Kick Boxing - a Thai Martial Art

Muay Thai is Ingrained as an art form in Thailand's Culture

Aug 27, 2007

Muay Thai, or Kick Boxing, is seen the length and breadth of Thailand and is nearly as popular as football. Read on to find out why it's called The Science of Eight Limbs

Muay Thai or Kick Boxing's Has a Long History:

This martial art form of boxing called Kick Boxing has a long history in Thailand, being a favourite with the army of olden days, whose version of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit. It is from this former period that the lengthy ritual and ceremony that is performed before the fight (ram uay) derives, a ritual that is performed both for religious reasons and as a stretching warmup.

The current style is very different to the military style. Today it is a sport which uses kicks and punches with the contestants using gloves similar to those used in boxing.

The Science of Eight Limbs is the formal name given to the sport, and this is derived from the fact that the hands, feet, knees and elbows are used in the sport, to great effect as anyone who has seen Muay Thai can testify. The entire body is involved in the sport, the hip rotating with each kick, punch and block. This movement results in a slower and more powerful technique than that achieved in boxing or karate.

Thai boxers usually kick with the shin and not the foot, and this is seen in two of the most important techniques which are also found in other martial arts, the Thai low kick and the Thai roundhouse kick.

The low kick is a circular movement of the entire body to enable to fighter to kick the opponent’s leg with the upper part of the shin. It is difficult to stand after a few low kicks of this sort and if this happens, it often heralds the end of the fight.

The Thai roundhouse kick is also unique. It is carried out with a straight leg with the entire body rotating from the hip, which is “locked” before the leg makes contact.

Surprisingly, it is the elbows and the knees that do the most damage in the fighting, despite the spectacular appearance of the high kicks to the head. These are used mainly in offensive techniques to punch the opponent. Small amounts of stand-up clinching are also allowed in offensive and defensive purposes, to hinder the opponent.

Thai Boxing is enjoying a popular boost in the world today, and you will find many venues in the UK and the USA holding sessions, but to see it at its best you should visit Thailand.

Kick Boxing Stadiums:

In Thailand, s Kick Boxing Champions are revered above all others. Muay Thai is a way of earning a living for many people – and if you visit either of the two main stadiums in the capital, Bangkok (Lumpini Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium) the support the boxers command is evidenced from the whistles and shouts of the audience. At Lumpini, the weights are limited to 147 lbs. and at Rajadamnern the limit is 160 lbs. Both stadiums however, may sometimes hold fights at heavier weights.

Although you will find stadiums in most towns - and even in quite small towns in the country - the capital gives most support to its fighters. That is why every fighter wants to make his way to Bangkok to fight in these top stadiums, Lumpini (sometimes spelt Lumpinee) and Rajadamnern (also spelt Ratchadamneorn).

To learn more:

Advanced Kick Boxing by Pat O'Keeve (Summersdale Books) £12. 99. www.summersdale.com

The copyright of the article Kick Boxing - a Thai Martial Art in Thailand Travel is owned by Mari Nicholson. Permission to republish Kick Boxing - a Thai Martial Art in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.