We're diving deep into the world of Muay Boran, and addressing some of the most common inquiries on the internet about this Thai martial art.
How Old is Muay Boran?
Its exact date is hard to pin down, but historians and scholars agree that Muay is as old as Thai people (around the 13th century); it was developed over the centuries by Thais starting from the Indian, Chinese, Tai, and Mon martial arts present on the country, eventually reaching a unique Thai identity. The oldest Muay Boran manuscript ever found is from 1824, as older Thai manuscripts (if existing) were probably burned in the fire of Ayutthaya in 1767.
The Muay that came down to us went through another 200 years of development, and is unknown what Muay Boran looked like before the 19th century.
What Does Muay Boran Mean?
The term 'Muay Boran' translates to "ancient boxing" in English. "Muay" means "boxing" and "Boran" means "ancient." It must be mentioned that the name "Muay Boran" was first used by the Muay Chaiya Grand Master Khet Sriyapai in the 1970s to distinguish the newborn combat sport Muay Thai from the Ancient Thai Martial Arts, and it was universally accepted around the early 2000s.
The old names of Muay Boran were Muay, Dti Muay, Chok Muay or Dtoi Muay.
What is Muay Boran?
Muay Boran refers to the collective of traditional Thai martial art styles that existed before the modernization and introduction of rules that birthed Muay Thai. It's a comprehensive fighting art involving strikes with the entire body, throws, sweeps, holds, chokes, joint breaks, and even ground combat elements in some styles.
Is Muay Boran Still Taught?
Yes, Muay Boran is still taught worldwide. It's preserved and taught in schools and training camps, mainly in Thailand, but also internationally.
Is Muay Boran Illegal?
No, Muay Boran is not illegal, but because of its lethal techniques, the way it is used can be illegal, according to the country's law or combat sports rules.
Is Muay Boran Dangerous?
Like any martial art, Muay Boran can be dangerous if not practiced responsibly. We can distinguish three types of Muay Boran techniques
1) Combat Sports techniques; which are useful in the ring and a controlled environment but not in a real confrontation
2) Perfomance Technique; spectacular and acrobatic techniques used in exhibitions, much like a theatre play. These rarely have a fight application worth using
3) Warfare techniques; utilized by Thai warriors or military to subjugate the enemy as fast as possible. These are extremely dangerous and might even exceed self-defense purposes.
Is Muay Boran Effective?
Muay Boran can be highly effective for combat sports or self-defense; it all depends on the way it is taught, the training methods, and the master's competence.
Is Muay Boran Real?
Yes, Muay Boran is very real. Despite its portrayal in movies and media, this martial art is more than just spectacular moves. It's a historical practice with deep cultural significance in Thailand and a practical martial art worldwide.
Many believe that Muay Boran is a recent invention, the truth is that only in the last year its history and development have been reconstructed by reuniting all the sources, but it is always been present in the history of Thailand, even in foreign accounts, and there are still few masters that were alive during the golden age of the art, or that were trained directly by the Grand Masters of that time. Not everything is known about this art and studies are still ongoing.
What are the Rules of Muay Boran?
When Muay Boran was practiced as Prize-Fighting, the rules prohibited biting, eye-gouging, scratching, and joint breaks.
What are the Differences Between Muay Thai and Muay Boran?
Muay Thai, often referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs", is a regulated sport with rules to ensure fighter safety. On the other hand, Muay Boran, the "Whole body as a weapon", includes more techniques such as head butts, throws, chokes, and joint breaks. While Muay Thai focuses on a sports approach, Muay Boran emphasizes real combat, or one as close as possible to it. To learn the differences more in-depth check out this video of mine
What are the Muay Boran Styles?
Muay Boran encompasses several regional styles, including Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat, Muay Lopburi, Muay Thasao, Muay Thalengpol, Muay Lertrit, Muay Chaisawat, Muay Phraya Pichai, Thaiyuth and more. To discover the styles in-depth check out this article.
What's Tony Jaa's Muay Boran style in the movie Ong Bak?
He uses a mix of various Muay Boran styles, with some features exaggerated to make it more spectacular; like the extremely low stance in some scenes, and the large use of acrobatic techniques.
Is Muay Boran Suitable for Everyone?
Muay Boran can be a great choice for anyone interested in martial arts as close as possible to real combat without rules and a complete martial art that makes you experience and feel Thai traditions.
Where Can I Learn Muay Boran?
You can learn Muay Boran in numerous martial arts schools worldwide, by looking for a Master in Thailand, or through my YouTube channel, books, and online course.
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