Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is the Thai name for a indigenous form of martial art practiced in Thailand and several southeast Asian countries including Cambodia (where it is known as Pradal Serey) and Myanmar where it is generally known as Lethwei.
Traditional Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand as a martial art used by the military. The military style of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit, while today's "Sport Muay Thai" slightly varies from the original art and uses kicks and punches in a ring and with gloves similar to those used in boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, feet, elbows, and knees are all
The training of a Thai boxer and particularly the relationship between boxer and trainer is highly ritualised. When a boxer is considered ready for the ring, he is usually given a new name by his trainer, usually with the name of the training camp as his surname. For the public, the relationship is perhaps best expressed in the ram muay (ritual dance) that takes place before every match.
The ram muay ceremony usually lasts about five minutes and expresses obeisance to the fighter's guru (khru), as well as to the guardian spirit of Thai Boxing. This is done through a series of gestures and body movements performed in rhythm to the ringside musical accompaniment of Thai oboe (pii) and percussion. Each boxer works out his own dance, in conjunction with his trainer and in accordance with the style of his particular camp.
The woven headbands and armbands worn in the ring by fighters are sacred ornaments which bestow blessings and divine protection: the headband is removed after the ram muay ceremony, but the armband, which actually contains a small Buddha image, is worn throughout the fight. After the fight begins the fighters continue to bob and weave in rhythm until the action begins to heat up. The musicians continue to play throughout the match and the volume and tempo of the music rise and fall along with the events in the ring.
