9. Muay Kaad Cheuk was established later on when the fighters started wearing lights of hemp rope around their hands and forearms
10. Fighters were selected to come live in the royal palace to teach muay to the staff of the royal household, soldiers, princes or the king’s personal guards. This was called Muay Luang
11.
12. Thai boxing was used as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, recreation and personal advancement
13. Masters began to open training camps where students were provided with food and shelter
14. King Rama the VII established codified rules for Thai boxing
15. Thailand first boxing ring was built in 1921 a Suan Kularp. Referees were introduced and each round was timed.
16. During this period, Thai boxers at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium began to wear modern gloves and compete with foreigners
17.
18.
19. The use of elbows is the most feared tactic of Thai boxing
27. In a famous instance he led his people into battle against Burmese invaders. He fought until his sword broke but continued the fight with Muay Thai, and emerged from battle victorious.
30. Actively promoted Muay Thai contests at local fairs and festivals, and encouraged people to study Muay Thai boxing.
31. As a Prince he was a devoted practitioner of Muay Thai boxing. It is said that while he was King, he disguised himself as a peasant and went undercover to take part in Muay Thai contests.
32. Physical interaction of this kind between a Thai King and his people would normally be unthinkable.
35. They were taken and kept as prisoners in Burma and the Burmese king ordered a royal presentation of a boxing match between Thai and Burmese fighters.
36. When Kanom Tom was matched with a Burmese fighter he immediately performed the Ram Muay ritual dance, baffling many of the spectators.
37. It is said that Nai Kanom Tom defeated nine Burmese fighters in succession.
38. He is considered to be the first Muay Thai boxer to imprint the sport of Muay Thai boxing with dignity.
39. Nai Kanom Tom is commemorated to this day by a statue in Ayuthaya.
40.
41. East of Lumpini Park on Rama IV Road, is one of Bangkok's major boxing stadiums.
45. The smaller Samrong stadium is in Samut Prakan province, just east of Bangna District in Bangkok. The Local Spectators:<br />As well as being a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, muay became a sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. <br />Watching Thai boxing is an entry into the psychological world of the Thai where values such as respect for elders, love of grace, bravery, creativity and flexibility are summarized in one short event.<br />Muay Thai is the most popular spectator sport in Thailand and it is the biggest crowd-puller in the capital.<br />Most of the locals who watch the live boxing matches are often people of the lower-middle classes.<br />The spectators play a big role in the match of Muay Thai; they create the exciting atmosphere in the arena with their cheers and shows a unique insight into the fighting spirit of the Thai people.<br />They also make the action in the stands almost as entertaining as the fight within the ring for foreigners/tourists who are watching.<br />Most locals that watch the boxing customarily place bets on the boxers. <br />Gamblers and spectators say that they can tell how a fighter will do in the ring simply by watching how he performs the 'Rum Muay'.<br />Rum Muay (boxing dance)/ Wai Kru:<br />At the opening sound of traditional Thai music before a match, the two boxers in the ring will perform a short ritual of quot;
Wai Kruquot;
(paying homage to the teachers) <br />Respect to the teacher is Thailand traditional because if it was not for them we would not have the knowledge and principles that we abide by.<br />This quite often proceeds to a staging of the Four-faced Brahman dance which symbolizes four virtues: compassion, self-control, carefulness and justice. <br />Wai Kru is performed as a means of paying respect to the chairperson of the competition or in the past as a way to pay homage to the King who would normally be a spectator on almost every occasion.<br />Sometimes the Wai Krus are brief and basic, but other times they may be powerful performances that draw praise and applause from the crowd.<br />The style of the dance is unique to each boxing bureau so boxers who dances the same style wouldn't box each other since they realize that they have the same master.<br />The dance is also a way to warm up before starting the fight . It helps relax the stress and to prepare the body and mind to be ready to get into the battle.<br />Upon the completion of the prefight rites, boxers return to their respective corners to have their ceremonial headband removed and receive the last prefight instruction from their trainers.<br />Pra jead - Arm rings used for Wai Kru.Mong kol - Head band used for Wai Kru.<br />Works Cited<br />“An Introduction to Muay Thai (Thai Boxing).” Chiangmai & Chiangrai. 5 jan 2010. Infothai CM Co. Ltd. 17 Jan 2010. <http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/muay_thai.html><br />Bhadungzong, Margaret. “An Introduction to Muay Thai (Thai Boxing).” Chiangmai- chiangrai.com. 5 January 2010. 18 January 2010. <http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/muay_thai.html>.<br />Kheourai, Wadee. “Muay Thai (Thai Boxing).” Thailandlife.com 1997-2010. 18 January 2010.<br /> <http://www.thailandlife.com/thai-culture/muay-thai-thai-boxing.html>.<br />“The History of Muay Thai Boxing.” Horizon Thai Boxing Camp Ltd. 2002. Horizon Muay Thai Boxing Camp. 17 Jan 2010 <http://www.horizonmuaythai.com/history><br />