Muay Thai History

Muaythai has been a part of Thai history and heritage for hundreds of years, as with most traditions from ancient times. Many different versions of the history Muaythai exist, but all sources agree that Muaythai was the primary and most effective method of self defence used by Thai warriors on the battlefields of conflicts and wars that occurred countless times throughout the history of the nation now known as Thailand. During this time, a warfare manual named "Chupasart" was written.
This manual emphasis the martial uses of each body part. The underlying philosophy of this manual implied that fighting was more than the use of weapons, but most importantly, should engage total commitment from mid, body and soul.

     The first known practice of Muaythai as a "sport", off and away from the heat and chaos of the battlefield occurred during the reign of King Prachao Sua (1697-1709 A.D). With a great love of the combat art he often fought incognito in local village contests, often beating the local champions. When the nations was at peace, to keep the army busy he often ordered them to train in Muaythai. It was from this that loosely organised competitions started sprouting up around the country.

    In 1774, the legendary Nai Khanom Dtom made Muaythai famous for his battle against group of Burmese while he was a prisoner of war in Burma. He was captured when Burmese ransacked and burnt Thailand's ancient capital Ayuddhaya. He legendarily defeated ten of Burma's best boxers when, without pause, he took them on one by one through a bettering and bruising contest. He illustrated one of the most favourable element in Muaythai, an indomitable will to win for honor and willingness to face any odds. This can be summarised as "Nothing can stand against you except yourself".

    The army has fostered Muaythai. Soldiers have trained and used  Muaythai tecniques for as long as there has been an army in Thailand. For the military, it has always had use for the close combat fighting skills, the martial art of the battlefield. When a Thai soldier fights hand to hand he uses Muaythai. But then so does every Thai person, male or female. Watching it, learning it, and copying it is a part of Thai childhood. Muaythai soon become a favourite sporting pastime for people from all walks of life, with training camps being established all over the country.

RECOURSE : ifmamuaythai.org/about-ifma/history-of-muaythai