Muay Thai

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand; it is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to the more widespread kickboxing but is different in that it uses more knee and elbow strikes as well as more kicking. The history of Muay Thai began before the 19th century when the Thai people were fighting wars against each other using weapons and martial arts. These martial art competitions became popular entertainment known as Krung Kut-Kuad (กรุงกัด) or “the war of royal merit” and gained recognition from King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I). However, this traditional combat sport was banned in 1909 by King Rama VI because it was deemed too barbaric for the modern era.