History of Muay Thai Part III

From Muaythai2000.com

In the late Ayutthaya period Muay Thai was practiced in various institutions and its has spread widely until the present. The boxer would compete in muay arenas and stadiums, for example, Suan Jao Ched Arena and Suan Gularb Arena. In this period, Muay Kaad Chuek (Ancient Muay) was stilled practice until the Rattanakosin period where the use of gloves was used. However, the technique of fighting was still the same with the use of hands, feet, elbows and knees.

There is a lack of documentation in the standard of competition from the early on up to the period of RamaV. Starting from RamaVI, some facts and figures could be gathered about muay. Its popularity can be separated into 5 different periods as followed:

1. The period of Suan Gularb Arena - the people favored muay and muay contests were arranged to meet its popularity. The fighting technique of Kaad Chuek was stilled in use, the number of rounds was fixed and the referee was appointed.

2. The period of Tar Charng Arena - the transition period between Kaad Chuek and gloves. The used of gloves started in this period (2087). The famous referees were Tim Atihaemanon and Niyom Tongchit.

3. The period of Suan Sanuk Arena - the owner of the arena organized many fighting contests over the number of years, causing the birth of many popular fighters, for example, Saman Dilgavulas and Sompong Waetchasit. The famous referees were Luang Pipat Konlakai, Suthorn Taveesit and Niyom Tongchit.

4. The period of Lak Muang Arena and Suan Jao Ched Arena - muay contests became more firm because the military took a step in Muay Thai. Part of the income helped maintain the military according to the purpose of the government. Muay Thai's committee and boxer worked together to help reach the goal. Many famous fighters were borne, such as, Pon Prapadaeng, Perk Singwanlop, Tawas Wongtaveat, Prasert S.S. and Tongbai Yontakrit. The fighting contest continued for many years until the W.W.II, when it was ceased. The famous referees were Sangwean Hiranyaleaka, Jer Juknurak and Wong Hiranyaleaka.

5. In the present, the contests are held at Ratchadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium. Sometimes there would be temporarily arenas, such as, Royal Thai Air Force Arena, Royal Thai Navy Arena and arenas in various provinces. The contest consisted of Muay Thai and International Boxing. Thai fighters also went to other countries to compete and vice versa.

Muay Thai is the oldest sport in Thailand. Its popularity spread among all levels of the population. In the beginning, there was no written document in the rules of muay, the stadium's manager must stated the rules orally. When the rules were used often, it became the standard principle in Muay Thai contest.

In 1912, Royal Highness Viboon Sawatwang Sawatkun whom completed his study from England brought the technique of Western boxing to Thailand. He taught this technique to other boxing professors and outlines the rules in Western boxing. Soon after, the Western boxing spreaded through the nation.

In 1919, Ministry of Education organized the contest in Western boxing among the student for the first time. The outline of Western boxing that was written by Royal Highness Viboon Sawatwang Sawatkun was changed slightly. The Commission of Physical Education printed the rules in Western boxing in 1927

In 1927, Ministry of Interior wanted to make a law in allowing gambling in boxing, according to the Act of Gambling 1927. The lawmaker asked the Department of Physical Education to adjust the rules in boxing, to make it better organized. The officials in the Department of Physical Education presented new rules on March 10, 1934. These rules were put to use on April 1, 1937 and were first printed in 1939. In 1934, Ministry of Interior placed temporarily rules on the contest of Muay Thai and Western boxing.

Ratchadamnern Co. Ltd. placed rules and regulations on professional fighters. These rules have similarity to the rules of professional fighter in Philippines. Ratchadamnern followed these rules because these are the rules of the Boxing Federation of East Asia that Thai was alliance with. Ratchadamnern Stadium started to follow these rules in June 1955 until the present. To explain and give information of Muay Thai contest, we will tell you a brief story from the book "From Suan Gularb Arena to Ratchadamnern" by Saming Kalong that wrote about the evolution of muay as followed.

The precise origins of Muay Thai are hazy and imprecise. Very little written documentation exists that provides an accurate picture and factual of how and in what ways it developed down the centuries. The details of the development of muay can be told starting from the period of Suan Gualarb to Ratchadamnern from the memory of Saming Kalong. He also stated that there could be some faults in his story, however, he had tried his best to tell it like how it happened.

Back in the day, the "ring" was nothing more than an area of bare earth with the use of ropes to make out an area for fighting. The length of each round was determined by placing a coconut shell with a hole bored in the bottom into the water. When the water level inside the shell risen to the top and the coconut submerged under water, the round ended. The system in Muay Thai started earnestly when Suan Gularb Arena was build. The ring was raised above the ground, marked out by two parallel ropes, with mats on the floor. The rounds were time by minute and the referee was used in the fight. At first, there were two referees, one to block the red-corner and another to block the blue- corner. The two most famous referees were Praya Nonsean and Praya Narainracha whom were excepted in muay's community.

As for the fight, the matches were alternated; for example, when the first round of the first match is over, the second match would take place so that the time will not be wasted for the spectators. And when the first round of second match is over, the first match will fight for the second round. These matches would take turn until one side is willing to give up because the number of rounds are unlimited. The fighters back then must have full self-knowledge in the art of muay because no foul can be make. The rules in Muay Thai were improved in the regulations, ethics, manners and safety to meet the international's standard.

The art of self-defense in muay can be used in sports and in real fight to protect self. The art of muay is passed down from one generation to the next for the purpose of self-protection and to defend the community. Most of the young men would practice muay as a part of their daily routine. The soldiers and warriors would definitely have to be skillful in muay. The reason being is that when the art of muay combine with the use of weapons such as swords, pikes and staffs, the fighting technique in the battlefield will be at most danger. Especially in the case of close body contact fight, parts of the body can be very helpful, for example, knees, feet and elbows. When Muay Thai was first practiced, it was taught only to the nobility, high-ranking officials and educated men. As muay became more known to the public, it was taught to anyone who is willing to learn. Moreover, the teachers were those of the high-ranking officials and warriors. The knowledge of muay is still being passed on today.


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