Muay Thai is called the art of eight limbs because fighters strike with fists, elbows, knees and shins. It's also one of the few combat sports whose old rituals are still part of every professional fight. Knowing a bit of the history makes a night at the stadium much more enjoyable. Here's a short version.
Muay Boran: the fighting arts of old Siam
Modern Muay Thai grew out of older unarmed fighting styles, usually grouped together as Muay Boran ("ancient boxing"). They were practised in Siam for centuries, through the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767) and after. Soldiers trained in them alongside weapon fighting, and village festivals and temple fairs held bouts too. Regional styles developed with their own stances and techniques, and some of them are still taught today.
Fighters often wrapped their hands in hemp rope instead of wearing gloves. There were no rounds as we know them, and no weight classes.
Nai Khanom Tom and National Muay Thai Day
The most famous story in Muay Thai is about Nai Khanom Tom, a Siamese fighter taken prisoner by the Burmese after the fall of Ayutthaya. According to tradition, in 1774 he was ordered to fight Burmese champions in front of the Burmese king, beat about ten of them one after another, and was given his freedom. Historians debate the details, but the story is central to how Thailand sees the sport. Thailand celebrates National Muay Thai Day, also called Boxer's Day, every year on 17 March in his honour.
The 1920s: rings, gloves and rules
Muay Thai became a modern sport in the early 20th century, and much of that change came from Bangkok:
- Permanent rings were set up in the city in the 1920s, at venues such as Suan Kulap.
- Gloves replaced rope bindings for Bangkok bouts in the late 1920s, after a fatal fight showed how dangerous the old way was.
- Timed rounds, a referee and weight classes were brought in. The format of five three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks dates from this period and is still the traditional standard.
Rajadamnern and Lumpinee: the national stadiums
In 1941 the government ordered a national stadium on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Construction stopped during the Second World War, and Rajadamnern Stadium held its first fight on 23 December 1945. The rules and procedures used at Rajadamnern became the standard for stadiums across Thailand.
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium followed on 8 December 1956. It is run by the Royal Thai Army, and it moved from Rama IV Road to Ram Inthra Road in 2014. Of the many Bangkok boxing venues from that era, these two are the ones that became the most famous, and a title at either one is still one of the most respected achievements in the sport. Read more in our guides to Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium, or the full Lumpinee story.
Muay Thai goes global
From the late 20th century, foreign fighters began travelling to Thailand to train, and Thai fighters began competing abroad. Gyms opened around the world. On 20 July 2021, the International Olympic Committee gave full recognition to IFMA, the international amateur federation for Muay Thai.
Professional Muay Thai in Bangkok has also changed recently. Rajadamnern World Series, launched in 2022, introduced shorter fights and scores shown after every round. In January 2023, ONE Championship started its weekly ONE Lumpinee (ONE Friday Fights) series at Lumpinee. Both are broadcast to international audiences.
The traditions you'll see at the stadium
When you go to a fight in Bangkok, look out for these:
- The wai khru ram muay: the ritual dance before each fight, which honours the fighter's teachers.
- The mongkhon: the sacred headband worn into the ring and removed by the trainer before the bell.
- Prajiad armbands: worn during the fight, traditionally as protective charms.
- The live music: the pi java oboe, drums and cymbals that play throughout every bout and speed up as the fight does.
What to expect at a Muay Thai fight explains all of these in more detail.
Book a night at the stadium
You won't get a better sense of Muay Thai's history than watching it at the stadiums where the modern sport began. Choose a night on the fight calendar. Rajadamnern has cards almost every night, and Lumpinee runs on Fridays and Saturdays. If you're not sure which to choose, read Rajadamnern vs Lumpinee.
