Like most other forms of martial arts, global awareness of Muay Thai gained significant amounts of steam courtesy of Hollywood. However, after its practice was depicted in the movie ‘Kickboxer’, the film’s success had the unforeseen consequence of acting as Muay Thai’s driver into the ‘mainstream’.
So, keep reading; here are a few things you should know about the art of Muay Thai:
The Origins of Muay Thai
Muay Thai is not a newly formed discipline. On the contrary, its history extends beyond what many are aware of today. Muay Thai, or Siamese boxing to some, originated in Thailand.
Its foundations go back to the 16th century when Nai Khanomtom, a captured Siamese soldier, earned his freedom by fighting and defeating the King’s best fighters.
His fighting style gained recognition within the country, where it was later acknowledged as a national art and the sport you refer to as Muay Thai.
1: The foot-face Connection
The nature of Muay Thai means that it maintains an intricate connection to Thai culture. Therefore, some cultural norms dictate your interaction with an opponent, no matter whether it is a sport.
The Thais consider the feet to be so impure as to be profane. But conversely, they believe that your soul resides in your head; therefore, they view the head as spiritual and holy.
So, a foot to the face, especially if it is the bottom of the foot, is perceived as a grave insult both to your adversary and your host country.
2: The Importance of a Name
Most Thai fighters adopt their training gym’s name as a surname. This practice allows them to honour the academy where they trained and their coaches.
However, most importantly, adopting their gym name helps a fighter to pay tribute to their fellow fighters who, upon taking in the same name, are now considered one’ family’.
Additionally, like ‘Kung Fu’ and ‘martial arts’, Muay Thai is a blanket descriptor of different styles that different gyms around Thailand practice. Thus the use of the gym name allows fighters to denote their lineage.
3: What of the other limb?
Another name for Muay Thai is the Art of 8 limbs. This iteration is a change from the original- the Art of 9 limbs. The alteration results from new rules that prohibit the use of the headbutt during the sport’s modernisation.
However, you can still see the nine limbs in use with the Bama Lethwei, which is fought with bound hands and allows the use of the head as a weapon.
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4: Your Politeness may cause Insult
Many Western Muay Thai fighters have taken on The Wai- the Thai version of a bow to express some cultural respect. However, like others without a complete understanding of the intricacies of the Wai, you may inadvertently cause some insult. So take note:
The Wai has three levels: High, Medium and Low. These labels describe the height level of your hold. Additionally, your relationship to the person you are greeting governs the use of each level.
Using a Wai is appropriate in three scenarios, when interacting with someone who’s earned your respect, if someone does it to you and when upon your first introduction to a group of people. However, it is most prudent to wait until someone does it to you before you Wai.
Understanding the origins, practice and goals of a martial art is valuable if you want to immerse yourself in it. So, if you are keen on practicing Thai boxing, it’s important to know all the dos and dont’s to stay safe and respectful while enjoying this exciting sport.
