What’s the fascination with Muay Thai?

My first exposure to Muay Thai - also known as Thai Boxing - was in 1989 when I watched the movie Kickboxer.

More than 20 years later I still remember:

• The brief glimpses of ring action in the stadiums,
• The use of elbows and knees, and
• The menacing Tong Po and his aura of indestructibility.

Who can forget Tong Po repeatedly shin-kicking the column and debris falling as his kicks hit home?

My first training exposure came years later when one of my teachers, Sifu Wayne Jackson, introduced me to the teachings of Ajarn Surachai Sirisute and Kru Vut Kamnark and allowed me to borrow a book authored by Zoran Rebac.

I loved the drills and techniques and the rigorous and exhausting training was appealing to me.

Continue reading to discover my fascination and to see if Thai Boxing might be what you’ve been looking for but unable to find.

Before you discover what fascinates me and fuels my passion for Thai Boxing, I want you to know that this page serves as the hub for further exploration. It is your gateway to:

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Okay, it’s time to answer the question, “What’s the fascination with Muay Thai?”

Effective In Any Era

Historical accounts tell us that in 1584 Muay Thai played a role in restoring Thai freedom during the reign of King Naresuan the Great.

This battlefield combative, turned ring sport, is a part of the Thailand’s cultural heritage.

The modern sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has brought Thai Boxing to the forefront of striking arts in America. The sport of MMA has created a hybrid warrior that strives to be dangerous both standing and on the ground.

For mixed martial artists, Thai Boxing is an essential component to improve one’s stand-up striking skills.

The King of Martial Arts

I refer to Muay Thai as the king of martial arts for three primary reasons – it reigned supreme against foreign arts, even the nobility and royalty participated, and in the old times it protected the king.

If you’re interested in Thai Boxing’s reign of supremacy against foreign arts, you must read Zoran Rebac’s Thai Boxing Dynamite: The Explosive Art of Muay Thai. Zoran writes about all of the foreign martial artists that went to Thailand to challenge Thai boxers. The Thai boxers dominated their adversaries for a very, very long time.

Chronicles from the Ayutthaya period relate tales of King Naresuan, who was also known as Phra Chao Sua (Lord of the Tigers), disguising himself so that he could participate in Thai Boxing matches.

In ancient times, those skilled in the art would often be granted the title of nobleman. They would be answerable to the Defense Ministry. Additionally, they would serve as bodyguards for the king.

The Science of Eight Limbs

Thai Boxing is often referred to as the science of eight limbs.

This is due to the fact that a Thai boxer uses feet (shins), knees, hands, and elbows.

The Thai boxer uses his feet and shins to deliver a variety of powerful kicks that include the feared round kick and the powerful push kick.

He uses his knees to deliver an assortment of punishing knee strikes that includes straight knees, long knees, and knees delivered from the clinch.

He uses his hands to deliver a collection of punches that include jabs, straight punches, hooks, and uppercuts.

He uses his elbows to deliver an array of penetrating elbows that are delivered with hooking, uppercut, or overhand motions.

In ancient times, the Thai boxer also used his head to strike the opponent.

A Striker’s Dream

As you know, Thai Boxing teaches the use of “eight limbs.” This is what makes Thai Boxing a striker’s dream! Its arsenal includes trademarks such as:

• Crippling round kicks to the legs
• Devastating knees delivered from the clinch
• A variety of hands that resemble Western boxing
• Violent elbows that possess highly destructive capabilities

A Special Place In My Heart

Muay Thai holds a special place in my heart for two reasons.

For starters, I love the brutality and physicality. Not only does Thai Boxing use the body’s strongest weapons, but it brings them to bear with great power. This potent combination makes for a brutally effective striking art.

Personally performing a rapid succession of round kicks or a blistering series of skip knees into the Thai pads is the best way to experience the art's physicality. You will find that this is some high-octane cardiovascular training.

An armchair experience can be had by reading training accounts. These accounts are available by reading books, such as Thai Boxing Dynamite: The Explosive Art of Muay Thai and Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting or by reading training schedules for some of the Muay Thai camps in Thailand.

Thai Boxing is also near and dear to my heart because my wife, Piyanan, is from Thailand. As you now know, it is part of the cultural heritage of Thailand. By learning more about Thai Boxing, I also learn more about Thailand’s (and my wife’s) culture.

Discover more about the fascination of Muay Thai.

Your Next Step

While your next step is clearly your choice, I do have three recommendations for you.

1. If you live in the 4-state region, are close to the Hagerstown, Maryland area and are ready to start your Thai Boxing training, call HIMA today at 240-366-8025! For more information on our Thai Boxing training click here.

2. If you live outside of the 4-state region, are not close to the Hagerstown, Maryland area and are ready to start your Thai Boxing training, find a local Thai Boxing teacher and call today!

3. Regardless of your location, use this gateway for further exploration into the devastating martial art of Muay Thai.

Articles
Here you will find an assortment of articles intended to provide educational and entertainment value.