"Muaythai" is a national sport of thai society. It has held for competition continuously since Sukhothai period, between 1257 - 1377 AD. During the reign of King Pha Chao Sua, he disguised himself to box with ordinary people in 1702."The Tiger King" He loved Muay Thai so much that he often fought incognito in village contests, beating the local champions. During the reign of the Tiger King the nation was at peace. The King to keep the army busy, ordered it to train in Muay Thai. The interest in the sport was already high but now it took off yet again.

In 1774 Nai Khanohm Tom was famous for his battle against a group of Burmese. Nai Khanom Tom was a prisoner of war in Burma. The Burmese had captured him when they sacked and burnt Thailand's ancient capital Ayutthaya. Nai Khanom Tom must have been a great fighter. Without pause, he took them on one by one through a battering and bruising contest. He defeated ten of Burma's best. King Mangra was one of the first to applaud the feat he had witnessed. 'Every part of the Thai is blessed with venom, even with his bare hands he can fell nine or ten opponents.' The King gave Nai Thanom Tom his freedom and he retuned to Ayutthaya. and a heroes welcome. The army fostered Muay Thai. Soldiers have trained and used the techniques for as long as there has been an army in Thailand. For the military it has always been the close combat fighting skill, the martial art of the battlefield. When a Thai soldier fights hand to hand he uses Muay Thai. But then so does every Thai person, male or female. Watching it, learning it, copying it is a part of Thai childhood. It always has been. Muaythai became the favourite sport and pastime of the people, the army and the King. Historical sources show that people from all walks of life flocked to training camps. Rich, poor, young and old all wanted some of the action. Every village staged its prize fights and had its champions. Every bout became a betting contest as well as a contest of local pride. The betting tradition has remained with the sport and today large sums are wagered on the outcome of fights. Muaythai compettition was an activity that earned income for boxers throughout Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods.

In 1921 the competition held on the ground floor with the width of 20 m. (spectators sit or stand around the boxers to form boundary) was no longer existed. a 4-foot ringwith two stairs to get on the ring replaced it mostly. The changes that the sport has undergone have been changes to equipment used rather than radical change.

In 1923 it marked the end of the practice of "rope" wrappings around the knuckles entirely. The police by the interior Ministry prescribed the boxers to worn gloves instead and groin guards.. The groin guard later became a triangular shaped pillow, red or blue, tied around the waist with a through strap between the legs. This innovation was also in response to the growing success of Thai Boxers in international boxing. the groin was a perfectly legal move up until the 1930's. In the early days, the protection was made from tree bark or sea shells held in place with a piece of cloth tied between the legs and around the waist.

The establishment of stadiums, instead of makeshift rings and courtyards,began during the reign of Rama VII before the Second World War. During the war, they gradually disappeared but mushroomed again soon afterwards - MuayThai had not lost any of its appeal. The boxers from up-country once againheaded toward fame and fortune in Bangkok. The glory could be found at stadiums like Rajdamnern and Lumpinee. Muaythai live on air from the ring by TV. Ch3, Ch5, Ch7, Ch9, Ch11, ASTV and UBC.

The television fight broadcasts rate among the Kingdom's most popular programmes. In the provinces, villages cluster around any available TV to watch. In the city, people disappear from the streets while Thailand is watching Muay Thai. Other modern figures become legends because of a particular skill in the Muay Thai art. Like as Apidej Sit-Hirun, known as 'The Champion of Seven Titles', the mostfearful kicker that Muay Thai may ever have seen, he once broke his opponent's arm with his kick strike. Thai Boxing is also becoming increasingly popular outside of Thailand. It has its enthusiasts and practitioners in the Americas,Australia, Europe, Holland, finland, Russia, and Japan as well as in many other countries around the world. Training camps have been set up in many countries, creatina large number of professional and amateur Muay Thai boxers, coached by many Thai as well as non-Thai Instructors.

Today for Amatuer Muaythai have two international organization The International Amateur Muaythai Federation (IAMTF) had organized the First world Amateur Muay Thai Championships in 1995, The International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) just manage Program "WORLD CUP 2000" Amateur Muaythai fighters wear protective helmets and padded vests. for internation Professional by World Muaythai Council (WMC), for Thailand Professional Muaythai associate of Thailand. every person about Muaythai (Boxer, Promoter..) protected by The laws of Muaythai, There is always a referee posted on the ring for each fight, There are competitions for Muaythai champional boxing are similar in their appearance to the society and being globalization. The world's communities accept them as sports for professionals.

Source:? www.muaythai.com/history-muaythai.html

For more information, please visit? the following websites : www.muaythai.com and www.wbcmuaythai.com