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Folk Sports, Games and Martial Arts Domain
Intellectual Cultural Heritage
85
Phleng Muai
- the style - refers to a particular way
in which the different tactics of Mai Muai are applied
together in an amalgamated series.
In the past, Muai Thai used to be a bare-knuckle
boxing or wrapping the hands in a length of
hemp rope - hence the term Khat Chueak - which
allowed the boxers to clinch, pull, twist, or throw
down the opponent. The boxers therefore relied more
on their skill, technique and tactics than on mere
physical force. Techniques and tactics proliferated.
As Thai boxing has developed into sports, it is
governed by rules and regulations to protect
the athletes from harm and to facilitate fair ruling.
Some tactics are therefore ruled out in competition,
while some cannot be used effectively because the
boxers are hampered by the protection gears that
they have to wear. Some tactics are therefore left
to oblivion.
Muai Thai has developed through the ages and
harmoniously combined several cultural aspects
such as the animi sm and the bel ief in the
supernatural, traditional music, literature, moral
and ethical norms. There are rites and customs
that the Muai Thai boxers continue to uphold
to this day: Khuen Khru Rite (an initiation rite
o f pay i ng r espec t t o t he t eache r be f o r e
the first lesson), Khrop Khru Rite (an initiation
rite of admission to the art) Wai Khru Rite (paying
respect to past masters and present teachers),
Taeng Muai (related knowledge of incantations
and spells), and the use of musical accompaniment
during the fight.
Muai Thai is therefore an art and a science -
a ma r ve l ous t oo l f o r s e l f - d i s c i p l i ne t ha t
encourages the pract i t ioners to develop hi s
physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual
capacity so as to become a valued member of
society. Muai Thai also contributes to the promotion
and appreciation of the Thai culture to foreigners.