| Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai or Thai | | | | maximum of 5 rounds with each round lasting 3 |
| Boxing is more popularly known as "The Art of | | | | minutes. There is a two minute rest period in |
| the Eight Limbs"; with the 'eight limbs' | | | | between each of the 5 rounds. Match rules are |
| referring to the elbows, hands, knees and | | | | rigid and no extra rounds are allowed. |
| shins, all of which are extensively used in | | | | Contestants are required to weigh in naked |
| this sport. An experienced exponent of Muay | | | | prior to the fight. Basic Rules on clothing |
| Thai would have mastered the art of executing | | | | and equipment In its most traditional form, |
| strikes using these "eight limbs" as eight | | | | Muay Thai was very dangerous sport with |
| points of contact as opposed to the fist and | | | | fighters using no safety gear of any kind |
| feet or "four points" that are used in other | | | | except for lengths of cords wrapped around |
| martial arts forms or the fists; "two points" | | | | the fists instead of gloves. Safety |
| used in western boxing. Muay Thai is also | | | | regulations have been changed over the years |
| known as Muay Lao in Laos, Tomoi in Malaysia | | | | and Muay Thai fighters now use gloves that |
| or Pradal Serey in Cambodia. History of Muay | | | | are similar to those worn in Western boxing. |
| Thai The history of Muay Thai is an intrinsic | | | | Each glove should not weight less than 172 |
| part of the history of Thailand. An | | | | grams or 6 ounces. The gloves should be in |
| inherently peaceful and unwarlike people, for | | | | good condition and should not be crushed, |
| centuries the Thais were forced to defend | | | | kneaded or squeezed in order to alter its |
| their land and themselves from hostile and | | | | original shape. Only red or blue trunks can |
| aggressive powers. They adopted and soon | | | | be worn, with the contestant choosing the |
| perfected a form of hand-to-hand combat, | | | | color of his corner. The two contestants do |
| which over time became a rite of passage for | | | | not wear either shoes or shirt. Contestants |
| the males and all Thai men took up training | | | | must wear gum shields for gum protection, |
| in this martial art form. It later became a | | | | ankle cap for ankle protection and sturdy |
| necessary part of military training and went | | | | athletic cups or supporters for groin |
| on to become the national sport of the | | | | protection. Mongkol, a sacred cord worn by |
| country. In recent years, this traditionally | | | | many Thai men, is permitted to be worn around |
| Thai sport has attracted a huge following | | | | the head only during the pre-fight ritual |
| world-wide and training facilities have been | | | | where both contestants pay homage to the |
| established in almost all countries of the | | | | ancestral teachers and masters of the sport. |
| world. Muay Thai can be categorized into two | | | | However this cord will have to be removed |
| major groups; Muay Kiew, which is the more | | | | prior to the start of the fight. Metal in any |
| popular form, is full of feints and tricks | | | | form is prohibited and cannot form any part |
| that are designed to catch the opponent off | | | | of the equipment or apparel. |
| guard. The second from, Muay lak, emphasizes | | | | |
| on patience and caution and is very rarely | | | | Find a wide range of Thai - shorts at |
| seen nowadays. A Muay Thai match has a | | | | Discount Martial arts supplies.co. |