If you love kung fu, karate, kickboxing and MMA not to mention everything from Jackie Chan to Jean-Claude Van Damme, then you will definitely be keen on Muay Thai which is Thailand’s unique form of martial arts! Known as the “Art of Eight Limbs”, Muay Thai features the use of knee strikes, kicks, elbows and punches and is action packed, to say the least!
Those skilled in the art of Muay Thai have undergone years of strict discipline and training, though this doesn’t mean that those interested can’t learn either. While you do get training camps, you can even find certain 5 star hotels in Chiang Mai offering Muay Thai classes such as Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. It is a great way to not only learn this form of martial arts, but get a super cardio workout too!
Muay Thai, in fact, has quite a rich history and dates back to the 15th century when it was a method of fighting that was utilised on the battlefield. Today it is the country’s national sport, though participants are nevertheless still engaged in quite a “battle” that requires as much focus, stamina and agility that the warriors of old needed to have.
Since this martial arts form combines a variety of fighting styles and techniques, fighters can come up with their own powerful combination of moves that can be used for both defence and for going on the attack against their opponent. Seeing combos of hooks, uppercuts, spinning elbows, roundhouse kicks and knee strikes are a thing of beauty, though not if you are the person on the receiving end!
To truly appreciate the raw power and almost frenetic fanfare of Muay Thai, one needs to witness it at one of the local stadiums in Thailand. Scheduled fight nights are often packed with local crowds cheering and jeering (and also gambling!) as the two fighters go head to head in an all-out “war” where only the fittest and fastest survive. It takes the concept of fast and the furious to a whole new level!
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.