Muay Thai | Art of eight limbs
Origins
One of the most inspiring stories in Muay Thai history is about Nai Khanom Tom, a soldier who displayed incredible bravery by defeating nine Burmese fighters in a row while imprisoned after the Siam kingdom was under siege. This event, a testament to human resilience, is celebrated annually on March 17th as Muay Thai Day. Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, has a long history that dates back to the 13th century in Thailand
Rooted in ancient traditions: Muay Thai, with its origins in various martial arts and fighting styles practiced in the kingdom of Siam, now Thailand, is a living testament to the rich history of the region. The earliest mention of Muay Thai is in the Mungraiyashastra, a palm-leaf manuscript written in 1296 AD. During the Sukhothai period, Muay Thai was not just a martial art, but a core part of the royal curriculum as Thai kings trained in Muay Thai to improve their physical strength and combat skills, underscoring its significance in the era.
Military use: Muay Thai was the primary method of self-defense for Thai warriors in battle. The first Thai army was formed to defend the kingdom, and soldiers were taught both armed and unarmed combat
The first professional fights: In the first professional fights, there were no time limits, and fighters were not matched by weight, height, experience, or age.
The Golden Era: Muay Thai experienced a peak from the 1980s to the mid/late 1990s.
King’s Cup and Yokkao Promotions
Below is some coverage for the Thai Fight 2012 finale in Bangkok. Capturing the final fight for the night of Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee.
The King’s Cup is the biggest single event in the muaythai calendar. It has been held every year since 1999 on December 5th in honour of H.M. the King of Thailand’s birthday. Supported and sanctioned by the World Muaythai Council (WMC), the King’s Cup is internationally recognised, and the winner is officially crowned as world champion. The cream of Thailand’s talent takes on the seven best fighters from the rest of the world in an 8-man tournament that is the climax of the muaythai season.
Coverage at the Yokkao Event of the Year, Pattaya 2013. The historical bout was between Yodsanklai Fairtex and Kem Sitsongpeenong. The presented portfolio is just a fraction of the coverage I have done during the years I have lived in Thailand and was privileged to be (often) an exclusive photographer for many prestigious sporting events such as King’s Cup, Thai Fights, Yokkao promotions and many more, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.
Behind the Scenes
