🔙 Quay lại trang tải sách pdf ebook Muay Thai Boran Ebooks Nhóm Zalo Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan COVER Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan MUAY THAI BORAN The Martial Art of Kings Secret techniques Marco De Cesaris Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Acknowledgements Thanks to The artist Lydia De Novellis for the illustrations on pages 170, 184, 196, 210, 220, 229, 239, 248, 256, 270, 283, 293, 304, 316, 325. Khru Leonardo Bonucci, XII Khan, who can be observed in the photographs with the author. The Tourism Authority of Thailand for the photos on pages cover, 32, 90, 126, 135, 338. Dr. Carlo A. Cappelli for the advice on Anatomy and Traumatology Eng. Gianni Cantile for the advice on Rational Mechanics Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Copyright MUAY THAI BORAN - The Martial Art of Kings - Secret Techniques By Marco De Cesaris I edition 2012 ISBN 978-88-272-2354-3 Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan First digital edition 2013 © Copyright 2013 by Edizioni Mediterranee 109, Via Flaminia - 00196 Rome, Italy www.edizionimediterranee.net Digital version by Volume Edizioni srl - Rome, Italy Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Dedication This book is dedicated to my father Enzo De Cesaris, the first Master who, by means his sensivity and profound sense of culture, illuminated my journey along the path of learning. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Dedication written by the Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy in Italy. Mr. Marco De Cesaris is an Italian Master, exceptionally impassioned and competent in Thai traditional martial arts. Thanks to his research, he has been able to conduct an in-depth investigation into the Thai Fighting Arts, achieving for himself a respected and well-known reputation both in Thailand and in Italy, as well as in other European and American countries. For many years, he has been an appreciated collaborator of the Royal Thai Embassy in Italy and currently also of our Thai Trade Center of Rome. By means of his books Arjarn Marco is bringing to light, in Italy and elsewhere, recognition of Muay Thai Boran, which plays a significant part in our precious cultural heritage. Without the support and efforts of Master Marco, Muay Thai Boran would not be as appreciated as it is nowadays and could even have been lost. I am sure that in this, his most recent work on Look Mai Muay Thai techniques, he will receive great appreciation from his readers all over the world and will provide precious information to all who believe and practice Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan the authentic tradition of Muay, one of Thailand’s precious cultural heritages. Thanks Mrs Suchana Chucherd Minister Counselor Commercial Office of Commercial Affairs Royal Thai Embassy, Rome Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Preface In 1976 as a young “novice” boxer, I came into possession of a book written and compiled by the journalist Hardy Stockmann, edited by O’Hara publications with the title of Thai Boxing Muay Thai. Stockmann, both passionate and an expert on Thailand and its traditions and culture, for the first time, presented, in a systematic manner, the theme of a type of fighting whose origins came from Siam and was little known about in the West. An important part of this book was dedicated to the analysis of Muay Thai at the end of the 70s written by Master Khetr Sriyabhaya, defined by Stockmann as “the most influential figure” in the world of modern Thai style fighting arts. Master Khetr, albeit in a refined manner, was extremely critical about the state of degradation in which Muay Thai was on his times and defined the technical level of the fighters and the trainers of that time as a pale reflection of what had once been a real Martial Art that could boast of Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan traditions both older and more glorious than many of those Martial Arts that were in vogue. His words were as follows: “Muay Thai is an art of self defense that uses various parts of the body. It is based on the principle of doing no more than what is needed to teach a lesson and can be used as a competitive sport or as a fight to the death. Muay Thai has now become a popular sport, appreciated both by Thai people and foreigners. It is however a real tragedy that one of Thailand’s National heritages, which should be conserved in all its traditional aspects, has deteriorated into a commercial sport. Only if Muay in its pure form is brought back to life, by the teachers following the ancient rules and traditions, the teachings only imparted by those who have the correct cultural knowledge, only then can the students obtain the long lasting benefits which would go beyond what they would expect. Discipline, competence and perfect health, of both body and mind are the guaranteed results. These words should be remembered by everyone, notwithstanding the opinions of many so-called experts, ignorant about the real Art; these people who, observing water, see only dry sticks floating on the surface moved along by the wind, and are unable to see the pearl that lies on the river-bed”. All this affected me profoundly and without further thought, as though pulled by an invisible force, I decided that my destiny should cross paths with the Science of the Nine Natural Weapons, the Martial Art of ancient Siam. As fate would have it, I managed two years later to try and put my project into practice, in Bangkok, where I hoped to come directly into contact with experts of this Art and possibly even with the Master whose words had had such an effect on me. I learned that unfortunately, Khetr Sriyabhaya had just died. Destiny or chance, it’s true to say that since then 34 years have gone by and my love for the Art of Muay has not diminished. On the contrary, in the 90s a meeting with another person who was a point of reference for me, Master Chinawooth Sirisompan, opened the doors to the wonderful world of tradional styles of Muay (those styles that Master Khetr spoke of with such emphasis) which have been rebaptised as Muay Boran and have finally helped me to grasp Master Sriyabhaya’s message. He, who all those years ago raised his voice loud against “sport business” and wished to see the Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan return of the art to its origins as a martial discipline. Today I continue my journey passionately, that journey which started so many years ago continues onwards without interruption. I have studied, learned and spread the news of my findings, in a way paying back that debt of conscience that I owe to those great teachers, who have guided my journey towards the discovery of the original principles of Muay. Thanks to the publication of books, articles, videos and practical demonstrations of Muay Boran principles I continue to give my contribution to