May 12, 2007

Krabi Krabong


Krabi Krabong is Thai weapon Martial Art in Krabi Krabong have many The weapons techniques include training in these weapons

Many people wonder...Why so many weapons??
Well the answer is clear...In a fight, especially when you have more that one opponent, different "ranges" are used, also from different places.The King fights from the back of the Elephant. The high ranks they fight from the back of horses and the normal soldiers they fight on foot.This explains why the weapons are different.




Basic weapons and their application.

1.Krabi.
Is very similar to a sable. It is used to stab, is thin and sharp ,metallic and is a ground weapon;Normally used by high rank soldiers.

2.Krabong.
Is a wooden bar,made normally from Bamboo, It is 6 feet long. It is very easy to make one and very effective because of it's long range. Is normally a ground weapon and the people that used it are farmers that became soldiers.

3.Daab(Sword).
This is the more popular weapon in the history of Siam. Sometimes the warrior held two swords (One on each hand), this is call "Daab Song Muun" They can be used to stab or slash the opponent. Normally a ground weapon and is a little more curved and heavier than a "Krabi".

4.NGAO(Spear).
This weapon is to be used on Elephant-back or horse-back. Normally the King would use this weapon. There is an extensive variety of different spears. When the King was going to Battle on the sides of the Elephant he had different kinds of spears. The end of some look like a knife, others looks like a fork, and some like a sword.
Some are for slicing, some to trap the opponents weapon, and some for stabbing etc. The spears consist of a strong and long wood pole and with a sharp metal end. The form changes1 depending of what kind of spear you are talking about.

5.Mae Sun Sowks.
Is a ground level weapon ,made of hard wood or bone. They come in pairs, each one you wear iton the out side part of your forearm. The weapon is used to attack as well asto block .Because it is a close range weapon you can use it very well in close combat.

6.LOH(Round Shield).
This weapon normally is used to block but you can strike with the edges as well. It is big and round, and is made of metal or skin.

7.DUNG.(Long Shield)
This weapon is a different kind of shield, it is long and thing. It covers from the shoulder until your knee and is made of skin or metal and is "HEAVY"!!!

8.Kaen.(Medium Shield).
This shield is rectangular like DUNG, but is not very long. It adjust well on your forearm. Made from the same materials as the other shields.

Note:When we say that one weapon is to be used on the ground or on the horse and that only certain people use certain weapon,I mean... normally!! but in fact any person can used any weapon in any place.It's not any rule that says that you can or cannot. In a matter of fact the warriors were all well trained in each weapon not just in one.

May 9, 2007

JEET KUNE DO - Grand Master Bruce Lee


Bruce Lee (Traditional Chinese: 李小龍; Simplified Chinese: 李小龙; Pinyin: Lǐ Xiǎolóng; Cantonese Yale: Léih Síulùhng; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was a Chinese American martial artist, philosopher, instructor, and martial arts actor widely regarded as one of the most influential martial artists of the twentieth century.

Bruce Lee is iconic for his presentation of Chinese martial arts to the non-Chinese world. Lee's films, especially his performance in the Hollywood-produced Enter the Dragon, elevated the traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level of popularity and acclaim.

Bruce Lee's films sparked the first major surge of interest of Chinese martial arts in the West. The direction and tone of his films changed and influenced martial arts and martial arts films in Hong Kong, China, and the rest of the world. Lee became an iconic figure particularly to Chinese; as he portrayed Chinese national pride and Chinese nationalism in his movies.

Many see Lee as a model blueprint for acquiring a strong and efficient body, as well as developing a mastery of martial arts and hand to hand combat skills. Lee began the process of creating his own martial arts fighting system based on philosophy known as Jeet Kune Do. Bruce Lee's evaluation of traditional martial arts doctrines is nowadays seen by many as the first step into the modern style of mixed martial arts.

Bruce Lee studied the martial art style of Wing Chun as a student of sifu Yip Man in Hong Kong and was a movie star early on. Later, he studied other Chinese martial arts, as well as the sports of western boxing and fencing. The term Jeet Kune Do occurred in 1968 while Dan Inosanto and Bruce Lee were driving around in his car. The conversation involved western fencing and Lee commented that; "the most efficient means of countering in fencing was the stop-hit...When the the opponent attacks, you intercept his move with a thrust or hit of your own.." Lee then said "We should call our method the 'stop-hitting fist style;, or the 'intercepting fist style". Dan Inosanto then said; "What would that be in Chinese?" in which Lee replied "That would be Jeet Kune Do".

A relevant video source of Bruce Lee discussing his Jeet Kune Do actually appeared in the first episode of the television series Longstreet. The first episode was aptly titled "The Way of the Intercepting Fist". The episode was written specifically for Lee by his friend and long time supporter Stirling Silliphant.

JEET KUNE DO - The Branches

Although Bruce Lee officially closed his martial arts schools two years before his death, he allowed his instructors to teach privately. Since his death, Jeet Kune Do has split into different groups. There are two major branches:

The Original (or Jun Fan) JKD branch, whose main proponents are Taky Kimura, James Lee, Jerry Poteet, and Ted Wong; these groups principally teach just what Bruce Lee taught, and encourage the student to further develop his or her abilities according to Bruce Lee's teachings .



The JKD Concepts branch, whose main proponents are Dan Inosanto, and Larry Hartsell; these groups have continued to modify Jeet Kune Do, under the philosophy that it was never meant to be a static art but rather an ongoing evolution, and have incorporated elements from many other martial arts into the main fold of its teachings (most notably, grappling and Kali / Escrima material).


To understand the branches of JKD it is important to understand the difference between the two "types" of Jeet Kune Do:

A. JKD framework This type of JKD provides the guiding principles. Bruce Lee experimented with many styles and techniques to reach these conclusions. To Lee these principles were truisms. The JKD framework is not bound or confined by any styles or systems. This type of JKD is a process.
B. JKD Personal Systems This type of JKD utilizes the JKD framework along with any techniques from any other style or system to construct a "personal system". This approach utilizes a "building blocks" manner in which to construct a personalized system that is especially tailored to an individual. Lee believed that only an individual could determine for themselves what the usefulness of any technique should be. This type of JKD is thus a product.
Lee believed that this freedom of adoption was a distinguishing property from traditional martial arts.

There are many who confuse the JKD Framework with a JKD Personal System (IE. Bruce Lee's personal JKD) thinking them to be one and the same. The system that Bruce Lee personally expressed was his own personal JKD; tailored for himself. Before he could do this however he needed to first develop the "JKD Framework" process. Many of the systems that Bruce Lee studied were not to develop his "Personal JKD" but rather was used to gather the "principles" for incorporation in the JKD Framework approach. The uniqueness of JKD to Lee is that it was a "process" not a "product" and thus not a "style" but a system, concept, or approach. Traditional martial arts styles are essentially a product that is given to a student with little provisions for change. These traditional syles are usually fixed and not tailored for individuals. Bruce Lee claimed there were inherent problems with this approach and established a "Process" based system rather than a fixed style which a student could then utilize to make a "tailored" or "Personal" product of their own.

The two branches of JKD differ in what should be incorporated or offered within the "JKD Framework". The Original (or Jun Fan) JKD branch believes that the original principles before Bruce Lee died are all that is needed for the construction of personalized systems. The JKD Concepts branch believe that there are further principles that can be added to construct personalized systems. The value of each Branch can be determined by individual practitioners based on whatever merits they deem important.

