Blaring from a black loud speaker, strapped to the back of a grey Toyota pickup truck cruising slowly down a heavily congested street in Koh Samui, Thailand, you hear this phrase over, and over… “Tonight!...Tonight!... See the most interesting fighters in all of Samui.” It was nonstop! We probably heard this 700 times. (I’m exaggerating a bit, but it was a lot.)
After hearing this for two days straight, my friend and I decided to see what these fight nights were all about.
Some countries have baseball, others have fútbol.
In Thailand, they have Muay Thai Boxing.
The Sport of Kings.
In this corner of the earth, in this corner of Thailand, in this corner of the ring, I found warriors and fighters, teachers and students, kids, and adults.
It was 9 o’clock on a sticky July evening as we entered the local fighting arena. Chaweng Stadium.
We were finally here.
As we are sitting there enjoying the atmosphere, we notice these two young kids making their way into the ring. They couldn’t have been older than 10.
I’m thinking, “What the hell? They let little kids fight?”
One thing I didn’t know was that they start even earlier than 10.
Training can begin as early as 6, with many careers beginning at age 8.
Many boys become fighters for their reputation, family pride, as well as a way out of poverty.
You see it in their eyes. This is more than a sport. It’s a way of life.
They are born to fight.
As they entered the ring resembling boys who stole their fathers oversized boxing shorts, I was blown away.
No mouth guards, headgear, or any other kind of protection.
Impressive!
Developed by The Father of Muay Thai, Nai Khanom Tom, in the 1700’s, fighters begin each match with the ‘Wai Kroo Ram Muay’. A traditional dance, to honor his teacher, his country, his opponent, and the sport of Muay Thai.
Once they touch gloves, the bell rings, and the matches begin, you hear very distinctive music known at the wong pee glong.
Played by a four-piece band during each fight, the wong pee glong uses a Javanese Oboe, a pair of Thai drums played by two musicians, and small Thai cymbals. These songs are very specific and played only in Muay Thai.
Known as The Art of Eight Limbs, Muay Thai develops the body to mimic the art of war using eight points of contact.
Relentlessly using the hands like a sword, and dagger. The shins and forearms are your Armor, hardened through extensive training. Elbows crush the life from your opponent, like a heavy mace or hammer. Knees and legs strike enemies down like the power of an axe and staff with no remorse.
Each strike and movement aims to deliver excruciating blows, allowing the fighter to over come his opposition without leaving himself vulnerable to attacks.
Effectively, and methodically using these techniques, many fighters are able to operate the body as one. This has made Muay Thai boxing the most effective self-defense method by Thai warriors for ages.
That night we witnessed tradition, pride, determination, and the will to survive. Survive not only physically, and financially. But mentally.
Known for their tough skin and ability to ignore pain, many fighters deal with broken bones, and severe sprains constantly, as they turn their bodies into fighting machines.
Round after round, match after match, I found myself mesmerized by the atmosphere. I couldn’t get enough.
The excitement of the crowd, the blood, the sweat, the vibrant colors, the aroma, the music, the look in each fighters eye as they get one final word of advice from their teacher.
You can tell they mean business.
Many fighters have a distinct style all their own. From spiritual tattoos, to colorful headdresses known as a Mongkhon, to amulets tied tightly around the bicep wrapped with pieces of bones from their ancestors.
These traditional rituals and superstitions are believed to bring good fortune, and ward off bad luck or evil spirits that could possibly follow them into the ring.
Passed from generation to generation, developing and mastering defensive, and offensive techniques and methods, skills to enhance awareness, proper posture and positioning, Muay Thai has become a permanent foundation.
The Sport of Kings can be found on almost every corner of the globe.
While you can probably catch a Muay Thai fight somewhere near you, do yourself a favor, visit the place where it all started. Thailand.
I can’t wait to visit Lumpini Stadium, in Bangkok Thailand. I hear it’s the mecca for Muay Thai boxing.