the process of transmitting the message of a great exponent of Thai traditions, someone, whom I have never had the honor of meeting but whose words deeply marked the path my life was to take. Marco De Cesaris Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan About the author, signed by the Thai Grand Masters Khru Dtuey Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Not only can Khru Marco write about Muay Thai but he can also demonstrate with examples what he has lear-ned. I have followed his work for many years and I am very pleased with the level that he has reached. I have always pushed my best pupil Sane Tubtimton to follow the path of Muay Boran because he has been a diligent student of ancient Thai traditions; now that he and Marco have met and have worked well together to preserve that which had been once forgotten, the ancient path of Muay, that I indicated to my student and has now been passed on to Marco whose job it is to present it to the world. There is a line of kinship similar to that of father to son, that goes from me to Sane, and from Sane to Marco and now I feel serene knowing that our ancient traditions will not become lost. Khru Marco is part of my Muay line and for everyone from now on he shall be called Marco Sytyodthong and along with his students can become part of our one big family. Grand Master Yodthong Senanan Sriwaraluk Khan 19 Khru Muay Association Gold Mongkon Year 2000 best Muay Thai Teacher Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan by Ministry of Education Khru Pho Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Arjarn Marco is a foreigner who through diligence, patience, study and effort has learned this ancient art of boxing. Furthermore he has practised this art for a long time studying from ancient texts, with my help, learning from documents, and by observing and questioning the experts. He has travelled to Thailand many times to practise with Khru di Muay Boran, like me, in many ancient places of great importance such as Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Nakhon Rat-chasima (Korat), Ban-gkok and Chaiya. It is no surprise that he is an appreciated Muay Bo-ran teacher due to his worth and the way he makes himself useful to others. It is my privilege to pay homage to him and to make known his great qualities in Thai Martial Arts, not only to everyone in Thailand and Europe but the rest of the world also. I wish to encourage him to always do his best to conserve, promote and spread the practise of Muay Boran throughout the world. Khru Pho Phosawat Saengsawang Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Gold Mongkon Khan 19 Khru Muay Association Professor Rajabat Maha Sarakham University Master Sane Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Ajarn Marco’s heart has brought him to Thailand many times, in order to learn Muay Thai and Muay Boran, from different Masters and in different places. Howe-ver, I believe that it was destiny that lead him to the fulfilment of his fate; that is to be an instrument for uniting and reaching all Muay Thai Boran warriors. He has learned and understands many techniques and is able to apply and innovate new techniques as a result of the traditional styles that he learned. Ajarn Marco is an intelligent student and has maintained the willingness and curiosity to learn, allowing him now to become a complete Master. I first met Ajarn Marco way back, many years ago, and from that conversation I had with him I already knew that he had a deep knowledge and passion for the Art of Muay Boran. He can tell stories about Muay Boran that not a lot of Thais know about. He possesses the quality of a true master, the spirit of humility, respect, and wisdom. He has never showed arrogance in spite of his superiority to other masters, he displays serenity in all places and to all people, and the intelligence or wisdom to choose; indeed he is a principled man of good values. Grand Master Sane Tubtimtong Gold Mongkon, Khan 16 Khru Muay Association Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Member of Lumpini Stadium Board of Directors Master Woody My friend Marco, what a long way you have come since I first met you and started teaching you the old way of Thai fighting; your wisdom and un derstanding of Muay Boran has now reached the highest level. You have come to this point through dedication and practise but, most of all, thanks to the deep respect you always sho wed for the Art of Muay Thai Boran and for the great teachers who gave you knowledge and advice. Your insatiable desire for learning has Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan made you proud but humble and I believe you will inspire people to better understand the ways of Muay Boran. Grand Master Chinawooth Sirisompan Gold Mongkon Khan 17 Khru Muay Association President of Khru Muay Association (KMA) Honorary President of International Muay Boran Academy (IMBA) Vice President of Association Institute of Thai Martial Arts (AITMA) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan PART ONE Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Chapter 1 - The ancient Art of Kings MUAY THAI BORAN Muay Thai Boran (traditional Thai fighting) is the mother Martial Art that has recently developed, from 1929, into a combat sport which is appreciated world wide and known as Thai Boxing or Muay Thai. Originally “Muay” was Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan the art and science of fighting, as it was visualized and developed by the ancient Siamese Masters. Traditional Muay owes its origins to ancestral fighting methods of the people of Siam, elaborated and refined thanks to a continous process of trial and correction. Pichaiyuth, Dti Muay, Pahuyuth, Sillapha Muay, Mai Muay Thai and Muay Kard Chiek: under these and other labels the murderous Siamese bare handed techniques have been practised for centuries, united today with the common name of Muay Boran. Consecutive developments of Thai Martial Arts have followed distinct phases and have been subdivided according to the varying techniques imposed upon the fighters during the “sporting” matches fought in times of peace. That is to say what is generally labelled Muay Boran is actually a masterly melange of elements characteristic of different technical settings defined by scholars as the Regional Styles (for example; Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat, Muay Lopburi and also Muay Luang, Muay Uttaraditt or Muay Ta Sao) and fighting principles that follow a common logic (like the White Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Monkey techniques or those of a purely military battlefield style such as Muay Ler Dritt) actualized and made usable by modern western disciples thanks to a well structured teaching system. In this sense it is correct to say that present-day Muay Boran is at the same time both an ancient and modern discipline: ancient because of it’s strategies and traditional