JEET KUNE DO - Fighting Elements

Jeet Kune Do is a vehicle to self discovery. Bruce Lee once said that " JKD can't be owned, can't be organized, can't be taught and can't be sold. JKD is a PROCESS, not a product". When it comes to streetfighting we are simply looking for the truth. My truth may not be your truth and vice versa. The simple philosophy of JKD is to " Use what is useful, and Discard the rest". Jeet Kune Do is about moving from one range to another, from using elements of all styles, especially the styles that specialize in certain ranges. Adaptability is the key concept in Jeet Kune Do. You have to be able to adapt. That is the meaning of " Using no way as the way, and having no limitation as limitation." Any fighting elements used in the process are just stepping stones. There is no end product, only continual progress, change, and adapting. Certain fighting elements may be more conducive to power, others to speed and still others to sensitivity. Let's take a look at a few of the more then 26 fighting styles that are incorporated into Jeet Kune Do.


Western Boxing- A style that utilizes basically 4 punches. The jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. What makes this art so devastating is the different combinations that are utilized. Boxing also teaches endurance, footwork and how to absorb punishment.

Filipino Kali- Time Tested, combat proven and very dangerous is the best way to describe Kali. Destruction's, defanging the snake, angulation, high and low line working together are just a few of the concepts that kali contributes to the whole style. The training methods of eskrima, sinawali, panantuken, panajakman, and dumog (to name a few) are extremely combative in nature. The knife fighting is incomparable as a training method for developing empty hand attributes. It just plain makes you a better fighter and coordinates your weak and strong side faster then any other method. When you can deal with the speed and stealth of a blade winging at you at different angles, then a person throwing punches at you should be a cakewalk.

Wing Chun-Wing Chun training focuses on developing the proper body structure and posture so that the most powerful techniques may be delivered using the smallest amount of effort. The student learns to develop "soft power" which maximizes the delivery of power with the muscles relaxed. The upper body, remains relaxed at all times. All fighting is done in extremely close range using very soft but effective and strong techniques. Economy of techniques is stressed, so that there are no fancy, circular moves like those that exist in other systems. Because of its nature of using relaxed power rather than brute strength, Wing Chun is considered to be an ideal system for women and small-sized people.

Savate- From France incorporates fast and powerful kicks combined with English boxing, making it a rare European martial art and a unique western style of kickboxing. Savate emphasizes technical ability and control, rather than force. It has a rich history while being a superlative modern fighting sport.

Western Fencing- The main component that Bruce Lee based his Jeet Kune Do on. Interception of the Attack. He also utilized Footwork such as the Step and Slide for mobility, emphasis on timing, rhythm & cadence, and developed his 5 ways of attack which came directly from fencing such as Single Direct Attack - (Single Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Combination - (Compound Attack in fencing terminology) Attack by Drawing - (Invitation / False Attack / Second Intention in fencing terminology) Progressive Indirect Attack - (Indirect Attack / Feint Indirect in fencing terminology) and Hand Immobilization Attack - (Attacks on the blade in fencing terminology)

Jujitsu- Jujitsu encompasses throws, locks, and striking techniques, with a strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. It is also characterized by in-fighting and close work. It is a circular, hard/soft, external style.

Muay Thai- A offensive martial art from Thailand nicknamed " The science of 8 limbs" because of its powerful, extensive use of the hands, feet, elbows, and knees. The basic offensive techniques in Muay Thai use fists, elbows, shins, feet, and knees to strike the opponent. To bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are also used.

Silat- Used more extensively in modern day JKD, Silat which comes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines has a wide variety of techniques utilizing kicking, hitting, tripping, sweeps, locks, takedowns, throws, strangles, and joint breaking. It's use of the bladed weapons can be closely compared with that of Filipino Kali.

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JEET KUNE DO - The Principles II

III. Learn the 4 ranges of combat

Kicking - Punching - Trapping - Grappling

Jeet Kune Do students train in each of these ranges equally. According to Lee, this range of training serves to differentiate JKD from other martial arts. Lee stated that most but not all traditional martial systems specialize in training at one or two ranges. Bruce Lee's theories have been especially influential and substantiated in the field of Mixed Martial Arts, as the MMA Phases of Combat are essentially the same concept as the JKD combat ranges. As a historical note the ranges in JKD have evolved over time. Initially the ranges were categorized as short or (close), medium, and long range. These terms proved ambiguous and eventually evolved into their more descriptive forms although there may still be others who prefer the three categories.

IV. Five Ways Of Attack

A. Single Angular Attack (SAA) and its converse Single Direct Attack (SDA).

B. Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA) and its counterpart Foot Immobilization attack, which make use of “trapping” to limit the opponent to function with that appendage.

C. Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA). Attacking one part of the opponent's body followed by attacking another part as a means of creating an opening.

D. Attack By Combinations (ABC). This is using multiple rapid attacks as a means of using volume of attack to overcoming the opponent.

E. Attack By Drawing (ABD). This is creating an opening with positioning as a means of counter attacking.

III. Learn the 4 ranges of combat

V. Three Parts of JKD

Jeet Kune Do practitioners believe that techniques should contain the following properties:

Efficiency - An attack that reaches its mark
Directness - Doing what comes naturally in a learned way.
Simplicity - Thinking in an uncomplicated manner; without ornamentation.

VI. Centerline

The center line refers to an imaginary line running down the center of one's body. The theory is to exploit, control and dominate your opponent's centerline. All attacks, defenses and footwork are designed to preserve your own center line and open your opponent's. Lee imported this theory into Jeet Kune Do from Wing Chun. This notion is closely related to maintaining control of the center squares in the strategic game Chess.

The three guidelines for centerline are:

The one who controls the center line will control the fight.
Protect and maintain your own centerline while you control and exploit your opponent's.
Control the center line by occupying it.

JEET KUNE DO - The Principles

The following are principles that Lee incorporated into Jeet Kune Do. He felt these were universal combat truths that were self evident and would lead to combat success if followed. The "Three Combat Ranges" in particular are what he felt were instrumental in becoming a "total" martial artist. This is also the principle most related to mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee's notes explain THREE RANGES OF COMBAT and can be found both in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do and Jeet Kune Do as edited by John Little. Bruce Lee students such as Ted Wong, Jerry Poteet and others teach THREE ranges of combat. Dan Inosanto has modified these into FOUR ranges of combat, and thus, it is a Jeet Kune Do Concepts addition.

JKD practitioners also subscribe to the notion that the best defense is a strong offense, hence the principle of "Intercepting". Lee believed that in order for an opponent to attack someone they had to move towards them. This provided an opportunity to "intercept" that attack or movement. The principal of interception covers more than just intercepting physical attacks. Lee believed that many non-verbals and telegraphs (subtle movements that an opponent is unaware of) could be perceived or "intercepted" and thus be used to one's advantage. The "5 Ways of Attack" are attacking categories that help Jeet Kune Do practitioners organize their fighting repertoire and comprise the offensive portion of JKD. The concepts of Stop hits & stop kicks and simultaneous parrying & punching were borrowed from western Fencing and comprise the defensive portion of JKD. These concepts were modified for unarmed combat and implemented into the JKD framework by Lee. These concepts also compliment the other principal of interception.



