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