Thailand is known as the birthplace of Muay Thai. However, the Southeast Asian country is also home to other more ancient forms of Thai martial arts that are called Muay Boran. The Muay Boran techniques that are still being practiced by their dedicated followers are the closest thing to ancient boxing styles that we have today. Being Muay Thai’s progenitor, it includes some of the same techniques and traditions but with a few key differences. Let’s find out what they are.
What Is Muay Boran?
The traditional combat styles that have existed in Thailand for centuries formed the foundation of Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing. When Muay Thai entered the 20th century, it became a competitive sport, adopting formal rules and protective gear in line with modern sensibilities. However, the ancient forms of Muay Thai still remain, closely following the old customs and preserving the more deadly techniques that are considered too dangerous today. These combat styles are collectively called ‘Muay Boran’, and their origins can be traced to the ancient battlefields. However there is no such term as “Muay Thai Boran”, rather it is Muay Boran or Muay Thai according to their times respectively.
Muay Boran fighting styles were first used by the soldiers of the various kingdoms that existed in Thailand, known historically as Siam. They were constantly at war with neighboring kingdoms like Burma and required an effective hand-to-hand combat style in addition to Krabi–krabong, their weapon-based combat. Eventually, fighters learned to use their entire body as a weapon, utilizing their fists, elbows, knees, feet, and even heads to strike their opponent, with many grappling techniques used as well.
There are four main styles of fighting that make up Muay Boran. Many of these styles were developed in separate parts of Thailand and have evolved in their own unique way depending on the cultures of each region. Muay Korat from Eastern Thailand focuses on powerful heavy attacks, while Muay Lopburi from the central provinces is about fighting smart, with movements inspired by Hindu mythology.
Muay Chaiya from the South specializes in developing mental awareness as well as attacks using elbows and knees. And finally, Muay Thasao, from the North, relies on speed and adapting to different stances. For more on the four main styles of fighting, read Muay Boran: The Ancestor of Muay Thai.
How Muay Boran Spread Throughout Ancient Thailand
Throughout history, Muay Boran had support from royalty, which helped it immensely to transition from a combat style used by the military to a sport embraced by ordinary people. Monarchs like King Naresuan and King Suriyenthrathibodi (The Tiger King) were not just experienced fighters but worked to promote these fighting styles among their people, which led to a huge surge in popularity for Muay Boran.
Muay Boran fighting styles were made even more popular by Nai Khanom Tom, a Thai fighter and prisoner of war who was captured by the Burmese during their invasion of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 18th century. During a festival held by the Burmese king, Nai used these ancient martial arts techniques to defeat 10 Burmese Lethwei fighters in a spectacular display of superior fighting skills and technique. He is known today as the ‘Father of Muay Thai’.
The various Muay Boran styles became more widely known when King Rama V gathered fighters from across his kingdom to perform at his son’s funeral ceremony in 1909. The three best combatants were awarded titles, and the styles they specialized in would become famous as Muay Korat, Muay Lopburi, and Muay Chaiya, the ancient Thai boxing styles that make up Muay Boran. Muay Thasao would be added later.
Similarities Between Muay Thai and Muay Boran
It should not be a surprise that Muay Boran shares many similarities with Muay Thai. After all, modern Muay Thai originated from Muay Boran. A lot of the same fighting techniques are found in both, with the Muay Boran style employing a far less restrictive form when compared to Muay Thai. A lot of the traditional elements that Muay Boran practitioners have respected for generations have also made their way to Muay Thai as well.
Fighting Techniques
Muay Boran uses punching combinations that include jabs, uppercuts, crosses, and hooks which are also used in Muay Thai. When it comes to long-range attacks, teep kicks, roundhouse kicks, diagonal kicks, and front kicks are common to both. Knees and elbows are the medium-range attacks used extensively in both Muay Boran and its modern descendant.
Clinching is used as an effective grapple to set up further strikes in both forms, although setting up locks such as headlocks is more prevalent in Muay Boran. For more details on specific techniques, read Muay Boran: Before Muay Thai.