I. Be like water

Lee believed that martial systems should be as flexible as possible. He often used water as an analogy for describing why flexibility is a desired trait in martial arts. Water is infinitely flexible. It can be seen through, and yet at other times it can obscure things from sight. It can split and go around things, rejoining on the other side, or it can crash through things. It can erode the hardest rocks by gently lapping away at them or it can flow past the tiniest pebble. Lee believed that a martial system should have these attributes. JKD students reject traditional systems of training, fighting styles and the Confucian pedagogy used in traditional kung fu schools because of this lack of flexibility. JKD is claimed to be a dynamic concept that is forever changing, thus being extremely flexible. "Absorb what is useful; Disregard that which is useless" is an often quoted Bruce Lee maxim. JKD students are encouraged to study every form of combat possible. This is believed to expand one's knowledge of other fighting systems; to both add to one's arsenal as well as to know how to defend against such tactics.


II. Economy of motion

JKD students are told to waste no time or movement. When it comes to combat JKD practitioners believe the simplest things work best.

A. Stop hits & stop kicks

This means intercepting an opponent's attack with an attack of your own instead of a simple block. JKD practitioners believe that this is the most difficult defensive skill to develop. This strategy can be a feature of some traditional Chinese martial arts.

B. Simultaneous parrying & punching

When confronting an incoming attack; the attack is parried or deflected and a counter attack is delivered at the same time. Not as advanced as a stop hit but more effective than blocking and counter attacking in sequence. This is also practiced by some Chinese martial arts.

C. No high kicks

JKD practitioners believe they should target their kicks to their opponent's shins, knees, thighs, and mid section. These targets are the closest to the foot, provide more stability and are more difficult to defend against. However, as with all other JKD principles nothing is "written in stone". If a target of opportunity presents itself; even a target above the waist one could take advantage of the situation without feeling hampered by this principle.

JEET KUNE DO - The Definition of the Jeet Kune Do Symbol



Instead of opposing force by force, a JKD practitioner completes his opponent's movement by 'accepting' his flow of energy as he aims it, and defeats him by 'borrowing' his own force. In order to reconcile oneself to the changing movements of the opponent, a JKD practitioner should first of all understand the true meaning of Yin/Yang, the basic structure of JKD.


Yin Yang
The importance of the Yin Yang is to show that opposites occur in nature. In essence, they must occur, for without light how would we know what darkness is? These opposites are in constant interplay; meaning nothing is truly an independent entity.

The Arrows
The arrows emphasize that here is dynamic interplay between the opposites. Nature and we are constantly changing. We go from action to rest, or from pliable to firm, from being awake to being asleep.

The Writing
The Characters say ' Using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation'.

JEET KUNE DO



JKD has long since been known as the style of no style, but this term has been overused and to a great extent exaggerated to "allow" others to teach JKD without using actual Jeet Kune Do techniques under the guise of defining the art as anything you want to make it. The art, which was formed by Lee in various stages, was finally named in the late 60's. While continuing to deny that JKD was a "style" he began to show his system to the public with great skepticism from the martial arts community and various Chinese individual who found his teachings to be discourteous to tradition. While it is nothing in the martial arts for a founder of a martial art style to be young (most founders / grandmasters of famous Chinese and Japanese systems were in their 20's) Lee's instruction of non-Chinese had the elders in an uproar. He was a pioneer in many different aspects in the martial arts. One of his famous quotes was Jeet Kune Do is only a name so don't fuss over it, but if he gave so little importance to the name why would he want it on his grave marker. This act would certainly lead one to believe that this name was important, and that it had significant meaning to him and the style known as Jeet Kune Do.

The art of JKD is difficult for many to grasp if it is taught in a manner shrouded in mystery, as is the case in most situations. For this reason the World Jeet Kune Do Federation was formed to clear up the mess and allow each and every individual to practice and learn the real art, and to gain legitimate martial art rankings for their hard work and dedication. There have been many attempts to bring the styles instructors and associations together as one, none of which has ever succeeded. Today there are two basic JKD systems to choose from. The original JKD, and JKD concepts. The original JKD is as its name implies the core art as founded. The concepts rely on other arts in an attempt to improve Lee’s system. Neither is better than the other, only different.

The original art itself is a modification of Lee's first martial art style of Wing Chun Kung Fu. So many modifications in fact that it is very hard to see some of the similarities of the two systems. The blocks and hand manoeuvres such as grabbing, sticking, and energy techniques have their roots in Wing Chun but the finished product is pure JKD. JKD has had such an influence in the martial art word the even the core art of Wing Chun has adopted JKD sparring techniques. The second of the three arts in the core of original JKD is French Fencing. Who can deny the speed and agility in the art of fencing? The footwork is a combining and modifying of fencing, Wing Chun, boxing movements, placements and displacements. And the final art of Western or American Boxing for the Muhammad Ali hand manoeuvres and punches.

May 8, 2007

Muay Chaiya - Grand Master Preang


• Present Master of Muay Thai Chaiya

• Current Chairman of the Thai Martial Arts and Muay Chaiya Conservation Club , Muaythai Chaiya Foundation

Kru Preang was born on September 1, 1958 in the nearby province of Chanthaburi, Thailand. Since at an early age, he has developed a keen interest in martial arts / sports, especially in sports gun shooting. Widely acknowledged for his marksmanship, he was invited to join the Thailand SEA Games National Team, but had to deny the opportunity due to financial reasons.
He entered Bangkok to attend Ramkamhaeng University and joined the University’s Ancient Fighting Weapons Club, which was well known for its being a melting pot for such diverse weapons schools as
-Buddhai Sawan
-Padung Sith
-Pran Nok
-Athamat
-Naresuan
-Meed Sun Tong (Golden Dagger)


Post-graduation, Kru Preang continued to seek and learn from other masters. It was then he heard of Master Tong Chua Chaiya (TongLoh Ya Lae), foremost student of the late GrandMaster Ketr Sriyapai, through a close friend.
25 years has passed since Kru Preang became Kru Tong’s student. Given his prior skills in ancient fighting styles, Kru Tong decided to teach Kru Preang the ancient style of Chaiya Boxing.
During his last years, Kru Tong has been heard repeatedly mentioning Kru Preang as his foremost student and only one of the two students to be granted a verbal “teaching certificate”, the other being Kru Yong of the Chulalongkorn University Thai Martial Arts Club. Together Kru Tong and his teaching assistant, Kru Preang, spent 20 years trying to teach the art Muay Thai Chaiya.

Muay Chaiya - Grand Master Thong

Kru Thong Chuechaiya, the man who systemized Muay Chaiya. He studied under the late master, Ketr Sriyapai and master Timseng Tawisith. After Kru Thong's death, Kru Praeng inherited his work and founded the "Muay Thai Chaiya Foundation". From his words; "Muay Chaiya is never-ending. Don't let Muay Chaiya die with the master. Kru Thong used to teach that you can use other systems under certain circumstances. But remember, do not fail your art. Please remember."