techniques which date back to ancient times and modern due to the contemporary codification of a diverse and diffuse technical background made by Muay Thai experts and scholars of Siamese martial traditions immersed in the reality of today and directed towards future development. MUAY AND THE THAI PEOPLE Originating from the Yunnan plains in China the people known as Yuan progressively advanced southwards, joining another group of nomads, the Ai Lao, giving birth to the Tai Yai (the Great Thai to distinguish them from the Tai Yuan, a minority group that settled down in the area around Chiang Rai, giving rise to the Kingdom of Lanna). From then on, these people with the blood of warriors running through their veins were accused of being barbarians by the then more culturally evolved Khmer and Mon. They Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan managed to conquer for themselves a fertile home which they defended for centuries against invaders, consistently winning and managing to remain independent; the Kingdom of Siam influenced the history of the whole of South East Asia, until 1939. This was the year in which the name Thailand was officially adopted, meaning “Land of the Free”, wishing to memorize their glorious tradition of independence of which they were all so proud. The origins and the history of Muay are enmeshed in the history of the Thai people who created this invincibile fighting technique. Various versions of the origin of Siamese fighting principles have been passed down through the centuries. The reality is, contrary to other fighting styles of Far East, that Muay did not spring from one single founder but rather from Thailand’s cultural heritage as a whole, that is to say, from Thai people themselves. One can certainly talk about technical and cultural influences that have been of some importance in the actual methods of approaching warfare and military tactics and strategies, and as a consequence bare hands or armed fighting. The ancient Indian culture has notably influenced the Thai way of life and also Indian Martial Arts have acted as a role-model for Muay techniques both directly and indirectly through other cultures which have an important role in the history of South East Asia, such as those of the Mon and, above all, the Khmer. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Eastern Martial Arts historians are still debating the relationship between Siamese warrior traditions and Khmer fighting techniques (called “Muay Khmer” by Thai people), that according to one theory would form the origins of Muay Boran. In fact according to some, Pradal Serey or the more military style named Bokkator which developed in Ancient Cambodia from the 10th century onwards, and whose existence is demonstrated in the still visible bas reliefs at Angkor Wat, the historic imperial ca-pital, were imported into Siam. Here, these techniques would have been processed and elaborated upon becoming the technical basis of archaic Muay. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan According to another theory, both Muay Khmer and Muay Thai have their origins in the fighting style used by the populations in northern Thailand, around the Province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The fighting style of Muay Khorat, which originated in that area, after going through numerous transformations and implementations, would be the missing link between the Cambodian and the Thai disciplines. Also Southern China, from which the ancestors of Thai people originated, almost certainly had contacts with these disciplines, influencing the creation of the Siamese fighting system. It is also proved, (for instance by the Chinese troopers sta-tues still visible at Samut Songkran [fig. I]) how the Chinese were for some time allies of the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya. During their stay here with the role of “consultants”, their influence was transmitted to the ancient siamese fighters by means of technical exchanges between warriors. In a different, but just as important way Indonesian and Malaysian styles of self-defense have been studied, and in some instances integrated into Muay styles, particularly in the southern part of Thailand. However, apart from these albeit strong influences, the determinining force over time behind the Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan categorization of this deadly style of fighting has been the spirit of the Thai people, their desire for independence and their cohesion. The very kings of Thailand have worked as catalysts of these energies, incenting the study and practise of Muay Thai; such practice has functioned as a national bonding during times of peace, and in times of war like an instrument of death to prevail over enemies. Siamese militaries have always widely used Muay techniques, when the combat was body to body and the kicks typical of their style (Tiip and Tae) proved to be so useful for controlling their adversaries to then finish them off with the sword. The king’s guards were selected from the most proficient Muay fighters and their style, perfectioned over time (called Muay Luang or Royal Muay) is the result of the best fighting principles expressed by the most prominent exponents of different regional styles. With regards to the development of this Siamese Art through time, our study focuses predominantly on the analysis of the secular traditions of Muay Boran, that is to say Muay in its original version. Thai Boxing, which derived from the ancient Martial Art and has evolved, to the most part since 1929, during the so-called Bangkok (or Khrung Thep, City of Angels) period. The latter has, in turn been sub-divided into periods covering the years between the late 18th century up to present day. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan With regards to this, the year 1929 which is conventially referred to as the starting point of the modern era of Muay Thai with the abandonment of bound-hand fighting (Muay Kaad Chuek) and the introduction of rules similar to those used in western boxing (Marquess of Queensbury rules) corresponded with a tragic event that caused the end of an era. In a dramatic bout Prae Liang Prasirt, a noted practioners of Muay Ta Sao, brutally beat up and caused the death of Jia Pratabong, a noted practioner of Muay Khmer. Muay Sao Tao (also known as Muay Uttaradit) fighters had always been distinguised by their agressiveness and ferocity whilst fighting and a fight ending with severe impairments being inflicted upon an opponent was rather common. However, after this particular bout ending for the umpteenth time in a fatal manner and probably also due to the natural cultural evolution of the country and the desire to modernize, Kaad Chuek fights (fig. II) were banned and gloves became mandatory. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Progressively the more martial aspects of Muay Boran were gradually eliminated (with the introduction of the boxing ring, rounds, the prohibition of those techniques considered too dangerous – such as bone dislocations and throws). However, the change was not immediate. During the 70s, for the first time the author had direct experience of what was happening. Thai Boxing was still suspended between the desire for change and modernity at all costs and its unwillingness to abandon traditional techniques. In Bangkok stadiums (above all in its oldest one, the Rajadamnern which had been going since December 23rd, 1945 but also in the, Lumpinee Stadium, which was new at the time) traditional techniques were still in use during fighting, even if the use of gloves and the restrictive rules modelled on those of Boxing made these techniques more difficult to perform. For example, one of the special punches still employed at that time was the mysterious “fisherman punch”, which actually derived from the ancient use of striking with the outer edge of the hand, common to many styles of Muay Boran. Gradually these Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan usances, which were not considered adequate in order to allow a fully international development of the discipline were abandoned altogether in modern Muay Thai, and along with them a huge chunk of cultural heritage disappeared and remained in oblivion for many decades. Looking back in time to when Muay Boran was still in vogue, we can see that its evolution went through distinct phases. The oldest records we can refer to date back to a period between the 13th and 15th centuries when Suk hothai was the capital of the Kingdom. The technical development’s peak of the Art from a martial perspective, occurred during the era of Ayutthaya, city founded by King U-Thong (Ramathibodi I), between 1350 and 1767, year of the downfall of the capital. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan During this period of great cultural, political and commercial ferment there were many personages who had a fundamental role in the development of Siamese Martial Arts. The one that stands out primarily was the famous warrior Nai Khanom Thom (fig. III) who distinguished himself in battle by defeating ten Burmese gladiators in an epic bare-hand fight. He gained not only his own freedom but that of his comrades from the King of Burma of whom they were prisoners (this historic event is still remembered and celebrated every year on March 17th). The names of many Siamese kings and warriors are inextricably linked to Muay Boran traditions that for centuries have been a concrete heritage of the Thai people. King Naresuan (known as the Black Prince of Siam) (fig. IV) who reigned from 1569 was held hostage from the age of nine by the Burmese. He learned from his enemies their fighting techniques that dated back to those warrior traditions of Khmer empire and was capable of using them against his very prison guards. Once he was released he personally fought in 27 different battles and survived. On January 25th, 1592 during the final battle of Burma’s fifth invasion of his country, King Naresuan, whose battle position was on the top of an elephant, saw and was able to recognize (from his youth spent in prison) the King of Burma. He succeeded in killing him with his deadly Ngaaw spear. From then on this date has been celebrated as the Thai Army Day. King Naresuan was also a convinced advocate of martial training, or Pahuyuth that was incorporated into the different units of the army; he separated for the first time unarmed techniques from those using weapons. The names of Phra Chao Sua (also known as Tiger King) a fervent practitioner, resear-cher and promoter of Muay, and Phra Chao Taksin (fig. V), who was said to have learned the secrets of fighting in the mo-nastery of Kosa, are also inextricably linked to Muay Thai history. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Finally, we would also like to cite another warrior, who al-though not of royal extract, ma-naged to gain the respect of King Taksin and his nobles. Due to this he was even appointed Chao Muang (Governor). He left his mark on the development of Siamese Mar-tial Arts due to his exceptional combat skills. This indomi-table warrior, named Praya Pichai Daab Hak, faithful soldier and invincibile in battle, was able to fight even with a broken-sword hence his nickname Daab Haak (in Thai language daab means short sword and hak means broken). Daab Hak, even unarmed, was capable of wreaking havoc on the enemy and in fact in unarmed combat he managed to kill the general of the Burmese army. Daab Hak’s ferocious fighting style was characterized by incredibile flying techniques that have been passed down into Muay Ta Sao, a style he helped make famous. From royalty to countrysiders, from north to south of the nation everyone in Thailand has loved and practised the National Martial Art, probably like nowhere else in the world. However, during these glorious eras 3 cities stand out due to the valour of their Nak Muay, Muay fighters, to the point that the cities were renamed as Muay Thai cities: Chaiya, Khorat and Lopburi have become part of the history of Siamese fighting. The best representatives of the three cities gained honor and glory, thanks to their competitive achievements, in the presence of King Rama V during a large funeral which took place in Bangkok in honor of Prince U-Ru-Pong Ratchasompotch near the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (fig. VI). Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan The three best fighters were honored with the title of Official: they were Plong Chumnontong from Chaiya, Kling from Lopburi and Darng Thaiprasert from Korat. The three styles are still regarded as the most effective fighting systems developed in the history of Muay and are a motivating topic to study, in technical terms, for the practitioners of Muay Boran today as it has been for centuries. From a technical point of view Muay Boran is based and founded upon the scientific use of the 9 NATURAL WEAPONS of the body: 2 fists (Mahd), 2 elbows (Sok), 2 knees (Kao), 2 feet (Thao) and shins and head (Hua). The combined use of these elements in a rational and systematic way allows an infinite variety of extremely efficient attack and defense moves. The main actions are based on striking techniques, but an expert in Muay Boran is capable of combining strikes with wrestling holds, throws, twisting and joint dislocations, and choke holds. Teaching during the time of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was initially based Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan on the study of various guard positions and, later, on the proper use of the above cited natural weapons (fig. VII). A Nak Muay had to simultaneously refine the principles of control of the opponent’s attacks with defensive strategies and sophisticated movements that were based upon Yang Saam Khum, the starting point of Thai style footwork. Each