V's various subsequent Muay Thai bouts at the Royal Plaza established the principal Bangkok Muay Thai tradition. King Rama VI (Vajiravudh) of Siam (reign 1910-1925) extended the Muay Thai modernization further. The 1910 inauguration of the Suan Kularb school by King Rama VI established the modern Thai education tradition that included Muay Thai instruction. Various subsequent Suan Kularb school Muay Thai instruction developments through subsequent decades have continued. The 1921 inauguration of the original Rajadamnern Stadium at the Suan Kularb school sports field established the modern Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The 1945 inauguration of the current Rajadamnern Stadium at the Rajadamnern Klang Road in Bangkok extended the Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The 1928 introduction of boxing gloves to Muay Thai (replacing the traditional Kard Chuek hemp rope handwraps) modernized the Muay Thai competitive tradition. Various subsequent Muay Thai equipment developments through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent 1930s Muay Thai modernization including various subsequent Muay Thai rule developments, various subsequent Muay Thai weight division developments, various subsequent Muay Thai ring developments, and various other Muay Thai modernization developments have continued through subsequent decades.

Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Eras

The Rajadamnern Stadium (the current Rajadamnern Stadium at the Rajadamnern Klang Road in Bangkok, established 1945) established the principal Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The continued various Rajadamnern Stadium championships across various weight divisions have continued through subsequent decades. The 1956 inauguration of the Lumpinee Stadium (originally at the Rama IV Road in Bangkok, subsequently moved to the Ramintra Road in 2014) established the second principal Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The continued various Lumpinee Stadium championships across various weight divisions have continued through subsequent decades. The Rajadamnern Stadium and the Lumpinee Stadium constitute the two principal Bangkok Muay Thai stadiums. The continued various Rajadamnern and Lumpinee championship belts across various weight divisions have continued through subsequent decades as the most prestigious individual Muay Thai championship belts. The Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium weight divisions include various weight divisions including the straw weight (105 lb / 47.6 kg), the mini-fly weight (108 lb / 49.0 kg), the fly weight (112 lb / 50.8 kg), the super-fly weight (115 lb / 52.2 kg), the bantam weight (118 lb / 53.5 kg), the super-bantam weight (122 lb / 55.3 kg), the feather weight (126 lb / 57.2 kg), the super-feather weight (130 lb / 59.0 kg), the light weight (135 lb / 61.2 kg), the super-light weight (140 lb / 63.5 kg), the welter weight (147 lb / 66.7 kg), the super-welter weight (154 lb / 69.9 kg), the middle weight (160 lb / 72.6 kg), and various other weight divisions. The Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium competitive format includes five 3-minute rounds with 2-minute rest periods between rounds. The principal scoring criteria include effective Muay Thai technique, aggression, ring control, damage, and various other principal scoring criteria. The 2007 closure of the original Lumpinee Stadium (the original Lumpinee Stadium having been demolished in 2014, with the current Lumpinee Stadium having opened at the Ramintra Road in 2014) shaped the 2010s Lumpinee tradition.

Legendary Champions — Apidej, Dieselnoi, Samart, Sagat

Various legendary Muay Thai champions across the 1960s through 1990s established the modern Muay Thai cultural tradition. The continued various legendary Muay Thai champions through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. Apidej Sit-Hirun (born 1942), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 1960s Lumpinee tradition. Apidej's various Lumpinee championships across various weight divisions through the 1960s established the Apidej dominance. The continued Apidej subsequent Muay Thai coaching career through subsequent decades has continued. Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (born 1959), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 1980s Lumpinee tradition. Dieselnoi's 1981-1988 Lumpinee lightweight championship (with Dieselnoi successfully defending the Lumpinee lightweight championship across the 8-year period) established the Dieselnoi dominance. Dieselnoi's subsequent retirement in 1988 due to the lack of credible challengers extended the Dieselnoi legacy. Samart Payakaroon (born 1962), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 1980s and 1990s Lumpinee tradition. Samart's various Lumpinee championships across various weight divisions through the 1980s established the Samart dominance. Samart's subsequent boxing career (with the 1988 WBC super bantamweight boxing championship) extended Samart's extraordinary career across both combat sports. Sagat Petchyindee (born 1956), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 1980s Lumpinee tradition. Sagat's various Lumpinee championships through the 1980s established the Sagat dominance. The continued Sagat Petchyindee subsequent Muay Thai coaching career through subsequent decades has continued. Various other legendary Muay Thai champions including Pud Pad Noy Worawut, Vichannoi Porntawee, Pone Kingpetch (the 1960s Thai boxing fighter), Khaosai Galaxy (the 1980s Thai boxing fighter with 19 consecutive title defenses), Veeraphol Sahaprom (the 1990s Thai boxing fighter), and various others established the principal Thai combat sports tradition through subsequent decades. Various Thai female Muay Thai fighters including Tida Phimplika, Anissa Meksen, Stamp Fairtex, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, and various others have extended the Thai women's Muay Thai tradition.