Muay Chaiya - GrandMaster Ketr Sriyapai


GrandMaster Ketr was born on Novermber 9, 1902 in the southern province of Chumporn. Having started early training since 8 yrs. old, GrandMaster Ketr had a total of 12 boxing teachers:

• His Father - Phra Ya Wajee Satayarak – Provincial Ruler of Chaiya
• His Uncle – Kru Klad Sriyapai
• Muen Muay Mee Chue (his father’s student known for his victories in hemp-bound fist muay thai tournaments)
• Kru Klaub Intarat
• Kru Song
• Kru In Sakech
• Kru Duth
• Kru Sook
• Kru Wun
• M.J. Wibulsawasdi (of royal blood)
• Ajarn Kimseng Taweesith
• Ajarn Luang

GrandMaster served as the Lumpini Boxing Stadium Manager for many years and contributed regularly to Muay Thai Parithat column – educating the public about Muay Kad Chuak (hemp-bound fist Muay Thai). Unfortunately through time, these articles are lost, if not destroyed. Now have remake to Book. GrandMaster Ketr passed away due to heart failure on 13th November 1978 at the age of 76.

Muay chaiya - Getting into “Jod Muay” basic guard position

Jod Muay or Jod Mud have 3 step

Step 1: Stand straight, feet together, hands by the sides


Step 2: Spread feet approximately shoulder width apart, hands crossed in front of your face


Step 3: Take left foot 1 step forward parallel to right foot (at the back); body and feet turned 45 degrees. Raise the left fist to cover the point between your eyebrows (Unalom) and bring your fist forward (still at the same level) until it is approximately 12 inches in front of Unalom. (Keep elbows slightly tucked in). Station your right fist to cover the chin / Adam's apple and then bring it forward - your right fist should be about 3 inches from intersecting at the midpoint of your left forearm, but not touching. Right elbow comfortably held close to the body. Stay relaxed and loose.

Muay Chaiya - The Story behind the name “Yang Sam Khum”

Getting the Chaiya Master Stance correct is of the most importance. The Stance, from which one can defend or attack in any one of the infinite variations, derives its full name “Yang Sam Khum Klum Dan Yuk” (3 steps in 3 step paths covering the entire beast's territory) from Hindu religious references. Grandmaster Ketr Sriyapai explained it as follows:

the banquet of the gods was over, and all the guests parted. The king-god Pra Isuan, host of the banquet, noticed a beast with sun-red eyes still waiting by his side, waiting for Pra Isuan to leave first. Pra Isuan, impressed, by the beast's loyalty and good manners, granted the beast one wish. The beast grabbed its chance and asked for ownership of approx. 100 sq. mile of jungle area where if any form of living were to trespass, it (the beast) would have the right to eat the trespasser. Pra Isuan realized this meant trouble, but as king of the gods, he had no choice but to honor his word.

Time passed and the beast enjoyed its newfound passion immensely. It lure through magic spells, angels, humans, and even other demons into its territory and wasted no time in claiming its right to eating helpless victims. Pra Isuan, after having been plead for help, sent Pra Narai (another god) to set the situation right. Disguised as a young Brahm (Hindu priest), Pra Narai set foot into the beast's territory and pretended to be terrified upon seeing the beast, which, not sensing the powerful force within the young Brahm, set ready to enjoy its meal. The young Brahm said to the beast:

Brahm: “Please sir, I had no idea this was your territory. I only came to perform a common Hindu ceremonial practice, which consists of walking 3 steps while chanting. I realize I will die, but if so may I please perform the ceremony so that I may die a proud Hindu?"

The Beast not aware of being set up, and very much looking forward to its meal rushed the young Brahm to get it over. The young Brahm performed his ceremony – but instead of the human-Hindu ritual he claimed, it was in fact a magic spell of the gods that blew up his size gigantically and in 3 big steps, Pra Narai walked covering over the entire 100 sq. miles frightening the beast. Though trying to runaway and hide, the beast was squashed.

The Yang Sam Khum, which literally translates into “3 steps in 3 step paths”, refers to the ability to increase one's awareness, strength, and courage to the level that would frighten away even beasts. It is from this legend that Muay Thai derives its name for its unique footwork system - from which one can go in all directions safely without having to fear any attacks. Whether a fighter is skilled or not, one can judge clearly from his Yang Sam Khum.

Muaychaiya - How Muay Chaiya is different from Modern Thai Boxing ?


Muay Chaiya was created in the ancient battlefields, when warriors still fought using sharp weapons and, in the event of being disarmed,body parts.As such, it is based on time-tested techniques and principles that were aimed at

1) ending engagements in the swiftest and surest manner
2) using minimal energy
3) ensuring that the learnt practitioner was least, if at all, hurt.

That certainly is not the case in Modern Muay Thai where boxers can be seen “splashing water at each other” (a phrase used to describethe useless and painful exchange of kicks and punches to entertain the crowd) with the end result of potential traumatic body injuries. As the core principle of Muay Chaiya states; before you learn how to inflict pain on others, learn how to protect yourself.


The Muay Thai one sees today at the weekly Lumpini Boxing Stadium matches and a host of other celebrated kickboxing events is a far cry from the true noble art of Muay Thai. The true ancient art of Muay Thai encompasses the full range of striking, grappling (not simply clinching), throwing, breaking, and smashing – each with its own infinite variations. Unlike today, where one can prepare for 6-8 months at a local Muay Thai camp learning the basic blocks and kicks and then enter competition, true old-style Muay Thai practitioners had to go through at least 2-3 years of footwork and stance preparation before being accepted by as true student. The purpose is two-fold: 1) to test the student’s patience and diligence and 2) to ensure the student has fully grasped the ancient Muay Thai footwork, of which Modern Muay Thai’s has no resemblance, before moving on. It can be said that one’s skills can be judged solely by their footwork.

The footwork skills one attains from Muay Chaiya allows one to cope with an opponents force in any way one wishes – deflecting, parrying, neutralizing, pushing back, or just simply stepping away. However, the footwork is not the only gem of Muay Chaiya. All body weapons within the Muay Chaiya system are truly functional, simple, yet flexible enough that a skilled practitioner can apply an infinite number of variations. The grappling, throwing, locking, and smashing techniques are unlike those of other arts. A complete system in itself, Muay Chaiya allows its practitioners to change from striking to grappling to smashing seamlessly.

Muay Chaiya - Did Ancient Muay Thai Fighters cover their gloves with broken glass?

A lot of people have asked me whether Ancient Muay Thai Fighters, in an attempt to sharpen their body weapons, did in fact dip their gloves into a glue mixture of broken glass (as most would have seen in Van Damme Movies).

Before answering the question, I would first like to present the following set of facts for your consideration:

- The old time fighters’ gloves were made of soft, raw hemp which were bound in a special way as to create knots. The way in which the fists and arms were covered-bound with hemp differ in accordance to style and region and can be generally summarized as follows:

1. Northeast style: Bound from the fist all the way to the elbows.

2. North style, Central Plains: From the fists to mid-arm length.

3. South style (Chaiya): only the fist portion is covered.

This is a reflection of the kind of weapons and tactics that comprise each style.

- Old fighting rules dictate the use of only hemp to cover fists and no other, except for the sky axe which is a small religious ornament to protect each fighter. Smart fighters learned how to tie excess portions of hemp into knots as a means of turning their gloves into sharp weapons especially when sprayed with water hardens the hemp).

- A fighter’s hemp glove is considered an important asset as it contains the blood and skin of his opponents. Upon finishing, the hemp will be stored in a clean, dry place waiting for its next usage.

- Before each fight the referee requests each fighter to gently rub their fists against their cheeks as a sign that there is not hidden weapon.

- There is no requirement that a boxer must cover his fists. If they choose, they may fight bare knuckles.

