Extreme Sports Cafe now offers Thai Boxing / Muay Thai courses in Thailand, Asia... Learn Muay Thai with true Master Instructors in Bangkok or Phuket. Thai Boxing / Muay Thai courses range from daily training, Mauy Thai & MMA camps to full certified Muay Thai courses.
What is Thai Boxing? Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is the cultural martial art of Thailand. The origins of Muay Thai date back several hundred years, and was, essentially, developed as a form of close-combat that used the entire body as a weapon. Muay Thai uses the body to mimic the weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armour against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill. Origins of Muay Thai - The origin of Muay Thai, as a fighting style, is thought to have developed for centuries as tribes migrated south from the steppes of China through Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia. The major tribes of that period, one of which was the (Tai) Siamese, fought fiercely to survive as they moved south and encountered other smaller tribes in what is now northern and central Thailand, and as far south as Malaysia. Through training, loss of life, military tactics, and hand-to-hand combat, technique and tactics were honed to a razors edge, and the rudimentary elements of a "fighting-style" began to take root. Check out our Thai Boxing History page for more on Thai Boxing history and it's origins. Wai Kroo/Ram Muay -The tradition of the Wai Kroo dates back several centuries. The Wai Kroo is a ritualistic and traditional dance carried out before Muay Thai fighters engage in the ring. The Wai Kroo is meant to show honor to the fighters teacher, the sport of MuayThai, and his country. The Ram Muay is the dance that is unique to each Master instructor who teaches his students. The student will dance in each direction of the ring approaching and touching the corner posts with a prayer, showing respect to his opponent and to the spirits. Modern day Muay Thai - Muay Thai has come a long way in the last 100 years. Because of the great national popularity, MuayThai began to garner international exposure and recognition. In World War II, Thai soldiers were stationed overseas, and foreigners received their first good look at Muay Thai firsthand.
- After the end of WW II, the first formal rules were introduced into the sport. Fights were divided into 5 rounds, and time limits were imposed on each round. Time was counted on a clock rather than the old style of a coconut shell with holes sinking completely in a barrel of water. Major stadiums for Muay Thai were constructed after the war in large cities [Bangkok, Sukothai, Chiang Mai] throughout the country as the popularity of Muay Thai grew. Lumpini Stadium in Bangkok is now almost considered "holy ground" to the multitudes of Thai fighters, and now many foreigners, trying to win a place on a fight card. A system of weight-classes, defined rules, and championships was devised in the years ahead as MuayThai began to resemble boxing in style and organization.
- The typical Muay Thai fighter here in Thailand trains many hours everyday. Many fighters will fight every 3-4 weeks just to be able to support their family. Unlike boxing in Europe and America, MuayThai fighters make very little money from each fight. A typical Muay Thai fighter may bring home 4000-6000 baht ($100 - $150) every month from fighting which is barely enough to support one person, much less a family.
- Muay Thai fighters often begin training when they are 6-8 years-old. They will begin fighting between 8-10 years of age and may have as many as 120-150 fights ( 3 times as many as a very active boxer ) before they are 24 years old. Muay Thai fighters do not generally have long careers because of starting at such an early age and how physically demanding the sport is on the fighters. Injuries are quite common in MuayThai fights. From cuts and lacerations to the face and head to broken bones and severe sprains of muscles and ligaments, Muay Thai fighters deal with injuries their entire career. MuayThai fighters are known for their ability to ignore pain and injury.
Today, the evolution of Muay Thai is finally reaping rewards and recognition. Muay Thai was recently accepted as an Olympic sport, and it is becoming quite popular in many countries throughout the world. Professional fighters in martial arts, K-1, and submission fighting all agree, Muay Thai is an essential part of being an all-around skilled fighter and having stand-up fighting skills. MuayThai will continue to grow in popularity as new training camps and gyms open around the world.
All our Muay Thai / Thai Boxing Courses and experiences in Thailand can be booked online
Muay Thai / Thai Boxing - Superstition, Tattoos, and Evil Spirits - The Thai people are known for being superstitious and their belief in evil spirits and ghosts. Muay Thai fighters have for centuries used special tattoos, wards, amulets, and ceremonies to increase their good fortune and ward off bad luck and evil spirits that might follow them into the ring. Fighters will often wear pieces of bones from their ancestors wrapped within their headdress [Mongkong] or in a armlet tied about the bicep. The bone is supposed to represent the good spirits of their ancestors and provide them protection from injury in the ring and evil spirits.
- Some fighters, and regular Thai people, will often go the temple or a (Maa Doo), a witchdoctor/medicine man, or high-ranking priest to have tattoo inscriptions in Thai language etched into their skin. The powerful inscriptions are supposed to provide special protection from certain influences like good fortune, bad luck, ghosts, spirits, etc. Other tattoos were told to grant strength, courage, long-life, or sexual prowess. Often before fights, fighters would rub special oils and mixtures or potions on their skin to make them oblivious to pain and invulnerable.
- Special amulets (Kreung Rang)worn around the neck were also told to carry special magical powers. Amulets could contain written inscriptions with wards and protections rolled up in a small cylinder. Other amulets came from important temples and bore the image of Buddah or highly-revered monks. Whatever the amulet, tattoo, oil, potion, or inscription, the result was to give the fighter confidence through his strong beliefs.
Initiation and entrance to Muay Thai- The Buddha was, and described himself as, both a student and teacher. The teacher is held in reverence and respect in Thailand. When young men want to enter into a gym and become MuayThai fighters, they must first pay respect to their Muay Thai teacher (Kroo Muay) and give respect and honor to the gym where they will train. You just don't decide to become a Muay Thai fighter. It is a way of life and long respected tradition in Thailand. The student must perform the Yok Kroo or Kuen Kroo.
- Each Master Thai instructor has a different style or way to perform the Yok Kroo. There may be a significant initiation where the prospective student must spend time in meditation at a temple, or perform some ritualistic tasks. Students are usually expected to give some form of gift or offering, such as white linen cloth, flowers, joss sticks (incense), and some small monetary offering.
- On auspicious days, (Thai's like Thursdays for good luck and prosperity) a picnic or gathering of fighters to welcome the new student to camp and eat together. The Master Thai instructor would then ask for a blessing for his new student and then place the traditional Mongkon on the student's head and tie a armlet (Pra Jer) on his bicep.
At Extreme Sports Cafe's partner Phuket & Bangkok Muay Thai Schools guests have the opportunity to learn Muay Thai with true Master Instruction, helping you learn how to punch, kick, practice balancing, learn proper rhythm, and increase your speed and power as you hone your Muay Thai skills, in Thailand.
Muay Thai / Thai Boxing Courses and experiences in Thailand from Extreme Sports Cafe
All our Muay Thai / Thai Boxing Courses and experiences in Thailand can be booked online
