Muay Thai, also referred to in English as Thai Boxing, is a popular combat sport from Thailand. In Thailand it is among the country’s most popular sports. Competitors use stand-up striking together with a range of clinching and grappling techniques. Muay Thai fighters use their knees, shins, fists, and elbows in a discipline referred to as the ‘art of eight limbs.’
Towards the end of the 20th century, Muay Thai became popular across the world. Today, there are competitions and tournaments with prizes worldwide.
Thai boxing – a lucrative option for some people
In Thailand, Thai Boxing gyms compete against each other across the country. Representing your gym in Thailand is seen as an effective way to earn a good income. It is a way out of poverty for thousands of people.
Pattaya is one of the lowest-paid regions for local fighters, who earn around 3,000-4,000 baht (about US96 to US$130) per fight. Pattaya Boxing World, a major stadium, hosts some of the world’s best fights. It is also an important source of money for the Government.
Pattaya Boxing World, which has 600 seats, features a daily show that explains this exciting sport to visitors. There are also bi-weekly live fights.
A fighter probably earns around 4,000 baht for a Muay Thai fight in Bangkok stadiums. This allows them to develop good head movements and better punches when they fight.
Muay Thai training in Thailand is easy to find and within the budget of most people. A training session in, for example, the Fighting Spirit gym costs approximately 300 baht.
A very competitive sport
Thai Boxing is an extremely competitive sport. If you are interested in making a career out of it, you must be sure that you are 100% dedicated, says handerick.com, which is packed with martial arts information. If you want to set up your own Muay Thai club, follow the requirements and complete the other formalities. This could be your first step towards a rewarding and lucrative way of life.
Muay Thai training
If you are interested in getting some Muay Thai training, you should join a good gym with qualitied and experienced instructors. Not only will you become extremely fit, you will also learn how to defend yourself effectively and perhaps one day compete in major tournaments.
Before you begin sparring, however, you should review the best Muay Thai gloves. They need to be the right fit and comfortable.
Muay Thai – brief history
Thai Boxing dates back to the middle of the eighteenth century. Nai Khanomtom, a famous fighter, was captured in 1767 during the battles between the Kongaung Dynasty and Siam.
Burmese authorities knew about Khanomtom’s supreme fighting skills, so they gave him the chance to fight his way to freedom. He knocked out ten successive Burmese challengers.
Khanomtom’s captors were so impressed that they granted him his freedom – he returned to Siam. His fighting techniques became what people called Siamese-Style boxing, which later became known as Muay Thai.
It was not long before Muay Thai became recognized as a major national sport.
As Thai Boxing developed, two techniques were formed:
- Mae Mai (major techniques)
- Luk Mai (minor techniques)
There are various styles. However, in all of them, the fighter uses whole body movements.
Muay Tai – one of the martial arts
Martial arts are typically defined as traditional forms of self-defence or fighting that come from the Far East. However, there are martial arts from all over the world. Capoeira, for example, from Brazil, is a type of martial art. Krav Maga comes from Israel.
The worlds ten most popular martial arts are:
- Akido (Japan).
- Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (Brazil).
- Judo (Japan).
- Karate (Japan).
- Krav Maga (Israel).
- Kung Fu (China).
- Mixed Martial Arts (Many countries).
- Muay Tai (Thailand).
- Taekwondo (Korea).
- Tang Soo Do (Korea).