Grandmaster Ketr Sriyapai (at age 72 yrs), himself, has also asked that during his trip to the province of Nakorn Pathom to meet with Kru Too Thaiprasert (78 yrs) (the younger brother of Kru Daeng Thai Prasert – the key representative of the Muay Korat style who was also bestowed the title of “Muen Chagad Cherng Chok” by the King Rama 5), the truth regarding gloves covered with broken glass. According to Kru Too, who is also a fighter in the Suan Kularb Days, he has never witnessed such act since he was involved with boxing.

While still alive, Ajarn Ketr was very concerned that this misunderstanding would lead outsiders to view Ancient Muay Thai as being barbarious.

If we also consider the backgrounds of these two masters:

Ajarn Ketr – Muay Chaiya of the South + Muay Pra Nakorn (he was also a long time student of Ajarn Kimeng Taweesith) Kru Too – Muay Korat Style of the Northeast

We can see their experiences already covers 3 of the 4 major styles of Ancient Muay Thai. It is therefore highly unlikely that the ancient boxers dipped their gloves in broken glass.

By Lamp-S

Muay Chaiya - Muay Thai Style Throw


Muay Thai-Style Throw

As earlier mentioned, Muay Thai is the Crowning glory of the martial arts. Our warrior ancestors ingeniously invented, devised and modified a complete apparatus of defence and offence, from fist, foot, knee and elbow to throw
The world recognizes judo as the foremost from throwing. This is not untrue, if we speak of a martial art which employs exclusively body throwing that is assumed as a defensive art.

The reason why throwing is not so popular among Thai boxers, in spite of the written tenets for using it do outsmart an attacker, is probably because Thai pugilism provides myriad and diverse options of winning a fight, which may be more viable, less energy-sapping and swifter. It is not that Thai expert boxers do know how to throw. They are able to should they wish.

Every throw in Thai boxing can be deadly and lethal if you use it correctly. That was why, unless driven beyond tolerance and humiliation, no one would choose to use it on a compatriot or a fellow human is being.
Muay Thai was invented by our ancestors, not as a means of self defence, but as a national defence Another person for whom I had the highest respect was Srithorn Sriyapai, who was Master Khet’s daughter. She used to tell her farther’s feats.
When the master was his sixties, he was teaching his pupils about several kinds of kicks.

At that time, a friend of his pupil who was a professional boxer with much fighting experience at the Rajadamnoen stadium found this old boxing teacher so in sufferable that he wanted to give that old man a lesson. He arrogantly approached and asked to aim a kick the old master, just to see how well the pugilist expert could withstand and solid shanks of a younger man.
The Master kindly obliged and offered himself to be kicked at will.
The assailant kicked hard and fast, with the kind of kick that would inflict the kind of injury you can only imagine on a sexagenarian if hit right directly and with full force.

Faster than Srithorn or anyone else could see, the old man threw his attacker and haughty kicker fell supine with his head hitting the floor hard. He mustered his strength to get up and dust himself off, composed himself and walked back to his seat, trying to give the impression that he was thinking “I can get by without any pain at all.” He had learned his lesson, though, and would never dare repeat a kick on the Master.

After a short while, Srithorn noticed he has bleeding from the ear. She took him to the hospital to treat the injury. Fortunately, he was saved before the condition could deteriorate and get complicated.In truth, this man’s injury was not the result of Master Khet’s uncivil act. It was his own obnoxious and malicious act of violence that had ended in such dire consequence.
If only he hand asked to test his kick in all modesty, like a pupil to the master, like a younger to an elder, with respect for seniority, he would have gained knowledge without injury.

The principle of Thai defensive art is based on reaction towards the attacking force, like the Buddhist maxim that says “Distress inflicted upon the other will come round to the perpetrator,” the idea of which is not far from English proverb, “As you sow, so shall you reap.”

Reaching up to hurl your shin at full force at the neck of a person who is bending low to take the kick is simply stupidity and an underestimation of your rival. As Master khet always taught his pupils, when you see a crouching tiger, don’t thing he’s afraid of you”

The person who was lowered himself to tempt the opponent into kicking his neck has neck has several ways of escaping the aimed foot.
For example, you can bend down to let the flying foot past over your head. Or you can lower yourself even lower and when the kick flies past your head, you can catch it with a hand while stretching up to full height. The kicker will lose his balance and fall backwards. The higher and the harder the kick, the more off balance he gets. He might even be flipped over and knock his head on the floor.

Or you can use the heel of your palm to counter the kicking leg above the knee. Suppose he kicks with the right shin toward you left side, you can receive it with the heel of you right palm while adjusting the body angle (provided you use a leading left guard), but you have to keep your left hand over your ear and your left arm close to the trunk, as a double precaution, in case it slips or is flung back.

When pressed above the knee, the kicking leg will disable. You have to move your left hand from ear and pass it under your opponent’s calf, lifting his leg to your shoulder, while thrusting forward and stretching all the way. At the same time, your right hand should pass over to rest on his neck. This move amounts to automatic pressing for throwing.

By this method, if the catcher does not let go but lets himself fall with the kicker, the kicker will lie underneath with the one being kicked on top. You can press your elbow on the bottom of his breastbone or in his midriff with your knee on his pubis. This is called throw and stack.

This is the same move the Chaiya boxer, Nai Plong Chamnongthong from Caokhun Vachisatyarak’s (Kham Sriyapai) Stable, used to defeat the Korat boxer, Nai Plong Prabsabok Muen Muay Mee Chue in the service of the Department of Recruited Deputies.

This move can also be altered with a slight adjustment of the angle to constitute a deadly throw and stack that can be fatal.
It can be used to counter kicks and fend off knees and was know among Master Khet’s Pupils as the arse-kissing move.

‘Orge abducting a damsel’ was another throw in Muay Thai. This was used to counter a direct jab. You dodge the punch by getting out of reach behind the arm of the hitter and then locking your arm with the jabbing arm, twisting you hip to take the weight while completing a throw as in a judo throw. When I was little, I often saw boxers using one of these throws but this move seems to have disappeared some time ago.

Current boxing only makes use of ‘ploughing’ which is a new tactic which emerged less than 10 years ago. When he saw a boxer holding on to an opponent’s leg, Master Khet call this move, ‘Luring a Tiger into Your Home.’
“A tiger lives in the jungle, son,” he would say, “if you drew him into your home, he would eat you up alive.”

As l learned from him, when you can hold up his legs in this manner, why you would want to plough him to make matters more difficult? You are not a buffalo and pushing him around the ring like that does not seem to inflict any damage on your opponent.

What you should do is to grip him tightly around his calves and kick up your leg at full force until you fall backwards on the floor with all your weight. And that will do this trick. Just imagine what will happen to the legs in your grip.
This throw is easy to use and most suitable for countering a jumping knee or floating knee which your opponent serves you like a delectable dish on a platter. Do not be afraid to chew on it.

If he hurls his right knee at you, receive it in your left palm, or push it away by tugging under the knee while stepping with your right foot and adjusting the angle, pushing under the chin or neck, not unlike the counter move for a kick.
The soaring hanuman who aimed to break the Elephant Erawan’s neck would be doomed the flip over backwards and fall flat on the floor, passing out on the spot, as if stuck by the piercing arrow of the defending Orge Indrajit on the elephant’s back.

Thai Always teach their kids: you must be powerful but unassuming, hide your blades in the sheath, and hide your claws like a tiger, don’t flaunt your tail like scorpion.

