Introduction

Muay Thai - pronounced 'moy' thai - is the national sport of Thailand. Descended from Muay Boran, Muay Thai is known as the 'Science of Eight Limbs'.  This is because it uses punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, using eight points of contact, as opposed to the traditional two (fists) in Western boxing or four (hands and feet) in other martial arts.

Practioners, or Nuk Muay, learn punches, kicks, elbows and knees from their instructor, the Kru. Competitions take place in a ring with gloves, similar to Western boxing.  At competition level it is 100% full contact and for this reason, Muay Thai students are known for being exceptionally fit and well conditioned.

The exact origins of Muay Thai are unknown, however given it's origins from Muay Boran, some believe it dates back between 300 and 3000 years ago.