The "Science of Eight Limbs" or Thai boxing is the national sport of Thailand. Muay Thai is a pugilistic martial art that uses the striking surfaces of the fists, knees, elbows, and the legs. The primary striking surface for kicking is the shin. Primary targets are the temple and the thigh. The femur is often broken in competitive matches. The femur is the largest bone in the human body. In the days before WWII fighters would square off with their fists wrapped in hemp and covered with rocks, seashells, or glass to create an abrasive striking surface.

Muay Thai is deeply spiritual. Before each match the fighters need to follow a number of steps. Each step has a very strong meaning inside of the circles of the Thai culture. In Thai Boxing these ritual steps are called Wai Khruu (why crew). Ram Muay (ram moo-ee) is apart of the Wai Khruu. It is a dance that centers the fighter before the match. Every gym has its own version of Ram Muay. One can usually tell where the fighter has hailed from based on his/her dance. The whole ritual of Wai Khruu is conducted with traditional Thai music.

Music is very important to the combative aspect of Muay Thai and the Thai weapons-based martial art called Krabi-Krabong (kra-bee kra-bong). It helps to keep the right speed as well as the rhythm. The instruments that they used are: drums (Kong), cymbals of three different sizes, and sometimes a pipe (Java Pipe). The person that plays the drums is the more experienced; He used the same techniques of Muay Thai and Krabi-Krabong to play. He hit the drums with the knees, head and elbows as well as with the instruments.

The main strength in Muay Thai is not just its destructive capacity; but in it’s training method. There are sometimes 30 to 50 deaths a year in the ring, however there are virtually no injuries in training! In addition, a Thai fight, which is five three-minute rounds with two minute rest in between, fighters withstand full blows to the body from the shins, knees, and the elbows and come back for more.

Thai Boxing has gained wide popularity and recognition in the US thanks to the dedication and perseverance of Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute, President and founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA. Care is taken to teach students proper form and body mechanics to eliminate injuries while training and gain maximum effectiveness. The class places an emphasis on the physical conditioning and cardiovascular benefits of Thai Boxing.

Utilizing the mentality and intensity and training method of Muay Thai one can make great strides in their combative ability and stamina. Muay Thai is a great martial art for those of small stature interested in self-defense, for those that would like a fat-burning workout, or the hobbyist who just wants to stay fit but combatively effective.

This ancient method of fighting combines both weapons (Krabi-Krabong, which roughly translated means "sword - long staff") and empty hand techniques (Muay Thai). Muay Thai is in fact the part of Krabi Krabong which is dedicated to hand to hand combat and has been improved and transformed into a sport, separating itself from Krabi Krabong. Krabi Krabong empty-hand fighting involves pressure point strikes, holds, throws, locks, and there are 108 techniques within the system, where only 30 are used in the Thai boxing ring today.

However, Krabi-Krabong is primarily a weapons based art. Its training utilizes many weapons including knives, shields, spears, dang, axes, single and double swords, as well as the long staff.

Basic weapons and their application:

1. Krabi
   Is very similar to a sable. It is used to stab, is thin and sharp, metallic and is a ground weapon; Normally used by high rank soldiers.

2. Krabong
   Is a wooden bar, made normally from Bamboo, It is 6 feet long. It is very easy to make one and very effective because of it's long range. Is normally a ground weapon and the people that used it are farmers that became soldiers.

3. Daab(Sword)
   This is the more popular weapon in the history of Siam. Sometimes the warrior held two swords (One on each hand), this is called "Daab Song Muun" They can be used to stab or slash the opponent. Normally a ground weapon and is a little more curved and heavier than a "Krabi".

4. Ngao(Spear)
   This weapon is to be used on Elephant-back or horseback. Normally the King would use this weapon. There are an extensive variety of different spears. When the King was going to Battle on the sides of the Elephant he had different kinds of spears. The end of some look like a knife, others look like a fork, and some like a sword. Some are for slicing, some to trap the opponents weapon, and some for stabbing etc. The spears consist of a strong and long wood pole and with a sharp metal end. The form changes1 depending of what kind of spear you are talking about.

   

5. Mae Sun Sowks
   Is a ground level weapon ,made of hard wood or bone. They come in pairs, each one you wear it on the out side part of your forearm. The weapon is used to attack as well as to block .Because it is a close range weapon you can use it very well in close combat.

6. Lo(Round Shield)
   This weapon normally is used to block but you can strike with the edges as well. It is big and round, and is made of metal or skin.

   

7. Dung(Long Shield)
   This weapon is a different kind of shield, it is long and thing. It covers from the shoulder until your knee and is made of skin or metal and is "HEAVY"!!!

8. Kaen(Medium Shield)
   This shield is rectangular like DUNG, but is not very long. It adjusts well on your forearm. Made from the same materials as the other shields.

The Burmese king allowed a competition between a Burmese boxer and one of the Thai captives. This Thai fighter was Nai-Khanom Tom (nah-ee kah-nome tom), a famous fighter from the conquered capital. As soon as the match began Nai-Khanom Tom began dancing around the Burmese fighter. This amazed and amused the Burmese spectators. They wondered what had come over this Thai captive. Nai-Khanom Tom was performing Wai-Khruu. This is a ritual in which the Thai fighter pays respects to their religious views, parents, their instructor, and ancestors.

As soon as the match began Nai-Khanom Tom lashed out, pummeling his opponent until the Burmese fighter could take no more and collapsed. The Burmese judge of the match wouldn’t accept the victory on the grounds that their fighter was distracted by the performance of the Wai-Khruu by Nai-Khanom Tom. Nai-Khanom Tom was ordered to fight another Burmese fighter, then eight more after that.

Nai-Khanom Tom fought the fighters and beat them. His last opponent was a Burmese boxing teacher from Ya Kai City in Burma. Nai-Khanom Tom soundly beat him with devastating kicks. After this defeat no other Burmese fighter dared challenge him.

After the victories the Burmese king released Nai-Khanom Tom and offered him rewards for his strength and skill. Nai-Khanom Tom returned to Thailand and is considered the first Thai Boxer to have imprinted the art of Muay Thai with dignity, and a reputation beyond Thailand’s borders. Nai-Khanom Tom is revered even to this day of his victory over the Burmese fighters.

”There is no other boxing like that of the Thais:
Fists, knees, feet and elbows are all used.
And the boxer, no matter how small in size
Can’t be beaten.
All nine of the Burmese Mons was defeated
By Thai boxing.
The name of Nai-Khanom Tom resound with fame.
Although he is dead. His name lives on.
We, who were born in latter days
Still know him
He brought honor to our nation
And we all admire him.”
_{-Panya Kraitus, eds. Muay Thai-The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting, Thailand: Kraitus, 1988}