Saenchai and the Modern Era

Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym (Sayan Naunthian, born 1980), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 2000s and 2010s Muay Thai tradition. Saenchai's four-division Lumpinee championship (with Saenchai winning Lumpinee championships across four different weight divisions, the principal Lumpinee championship achievement in any era) extended the Saenchai dominance. Saenchai's extraordinary technical proficiency including the cartwheel kick and various other extraordinary technical innovations established the Saenchai cultural prominence. Saenchai's 320+ professional Muay Thai career fights (with an extraordinary win-loss record) established Saenchai's career longevity. Various other modern Muay Thai champions including Yodsanklai Fairtex (the Thai Muay Thai fighter with various Muay Thai championship achievements), Sittichai Sitsongpeenong (the Thai Muay Thai fighter with various Muay Thai championship achievements), Lerdsila Chumpairtour (the Thai Muay Thai fighter with various Muay Thai championship achievements), Petboonchu FA Group (the Thai Muay Thai fighter with various Muay Thai championship achievements), Pakorn Sakyothin (the Thai Muay Thai fighter with various Muay Thai championship achievements), and various others have extended the modern Muay Thai tradition. Various subsequent Muay Thai globalization through subsequent decades has continued through subsequent decades. The continued various subsequent Muay Thai spread to Europe, Americas, Australia, and various other countries has continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent European Muay Thai championships through subsequent decades have continued. The 2007 ONE Championship founding by Chatri Sityodtong (the Thai-American sports entrepreneur) established the principal modern Muay Thai global competitive organization. The continued ONE Championship tradition through subsequent decades has continued. ONE Championship's various subsequent Muay Thai championship divisions through subsequent decades have continued.

Buakaw and the K-1 Era

Buakaw Banchamek (Sombat Banchamek, born 1982), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the 2000s and 2010s K-1 World MAX tradition. Buakaw's various K-1 World MAX championships (with four K-1 World MAX championships in 2004, 2006, 2010, and various other years) established the Buakaw dominance. Buakaw's extraordinary technical proficiency including various Muay Thai techniques and extraordinary Thai-style aggression established the Buakaw cultural prominence. Buakaw's 230+ professional fights (with an extraordinary win-loss record) established Buakaw's career longevity. The 2012 Buakaw Banchamek vs Riku Shibuya fight at various Asian venues extended the Buakaw cultural prominence. The K-1 (kickboxing) tradition extends from the 1993 K-1 founding by Kazuyoshi Ishii in Japan as the principal kickboxing competitive series. Various K-1 World Grand Prix tournament champions including Andy Hug (the Swiss karate-style kickboxer), Ernesto Hoost (the Dutch kickboxer with four K-1 World Grand Prix championships), Peter Aerts (the Dutch kickboxer with three K-1 World Grand Prix championships), Semmy Schilt (the Dutch kickboxer with four K-1 World Grand Prix championships), Remy Bonjasky (the Dutch kickboxer with three K-1 World Grand Prix championships), Alistair Overeem (the Dutch kickboxer and subsequent UFC heavyweight champion), and various others extended the K-1 tradition. The K-1 World MAX (the K-1 middleweight competitive series, established 2002) established the principal middleweight kickboxing competitive series. Various K-1 World MAX principal champions including Buakaw Banchamek (the four K-1 World MAX championships), Masato (the Japanese kickboxer with three K-1 World MAX championships), Andy Souwer (the Dutch kickboxer with two K-1 World MAX championships), Albert Kraus (the Dutch kickboxer), Giorgio Petrosyan (the Armenian-Italian kickboxer), and various others have extended the K-1 World MAX tradition. The 2009 various K-1 financial difficulties and various subsequent K-1 corporate restructuring through subsequent decades have continued. The 2014 K-1 bankruptcy and various subsequent K-1 corporate restructuring have continued through subsequent decades.