Khru Muay (Master) had his own teaching style, however once the basic elements had been integrated, every student would begin to learn the real fighting strategies, the Mae Mai and Look Mai Muay Thai techniques. The former, Mae Mai which means fundamental techniques, are the founding principles of the Thai fighting style. They can also be defined as Mai Khru or Master techniques. Look Mai or Mai Kred are more advanced and sophisticated rationales of Muay and were only revealed to students who were already advanced enough in their art, and those which their Khru Muay felt could be trusted. Such a complex baggage of combat techniques and fighting principles have only been partially transmitted to contemporary Thai Boxing, for the most part Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan teaching is limited to a simplified version of what had been for centuries a lethal weapon once passed into the hands of a fully trained and highly motivated warrior. However, thanks to a small group of passionate teachers, who dedicated a great part of their lives collecting and transmitting all of the information that they managed to obtain, Muay Boran has come back to life even if it has passed through the filter of modernity. THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MUAY BORAN TODAY The Grand Masters with whom this author has had the honour of working and from whom has learned the secrets of traditional Muay are today recognized in the mother land of this Art as figures of reference and highly respected. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan GM Todthong Senanan: the dean of all the Muay Thai masters, has allowed this author to use his name, Sit Yodhtong, as a sign of the continuity of the bloodline of his teaching. He has been a Muay Thai Master since 1960, as well as being committed to keeping alive the traditions of Muay Kard Chiek in the modern era of Muay Thai. Khru Dtuey (as he is known in Mauy Thai circles) has “produced” during his many years of optimum teaching unequalled champions such as Kongtoranee, Chardchai and Samart, just to name a few. GM Prof. Phosawath Saeng-sawan: : Professor GM Phosawath Saengsawan, the main expert of the periods of developement of Siamese martial traditions, who codified Mae Mai and Look Mai, has passed on, over the years, his knowledge to the author with the scope of presenting such knowledge to Western practitioners. Professor GM Phosawath Saeng-sawan is the custodian of the most authentic Siamese traditions of unarmed combat. Thanks to his incessant research this knowledge has now come to us. His keen interest, his passionate desire to experiment and his great skills as a performer have made him a reference point for all those wishing to fully comprehend the spirit of Mai Muay Thai techniques. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan GM Sane Tubtimtong: famous expert in traditional forms and Chern Muay techniques, fellow scholar and teacher of the author and top student of Grand Master Yodthong in the field of the traditions of bound-hands combat. Thanks to his experience as a fighter, promoter, referee and Thai boxing trainer, Master Sane has been able to create a bridge between ancestral principles of Siamese fighting and their modern applications for competition, self-defense and fitness purposes. GM Chinawooth Sirisompan: : the person responsible for bringing back Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Muay Boran to life, mentor of the author and the first person to proliferate the idea of Muay as being a martial art rather than just a sport. At the beginning of his work of reorganizing this Siamese martial heritage, the practice of Muay was seen solely as a form of Thai fighting similar to Kick Boxing. GM Chinawooth Sirisompan, known to most as Master Woody, has brought traditional Muay back to the point where it can now be offered to students around the world. Colonel Nophakao Sriboonruang: expert in special armed forces fighting techniques, has for years trained officers of the Thai Army, in unarmed combat techniques and knife fighting at the Military Academy of Chulachomk-lao. After having tested, on numerous occasions the efficacity of combat principles he teaches, the Co-lonel has developed a system of Muay Lert Rit, the military techniques of Muay Boran, that integrates the foundations of Mae Mai and Look Mai along with devastating traits taken Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan from other Martial Arts that he has studied during his career (mainly Judo Kodokan). Thanks to his help and his teaching it has been possible for the author to open a sector in his Muay Boran Academy that deals with the issues relative to Lert Rit. Colonel Amnat Pooksri-suk: his knowledge of traditional Muay Thai styles is indisputabile. From the latter half of the 90s his ongoing research has frequently crossed paths with those of the author. At the same time mutual respect has flowered and led to collaboration between the two teachers. For many years Colonel Amnat has written “explosive” articles on Muay Thai magazines, which placed emphasis on the martial array of techniques currently used in Muay Thai sport. His deep understanding of the principles of both ancient and modern military combat allowed him to develop a sytem of fighting which is extremely efficient and appropriate for the needs of Western self-defence practioners. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan National Culture Commission. Apart from the famous names celebrated for their essential contribution to the development of what is now Muay Thai, we have the duty to recognize an institution which over time has always supported and followed the work of those eminent teachers that have been mentioned. In Thailand, exists a National Office of Culture Commission, one of the fourteen departments of the Ministry of Education. The Culture Commission is a body whose function is to support the study and development of National traditions such as traditional Dance, Music and Traditional Martial Arts – in all their aspects (cultural forms, self-defense, rituals). The author has had the privilege of working side-by-side with the executives of this office who in the last 20 years have taken turns at the helm. Without their valuable assistance it would not have been possible to accumulate the vast quantities of detailed information about the history of Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Muay Thai from its origins until today. