The martial art of Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is being religiously practiced in Thailand ever since it was formulated. This style's origin is accredited to the Ayutthaya period of 1584 when King Naresuan ruled Thailand. This ground-breaking form resulted from the various invasions that the country was subject to at that period of time.
This was when the citizens felt the need for a method of self-defense.
This form of hand combating comprises changing movements that use sturdy body parts such as elbows, legs, head, and fists.
These are some of the eight weapons that hold prime importance in this style of fighting. The system also has provision for the efficient use of basic weapons. Though Muay Thai was invented to serve as a self-defense mechanism, it is also very effective for combat. Punches are an indispensable part of this form.
There are various forms of twisting and flexing the wrists like the straight punch, jab, uppercut, swing, and hook, which are extremely helpful in winning the fight or defending oneself successfully.
There are also eight elbow techniques like the Sok Ti (Striking Elbow), Sok Hud (Levering Elbow), Sok Tad (Perpendicular Elbow), Sok Klab (Reverse Elbow), Sok Tong (Smash Downward Elbow), Sok Ku (Double Elbows), Sok Sab (Chopping Elbow) and Sok Chieng (Diagonal Elbow).
The knee techniques are also classified as Kao Tone (Straight knee), Kao Nui (Small knee), Kao Dode (Jumping knee), Kao Loi (Flying knee), Kao La (Farewell knee), Kao Lod (Lower knee), and Kao Kratai (Rabbit knee.
Kicks in the form of Tae Tad (Side Kick or Round Kick), Tae Kod (Hook kick) or Down round kick), Tae Chiang (Diagonal Kick), Tae Pub Nai (Kick to the inside of the knee joint), and Tae Pub Nok (Kick to the outside of the knee joint) is also an essential constituent of Muay Thai.
The two essential techniques followed by Muay Thai practitioners are Mae Mai Muay Thai, the master technique used to defeat the opponent, and (Look Mai), Muay Thai, which are tricks that complement the master techniques.
There are 15 techniques each that belong to both these groups, which are used very extensively in this martial art form practice. Salab Fan Pla (Cross-switch), Ta Then Kham Fak (Old man holding the melon), Hak Kor Erawan (Break the elephant's neck), and Khuanyak Jab Ling (The giant catches the monkey) are some of the master techniques in this art.
On the other hand, Kwang Liew Lang (Deer looks back), Hong Peek Hak (Swan with broken wings), and Graisorn Kham Huai (Tiger descends into the stream) are a few of the complementing techniques.
The art of Muay Thai is considered to be very aggressive and even fatal. It aims at causing the maximum amount of damage with the use of minimum effort.
A correct body posture while practicing this form helps save much energy while attacking and defending perfect timing and targeting the soft spots of the opponent's body with hard blows is the basis of this style.