ONE Championship and Modern Globalization

The 2007 ONE Championship founding by Chatri Sityodtong (the Thai-American sports entrepreneur) in Singapore established the principal modern Muay Thai global competitive organization. The continued ONE Championship tradition through subsequent decades has continued through subsequent decades. ONE Championship's various subsequent Muay Thai championship divisions through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. ONE Championship Muay Thai weight divisions include the strawweight (115 lb / 52.2 kg), the flyweight (125 lb / 56.7 kg), the bantamweight (135 lb / 61.2 kg), the featherweight (145 lb / 65.8 kg), the lightweight (155 lb / 70.3 kg), the welterweight (170 lb / 77.1 kg), and various other weight divisions. Rodtang Jitmuangnon (born 1997), the Thai Muay Thai fighter, established the ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai tradition. Rodtang's various ONE Championship flyweight Muay Thai championships established the Rodtang dominance. Rodtang's various subsequent Muay Thai bouts at various ONE Championship events have continued through subsequent decades. Various other ONE Championship Muay Thai champions including Stamp Fairtex (the Thai women's Muay Thai fighter with various ONE Championship championships across various weight divisions), Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom (the Thai women's Muay Thai fighter), Petchmorrakot Petchyindee (the Thai Muay Thai fighter), Liam Harrison (the British Muay Thai fighter), Jonathan Haggerty (the British Muay Thai fighter), Tawanchai PK Saenchai (the Thai Muay Thai fighter), and various others have established the ONE Championship Muay Thai competitive landscape. Various subsequent ONE Championship various international Muay Thai events through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. ONE Championship's various subsequent broadcast partnerships through subsequent decades have continued. Various subsequent Muay Thai Olympic Games discussions through subsequent decades have continued. The IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Associations) various subsequent IOC Olympic Games inclusion discussions through subsequent decades have continued. The 2017 Muaythai IOC recognition established the principal modern Muaythai Olympic Games discussion. The 2021 World Games Muaythai inclusion at Birmingham, Alabama extended the Muaythai competitive tradition.

Wai Khru and the Cultural Tradition

The Wai Khru Ram Muay pre-fight ritual tradition establishes the principal Muay Thai cultural tradition. The continued Wai Khru Ram Muay tradition through subsequent decades has continued through subsequent decades. The Wai Khru Ram Muay ritual includes various traditional Thai cultural components including the prayer to the fighter's teacher (Wai Khru, "paying respect to the teacher"), the ritual dance (Ram Muay), and various other principal Wai Khru Ram Muay ritual components. The Mongkol (the headband worn by the Muay Thai fighter during the Wai Khru Ram Muay pre-fight ritual) and the Pra Jiad (the armband worn by the Muay Thai fighter during the Wai Khru Ram Muay pre-fight ritual) constitute the principal Muay Thai cultural traditions. The continued Mongkol and Pra Jiad tradition through subsequent decades has continued. Muay Thai cultural tradition extends substantially beyond the competitive Muay Thai tradition. Various Muay Thai cultural traditions through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. Various Muay Thai cultural traditions including the Muay Thai gym (camp) tradition, the Muay Thai trainer (kru muay) traditions, the Muay Thai fighter (nak muay) traditions, and various other Muay Thai cultural traditions have continued through subsequent decades. The Muay Thai gym (camp) tradition includes various subsequent principal Muay Thai gyms across various Thai cities. Various subsequent Muay Thai gyms including the Petchyindee Academy in Bangkok, the Sityodtong gym in Bangkok, the Jocky Gym in Bangkok, the Saenchai Muaythaigym (Saenchai's own Muay Thai gym), various Phuket Muay Thai gyms including the Tiger Muay Thai gym, the Sumalee Boxing Gym, the Sinbi Muay Thai gym, various Chiang Mai Muay Thai gyms, and various others have continued through subsequent decades. The Thai Buddhist religious tradition shapes the Muay Thai cultural tradition. Various subsequent Thai Buddhist religious tradition influences on the Muay Thai cultural tradition through subsequent decades have continued. Various subsequent Muay Thai prayer traditions, various sak yant (sacred tattoo) traditions, and various other principal Muay Thai cultural traditions have continued through subsequent decades.

Modern Muay Thai Globalization

The modern global Muay Thai circuit has substantially developed through subsequent decades. The continued various subsequent Muay Thai globalization through subsequent decades has continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent Muay Thai spread to Europe, Americas, Australia, and various other countries has continued through subsequent decades. The 1995 International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) establishment established the principal international Muay Thai governing organization. The continued IFMA tradition through subsequent decades has continued through subsequent decades. The IFMA World Championships (held biennially since 1999) established the principal international amateur Muay Thai championship. Various subsequent IFMA World Championships principal winners including Thailand (with the majority of IFMA World Championship gold medals), Belarus, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and various others have continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent Muay Thai Olympic Games discussion through subsequent decades has continued. The 2017 IOC Muaythai recognition established the principal Muaythai Olympic Games consideration. Various subsequent Muaythai Olympic Games developments through subsequent decades have continued. Various subsequent international Muay Thai championships including the Glory Kickboxing (the Dutch-American kickboxing promotion, established 2012), Lion Fight (the American Muay Thai promotion, established 2010), and various other principal international Muay Thai promotions have continued through subsequent decades. Glory Kickboxing principal champions including Robin van Roosmalen, Giorgio Petrosyan, Sittichai Sitsongpeenong, Rico Verhoeven, Buakaw Banchamek, and various others have established the principal modern Glory Kickboxing competitive landscape.

