Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "Art of eight limbs", as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under Muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by The Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (P.A.T.), sanctioned by The Sports Authority of Thailand (S.A.T.).
Samart Tiptarmi, known professionally as Samart Payakaroon, is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter, professional boxer, and entertainer. He is four-division Lumpinee Stadium champion and WBC world champion in boxing who is often regarded as the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time. He also released several successful albums in Thailand and appeared in multiple films and tv shows. His first name, Samart, translates to "Capable" in Thai and his last name, "Payakaroon," translates to "Dawn of the Tiger." This, in addition with his handsome appearance earned him the nickname "Jade-faced Tiger."
Muay Boran or originally Toi Muay is an umbrella term for the ancient unarmed martial arts of Thailand prior to the introduction of modern equipment and rules in the 1930s.
Kun Khmer, or Pradal Serey, is a combat sport that originated in Cambodia. The sport consists of stand up striking and clinch fighting, where the objective is to knock an opponent out, force a technical knockout, or win a match by points. The sport was codified in Cambodia by the French colonial administration in the early 20th century, and was derived from centuries-old traditions, namely Bokator, the close-quarter combat system used during the Khmer empire. The official Khmer name of the sport is Kbach Kun Pradal Khmer.
Pra Jiad is a type of armband worn by Muay Thai athletes. In the past, their use was to give confidence and luck to the athletes, and was usually made by the fighter's close family member. Some fighters wear one Pra Jiad, some wear two. Some schools also use color-coded Pra Jiads to show rank, similar to belts in karate. Today, some gyms will give Pra Jiad to their athletes to boost their confidence.
Mongkon is a type of headgear worn by Muay Thai athletes. The Mongkhon is given to a boxer after their trainer saw that the student had become an experienced fighter and learned a great deal of knowledge about Muay Thai. The Mongkhon was never to be, in any way, close to the ground or else they believed it would lose its worth. The Mongkhon is unique to Thai boxing and is also worn in Cambodia and Burma.
Dance in Thailand is the main dramatic art form in Thailand. Thai dance can be divided into two major categories, high art and low art.
Sarama is the music that accompanies the pre-fight ritual of Muay Thai matches.
The wai khru ceremony is a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to teachers in order to express their gratitude and formalize the student–teacher relationship. It is regularly held near the beginning of the school year in most schools in Thailand. Wai khru has long been an important rite in the traditional martial and performing arts, as well as in astrology, Thai Massage and other traditional arts; students and performers of Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong, as well as Thai dance and classical music, will usually perform a wai khru ritual at their initiation as well as before performances to pay respect and homage to both their teachers and the deities who patronize their arts.
Yodtong Siriwalak most commonly known by his Muay Thai ring name Yodtong Senanan or Kru Tui was a Muay Thai fighter, trainer, and owner of the Sityodtong Muay Thai Camp in Chonburi, Thailand. He produced 57 Muay Thai champions, the most in the sport's history in Thailand. His most famous champions include Samart Payakaroon, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Nuengpichit Sityodtong, Detpitak Sityodtong, Chartchai Sityodtong, Yoddecha Sityodtong and Daotong Sityodtong. Yodtong also trained WBA Boxing world champion Yodsanan Sityodtong after he encouraged him to transition from Muay Thai to boxing at age 17. Additionally, top Muay Thai, K-1 and UFC professional fighters from around the world such as Rob Kaman, Ramon Dekkers, Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Musashi, Kenny Florian and Antonio Braga Neto have made the pilgrimage to Sityodtong Gym in Pattaya to train and sharpen their skills. His top trainers include Saknarong Sityodtong, Daorung Sityodtong, Chatri Sityodtong, Yodsanan Sityodtong and Kongtoranee Sityodtong.
Gadaw is a Burmese verb referring to a Burmese tradition in which a person, always of lower social standing, pays respect or homage to a person of higher standing, by kneeling before them and paying obeisance with joined hands, and bowing. This is usually done by students to their teachers or children or grandchildren to their elders, in order to show gratitude and reverence and an opportunity to ask for forgiveness, often involving gift-giving.
Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna is a science and technology university in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. It offers vocational certificate, advanced vocational certificate, undergraduate, and master's degrees.
The traditional martial arts of the Mainland Southeast Asia are related to one another, and as a group to Indian martial arts. The most salient common feature is Mainland Southeast Asia kickboxing. The region of Mainland Southeast Asia is believed to be the land of Suvarnabhumi that ancient Indians mentioned in Buddhist text and Hindu text. In 790 A.D., a Khmer prince who grew up abroad by the name of Jayavarman II returned to unify the Khmer civilization. In 802 A.D., Jayavarman II established the Khmer Empire, the precursor to modern Cambodia, and declared himself the Chakravatin. Around 850 A.D., Pagan, the ancestor of modern-day Burma, was established by Tibeto-Burman speakers. For 200 years, Pagan remained a small principality until the reign of King Anawrahta. In 1238 A.D., Thailand's first state, Sukhothai, was started when the residents declared independence from the Khmer Empire. In 1353 A.D., Laos's first state, Lan Xang, was started by Fa Ngum with the assistance of the Khmer from Angkor.
Muhammud Chaiyamart,, known professionally as Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn, is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter. He was a three-division Lumpinee Stadium champion, including defending the Lightweight title for six years before retiring, who was famous during the 1990s and 2000s. Since his retirement, he has worked as a trainer at various camps in different countries.
Traditional Cambodian medicine comprise several traditional medicine systems in Cambodia.
Muay Hardcore was a weekly Muay Thai program broadcast on Thai television in Bangkok. First aired in 2019, the program's most distinguishing characteristic sees fighters competing in three-round Muay Thai fights with MMA gloves. The program was discontinued around mid-2022.
Muay Thai Super Champ, known as LWC Super Champ, is a weekly Muay Thai program that broadcasts live on Thai television in Bangkok. Unlike weekly traditional Muay Thai programs, Super Champ features three-round Muay Thai fights. In 2023, the program changed its name to LWC Super Champ and its venue to Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Niyom Thongchit was a Thai Muay Thai fighter, boxer, Muay Thai and boxing trainer, known from being trainer of Pone Kingpetch, the first Thai world champion.
Jongsomboon Yangsapyot, known professionally as Singdam Or.Ukrit is a Thai former Muay Thai fighter. He was heralded as the greatest fighter in the bantamweight division of the golden era of Muay Thai owing to his aggressive southpaw Muay Tae style. His highly successful kicking ability resulted in the nickname of "The World-Ending Left Kicker" by the Thai media during his prime.
Kru Kai Kaew is a Thai deity worshipped for good luck and fortune in work and life. He is regarded by some as a god of wealth, while others see him as a figure of superstition that deviates from true Buddhist teachings due to his half-beast, half-demon nature.
