An insight into one of the World's most excitng martial arts and the Thai national sport. Ao Nang Boxing stadium presents the ancient art of Muay Thai.

Kick-boxing or Muay Thai is the fighting system or martial art practiced in Thailand as well as several other South East Asian countries. Muay Thai literally means "Thai Boxing" and evolved from its ancestor "Muay Boran" or "Ancient Boxing".  Known also as The Art of the Eight Limbs, Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and has differed slightly from Muay Boran since King Rama VII sanctioned a code and set of rules that was successfully put into practice due to the regular occurrence of death during bouts. Since then, the sport has introduced the wearing of padded boxing gloves and a western style boxing ring.
 
Ao Nang Boxing Stadium stages Muay Thai contests every Friday from around 8 pm onwards, attended by hundreds of tourists and local Thais. Groups of Thai men with their cries and shouts elevate the atmosphere to what at times can only be described as frenzied. Be warned; these are no exhibition flights - it's the real deal! The only concession to tourism is the cost. Prices start at 600 Baht and go up to 1,200 Baht for a comfy ringside sofa.

Originally, Muay Thai utilised an arsenal of nine weapons; head, fists, elbows, feet and knees although today head-butting an opponent is no longer permitted. Muay Thai differs from other martial arts in that it incorporates extensive use of the elbows (sok) and knees (kao); these moves, particularly the elbow, are often decisive in determining the outcome of contests. Although unusual, a fighter may even hold the head of an opponent and bring it down to meet the blow of a knee thrust upwards. Like all martial art, Muay Thai technique requires core or abdominal strength and twisting of the upper body, whilst kicking and punching generate the force that fighters produce to maximise damage.

The other distinction Muay Thai has is that it's one of the only martial arts, along with western boxing, to be a professional sport. This has lead to a very high standard of competition with many young men from poor areas of Thailand taking up the sport in the hope of turning professional to pay for a better future for themselves and their families, effectually, boxing their way out of poverty.

Traditionally, the sport has 4 distinct styles that are defined by region;
1. Muay Khorat (North-eastern) emphasized strength. A technique like "Throwing Buffalo Punch" was used. It could supposedly defeat a buffalo in one blow.
2. Muay Lopburi (Central) emphasized movements. Its strong points were straight and counter punches.
3. Muay Chaiya (Southern) emphasized posture and defence, as well as elbows and knees.
4. Muay Pra Nakhon (Northern) emphasized speed, particularly in kicking. Because of its faster speed, it was also known as "Ling Lom" (windy monkey).

If you want to train Thai Boxing in Ao Nang or any information, please visit website http://www.emerald-gym.com/index.php/en/mnubienvenue

Thank you for the article from Krabi Magazine