Accordingly, Thai-style throwing is subtly disguised. The fundamentals of Muay Thai throwing can be used even on a buffalo.
The Master once asked me:
‘Have you ever toppled a buffalo, son?
When I was little, I used to hang out in the paddy fields with my pals. To impress them I boasted.
“I’ll show you how to topple a buffalo.” No one believed I would be able to do this.

I approached it from the front, seizing both of its horns and twisting them to the right with full force. Feeling the pressure, it resisted and tried hard to twist back to the left.I then pushed it to the left with its own force. It crashed flat sideways and to the left, got up frightened and sped away. My pals said: “Khet, you have a helluva lot of strength.”

In fact, it was not my own strength, it was the buffalo’s. It actually toppled itself.”
This is the fundamental idea of Muay Thai. Small can topple big and the few can defeat the many.

Copy few parts From Siamese Boxing author by Vallabhis Sodprasert

Muay Chaiya - Birth of Pahuyuth and Ancient Muay Thai


Prior to the Sukhothai era, Thai civilization dated as far back as those of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and the Assyrians. They were established before the Buddhist era in a land called “Aay Loa Kingdom” one the river banks of Huang Ho and Yang Jue rivers, presently known as Schezuan, Hubei, Anhui, and Kiangsi in China. There were later defeated and had to continue migrating south to maintain their freedom.

Thais are known to be liberal and great warriors. They have always been an independent nation and have evidently fought to protect their right and loved ones. During those times, villagers along the Thai borders prepared themselves by engaging young men in physical activities like wrestling, boat race, and bull race.

For practice of self-defense, many generations of old masters continuously assembled and developed the fighting techniques passed on from their ancestors for thousands of years. They finally established a fighting system for Thais called “Ching Kom” and “Pan Lam”, both well-known.

Master Ketr Sriyapai (the author’s senior teacher) once said that “boxing means punching as taught by your teacher or fighting to survive”.

Thai boxing is “an art that has been developed by our ancestors as a national heritage to their children for thousands of years.” The genuine Thai boxing is best performed by Thais. Unfortunately, the Thai boxing we see today in rings is not the true Thai boxing.

By Kru Praeng (Amornkrit Pramuan)
Muay Thai Chaiya Boxing Foundation

Muay Chaiya - Pahuyuth Awud Thai


Foreword

.....When I was asked to write about “Ancient Thai Boxing and Muay Chaiya”, I felt it was a difficult task because the society at large has lost interest in the subject. But after thorough consideration, I have come to the decision to do so, in order to honor and show my gratitude to my teachers who have patiently taught me and to my homeland, the Kingdom of Thailand. .....Please note that the following articles (and the ones that follow) are based on what I have learned from my teachers. So there may be different teachings from different teachers, or different interpretations from the same teacher. The beauty of Muay Thai is that it is a flowing style, open to change as long as the basics are strong.

“To my dear young ones. Remember that he who has taught you even only one step, one day, one month, and one year is considered your teacher for life. Be grateful to him. Repay and treat him with respect.”

With this in mind, I would like to pay full respect to all my teachers who have taken their time to share pass their wisdom to me.

All living creatures, human in particular, have, since the age of dawn, fight for survival. Each has their own ways of fighting to protect themselves and to hunt for food.

Animals fight based purely on instincts and brawn, while human beings used their intelligence and developed their fighting skills with bare body and weapons.

If we believe in the theory that mankind evolved from apes, then they should have started fighting approximately one million years ago. With their primitive inheritance, historic man fought similarly to animals. They fought with their natural instinct using biting, kicking, snatching, scratching, punching, kneeing, throwing, breaking, etc. Their fights were purely a means of survival.

Historic Men fought for two reasons:
.....Food and territory
.....Jealousness

In the Stone Age, when men still lived in caves, brawls usually occurred because of jealousy and lust. Later on, men formed a more complex social group, starting with small communities and eventually on to nations. In the process of doing so, they also developed more civilized approaches, such as rules and regulations, to resolve their conflicts.

However, with each nation having its own set of beliefs and needs, there are inevitably more conflicts and violence. The in individual brawls thus turned into battles and wars.

Muay Chaiya


Thai national martial art is, naturally, MuayThai. But how many really know the true Muay Thai beyond the thought of two big, muscular boxers furiously exchanging kicks as seen at the boxing camps or the famous stadiums such as the Lumpinee and the Rachadumneun?

The original Muay Thai uses one’s wits more than brute strength, and ends up with injury sustained by both sides. Muay Chaiya, a style of Muay Thai, has clearly illustrates this fact.

Muay Thai Chaiya, or as called by it’s full name as Pahuyuth Muay Thai Chaiya, translated to be the way of Thai fighting, hand to hand combat, Chaiya style, can hardly be seen now a days. But there is a place where Muay Chaiya is taught to interested public, so the heritage of the old and traditional Muay Thai, or Muay Boran, can be passed down. This is to keep alive a true Thai tradition, which most people have only seen in books or movies.

Master Amornkrit Pramuan, or Kru Preang to his Muay Thai students, has carried on the intention of the masters, who had come before him, to continue the legacy of preserving Muay Thai in it’s true form, which had been forgotten since the banning of fighting with rope, or hem binding as we called Muay Kad-Chuek. Many techniques, unique to Muay Thai, have been lost due to the imposing of rules adapted from western boxing.

Kru (teacher) Preang, was the close student of Kru Thong Chuer-Chaiya, who had inherited the Muay Thai Chaiya from the Grand Master Ketr Sriyapai (the last grand master of Muay Thai), who had learned from his father, Phraya Wajeesatayarak, the provincial governor of Chaiya. The Grand Master also learned from another 13 masters until he was well versed in MuayThai.

Muay Thai Chaiya, not only utilizes fists, feet, knees, and elbows as we commonly see in the main stream Muay Thai, but also uses the forgotten elements of throwing, pressing, grabbling or clinching and joint breaking (Toom-Tup-Jub-Huk), they are no less dangerous than the throwing and joint locking of other martial arts. There are other sets of techniques with names that rhyme and contain deep meanings. They are to lure, to mislead, to elude, to avoid, to deceive, and to tease (Lor-Lork-Lop-Leek-Lorklor-Lorlen), or to hug, to squeeze, to swing the opponent from side to side, and to cast or throw the opponent down (Kod-Rad-Fad-Wieng). These are the techniques for inside fighting, that we no longer see in today’s Muay Thai. Even the way to fall, to get up, to roll on the ground, and to crawl (Lom-Look-Klook-Klan), which deal with proper way of rolling on the ground and falling so the practitioners wouldn’t get hurt.

So, an exponent of the old and traditional Muay Thai, such as Muay Thai Chaiya, does not limit oneself to only one-dimensional fighting of stand up strike. If the fight takes one down to the ground, one still has to be able to fight effectively. Since the old traditional Muay Thai was created for the engagement in battlefields, being able to engage with several opponents at the same time has made Muay Thai Chaiya so formidable.

Classes are conducted in the old traditional and systematic way. Students will learn from basic. They will learn how to defend themselves by blocking or shielding, brushing away, covering, and opening (Pong-Pud-Pid-Perd), until one is proficient and confident enough to protect oneself from being attacked. Then one will gradually learn other extended Muay Thai techniques, or Look-mai. This is different from the main stream Muay Thai, where the boxer will train to take offensive posture of solely kicking, punching and to destroy one’s opponent, and in return, by depending on the physical toughness of oneself, to receive kicks and punches from the opponent. As the teachers, or “Kru’ of Muay Thai Chaiya have strongly affirmed that an exponent of an art of self defend has to be able to actually defend oneself from harm. One should not achieve winning status because of one’s durability.

