Thailand
Muay Thai is the most widely recognized of the martial arts of Thailand.
In its contemporary form Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is known as an in-
ternational sport. Precise information is lacking on the system’s origins be-
cause of the destruction of Siamese records in 1767 during one of their con-
tinuing conflicts with Burma (now Myanmar). As a combative system,
however, it has figured prominently in the legends surrounding the cen-
turies of conflict between the two countries. For example, in the late eigh-
teenth century, a tradition maintains that Thai boxer Nai Khanom Tom
(also Nai Khanom Dtom) was given the opportunity to fight for his free-
dom after being captured in a battle against the Burmese. He effected his
release by defeating a dozen Burmese boxers. Other versions of this legend
vary in their particulars, but in all versions, the Thai triumphs. In docu-
mented contemporary encounters, on the other hand, Muay Thai experts
have fallen to the larger Burmese fighters.
One proposed date for the origin of Muay Thai is 1719, the year
Prince Phra Chao Sua (also Seua) established martial competitions at Ayud-
hya. Prior to this time, it has been suggested that the empty-hand tech-
niques of the art were embedded as military defense (likely to be synony-
mous with lerdrit,a military unarmed system) in the armed system of
Krabi-krabong.Thai martial tradition claims Phra Chao Sua was himself a
Muay Thai fighter who saved the country from invasion by defeating an
opposing army’s champion.
During this early period, hands were wrapped, but no gloves or other
protective equipment were used. In fact, on occasion wrappings were
gummed and broken glass was embedded in the surface. Rounds, weight
classes, gloves, and groin protectors were added early in the twentieth cen-
tury. Rules covering fouls, such as the prohibition of throws, biting, or strik-
ing a downed opponent, have changed little over the past two centuries.
Krabi-krabong is at present the most vital Thai armed tradition. The
Thai developed armed combat skills both in their own campaigns and as
mercenaries for the Khmer Empire.
By the early sixteenth century (1503) the Thai had developed “mili-
tary science,” as demonstrated by the compilation, at the orders of Siamese
King Rama Tibodi II, of a “Treatise on Victorious Warfare” that outlined
military strategy and military tactics. Almost a century later (1593) the ex-
tremely successful Thai king Naresuan, who led his forces into Burma,
Cambodia, and Laos, appended twenty-one rules of combat to “Victorious
Warfare.” Naresuan was a legendary swordsman, having allegedly single-
handedly routed Burmese forces by killing the Burmese crown prince with
a sword thrust. It is tempting, therefore, to suggest that his tactics influ-
enced Krabi-krabong. Naresuan’s rules, however, focused on mass warfare,546 Southeast Asia