(Praditbatuga 2000). A fighter demonstrates level of expertise through
combat. Like other Asian martial arts, Muay Thai has a spiritual side that
is rooted in Buddhism. For example, there is a ceremony called “paying
homage to the teacher.” This ceremony includes a prefight ritual dance (ram
muay, wai kruh) in which the fighter hexes his enemy with magic. Also,
fighters wear magical charms, such as the mongkon(headband) and praciat
(armband), before and during the bout. In the mid- to late 1960s, after the
1964 Olympics, Muay Thai gained popularity in Japan. Karatekas(Japa-
nese; practitioners of karate) blended techniques into an international kick-
boxing style. Japanese fighters, however, have not adhered to the traditions
and rituals associated with the art as practiced in Thailand. The techniques,
however, still work without the rituals. The practice of Muay Thai has
spread throughout Europe and to the Western Hemisphere as well.
Muay Thai practitioners train in professional boxing camps, such as
the Lanna Boxing Camp (Kiat Busaba) in Chiang Mai. Trainers hold prac-
tice every day and fighters compete at least monthly. Boxers by tradition
carry the name of their camp into the ring. A boxer’s training regimen in-
cludes stretching; calisthenics; weight lifting; rope skipping; running; swim-
ming; shadowboxing; equipment drills with focus mitts, kicking pads, and
heavy bags; and sparring. Many strikes are not permitted during sparring
in order to ensure the fighters’ safety by limiting potential injury. Training
sessions may last for about two hours, but are held throughout each day.
Therapeutic massage with boxing liniment is included in the training regi-
men. Diet is key; proper nutrition is essential for stamina.
Training routines may vary, but generally stretching and limbering ex-
ercises are included in the ritual dance (ram muay or wai kruh). The hiss-
ing sound of exhaling air is heard during movements as fighters practice
their breath control. They target vital points when learning striking tech-
niques. A special type of heavy bag, called a “banana bag,” which is longer
and heavier than a punching bag, is used for kicking. Other training equip-
ment includes a speed bag of the type used by boxers, bag gloves, double-
end bag, jump rope, timer, focus mitts, kicking pads, sparring gloves, head-
gear, and medicine ball. Fighters condition their shins to withstand the
impact of their opponents’ kicks by striking them with sticks or by kicking
banana trees. To improve their focus and control, fighters practice kicking
at a lemon hanging from a rope or string.
There is only one stance, or posture, in Muay Thai. For a right-
handed fighter, the left leg leads and the right leg follows. Hands are held
high. Closed and gloved fists protect the head with the elbows held inward,
arms protecting the body. The fighter’s body is turned slightly sideways,
with the head held slightly forward. The shuffle step is used to move for-
ward and backward. The fighter’s front foot moves first going forward,352 Muay Thai