Muay Boran literally means ancient boxing, or boxing old-style. It is a traditional form of Muay Thai still taught in Thailand.
As Muay Thai boxing became standardised and internationalised, absorbing many elements of Western boxing some looked back fondly to the days of fewer rules and Muay Kaad Chuek (bound-fist fighting). And so, Muay Boran is essentially an effort to preserve the boxing techniques from Muay Thai's history before the introduction of formalised rules and gloves in the 1930s. Muay Boran is the predecessor to modern day Muay Thai boxing.
Muay Kaad Chuek - No gloves boxing
Muay Kaad Chuek
During the Ayuthaya era came the introduction of Muay Kaad Chuek. That is the use of unrefined hemp wrappings to protect the fingers and wrists. A length of around 20 metres was enough to bind one hand. The use of Muay Kaad Chuek quickly spread, as a bound fist is tougher, stronger and better protected against injury than an unbound one. It is said that before a contest fighters immersed their fists in water. This would cause the binding to harden when it dried, making it capable of producing serious injury. Some people go further and claim that fighters dipped their hands in glue and ground glass. Such a contest would certainly have made a gory sight! To this day an annual Muay Kaad Chuek contest with Laos is held in Nong Khai near the NE border with Laos, on the Thai side of the Mekong River. A Muay Kaad Chuek contest with Burma is staged in the Mae Sot, western Thailand, during the Sonkran (Thai New Year) festivities (April 12-14). Boxers fight until knockout. If both competitors remain standing at the end of the bout a match is declared a draw.
battle field
Historically, the purpose of Muay Thai was to help a warrior survive a battle. It's style is efficient in that it maximizes the damage the body's natural weapons can impact on an opponent. Muay Boran emphasizes combinations of powerful elbow and knee techniques thrown at full force and speed, the idea being to completely overcome one's adversary as quickly as possible.
Learning Muay Boran
Muay Boran is highly ritualised and the training is a long and involved process. Muay Boran students practice and perfect techniques before being allowed to progress to the next level.
At the heart of Muay Boran is the Yang Sam Khun (three strides walk) which is the basis of all footwork.
Pairings are done in the traditional style, not by weight, and all parts of the body, including the groin, are potential targets. Some Muay Boran techniques are not effective in the modern arena, as Muay Thai practitioners have found new ways to protect themselves.
Many other ancient techniques are now forbidden in Muay Thai for safety reasons.
Even in Thailand it is difficult to find school's that teach Muay Boran. Most camps and gyms prefer to focus on modern Muay Thai, which is more easily exploitable as a form of income. Some schools outside of Thailand who claim to offer Muay Boran instruction simply teach Muay Thai and sell it under the name of Muay Boran.
Muay Boran Exhibitions
At present in Thailand there is resurgence of interest in this traditional style of fighting.
As well as being genuinely effective, Muay Boran is elaborate and highly entertaining.
And you can see the link that runs between all the SE Asian martial arts. At Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, which is famous for professional Muay Thai, there are now regular exhibitions of Muay Boran. And the biggest promoters in Thailand, Song Chai Promotions, are planning to organise a Muay Boran competition, fighting under the old rules. Our instructors at Horizon Thai Boxing Camp are competent to teach Muay Boran techniques (many of which are now illegal in the Muay Thai boxing ring). We hold occasional exhibitions of Muay Boran at our Muay Thai Stadium.
Development of Muay
Different forms of Muay (boxing) developed concurrently in the various regions of SE Asia. Thailand’s neighbours, Burma, Laos and Cambodia all practice there own legitimate forms of Muay which are similar to Thailand's celebrated Muay Thai, though their are differences. The sport in these countries is less developed in terms of competitions and training opportunities than in Thailand, but the fighting forms all have an ancient tradition. A Muay Burma contest and a Muay Laos contest are held every year in Thailand near to the respective borders at Mae Sot and Nong Kai.
Burmese Boxing
In Burma the ring sport is known as Leth Wei, and it dates back to the ninth century. The rules are similar to those of Muay Thai, the major difference being that competitors fight in the old style without boxing gloves. Instead of the protective boxing gloves worn by Muay Thai fighters, Leth Wei contestants wrap their hands in long strips of hemp rope or gauze cloth (known in Thailand as Muay Kaad Chuek). Head butts and throws are allowed. Fights, lasting five rounds of three minutes each, are decided by surrender or knockout. If both contestants are still standing at the end of the bout it is declared a draw. Even a knockout doesn’t necessarily end a fight. Contestants are frequently revived and sent back into the fray. Three successive knockouts are enough, though, to bring a fight to its bloody end. In colonial times, Leth Wei was banned, but when Burma won its independence it was readmitted to the sporting calendar. It became a fixture at festivals and sports events, and Leth Wei gyms opened up all over the country. There’s little chance though of the sport winning international recognition, so long as boxing gloves aren’t worn and while dangerous head butts are allowed.
Khmer Boxing
Cambodian kickboxing known as Pradal Serey (literally meaning free fighting) is virtually identical to Muay Thai, and bouts are often held between Thai and Cambodian contestants. The Khmer Rouge banned the sport just as Muay Thai was becoming internationally popular, adding to Cambodia’s isolation. Now it’s firmly back on the sports agenda, and kickboxing gyms are opening up throughout the country. It is believed by the Cambodians that Pradal Serey historically precedes Muay Thai, and there has been much debate of the true origins of the sport.
Malaysian Boxing
Tomoi is the Malaysian name for the Thai martial art of Muay Thai. It refers to siku lutut which in Malay means elbows and knees. Tomoi is usually practised as a recreational martial arts sport, particularly in Northern Malaysia, alongside traditional Silat.
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