Corrections and changes were made through the wisdom of past Muay Thai teachers, Muay Thai is devastating with numerous trick techniques, extended techniques, and principal techniques. These said techniques can branch out, virtually, without limit. The learning of this devastating art of fighting, develops oneself to be a person with patient, strong determination, and yet, serene. All in all, to learn the way of fighting, will develop an exponent to be a good member of the society, who is always consciously alert, well behave, just as one who has been taught by a teacher.

Kru Preang has also drawn a curriculum for weaponry that co-exists with Muay Thai Chaiya. It is commonly known as Krabi-Krabong, or “sword and staff” which actually means the use of short and long weapons. They consist of two-hand swords, knife, long pole or staff, short staff, or elbow staff (mai-sork), as well as, all other old traditional Thai weapons, that one can not easily find a place to learn. This is a true combination of all the traditional Thai martial arts.

Muay Thai Legend - Pra Chao Suua - ( The Tiger King )

Pra Chao Suua was born in 1662 and began his reign in 1702 at the age of forty. His reign was very short lasting only seven years. The King had a passion for all sports - hunting shooting, fishing, but most especially Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). The sport had ha reached the height of popularity. Siam was at peace with Burma and her other neighbors, and Muay Thai became the favorite pastime of the population.

Fighting camps developed and numerous tournaments were promoted. He was fond of going out in disguise attending village Muay Thai matches, where he could display his skill and ability as a boxer. Numerous nobles and feudal lords owned or managed boxing camps and organized bouts between different camps. Burmese, Thais, Cambodians, Karennis Mons and others actively competed against each other. Pra Chao Suua modified some of the techniques to improve Muay Thai, some of the strategies used today are said to have been developed and based on the "Tiger King's " style of boxing.

On one such occasion, he attended a village Muay Thai match and successively challenged two champion boxers. He defeated them both, one after the other and was paid two Ticals by the ringmaster. He left the village still undetected. As King he erected many temples and repaired the older ones, notably the temple of P’rabat. He improved the canal known as Klong Mahajai between Bangkok and Tachin, so that the canal could be used for trade ships traveling from the coast to Bangkok.

During an inspection trip of the river (Klong) surveying his work, the steersman of the royal barge, carelessly ran aground. According to the law of his time, this offense was punishable by death. The King, being in a gracious mood, caused a mud image of the steersman to be made and decapitated this instead. This did not satisfy the steersman, who pleaded piteously for his own death, lest the law of the land be brought into contempt. The King had no option than to carry out the steersman’s wish and beheaded him. The King had a shrine erected on the bank of the canal in memory of the steersman.

The King was also known for his fits of fury. Once when hunting elephants he sent his sons ahead to build a causeway across a marsh. When the King and his retinue crossed the causeway, the king’s elephant sank into the mud. he flew into one of his fits of rage accusing , the two Princes of plotting against him and would have had them flogged had not the chief queen interceded on their behalf.

During his reign Siam was affected by the most fearful famine and drought. The rice was exhausted and the river was covered in an evil-smelling green slime. Most of the fish died and the few that lived were poisonous to eat. Sickness and disease broke out throughout Siam. The King fearing a rebellion announced that the god, Indra had come to him at the City gates and told him that the green scum on the river was a panacea for all the diseases in Siam. The people rushed to the river to anoint themselves with the slime, after fifteen days, heavy rains fell causing the waters to overflow.

The disease and famine soon came to an end. Shortly after this the King took to drinking. Worn out by heavy drinking, his short reign came to an end, he died in 1709 aged forty seven. he is best remembered by Thailand’s Nak Muay (Thai Boxers) for his skill and bravery in the ring.

Muay Thai Legend - Nai Khanom D'tom

The great warrior Nai Khanom D'tom is regarded by Thailand as one of the first officially recorded International Muay Thai fighters to compete in mortal combat outside the borders of Thailand (Siam). During his residence in Burma, he went through formal training in various martial arts including Burmese boxing (Muay Bando) while serving in Pegu garrison. Because of his dissatisfaction with the personnel at the garrison he defected the Burmese post and joined the Siamese forces under General Taksin. After being captured by Burmese troops during a border skirmish he was returned to Burma as a slave. He was well known for his bravery and prowess as an athlete and excellent unarmed fighter in art of Muay Thai boxing. During the religious celebration ceremony at Ket That Pagoda many sports and games including Muay Thai, and Muay Bando, were being presented.

Well known for his prowess as a fighter, Khanom D'tom was given a choice to continue to be a slave or to fight for his freedom and show if his skills could defeat the Burmese champion. He was rewarded with his freedom after defeating not only the Burmese champion, but eleven more Burmese combatants one after another.

The Burmese King (Mangra) was so impressed with his fighting skill, that he gave loud applause and admired the Khanom D'tom saying that, "Every part of the Thai is blessed with venom. Even his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents." Khanom D'tom was given a choice of either gold and jewels as a gift or to take with him his choice of women. Nai Khanom D'tom had no use for gold or jewels as his gift and chose to take with him his choice of Siamese women captured during the many battles between the Siamese and Burmese.

With the blessing of King Mangra he was allowed to leave Burma unharmed. To this day in Thailand, and in commemoration of Nai Khanom D'tom’s great feat over two hundred years ago, the local Thai boxing circles dedicate one night a year in honor of this great fighter.

Nai Khanom D'tom’s memory is celebrated every year in Thailand on March 17th as National Muay Thai Day.

Muay Thai Legend - Phraya Pichai


Phraya Pichai Daab Hak (Phraya Pichai of the broken sword) who was also known as Thongdee Fan Kao was from Thongyung Province which is known today as Uttarradit. When Phraya Pichai was a young boy he loved to practice Muay Thai and would always be running away without his parents knowing, to train in the art. He trained with many teachers of that time.

One day Phraya Tak (General Taksin) was holding a Muay Thai contest in the town of Tak during a town festival. Now a young man of twenty years, Nai Thongdee Fan Kao asked the ring master to find him a match. The towns people having never seen the boxer before suggested that he take an opponent who had little experience so that it would make an exciting fight, but Nai Thongdee insisted that he would fight the most skillful boxer in the town.

A famous boxing master of Tak, Arjarn Nai Hao, who nobody dared to challenge, gladly agreed to take the fight, knowing that those who had challenged the master before had been soundly and thoroughly beaten, why should this young upstart be any different? A huge crowd gathered to see the young boxer Nai Thongdee fight the invincible Nai Hao.Throughout the bout Nai Thongdee showed brilliant Muay Thai style.

Seeing a resounding victory over Nai Hao after witnessing such a formidable display, Phraya Taksin showed no hesitation in asking Nai Thongdee to join his army. On many occasions, Nai Thongdee would display his talents in the Muay Thai ring before Phraya Tak (later to become King Taksin the great of Thonburi). His skill and bravery in the ring and the fact that no other boxer could defeat Nai Thongdee, were very pleasing to Phraya Tak who appointed him to be his personal bodyguard.

