The unique martial art of Thailand is the well-known Thai boxing or Muay Thai.
It is an art of self-defence developed during the Ayutthaya period. In
fact, Thai boxing is considered as a sport and a means of
self-defence. The contestants are allowed to use almost any part of
their body. However, Thai boxing forbids biting, spitting or wrestling.
They may punch, kick and shove and use bare
feet, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders and fists to overcome their
opponents. A vicious kick in the throat, an elbow smash to the eyes or a
knee into the stomach can immediately floor the toughest opponent.
Unfortunately, with high incidence of death and physical injury, new
regulations based on the international rules have been set for the Thai
boxing to follow; i.e. each bout is limited to five rounds of three
minutes duration with a two-minute break in between. Moreover, the
contestants have to wear international-style gloves and trunks and
their feet are taped but no shoes are allowed. Traditionally before
getting into the ring, the boxers will spend about 5 minutes paying
homage to their teachers. This traditional practice is called "wai
khru" in Thai. The ceremony is done through a series of gestures and
body movements performed in rhythm to the ringside musical
accompaniment of Thai oboe and percussion.
The history of Thai boxing came to light only after the fall of
Ayutthaya in 1767 when thousands of Thai prisoners were taken to the
Burmese capital. One day the Burmese king wanted to see a boxing match
between the Thais and Burmese. Representing the Thai side was Nai
Khanomtom of unknown origin. He gained reputation as Thailand's first
famous boxer as he alone knocked out ten Burmese boxers. The Burmese
king loudly exclaimed, "The Thais, even though small, are great
fighters. If their rulers had been good, we would not have veen able to
take Ayutthaya at all".
In fact, Thai boxing was the sport of the kings and several Thai kings
were able boxers, for example, king Naresuan, Phra Chao Suea or the
Tiger-King and King Taksin. The Tiger-King himself earned this name
through his courage and cruelty, he was almost a professional boxer.
Sometimes he even disguised himself as ordinary citizen and went to
compete with other boxers at the public festivals. It is said that the
boxing manual which is still in use was compiled by the Tiger-King
himself.
Indeed, to be a professional Thai boxer, the person must spend several
years in a boxing training camp and usually the training should begin
at an early age as it is an art that is acquired only through long and
laborious training with a master. Nowadays Thai boxing has become more
popular among westerners, thus there is an increasing number of bouts
staged for tourists in several tourist attractions. In these, the
action may be genuine or may be just for show. Even so authentic matches
are held daily at the major Bangkok stadiums and at some provincial
stadiums. At present there must be several thousands professional
boxers in Thailand and many of them earn their living through this
profession, but when they get older, some become a boxing trainers or
masters while some switch to other professions they like. Since Thai
boxing is not only a martial art, but also sport, it will remain
popular forever as it is an unarmed combat that can be used at any time
to defend oneself.
by : sakuya | post :
143 | reply :
92 |
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 7 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ 2553 11:05:28
