Bangkok Attraction - Thai Boxing (Muay
Thai)
 Thai
Boxing 
You might have heard about it, or even seen it on TV—the
furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks, powerful
grappling and artful feints. But nothing compares to seeing them
executed to loud cheers and heart-racing tune of an accompanying
wind-and-percussion ensemble. Welcome to the exciting world of Muay
Thai, a martial art like no others, and a proud heritage of a nation
The history of Muay Thai is interwoven with the history of the Thai
people. A gentle, peace-loving people, for centuries Thais had to
defend themselves and their land from aggressive powers. They developed
a form of close, hand-to-hand combat best suited for the kind of
rough-terrain battle they were fighting. Over time it became a rite
of passage for Thai men to take up training in this martial art.
King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), one of the country’s
most celebrated warrior-heroes, is believed to have been an excellent
boxer himself, and it was he who made Muay Thai a required part
of military training. Another milestone in the history of Muay Thai
was the triumph of Nai Khanom Tom over 10 Burmese boxers in 1774.
Taken captive after the Thai capital fell in 1767, Nai Khanom Tom
was picked to fight before the Burmese king. After defeating ten
of them in a row, he was freed and returned home a hero.
In the old days, Muay Thai was a dangerous sport, with no safety
gear of any kind for the fighters, and only lengths of cords to
wrap around the fists in place of gloves. Over the years rules have
been written along the line of international boxing regulations.
In recent years the sport has attracted a wide following outside
of the country, and training facilities have been set up in countries
as far as the U.S. and the former Soviet states. In 1995 the World
Muay Thai Council was set up by cabinet resolution in 1995 to promote
this national heritage at national and international levels. At
a conference held that same year, 78 member countries voted for
the establishment of a training school where all elements of Muay
Thai would be taught. The Muay Thai Institute was founded in 1997
and is now the only training school accredited by the Ministry of
Education.
 An
International Passion
Muay Thai, along with soccer, is certainly the most passionately
followed sport in the country. Television networks broadcast fights
five days a week, and the fight results at major stadiums are reported
in all major newspapers. International boxing is also very popular,
and the country has produced dozens of world champions, but they
all started out as Muay Thai fighters. So it is not surprising that
a boy as young as seven or eight would start training to become
one—and many do, at stables across the country. Most provincial
capitals have a boxing ring, but the ultimate dream of young boxers
is to fight at Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen, the biggest and most famous
stadiums in the country. Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen alternate, so
there is a fight program every night. Tickets on an average evening
are 220, 440 and 1,000 baht, but on big nights prices of ringside
seats may go up to 2,000 baht. Ratchadamnoen’s Sunday Special
rates are good bargains, with ringside tickets going for 500 baht
each. Fights usually begins around 6:30 p.m., with preliminary bouts
featuring younger, less experienced boxers, and build up towards
the main event, usually around nine o’clock.
Muay Thai is fought in five three-minute rounds with two-minute
breaks in between. The fight is preceded by a wai khru dance, in
which each contestant pays homage to his teachers. Besides the symbolic
meaning, the dance is a good warm-up exercise. You will notice that
each boxer wears a headband and armbands. The headband, called mongkhol,
is believed to bestow luck to the wearer since it has been blessed
by a monk or the boxer’s own teacher. Since Buddhism and the
teacher play important roles in the life of Thais, the headband
is both a lucky charm and a spiritual object. It will be removed
after the wai khru dance, and only by the boxer’s trainer.
The armbands, meanwhile, are believed to offer protection and are
only removed when the fight has ended.
A match is decided by a knockout or by points. Three judges decide
who carries the round and the one who wins the most rounds, win
the fight. The referee plays a very important role, since boxers’
safety depends on his decision.
To one side of the ring is the band section, comprising a Javanese
clarinet, drums and cymbals. They accompany the fight from the homage
dance to the conclusion. The tempo goes up as the action inside
the ring intensifies. The musicians are mostly oldtimers who have
seen just about anything, yet their music always makes the heart
race faster. It is said that the tune is a siren song that the true
Muay Thai devotee can never resist.
On fight nights at major stadiums, especially at Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen,
tourists fill up a sizable portion of the seats, and the number
is growing. Most opt to sit at ringside, to see the action up close.
On nights of major events, usually advertised days in advance, it
can be hard to get tickets. You might want to book through your
hotels or travel agents.
Equipment
used in Thai Boxing Match
Equipment that is necessary for Muay Thai matches must be provided
by the stadium. There are a stopwatch, a signal gong, a warning
bell, boxing gloves of various sizes according to the rules, equipment
to provide water for boxers, and other additional personal accessories
for boxers who have not prepared their own such as boxing shorts
in red or blue, jock straps, surgical tape, or sacred cords. Thai
boxing can be classified into two major types, the first is muay
lak which puts the emphasis on caution and patience, and is very
rare nowadays. Theo- ther is muay kiew which is full of tricks and
feints performed to catch the opponent off guard.
Where
& When to see 
Lumpini Stadium
Rama IV Road, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 252-8765, 251-4303, 253-7702, 253-7940
Fight Nights: Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m, Saturday afternoons
5-8 p.m., Saturday nights from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 220, 440, 1,000 Baht (ringside)
Ratchadamnoen Stadium
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Tel: (662) 281-4205, 280-1684-6
Fight Nights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, starting
at 6.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 220, 440, 1,000 Baht (ringside); special discount
on Sunday nights
Channel 7 Stadium
Behind the old Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit), opp. Chatuchak Park,
Bangkok
Tel: (662) 272-0201
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 1.45 p.m., third Wednesday of each
month starting at 12.00 noon.
Ticket prices: Free admission
Rangsit Stadium
336/932 Prachathipat Road, Rangsit, Pathumthani
Tel: (662) 992-0099
Fight Nights: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 110 (women only), 220 Baht
Samrong Stadium
Samrong Road, Samutprakarn
Tel: (662) 393-3592
Fight Nights: Fridays and Sundays, from 8.30 p.m
Ticket Prices: 100 Baht for women, 200 Baht for men
Omnoy Stadium
74 Moo 12 Tumbon Omnoy, Amphoe Krathumbaen, Samutsakorn
Tel: (662) 420-4317
Fight Schedule: Saturdays from 11.45 a.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
International Stadium, Chachoengsao
23/22 Moo 6 Thepkunakorn Road, Tumbon Sothorn, Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao
Tel: (66-38) 821-746-50
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 4.00 p.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
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