Muay Thai, translated into English as Thai Boxing, is the national sport of Thailand and is a martial art with origins in the ancient battlefield tactics of the Siamese (or Thai) army. It evolved from Krabi-Krabong, literally sword and baton, the hand-to-hand tactics of the Thai army. The early Muay Thai bouts pitted different companies within the Siamese army against each other with few rules and no weight divisions or time limits. They became quite popular and eventually were shown in stadia across the country. In the early 20th century, time limits, boxing gloves as well as a uniform set of rules were introduced. During the latter half of the 20th century Muay Thai was exported to many countries and is now practiced by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.

Muay Thai is known as “King of the Ring” in kickboxing circles. These fights feature punches, kicks, elbows, knees, standing grappling and head-butts to wear down and knock out their opponent. Thai training methods develop devastating power, speed and superb cardio-vascular endurance as well as fighting spirit. Muay Thai training as also quite safe thanks to sophisticated pad training that evolved to keep fighters healthy between fights. Muay Thai has also proven very effective outside the ring and has been embraced enthusiastically by practitioners of a variety of self-defense, sporting, military and law enforcement activities.

Muay Thai suits those who wish to lose weight, increase their stamina, improve muscle tone and increase strength and flexibility. Other benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance and an improvement in hand-to-eye co-ordination.

It is only natural that with such hard workouts such as those associated with Muay Thai, the physical fitness of a person greatly improves. The physique becomes well proportioned and the person gets into a great body shape. Muay Thai burns the fat quickly making a person lean and thin which is a great achievement in itself. It has been seen that those practicing Muay Thai have seen a better, glowing complexion as it releases all the toxins and waste from the body.

Muay Thai, as it teaches you methods of self defence, toughens you from the inside. It helps in boosting the immune system of the body, providing strength and endurance to muscles. All this works on the mental psyche of a person as he gains self confidence, and learns how to be disciplined. At a spiritual level, it surprisingly provides mental peace and relief from stress. Muay Thai also makes a person more self assured and self aware.

For generations, people have learnt this martial art not only for self defence, but also for physical and moral well being. It is a good martial art technique that induces fear in the minds of others which is why scores of children and women are learning this invaluable Thai combat sport. Proponents say that they have greatly benefited from Muay Thai as it has taught them virtues such as compassion, patience, endurance, gratitude and honesty.

For those who are obese, Muay Thai is nothing short of a boon as it makes a person lose fat in the shortest possible time. As such, to get back into shape and have a glamorous body, Muay Thai is a great workout. Those having low self esteem have also benefited from this Thai martial art form as it instilled confidence in them and they learnt how to value themselves more. For those who have a weak immune system, Muay Thai works to build up stamina and endurance and they face lesser diseases after indulging in this great martial art form. Muay Thai makes a person courageous and fearless but at the same time honest and compassionate.