Muay Thai or Thai boxing is the very own martial art of Thailand. It has been the country's national sports for hundreds of years. It has different rules and disciplines as compared to other forms of martial arts. It makes extensive use of elbows, knees, feet and fists, than in other martial arts. This game is also a pride heritage of the nation and is performed amongst the crowd of the wide spectators, loud cheers and heart racing tunes.

Thai people were known to be the most peace loving people for centuries, until it was attacked by the Burmese in the 15th and the 16th centuries. The earliest reference (1411 AD) mentions a ferocious style of unarmed combat that decided the fate of the Thai kings. The warfare set the roots of the Muay Thai martial art. King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), one of the country’s most celebrated warrior-heroes, is believed to have been an excellent boxer himself, and it was he who made Muay Thai a required part of military training.

Nai Khanom Tom, a famous boxer in Thailand was imprisoned during the war in Myanmar. He gained his freedom by roundly defeating 10 Burmese boxers in 1774. After defeating all of them he was picked to fight against the Burmese King. After defeating all 10 in a row, he was freed and sent back to his home town. Later another Thai king, Phra Chao Seua, also known as the Tiger King, further promoted Thai Boxing as a national sport by encouraging prize fights and the development of training camps in the early 18th century.

In the olden days, the Muay Thai sport was not protected with any kind of safety measures like it is today. It was considered as a dangerous sport with only lengths of cords to wrap around the fists in place of gloves. This game after being internationally acclaimed changed the lines of rules and added certain safety measures for the protection of the fighters.

In 1995 the World Muay Thai Council was set up by cabinet resolution in 1995 to promote this national heritage at national and international levels. 78 member countries voted for the establishment of a training school where all elements of Muay Thai would be taught.

Muay Thai is fought in five three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks in between. The fight is preceded by a wai khru dance, in which the contestant pays homage to their teachers. The Wai Kru (respects to the teacher) also known as Ram Muay (boxing dance) are the ceremonies performed before every Muay Thai Match. Wai Kuru is a way to respect the teacher and also to realize the goodness of the master who imparts the knowledge to them. This dance also acts as a warm up exercise before the fight starts. This dance helps to relax stress and prepares both mind and body to be ready for the battle.