Muay Thai History for Kids

Have you ever wondered what it was like to learn Muay Thai in its earliest days? While schools in Thailand began teaching the sport in the 1930s, it actually goes much further back to when Thailand was still known as Siam.

Back in the 16th century (that’s the 1500s!) Thailand was at war with its neighbors, and Muay Thai was used as a combat technique in the army. The country also used the sport to settle disputes between villages.

As Muay Thai’s population grew in Thailand, it soon became a formalized sport with rules and regulations. At the time, as a kid, you would have looked up to the fighters as some of the (hopefully) most noble men in your village, wielding not just strength and power, but honor. You may have even sought to emulate them. 

In the late 1600s, King Prachao Sua became a big proponent of Muay Thai and developed the sport by organizing tournaments and encouraging the best fighters to compete against each other.

[Easton Kids Muay Thai Belt Ranking System]

Also in the 1700s (though much later) the Burmese invaded and sacked the Siamese (remember, Thai) capital and captured thousands of Siamese, including one named Nai Khanom Tom.

The Burmese King wanted to know if the Siamese martial art of Muay Boran (the precursor to Muay Thai!) could match up with the Burmese style of fighting his soldiers practiced. He selected Nai Khanom Tom to fight against his Burmese Boxing champion. Nai Khanom Tom won by knockout! 

The referee tried to invalidate the win, so the King sent his second champion to try and defeat Nai Khanom Tom. Nai Khanom Tom won again and again, as the king sent more and more champions. When he finally defeated the King’s 10th champion, the Burmese king declared Nai Khanom Tom’s victory and released all of the captured Siamese! 

From that day on, Thailand celebrated that day in history, March 17th, 1774, as National Muay Thai Day. Paying homage to your lineage, history and founders makes up an essential part of training in martial arts! It distinguishes a martial art from a sport, and can bring focus, drive and resilience to your game!

Lean into the journey and enjoy the ride. It’s all about the process and everything that happens along the way!

Competition for Kids in Muay Thai