Wai Kru And Ram Muay Rituals
Muay Boran is a martial art steeped in tradition, with fighters performing these rituals to accomplish a few different things. The first part, which is the Wai Kru, is done to pay respect to their teachers who have guided them to this point. It is also a religious prayer, seeking luck and protection during the fight. The Wai Kru is usually done by circling the fighting arena three times, followed by kneeling and bowing.
The Ram Muay is more like a choreographed dance where fighters show off their style, physical prowess, and skill. This is done as a way to impress and intimidate their opponents. It is said that Nai Khanom Tom’s Ram Muay was so captivating that his first Burmese opponent was unable to focus during the fight, leading to his quick defeat. It must be noted that while both Muay Boran and Muay Thai feature this pre-fight ritual, the different styles of fighting have their own unique dance movements. For example, the Muay Lopburi fighters use Hindu mythology-inspired choreography during the Ram Muay.
Muay Thai fighters, just like their Muay Boran predecessors, wear special headbands called ‘Mongkhon’ and ‘Prajioud’ armbands during these rituals. These are talismans believed to grant them strength when in combat. While the Mongkhon is removed by the teacher just before a Muay Thai match, Muay Boran fighters will continue to fight while wearing them. All of these rituals and fights are accompanied by traditional Thai music called ‘Sarama’ which is often played by a live band.
Differences Between Muay Thai And Muay Boran
While there’s a lot in common between the two derivations of the Thai culture, Muay Thai has diverged from its ancestor in many significant ways. The reason for this divergence is mainly due to safety considerations, which became a necessity when Muay Thai was formalized in the early 20th century as a competitive sport.
During this time, King Rama VII worked to include a proper set of rules in order to bring Thai boxing into the modern age. The following differences are the result of this.
Using Nine Limbs In Muay Boran
Muay Thai is often lovingly called ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’ for its use of eight contact points that include fists, elbows, knees, and legs to fight. Muay Boran makes use of another contact point: the fighter’s head.
Headbutting is allowed in Muay Boran as both a useful move in defense and offense. This is because, in a practical real-world scenario like military combat or self-defense, you cannot ignore the effectiveness of an additional form of attack such as a headbutt. In Muay Thai, however, this has been discontinued. The less aggressive and refined changes that made the combat sport Muay Thai definitely saved Muay Boran from being one of the forgotten martial arts from the past that would not have been followed for its aggressiveness.
Rules
It is not just headbutting that is considered illegal in Muay Thai. According to standard rules, groin shots, eye gouges, hitting the back of the head, and hitting a fighter that is lying on the ground are considered unsportsmanlike. Fighters receive warnings and have their match points deducted for using such tactics. They also fight within a ring similar to that used in boxing, with an official referee to make sure rules are followed.
Muay Thai matches also have a set number of rounds, with each round lasting three minutes with two-minute breaks in between. By displaying effective technique and landing successful hits, a Muay Thai fighter is awarded points. In the event that there is no knockout, it is possible to win the match by scoring the most points.
Unlike Muay Thai, a Muay Boran fight doesn’t have an official referee or a ring. There is no unified set of rules, other than that it must be fought without weapons. The cheap shots that are illegal in Muay Thai are allowed, and there is no set number of rounds with breaks in between to rest. You cannot win by scoring points. The fight will go on until one fighter is unable to continue unlike any other martial arts now too. There are also no weight classes like in Muay Thai, which is a way to level the playing field in competitive sports.
Fight Gear
Muay Thai fighters use a variety of protective gear during training, sparring, and competing. Groin protection, Muay Thai boxing gloves, hand wraps, shin guards, and mouth guards are absolutely essential to ensure both fighters don’t seriously injure each other. The modern gear they use today is specially designed to absorb impacts. Vulnerable points such as wrists get special support, and delicate joints are kept properly aligned during fighting to prevent them from twisting in unnatural ways.
