I have been taking Muay Thai classes at Reza's Martial Arts Centre in Duraz, Bahrain for about two years now... and it is an addictive style of fitness. I experimented with Capoeira at the same centre, but quickly realized my love was in the boxing...
What all sources agree on is that Muay Thai began as a close combat battlefield fighting skill... More deadly than the weapons it replaced...The sources aren’t clear and often contradict each other. But there are two main theories:1) One says that the art developed as the Thai people moved down from China; honed in the struggle for land
2) The other theory of the history of Muay Thai says that the Thai people were already here and that Muay Thai developed to defend the land and people from constant invasion threats...
The history of Muay Thai second theory, while controversial, has considerable academic backing and archaeological evidence... The first is, however, possible as the area opened up to the early pioneers...
What is known is that the history of Muay Thai was an essential part of Thai culture right from its dawn. And in Thailand, it’s the sport of kings.
Muay Thai has changed across the years... Changed and evolved from a battlefield close quarters killing ground technique based on a fighting tradition passed on from generation to generation up to the present time...
But despite the changes of history, Muay Thai has lost none of its exotic appeal and even mystique... Muay Thai is still the fighting art to beat... The fighting art that defeats all challenges from Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwando and the latest kickboxing fashions... They have all come to Thailand, not just once but many times and from many places to test themselves...
Muay Thai has lost none of its appeal in Thailand... 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... I remember walking down the streets of Pattaya, wedging among huge crowds gathering at the bars, cheering excitedly at the opponents... What an amazing atmosphere it was!
I am continuing to dedicate myself to this form of fitness I truly love and enjoy - always an perfect combination :-)
