History of Muay Thai
Muay Thai is popularly known as the “art of eight limbs”: four points of contact (punch, kick, knee and elbow) on both sides of the body. However, the more accurate translation is quite different. In the Thai language, “Muay” means movement, and “Thai” means the people (hence 'Thailand,' the land of the Thai people): making Muay Thai “the movement of the people” or "unity." Muay Thai is Thailand’s national art form, and it has been deeply rooted in the culture since the 12th century.
Muay Thai originated from Muay Boran, a hand-to-hand striking art used by the Thai army to neutralize enemies if weapons were inaccessible during warfare. Muay Thai was later developed from Muay Boran as the sporting equivalent used for exhibitions and competitions.
The 14th-century Burmese invasion of Thailand resulted in the loss of ancient Muay Thai scriptures. After the war, the only way to preserve the Muay Thai heritage was through practice and oral tradition. For centuries the art of Muay Thai stayed in Thailand, taught and practiced only by the Thai people. Foreigners were eventually exposed to Muay Thai in the last century during the World Wars when Thailand joined the Allies. It was common for troops to organize boxing and wrestling matches for recreation and entertainment, and with the inclusion of Thailand in the Allied forces, Muay Thai bouts finally exposed foreigners to the elusive art. After the Second World War, foreigners eventually traveled to Thailand to learn Muay Thai as no instructors left the motherland. It is only in the last thirty years that Muay Thai instructors from Thailand traveled overseas to teach the art.
The popularity of Muay Thai has grown over the last two decades from an esoteric martial art form to a worldwide amateur and professional sport. It has become a staple striking art on its own accord, vying for its sanctioning as an Olympic sport, and is an essential striking skill for mixed martial arts. Muay Thai continues to gain popularity as a sport and self-defense art in over 128 countries worldwide.
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• Bautista, Nick. “Conversations with a Master Volume 1.” 29 June 2020.
• Von Duuglas-Ittu, Sylvie. "The Modernization of Muay Thai – A Timeline". 8limbsus.com. 10 January 2015.