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Chapter 2.1 - The fundamentals TRADITIONAL STYLES Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Muay Thai, the science of the rational use of the 9 main weapons of the hu man body: 2 hands; 2 elbows; 2 legs (shins and feet) and the head. A real Thai Bo-xer, thanks to years of physical training is able to transform his body into a weapon. He is capable of using his anatomical parts both in attack and defense, using his various body parts like clubs, axes, spears, rocks and shields. Actually, even though that idea of a Nak Muay (Thai Boxer), corresponds to what for centuries has been the goal for all students of Muay, in the Siamese tradtion there are always two well-defined stylistic branches that emphasise two ways of reaching the same objective: the absolute efficiency of unarmed combat. The first way is that of Muay Lak which, using a term dear to scholars of chinese Martial Arts, can be defined as belonging to the “hard” styles. Regional styles such as Muay Korat, Muay Lopburi and Muay Pranakorn belong to this group, the techniques of these three styles can be considered as the basis of Modern Thai Boxing which is still now practised in Thailand and the rest of the world. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan However, Muay Thai Boran is not only represented by “hard” styles; Siamese unarmed combat is also made up of “soft” styles, known as Muay Kiao. The most obvious of this type is without doubt Muay Chaiya, made famous in the 70s by Grand Master Keat Sriyabhaya, but neither should we forget the techniques of Hanuman the mythical King of the Monkeys or those of Luesee the ascetic which also belong to this group. A real expert of Muay Boran cannot leave aside any of the two, they are as complementary as day and night – Yin and Yang, a lack of one of the two approaches would cause serious gaps in a Thai Boxer’s personal technical baggage. From Muay Lak one should acquire the devastating power of leg and arm attacks and the experimented training methods which for years have made shins, knees and arms as hard as iron. From Muay Kiao one should learn how to avoid the power of one’s opponent by becoming part of that very attack and retaliating with fast, “poisonous” and unpredictable actions that will cause problems to even larger and more powerful opponents. If we take a look at the following sections, we can observe the compared characteristics of the two most important styles, Muay Korat and Muay Chaiya, representing both technical bran-ches, hard and soft. The technical clarifications that we are able to show here are the re-sult of several meetings be-tween the author and two Masters, both scholars and experts of the two traditional styles mentioned; Khru Chao Wathyotha (fig. I), well-known expert of Korat and Khru Mud (Puwasak Suksiri-aree) (fig. II) well-known ex-pert of Muay Chaiya, both eminent academics, have provided detailed data and precise technical analysis of these styles, rich with historical knowledge and still today an important source of priceless knowledge for strategies and techniques of fighting. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan MUAY KORAT STYLE Geographical origins Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Nakhon Ratchasima, often abbreviated to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. It borders with Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, and Lopburi. The capital city, Nakhon Ratchasima is situated in the district of Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima. This large province occupies most of the north-eastern plains of the country and is situated 259 kms from Bangkok. It covers an area of about 20,000 km2, which makes it the largest province in Thailand. It is rich in the Khmer culture and has a long history. The area around Korat was already an important centre during the Khmer Empire of the 11th century, which is evidenced by the ruins of the Phimai Temple, now an historic park. Nakhon Ratchasima, a walled city, was built in the 17th century by order of the King Narai of Ayutthaya. It is the easternmost “command-post” to guard the borders of the Kingdom and to keep watch over its vassals, the Kingdoms of Laos and Cambodia. At later times Nakhon Ratchasima has continued to be the most important political and economic centre of the north-eastern regions. Technical Origins Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan The first patriarch of Muay Korat was Phra Hensamahan, he encrypted the most articulate and coherent form of the style the story of which goes back to ancestral traditions of South East Asia. It’s told that the source of his style came from martial techniques developed in ancient Cambodia during the Khmer’s reign: according to our studies the origin of Muay Khorat would be the mythical Martial Arts of Angkor Wat, seat of the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, whose culture strongly influenced the inhabitants of the Khorat area. The development of this style occurred in four periods: the first going from the reign of Rama I until the reign of Rama IV. Recent historical documentation recounts that during the reign of Rama V, a student of Phra Hensamahan named Deng Thaiprasert who was from the province of Nakhon Ratchasima distinguished himself at a tournament being held in the Royal Palace on the occasion of the cremation of Prince U-Ru-Pong Ratchasom potch. Deng, in the presence of the king, beat opponents from various parts of the country provoking admiration amongst the Royalty. To reward him, he was appointed a knight of the Royal Guard and was nicknamed Meun Changat Cherng Chok (Knight of Excellent Combat Tactics). The name referred to the mastery of his use of one of the “trademark” moves of the Korat style, the deadly round punch called Wiang Kwai or buffalo swing. Together with cicular kicks, Tae Ken Kor, which aim for the side of the neck, the buffalo punch has contributed to create the legend of the unbeatability of this style, which after successive transformations happening over decades, has constituted the technical base of modern Thai Boxing. In Muay Korat (fig. III) the initial concern for students was for them to learn the proper stance and to study the rhythm of the steps, both offensive and defensive. These movements, still now executed in Ram Muay (warrior dances), are used to teach the student right from the beginning how to relate with space around him, reducing to a minimum the possibilities of the adversary to manoever whilst at the same time defending one’s own Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan vulnerable areas. In order to do this the Korat Boxer, just like prouctitioners of other styles, must spend hours working on fighting postures, put into effect by combining the movement of arms and legs, these latter moves always involving changes of rhythm with the aim of surprising one’s opponent. With reference to the rhythm of steps of a traditional fighter, one should note the great difference with that of a modern Thai Boxer. In ancient times fights did not have any time limit, so fighters had a tendency to maintain a slow rhythm with sinous, rhythmics movements to then explode suddenly into rapid actions seeking to put their opponents out of action. Obviously, not knowing the out-come of one’s attack (the adversaries may well have good defense moves) the fighters go back to a slow rhythm to preserve energy in order for the bout to continue. A correct on-guard position is important at all times, necessary to guarantee efficient defense moves and rapid counter-attacks: with this in mind the characteristic steps particular to the style are continuously repeated and are combined with guard positions, which compared to those of modern-day Thai Boxing athlete can appear quite abnormal. