Thai Kick Boxing and is followed fervently all over the country, as a spectator sport to be seen live at a stadium or enjoyed with friends watching on one of the local television networks. Regardless of the hype of international games and rich football leagues, Thailand typically, has its own unique sport. Derived from similar martial art forms in India and China, kick boxing has been taken up by some foreign participants who have even joined the ranks of professional boxers.
But it is essentially very Thai, and very different from anything else around. Muay Thai has been also been exported to Europe and America - there is a World Muay Thai governing body, the WMC, with 109 member countries. But when it comes down to it, this is Thai,and is best seen in the countries capital, Bangkok, at a genuine boxing stadium complete with all the musical accompaniments and athletic boxers.
The kick boxing history comes from a form of entertainment for the Kings of Siam, at festivals and village events and was known as Muay Boran. King Rama V has a personal interest in the martial arts and encouraged the teachings of Muay Thai to members of the Royal Household. His successor called for a change in the rules and where as before the boxers were bare fisted, this was changed with the fighters using cloth binding around their fists.
Nowadays the boxers wear full boxing gloves, but the techniques remain as before, that is the art of contact using eight points of the body, rather than just two. The only part of the body which is not allowed to be used is the head. Otherwise, feet, hands, elbows knees can be used to combat the efforts of the opposition. Another unique aspect of Muay Thai are the various ring rituals which are personal to each boxer.
The bouts are 5 rounds of 3 minutes each. Fighters are watched by a panel of 3 judges with a referee to ensure the rules are enforced. Winners are decided by either a knock out or on points, so in that sense the format is very similar to Western boxing. However what the audience has here is the accompaniment of a musical band playing Javanese clarinet, drums and symbols as the fight progresses. The music is in a kind of synchronization with the fight, but it is not an exact science! Muay Thai is fascinating to watch as a sport, as entertainment and as a spectacle.
Tips on the Kickboxing equipment you will need
you decided to join a gym or workout at home. The basic equipment you need is easy. You will need to find something comfortable to wear. More important are the boxing gloves and hand wraps you buy. Get good boxing hand wraps! There is a difference and your wrists and hands need the support no matter where you work out. Some flex and some don't. Some are longer and some shorter. A good Muay Thai/Kickboxing hand wrap will be made of flexible fabric with thumb loops. I recommend longer wraps. You will give your wrists more support. Maybe I'll do a video on how to wrap your hands.
Boxing Gloves
If you are just starting out then choose a basic boxing glove. Get gloves that use Velcro around the wrist. You can adjust them easily and quickly. You will appreciate this when you go to grab a quick drink of water. Other than that you can pay more and upgrade later when you know you are truly going to stick with it. BUY BIG ENOUGH! One of the most common mistakes a person makes is forgetting to leave room for your hand wraps. Your wraps will take up some room inside the boxing gloves. You must buy a large enough size and leave room for your wrapped hand.
Now have a blast! Have fun!. You will start losing weight, toning muscle and feeling a lot better about yourself. Muay Thai/kickboxing is fun and will change your life. Enjoy!
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