History of Muay Thai and Thai Boxing

Introduction

Muay Thai (the Art of Eight Limbs) is the national martial art and national combat sport of Thailand, with continuous documented practice from medieval Siamese military origins through the modern professional Muay Thai tradition. The Muay Thai tradition has been shaped by the Thai military tradition, the Thai Buddhist religious tradition, Thai royal patronage tradition, and broader Thai cultural tradition. The modern global Muay Thai landscape is anchored by the Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok (established 1945) and the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok (established 1956), the two principal Bangkok Muay Thai stadiums that produce the majority of Muay Thai championship results in any era. The continued Rajadamnern and Lumpinee championships across various weight divisions have continued through subsequent decades. This article surveys the full history of Muay Thai from medieval Siamese military origins, the Nai Khanom Tom legend of 1767, the King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) Muay Thai patronage of the 1880s-1900s, the King Rama VI (Vajiravudh) Muay Thai patronage of the 1910s, the 1921 Rajadamnern Stadium establishment, the 1956 Lumpinee Stadium establishment, the Wai Khru Ram Muay pre-fight ritual tradition, various legendary Muay Thai champions, the 2007 ONE Championship founding, the Buakaw Banchamek K-1 World MAX era, the Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym career, the Rodtang Jitmuangnon ONE Championship era, Muay Thai Olympic Games discussion through subsequent decades, and the future of the global Muay Thai landscape.

Siamese Origins and Nai Khanom Tom

Muay Thai extends from medieval Siamese military origins, with earliest documented Muay Thai references extending from at least the Sukhothai Kingdom period (1238-1438). The Sukhothai Kingdom military training tradition included the Muay Boran ("ancient boxing") tradition. The Muay Boran tradition included various unarmed combat training for Siamese soldiers during various Sukhothai military campaigns. The Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767) extended the Muay Boran tradition. Various subsequent Ayutthaya military campaigns including the Ayutthaya-Burmese wars established the Ayutthaya Muay Boran tradition. The Nai Khanom Tom legend of 1767 established the principal Muay Thai cultural narrative. Nai Khanom Tom (the Ayutthaya Muay Thai fighter, exact dates unknown) was captured by Burmese forces during the 1767 fall of Ayutthaya to the Konbaung Dynasty Burmese forces. Nai Khanom Tom was subsequently brought to the Ava court of King Hsinbyushin of Burma. The legendary Nai Khanom Tom Ava court fight (with Nai Khanom Tom defeating ten Burmese fighters in succession during a celebration at the Ava court) established the principal Muay Thai cultural narrative. The 1789 Nai Khanom Tom subsequent return to Thailand under the establishment of the Rattanakosin Kingdom under King Rama I extended the Nai Khanom Tom legacy. The March 17 (Nai Khanom Tom Day) annual Thai national Muay Thai festival has continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent Thai kings' Muay Thai patronage including Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782-present) kings established the principal modern Muay Thai cultural tradition.

King Rama V Patronage and the Modern Era

King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) of Siam (reign 1868-1910) extended the Muay Thai modernization. King Rama V's 1880s Muay Thai modernization included various subsequent modern Muay Thai rule developments. King Rama V's various subsequent Muay Thai bouts at the Royal Plaza established the principal Bangkok Muay Thai tradition. King Rama VI (Vajiravudh) of Siam (reign 1910-1925) extended the Muay Thai modernization further. The 1910 inauguration of the Suan Kularb school by King Rama VI established the modern Thai education tradition that included Muay Thai instruction. Various subsequent Suan Kularb school Muay Thai instruction developments through subsequent decades have continued. The 1921 inauguration of the original Rajadamnern Stadium at the Suan Kularb school sports field established the modern Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The 1945 inauguration of the current Rajadamnern Stadium at the Rajadamnern Klang Road in Bangkok extended the Bangkok Muay Thai stadium tradition. The 1928 introduction of boxing gloves to Muay Thai (replacing the traditional Kard Chuek hemp rope handwraps) modernized the Muay Thai competitive tradition. Various subsequent Muay Thai equipment developments through subsequent decades have continued through subsequent decades. Various subsequent 1930s Muay Thai modernization including various subsequent Muay Thai rule developments, various subsequent Muay Thai weight division developments, various subsequent Muay Thai ring developments, and various other Muay Thai modernization developments have continued through subsequent decades.

Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Eras