| Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is | | | | seen nowadays. |
| more popularly known as "The Art of the Eight Limbs"; | | | | A Muay Thai match has a maximum of 5 rounds with |
| with the 'eight limbs' referring to the elbows, hands, | | | | each round lasting 3 minutes. There is a two minute |
| knees and shins, all of which are extensively used in | | | | rest period in between each of the 5 rounds. Match |
| this sport. An experienced exponent of Muay Thai | | | | rules are rigid and no extra rounds are allowed. |
| would have mastered the art of executing strikes | | | | Contestants are required to weigh in naked prior to the |
| using these "eight limbs" as eight points of contact as | | | | fight. |
| opposed to the fist and feet or "four points" that are | | | | Basic Rules on clothing and equipment |
| used in other martial arts forms or the fists; "two | | | | In its most traditional form, Muay Thai was very |
| points" used in western boxing. Muay Thai is also | | | | dangerous sport with fighters using no safety gear of |
| known as Muay Lao in Laos, Tomoi in Malaysia or | | | | any kind except for lengths of cords wrapped around |
| Pradal Serey in Cambodia. | | | | the fists instead of gloves. Safety regulations have |
| History of Muay Thai | | | | been changed over the years and Muay Thai fighters |
| The history of Muay Thai is an intrinsic part of the | | | | now use gloves that are similar to those worn in |
| history of Thailand. An inherently peaceful and | | | | Western boxing. Each glove should not weight less |
| unwarlike people, for centuries the Thais were forced | | | | than 172 grams or 6 ounces. The gloves should be in |
| to defend their land and themselves from hostile and | | | | good condition and should not be crushed, kneaded or |
| aggressive powers. They adopted and soon | | | | squeezed in order to alter its original shape. |
| perfected a form of hand-to-hand combat, which over | | | | Only red or blue trunks can be worn, with the |
| time became a rite of passage for the males and all | | | | contestant choosing the color of his corner. The two |
| Thai men took up training in this martial art form. It later | | | | contestants do not wear either shoes or shirt. |
| became a necessary part of military training and went | | | | Contestants must wear gum shields for gum |
| on to become the national sport of the country. | | | | protection, ankle cap for ankle protection and sturdy |
| In recent years, this traditionally Thai sport has | | | | athletic cups or supporters for groin protection. |
| attracted a huge following world-wide and training | | | | Mongkol, a sacred cord worn by many Thai men, is |
| facilities have been established in almost all countries | | | | permitted to be worn around the head only during the |
| of the world. | | | | pre-fight ritual where both contestants pay homage to |
| Muay Thai can be categorized into two major groups; | | | | the ancestral teachers and masters of the sport. |
| Muay Kiew, which is the more popular form, is full of | | | | However this cord will have to be removed prior to |
| feints and tricks that are designed to catch the | | | | the start of the fight. |
| opponent off guard. The second from, Muay lak, | | | | Metal in any form is prohibited and cannot form any |
| emphasizes on patience and caution and is very rarely | | | | part of the equipment or apparel. |