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It's a common misconception that the art of Muay Boran preceded modern Muay Thai. In fact, Muay Boran never existed as a fighting style, it is just a generic name used to describe the old boxing styles. The Thai word "boran" can be translated as "ancient" or "old style". Muay Boran is Muay Thai, just an older version of what we see today.
Old style Thai Boxing has recently gained popularity due to films such as Ong Bak and Tom Yam Gung, starring Tony Jaa. Many of the spectacular boxing techniques used in the films are from the original battlefield fighting style and the old regional styles of boxing.
These regional styles of boxing were popular during the time when boxing was known as Muay Kard Cherk or bound fist boxing.
The main regional styles were Muay Korat from the northeast, Muay Lopburi from the central region, Muay Ta-sao or Muay Pra Nakon from the north and Muay Chaiya from the south.
Only fragments of these styles remain except Muay Chaiya which is still practiced as a complete system.
There are many movements which were practiced in these old styles. Some are still used today in modern Muay Thai, but some are no longer practiced as they do not conform to the modern rules and are considered dangerous. They are still very effective as self defence techniques though. For anybody familiar with other styles of martial arts which practice katas, forms, hyung etc., I would consider these movements to be the kata of Muay Thai.
The standard 15 Mae Mai (major tricks) techniques and 15 Look Mai (minor tricks) of what is now commonly refered to as Muay Boran are a collection of some of the key techniques from all the old regional and battlefield styles. Many of the techniques have strange names which refer to characters from the Ramakien stories (Thai version of the Indian Ramayama), others refer to old poetry, folklore and animals.
Just to make things more confusing, many teachers may refer to a particular movement by a different name and there are also many variations of the same techniques. What one teacher may refer to as a Mae Mai technique another may call a Look Mai technique. They should not be considered as fixed movements but rather concepts which can be adapted to various attack and defence situations.
Mae Mai
1. Salab Fan Pla (fish tooth step)
2. Pak-sah Waeg Rang (bird breaks into the nest)
3. Ja-wah Sad Hok (Java throws the spear)
4. In-ao Tang Krit (Inao stabs the kris)
5. Yoh Khao Pra Sumeru (lifting Pra Sumeru mountain)
6. Ta Ten Kam Fak (old man holds the melon)
7. Morn Yan Lak (Mon holds up the pillar)
8. Pak Look Toy (sticking in the stake)
9. Jorakay Fad Hang (crocodile thrashes its tail)
10. Hak Nguang Aiyala (break the elephant's trunk)
11. Naka Bid Hang (twisting the serpent's tail)
12. Viroon Hok Glab (bird turns back)
13. Dab Chawa-la (turning off the lamp)
14. Kun Yak Jab Ling (the giant grabs the monkey)
15. Hak Kor Erawan (break the elephant's neck)
Look Mai
1. Erawan Soey Nga (Elephant swings its tusks)
2. Bata Loop Pak (foot touches face)
3. Kun Yak Pa Nang (The giant steals the girl)
4. Pra Ram Nao Sorn (Rama pulls the arrow string)
5. Kraisorn Long Huai (tiger descends into the stream)
6. Kwang Liaw Lang (deer turns back)
7. Heeran Morn Pen Din (mountain overturns earth)
8. Naka Mood Badan (serpent sneaks to the ocean kingdom)
9. Hanuman Tawai Waen (Hanuman presents the ring)
10. Yuan Tod Hae (Vietnamese casts a fishing net)
11. Tayae Kam Sao (Tayae supports the pillar)
12. Hong Peek Hak (swan with broken wings)
13. Sak Puang Malai (threading the flower garland)
14. Ten Kwad Larn (monk sweeps the floor)
15. Fan Look Buab (slicing the cucumber)
Many people ask whether Muay Thai fighters, in an attempt to sharpen their body weapons, ever dipped their bound fists into a resin/broken glass mixture.
The old time fighters’ hands were bound with a soft, raw hemp and were bound in a special way as to create knots. The way in which the fists and arms were bound differs in accordance to style and region and can be generally summarized as follows:
1. Northeastern style: Bound from the fist all the way to the elbows.
2. Northern style, Central Plains: Bound from the fist to mid-arm length.
3. Southern style (Chaiya): Only the fist portion is bound.
This is a reflection of the kind of weapons and tactics that comprise each style.
Old fighting rules dictate the use of only hemp to cover fists and no other, except for the sky axe which is a small religious ornament to protect each fighter. Smart fighters learned how to tie excess portions of hemp into knots as a means of turning their gloves into sharp weapons especially when sprayed with water hardens the hemp).
A fighter’s hemp binding is considered an important asset as it contains the blood and skin of his opponents. Upon finishing, the hemp will be stored in a clean, dry place waiting for its next usage.
Before each fight the referee requests each fighter to gently rub their fists against their cheeks as a sign that there are no hidden weapons.
There is no requirement that a boxer must cover his fists. If they choose, they may fight bare knuckle.
Grandmaster Ket Sriyapai (at age 72 yrs), himself, has also asked that during his trip to the province of Nakon Pathom to meet with Kru Too Thaiprasert (78 yrs) (the younger brother of Kru Daeng Thai Prasert – the key representative of the Muay Korat style who was also bestowed the title of “Muen Chagad Cherng Chok” by King Rama 5), the truth regarding bound hands covered with broken glass. According to Kru Too, who was also a fighter in the Suan Kularb Days, he has never witnessed such act since he was involved with boxing.
While still alive, Ajarn Ket was very concerned that this misunderstanding would lead outsiders to view ancient Muay Thai as being barbarious.
If we also consider the backgrounds of these two masters:
Ajarn Ket – Muay Chaiya of the south + Muay Pra Nakon (he was also a long time student of Ajarn Kimseng Tawisit). Kru Too – Muay Korat style of the northeast
We can see their experiences covers 3 of the 4 major styles of old style Muay Thai. It is therefore highly unlikely that the boxers ever dipped their bound fists into broken glass.