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan The typical guard position of Muay Korat, called Lub Jod was designed to put the fighter into a position that allowed him to strike with maximum power at any moment using circular kicks or punches made by the rear leg or arm. Thus the heel of the back leg was kept well off the ground, with the weight of the body becoming deliberately unbalanced forwards and the arms being kept relatively low with the shoulders relaxed allowing Wiang Kwai to be executed at greater speed. Defense is built around the Yang Yok position, whereby the front leg keeps aim on the opponent and blocks every offensive movement. These movements are reminiscent of the graceful yet powerful movements of a tiger. In fact the basic steps made for approaching an adversary are called Seua Yang or step of the tiger. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Typical techniques The first characteristic was hand-binding: in this style raw cotton ropes wrapped the fists and the arms up to the elbows; the latter were not in fact body weapons in which Korat boxers were specialized. The wrapping also worked as protection for the forearms in case they were struck by the powerful circular kicks typical of this style. The wide circular punches were feared for their devastating power, from which their name Mahd Wiang Kwai or Swing Punch of the Buffalo comes. The perfect complement to the wide Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan swing are straight punches which in the Korat are performed, to the contrary of other Muay styles and unlike Modern Western Boxing, with the fist held vertically, mainly using the lead arm which acts like a piston (exactly the same methodology used by Western Bare Knuckle Boxers). The straight punch thrown with a vertical fist offers more solidity at the level of the wrist and a better alignment of the forearm bones which can be used to crush or upraise the opponent’s punches creating a sort of bridge which can be used as a lever on the attacking arm. The corresponding straight kick starting with the legs in the Yang Yok position was the Yotha Sin Thop, a front snap kick suddenly brought to the adversary’s face, often in preparation for the next round kick. This last technique was another characteristic of the style: roundhouse kicks (whose training involves striking banana tree trunks over a long period of time) reach the target with exceptional force using, like circular punches, the complete rotation of the hips to generate an enormous impact upon the adversary like a door violently slamming shut (called in Thai, Long Dan Pratoo). It is said that this way of kicking was probably inspired by the relaxed yet powerful movement of an elephant’s trunk. Another action typical of this style is the neck hold which works like a vise to suffocate and hold the opponent, whilst rapid knee strikes hit the body and face of the unfortunate adversary (Chap Ko Ti Kao technique, made famous in modern times by the famous champion Diesel Noi). Strong points: the use of hands, shins and knees is highly developed both for offense and for erecting an impenetrabile barrier against the adversary’s attacks, the blows have a devastating power, they are efficient from any distance, they can be learned in a relatively short time compared to soft techniques. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Weak points: the blows are quite predictable, there is greater energy loss during the strikes, a high level of bone conditioning is necessary, and they are based on having good physical shape in order to be efficient. Technical images Basic techniques: Basic guard (Lub Jod) and footwork (fig. 1, 2, 3) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Yang Yok (fig. 4, 5, 6, 7) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Buffalo punch (Mahd Wiang Kwai) (fig. 8, 9) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Kon Mahd Wiang Kwai (difesa) – A. Arm only (fig. 10) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan B.B. Arm and vertical punch (fig. 11) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Middle kick block (Kon Tae Glan) with palm on chest and elbow on leg (fig. 12,13) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Straight punch block (Kon Mahd Trong) and straight horizontal punch to solar plexus (fig. 14, 15) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Diagonal roundhouse kick (Long Dan Pratoo) (fig. 16, 17) Straight whip kick (Yotha Sinthop) (fig. 18, 19, 20) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Mae Mai / Look Mai Hak Nguang Aiyara (fig. 21, 22) Khun Yak Panang (fig. 23, 24) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Kon Rukka Mun (fig. 25, 26, 27) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Hak Kor Erawan (fig. 28, 29, 30) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Chapter 2.2 - The fundamentals MUAY CHAIYA STYLE Geographical origins Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Chaiya is a both a district and a city in the south of Thailand in the province of Surat Thani. The bordering districts are Tha Chang, Kapoe, Phato and Tha Chana. To the east is the Gulf of Thailand. The eastern part of the district prevalently consists of low, flat coastal areas, whilst to the west are the mountains and forests of the Khao Sok National Park. Chaiya is one of the most ancient Thai cities. The name could be derived from the original historical Malay name “Cahaya” (to shine or light). Some scholars have linked Chai-ya with Srivi-ja-ya, meaning the city would have been a regional capital of the Srivijaya Kingdom from the 5th to the 13th centuries. One of the major monuments in that area is the Wat Phra Borom temple which is based on a Srivijaya style pagoda. Technical origins The best known traditional style from the south of Thailand, Muay Chaiya, Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan is renowned for its combat strategy which is mainly based on unpredictable evasion tactics and ferocious leg attacks, kicks or knee strikes, against the lower body parts of the adversary or sudden series of elbow strikes executed whilst quickly advancing towards the opponent, or, literally jumping over the opponent’s defense. Muay Chaiya, story has it, was created by a Chinese monk who during the course of his journeying came to stay in the village of Pum Riang (in the district of Chaya). It is said that he helped to tame a wild elephant that was damaging farms in the area. A temple was built to celebrate his