Muay Boran started as a form of bare-knuckle martial arts, although fighters eventually began to use hemp rope to wrap their hands. While this provides some protection to the wearer, the ropes can and will cut into their opponent. Sometimes these ropes are soaked in rice water and dried to harden them. The only other piece of protection Muay Boran fighters wear is a loincloth called ‘phakaoma’ which is wrapped in a triangular shape, providing groin protection.
Stance
In Muay Boran, fighters need to be mindful of incoming attacks that target their vital areas, such as the groin. As a result, they adopt a lower and wider stance compared to Muay Thai practitioners as a defensive measure.
They also tend to align their fists with the centerline of their heads. This compact stance is key to quickly blocking incoming strikes targeting their vitals or moving into a grapple. A Muay Thai stance usually has fists on either side of the centerline.
Striking
Since Muay Boran was originally conceived as a martial arts style used in combat, targeting the opponent’s limbs to render them ineffective is encouraged since it will reduce the useful weapons in their arsenal. Since this must be done as quickly as possible, a Muay Boran fight can turn violent at the start, and fighters have little time to analyze their opponents. This is different from Muay Thai matches, where fighters spend the first two rounds trying to figure each other out and attempt to score more in later rounds.
The strikes in Muay Boran are much more aggressive and sophisticated compared to those used in Muay Thai. These moves also require fighters to swing in wider arcs to land them effectively with the required power, which leaves them open to counterattacks. There’s also more focus on using takedowns and locks as grappling moves.
Fighters are also encouraged to land as many strikes as possible during combat. Flying elbows and knees are good examples of these types of strikes. In Muay Thai, these flashier moves are considered too risky and rarely used.
Training
It could take anywhere from six months to a year for a beginner to pick up on the basics of Muay Thai. However, due to additional training in takedowns, fighting multiple opponents, and other more aggressive moves, it can take longer to master the basics of Muay Boran. Muay Boran training is also considered much more intense than Muay Thai, due to the military-style regimen that is used by many instructors.
Modern training centers that provide a set curriculum will involve learning the basic stances, techniques, bag work, and a lot of cardio and strength training exercises for both types of martial arts.
Students today will generally train in a gym environment and may even engage in sparring. However, it is said that, traditionally, students would’ve carried heavy water buckets and chopped water or pounded rice to master the ancient ways. Walking against the current in a river and kicking banana trees were other methods to develop leg muscles.
Modern Sport vs. Ancient Combat
Today, Muay Thai is practiced as a competitive sport and is one of many unarmed martial arts. There are thousands of professional-level matches taking place all over Thailand and the rest of the world every year. Its champions are celebrities and have become household names. This global popularity has generated a lot of interest, with many picking up Muay Thai not just for sport but for self-defense and as a way to stay fit.
Muay Boran, lacking set rules, has no competitive element and therefore hasn’t reached the mainstream global appeal that its descendant has. It is now mostly performed as a way to preserve ancient traditions. While there are places like the Muay Thai Conservation Center that provide training, there are very few practitioners that still train and fight as their ancestors did. While some of the techniques and practices of this combat martial art have sadly been lost, Muay Boran’s niche but dedicated followers passionately keep the ancient ways alive.
FAQ
There are many differences between both combat sports, with Muay Boran being the less formal, more aggressive sport with no real rules. The primary difference is that Muay Boran is called the “art of nine limbs” while Muay Thai is called the ‘art of eight limbs” because the former allows headbutting in addition to the other eight points of striking allowed in Muay Thai.
No, it is not. Muay Boran is technically the ancient form of Muay Thai, and so the roots of Muay Thai techniques lie in the former but specific rules like no headbutting and the new inclusions of timed bouts, scoring systems, and more have refined the sport.
Yes, Muay Boran is the term used to refer of the old techniques used in Muay Thai before it was made into an official sport. However, it was not named Muay Boran in the past and is a term the ancient-form of the martial art was given recently.