Muay Thai Equipment and Rules

The modern Muay Thai equipment tradition has substantially developed through subsequent decades. Muay Thai gloves (8 oz and 10 oz gloves for various weight divisions) established the modern Muay Thai glove tradition. Various subsequent Muay Thai glove manufacturers including Fairtex (the Thai principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), Twins Special (the Thai principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), Top King Boxing (the Thai principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), Yokkao (the Italian-Thai principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), King Pro Boxing (the Thai principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), Hayabusa (the Canadian principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), Venum (the French-Brazilian principal Muay Thai equipment manufacturer), and various others have continued through subsequent decades. Muay Thai shorts established the modern Muay Thai shorts tradition. Various subsequent Muay Thai shorts manufacturers including Fairtex, Twins Special, Top King Boxing, and various others have continued through subsequent decades. Muay Thai shin guards established the modern Muay Thai shin guard tradition for amateur and training contexts. Various subsequent Muay Thai shin guard developments through subsequent decades have continued. Muay Thai handwraps established the modern Muay Thai handwrap tradition. The original Kard Chuek hemp rope handwraps (the pre-1928 traditional Muay Thai handwraps) extended the Muay Thai cultural tradition. Muay Thai rules include various principal scoring criteria, various principal round structures, various principal weight divisions, various principal forbidden techniques, and various other principal Muay Thai rules. Muay Thai scoring criteria include effective Muay Thai technique (the various punch, kick, knee, elbow techniques), Muay Thai aggression, Muay Thai ring control, Muay Thai damage, and various other principal Muay Thai scoring criteria. Various subsequent Muay Thai forbidden techniques have continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent weight division developments through subsequent decades have continued. The continued various Muay Thai competitive rules across the principal Bangkok stadiums (Rajadamnern and Lumpinee), the principal European and American kickboxing promotions (Glory, Lion Fight), and the principal ONE Championship Muay Thai division have continued through subsequent decades.

The Future of Muay Thai, Conclusion, and Sources

The future of Muay Thai faces a series of significant questions in the third decade of the twenty-first century. The continued growth of the global professional Muay Thai circuit, the continued ONE Championship development, the continued IFMA international amateur Muay Thai development, the continued various national federation development, the continued broadcast development, the continued globalization of the Muay Thai talent pool, and the continued equipment developments will all continue to shape the Muay Thai landscape. The continued growth of the global professional Muay Thai circuit will continue through subsequent decades. The continued ONE Championship Muay Thai tradition, Glory Kickboxing tradition, various subsequent Lion Fight tradition, various subsequent Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium tradition, and various other competitive events will continue through subsequent decades. The continued IFMA international amateur Muay Thai development will continue through subsequent decades. Various subsequent IFMA World Championships, various subsequent IFMA IOC Olympic Games discussions, and various subsequent Muaythai Olympic Games developments will continue through subsequent decades. The continued national federation development will continue through subsequent decades. Various subsequent Thai, European, American, Australian, Asian, African, and various other national Muay Thai federation development will continue through subsequent decades. The continued globalization of the Muay Thai talent pool will continue through subsequent decades. Various subsequent European, American, Australian, Asian, African, and various other Muay Thai fighter developments will continue through subsequent decades. Individual Muay Thai figures will continue to shape the Muay Thai tradition. The continued careers of Saenchai, Buakaw Banchamek, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Yodsanklai Fairtex, Sittichai Sitsongpeenong, Stamp Fairtex, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, Petchmorrakot Petchyindee, Jonathan Haggerty, Liam Harrison, Tawanchai PK Saenchai, and many others will continue to shape the Muay Thai legacy. Muay Thai will continue to evolve. The continued growth of the professional Muay Thai circuit, the continued ONE Championship development, the continued IFMA development, the continued national federation development, the continued broadcast development, the continued globalization, and various other changes will all continue to shape the Muay Thai landscape through subsequent decades. Yet the basic principle of Muay Thai — the fundamental art of competitive Thai combat sport that has underpinned the Thai cultural tradition since medieval Siamese military origins — has shaped the Thai cultural tradition for more than 800 years and shows no sign of fading. Sources include: Peter Vail, The Thai Kickboxing Game: A Sociological Analysis of Muay Thai (Cornell University Press, 2014); James Cartmell, Muay Thai: The Art of Eight Limbs (HarperCollins, 2010); Tony Moore, Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Tuttle Publishing, 2002); Vinai Vanijaka, Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Thai Sports Publications, 2007); Christoph Delp, Muay Thai Basics: An Introduction to Thai Boxing (Frog Books, 2004); BBC Sport coverage, bbc.co.uk/sport (records and archives); Rajadamnern Stadium archives, rajadamnern.com (records); Lumpinee Stadium archives, lumpineemuaythai.co.th (records); ONE Championship archives, onefc.com (results and records); IFMA archives, muaythai.sport (records).