success, the Wat Thung Chap Chang (“The Temple of the Elephant Captured in the Field”. “Chap Chang” is the term used when an elephant is captured). Than Mar became the abbot of this temple. The style developed therefore in the southern part of Thailand and was represented for decades by small-bodied Masters, to the contrary of Muay Korat which had always been more suitable for taller people. On the occasion of the competition bouts held at the Royal Palace at the funeral ceremony we described above, in the presence of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), one of the fighters who distinguished himself was a practitioner of Muay Chaiya; Plong Chumnongtong showed himself as being extremely smart and technical along with Deng of Korat and Kling of Muay Lopburi. They were all awarded the title of Knight and Plong was honored with the name of Muen Muay Mee Chue (Knight of the Famous Muay). This elegant style, from a martial point of view, has always placed great emphasis on low level kicks, with short, precise trajectories, along with fluid Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan defense movements and counter-attacks carried out by the arms (punches, elbow strikes and fore-arm strikes) towards a high target, the neck or head of the opponent. Moreover, the more impetuous the adversary and therefore less shrewd, the easier is to avoid the power of his attacks; by placing him in a position where he can’t harm you, you will be able to attack him with poisonous strikes aimed at exposed areas of his body; this is the creed of the Chaiya Boxer and it was with such a self confidence that the fighters of this style, characteristic of Muay Boran, fought against representatives of other styles. Muay Chaiya techniques date back to an era in which fights were ferocious and boxers were proud to represent their own style of fighting in encounters with representatives of other styles: sprouting above them all with its elegance, rich with spectacular techniques was Muay Chaiya. The Chaiya Boxer based his very movements on positions that appeared “vulnerable”, but which actually concealed fast and explosive reactions, performed by twisting and bending his body to best exploit its flexibility, even when space was tight. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan The more aggressive the adversary the more the Chaiya Boxer managed to turn his opponent’s energy against him; this was the foundation for fighters of the southern style. Muay Chaiya guard is very different from what generally could be called a “boxing guard” (adopted by Thai Boxers only in recent times with the introduction of the use of gloves and with a fixed number of rounds); the traditional basic guard position, Jot Muay (fig. IV), rotated 45 degrees and with parallel feet, places the fighter in a seemingly inefficient position but actually conceals a multitude of possible actions, designed to rapidly “eliminate” the opponent with attacks to his vital points. Even the guard on one leg (Tah Khru) looks unstable but due to specific training in the Mae Mai and Look Mai which are typical of Chaiya, it allows for striking while advancing, backing up or even jumping, avoiding at the same time the most common types of arm or leg attacks. This also goes for the low position assumed with the technique known as Suea Lag Hang in which the Chaya Boxer voluntarily places himself in a seemingly vulnerable Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan position inviting the opponent to strike, ready to react with a violent counter throw. It is said that the Muay Chaiya guard should resemble the Durian, King of Fruits, whose surface is covered with hard sharp thorns. For an aggressor, this would be painful only to touch it: knees, shins, forearms and elbows, if well placed, perform as protection and were considered “passive weapons” by experts of the style. Elbow slashes, forearm strikes, hammer punches and strikes with the back of the fist form part of the arsenal of a Chaiya Boxer in his fights to death. In order to use these weapons to the maximum, hand-binding (with raw-cotton ropes) covered the hands of the boxer only to the wrist, to the contrary of those Muay Korat fighters who bound their hands up to the elbow. Another theory suggests that different techniques and principles of the Malaysian Ber Silat and the Indonesian Penchak Silat styles would have been assorbed into Chaiya mostly thanks to Muslim Masters. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Typical techniques The hand-binding, before a fight, is an important part of the preparation of fighters. Some Khru Muay Chaiya kept the secrets of this binding in order to make Kard Chiek weapons to all intents and purposes, similar to the claws of a wild beast (the Seua Lab Leb technique uses bound hands in order to injure the opponent’s face, mimicking the movements of a tiger’s claws when Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan attacking its prey). Having to make best use of the elbows and the forearms as weapons, binding was limited to the hands and stopped at the wrists. The first technical approach of a fight in this style was based on avoiding the attacking power of the opponent, using a sophisticated system of moves, torsions, changes of level and jumps which make the practioner of Muay Kiao a very much elusive target. The jumping techniques, especially kicks, knee strikes and elbow strikes (Gradot Tae/Kao/Sok) were studied in order to strenghthen each strike, even if the mass of the person executing the action was much less than that of the adversary. Elbow strikes were developed to exceptional levels, making Ti Sok the best weapon for the Muay “soft” stylists, an efficient blade in any situation, at any distance and in whatever position the fighters would find themselves in with respect to their chosen target. The holds, throws and joint breaking (called Tum Tap Chap Hak in Thai) were also very developed in this style and were often used to “finish-off” a skillful opponent during the exchange of blows. Strong points: the techniques were useful against heavier opponents, they don’t require a long bone conditioning in order to be efficient, using little force the techniques can be applied even when you’re not in great physical shape, the evasive style avoids impact thereby guaranteeing less harm to even the more mature practitioner. Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Weak points: the attacks don’t always reach a conclusion, it’s necessary to carry out more counter-attacks to insure victory against heavier adversaries and a lengthy training period is required to become skilled in using Muay Kiao. Technical images A. Preparatory exercises Pan Mahd (fig. 1, 2) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019 Kho Sach Vo Thuat Phi Loi Nhuan Pan Mahd, Plik Liem (fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Facebook: Chia se sach vo thuat - Phong Hien SG 24/04/2019