The Emperor of China Kao Tsung, was alarmed by the military might of the Burmese. From 1766- 1769, the Emperor sent his armies four times to subdue the Burmese, but all four invasions failed. Siam was under the control of the Burmese since the sacking of Ayutthaya, but had to withdraw the bulk of its army from Siam to ward of the Chinese invasions, leaving behind only a small contingent. General Taksin taking advantage of the situation, organized his force and revolted.

General Taksin; At first was a guerrilla leader with only five hundred followers but within fifteen years his dominion was to embrace all of Siam. During the revolt Taksin managed to escape to Rayong on the East coast of Siam. Here with the help of Phraya Pichai, now his Commander-in-Chief, raised an army and declared all out war on Burma. The action was to eventually regain freedom for the Siamese people.

Phraya Pichai or (Nai Thongdee), under the guidance of General Taksin and using guerrilla tactics, won back many small towns and villages from the Burmese. It was during one of the many battles, that Nai Thongdee was to become famous. In 1773 an army under celebrated Burmese General Bo Supia was sent to capture the City of Pichai. Nai Thongdee led the Thai army and fought him at Wat Aka and Phraya Sura Sri helped him battle the Burmese. The Burmese general was driven into retreat while sustaining great losses to his troops.

In the heat of the battle which Nai Thongdee fought with Sang maa daab (two handed swords) and after many fierce engagements he slipped and used one of his swords to control himself by pointing it into the ground, as he leaned on the sword it broke in half. Nai Thongdee used his Muay Thai techniques. One daab and one broken one, he led his army to victory forcing the Burmese back across the border.

As a result of this battle he was known as ‘Phraya Pichai Daab Hak’ (Daab Hak) meaning broken sword. Eventually after fifteen years of war the Siamese under ‘King Tasking the Great ‘ had forced the Burmese army back and Siam regained all of its original frontiers.

When King Taksin died, the new King Rama I of the Chao Phraya Chakri Dynasty (the present day rulers), he declared his new capitol Bangkok. As a reward for his loyalty and service to his country King Rama asked Phraya Pichai if he would continue his good work as the kings bodyguard. (In these times the law of the land stated that once a King died, his bodyguards and loyal servants should die with him), but King Rama offered to take an acceptation for Phraya Pichai.

However, Phraya Pichai was so saddened by the death of his beloved King Taksin that he ordered the executioner to do away with him, despite King Rama's kindness, Such was the loyalty that Phraya Pichai had for King Taksin. Instead he asked King Rama to raise his son and in time that son could become King’s personal bodyguard in his fathers place.

Phraya Pichai was executed on his own order when he was 41 years old. A monument built to the memory of Phraya Pichai in 1969. The bronze image of the great warrior stand proudly in front of the Parliament Building in Uttarradit and serves to remind each generation of the amazing man’s courage and loyalty to his King and the Thai nation. The epitaph reads "In memory and loving honor for the pride of our nation".

Muay Thai - Conditioning


Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and in some cases weight training.

Training that is specific to a Muay Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Thai pads, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3-5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1-2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Thai pad training is a cornerstone of Muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads which cover the forearms and hands. These special pads are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes, and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks to the body at anytime during the round.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, counter-punching and are also used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Due to the rigorous fighting and training regimen (some Thai boxers fight almost every other week) professional Muay Thai fighters have relatively short careers in the ring. Many retire from competition to begin instructing the next generation of Thai fighters. Most professional Thai boxers come from the lower economic backgrounds and the fight money (after the other parties get their cut) is sought as means of support for the fighters and their families. Very few higher economic strata Thais join the professional Muay Thai ranks; they usually practise the sport as amateur Muay Thai boxers.

Muay Thai - Grappling/Throwdowns/Clinchwork Techniques


An art within Thai boxing covers grappling and clinch work. This involves grappling while standing up and trying to knee the sides or stomach, and to pull the head down while bringing up the knee. Throw downs must be clean: trips, sweeps or hip throws are not allowed. The Muay Thai fighter has fearful arsenal of knee strikes at his diposal as well as numerous throws and fighting holds - including neck hoolds, trunk holds and limb holds. In Thailand grappling and clinch work are some of the most important aspects of muay Thai, an area all fighters spend exhausting hours in the gym practising. In compettion a lot of the time your opponent will want to grab you to set up a knee or elbow strike. When your opponent goes hard you should relax, then begin to pull as your opponent relaxes. Try to hold the neck this has advantage, don’t keep moving your hands if you have the better position. If you have the neck then pull down (even if you can use only one), keep your legs wide. Strike with the knees whenever you can. If you cannot knee anymore then drop your opponent by pulling down while they are on one leg, as they knee strike you.

Muay Thai - Knee techniques


In Muay Thai punches are rarely thrown to the stomach area, as the knee is a much more effective weapon. The proper way to throw the knee is to thrust it straight upwards; powerful and sharp. The toes shoud point up, ready for a thrust kick. First practice the straight knee. Practice against a bag or during sparring. Good knee technique in the clinch is vital. When using the long knees pull the body back and push the knee forward, turning on your foot slightly. This extends your range and makes the knee stronger. Send power from your hips and pull your head back out of punch range. Deploy the knee as high as you can. If you can knee your opponent in the face, do it!

Muay Thai - Kicking techniques

Muay Thai has many different kicking techniques. Kicking must be practised meticulously and is not simply a matter of kicking the bags. Power comes from the buttocks and the hips move forward. Raise yourself up on your toes, let the power go with the leg and remember to follow through, like swinging a baseball bat. Don’t jump off the ground when you kick.

The Roundhouse Kick
This basic Muay Thai kick uses the shin not the foot as the weapon. The leg is swung against the target, while the hips and trunk are simultaneously twisted in the same direction as the swing. The roundhouse kick has three areas of target: the low kick, which aims for the side of the thigh, calf or behind the knee, the mid kick which aims for the ribs and the high kick which aims for the chin, temple or neck.

Low Kicks
If your opponent aims a high kick towards your neck then kick low. You can knock them down as the technique is faster. If you receive low kick from your opponent it could be an opportunity for a back elbow. Low kicks can used at any time. Swing the leg (it is not the same as kicking a football), imagine you are sweeping the floor with your leg.

The Teep/Push Kick
The teep is a push kick that can be used for both defense and attack. It is similar to the jab for keeping an opponent at bay and is good for knocking their balance. In general a foot thrust is quickly followed by some other form of attack. Use the front leg as it is quicker to deploy. Place your toes in your opponent's sternum, or if you kick their leg use the heel. If you kick their face use the heel- but their will not be so many opportunities to do this. You cannot easily knock out an opponent with this technique, but it can be used to put off your opponent's attack. If they are trying to kick it may be possible to push them over while they are swinging their leg.

Muay Thai - Elbows Techniques

The elbow can be used in seven ways: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. From the side it can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent's eyebrow so that blood might block his vision. The blood also raises the opponent's awareness of being hurt which could affect his performance. This is the most common way of using the elbow. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms, but are less powerful. The uppercut and flying elbows are the most powerful, but are slower and easier to avoid or block. The downward elbow is usually used as a finishing move.

There is also a distinct difference between a single elbow and a follow-up elbow. The single elbow is an elbow move independent from any other move, whereas a follow-up elbow is the second strike from the same arm, being a hook first with an elbow follow-up. Such elbows, and most other elbows, are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw a hook at the opponent's head.

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