Na Dej Rukran

(Na, might invades), Ma Tao Harn Fan Fad (Ma, courage in
striking), Pa Pikat Home Huek (Pa, destroy without fear), Ta Prab Suek Toi
Tod (Ta, repel the enemy)."
19
Pre-fight Ritual
When fighters enter the ring, they traditionally are seen wearing a Mongkon on
their heads, and Pong Malai around their necks.
Mongkon
The Mongkon (or Mangala) is the traditional head band which is always worn by
Muay Thai fighters .

Na Yan Bot

Songkram ( Na the region of the war), Ma Tid tam Satru (Ma
follow the enemy) Bud Tor Su Pai Rin, (Bud fight the foes) Cha Sin Pol Krai
(Dha conquer all forces) Ya Chok Chai Chana (Ya glorious victory).
When fighting at close quarters King Naresuan used the following spell in
engaging the enemy in battle.

Om Sri Siddhi

Deja Chana Satru Na, Ma, Pa, Ta You see me. Your mind should
be gloomy, worried, without sense Namo Buddhaya makes you captivated,
believing that I am Ong Promma Chaiya Siddhi Pawantume".
18
One of the spells used by King Naresuan during his march against the Burmese,
is often used in this ceremony; "Pra Chao 5 Pra Ong" (Five Gods) Namo
Buddhaya;

There is always a large
container of holy water and a statute of Buddha, which is placed in the middle to
bear witness to the ceremony. Holy water is sprinkled on the student and the
teacher would offer the student the wearing of the holy cotton laurel, which is
governed with the following spell;

Siddhi Kijang,

" Siddhi Kammang, Siddhi Techo, Chaiyo Nijang, Chaiya
Siddhi Pawantute"
If there is pork or duck etc., then the teacher will take a knife and slice a piece
offering this to the student, while reciting "This object is given by Narayana to all
his pupils so that they could be powerful and enjoy lasting happiness". The student
makes another sign of respect and eats the piece of meat.

Buddhang Prasit

"Dhammang Prasit Sangkang Prasit, Narayana is Chao
Prasit Pawantute" (Meaning the one who confers knowledge).
When the teacher releases the hands of the student, then holds the article above
his head to pay respect to Rama, where he bows three times, he then faces the
teacher and bows three more times towards him. The teacher then makes the
following blessing;

The teacher

would pick up either a glove or the sacred cotton laurel and raise it
above his head, then the students to be initiated would bow to the teacher three
times and put out his arm to be held by the teacher while holding the glove or
laurel. Both the teacher and the student should be holding the article while the
teacher begins to incite the blessing of knowledge;

In general,

students of Thai boxing are usually initiated into a camp via an
initiation ceremony. The chosen day is usually Thursday, (Thursday is considered
the day of the god of arts and skills). The student would bring flowers, incense
sticks, candles, towels and a water container to the teachers house. He would also
bring with him 6 twenty-five Satang coins and 6 pieces of white cotton cloth.
Depending on the amount of students who are to be initiated, a small feast is
prepared, with pork, duck, and chicken with other foods and fruits.

Beginner Initiation Ritual

Thai boxers are prone to believe in magic spells, and the occult in the believe that
such ploys could stop the opponent who would be too puzzled to fight. Fighters are
known to have gone as far as to recite spells in graveyards particularly those
reputed to be haunted, so as to facilitate meditation, strength, courage and increase
readiness to face a man.

The drums

are used in pairs and are of different
pitches. The higher toned drum is referred to as tua pu (male) and the lower toned
drum as tua mia (female).
They are played with the palms and the fingers of the hands and both drumheads
are used. There is one player for each drum. A complex rhythmic line is created by
the inter-mingling and alternating of the sounds of the two drums.

The Glawng Khaek

The Glawng Khaek has a long cylindrical body which is made of hardwood and is
58 cm. (23") in length. The heads are of unequal size, the larger being 20 cm. (8")
in diameter called Na rui (literally "loose") and the smaller 18 cm. (7") in diameter
called Na tan ("outer head"). The two heads are made of calfskin or goatskin.
Originally the two heads were tied down with cane or rattan which was split in half
and tied apart, but now owing to the difficulty obtaining good rattan and cane,
leather tongs are usually used.

The cord fastens

the two cymbals together and holds them in
playing positions. The function of the Ching is to keep time and to beat out the
rhythm.
The name Ching is onomatopoetic, coming from the sound made when the two
edges of the cymbal are struck together and the sound is allowed to persist. It is a
melodious and chiming sound. When the two cymbals are struck together and then
held together, it is produces a dull clapping sound.

The Ching

The Ching which is a percussion instrument of the cymbal type comes in pairs and
is made of a thick metal shaped like a tea-cup or hollow cone. The Ching is played
by hitting the two pieces together. Each one measures about 6-7 cm, 2 1/2"-2 3/4 :
in diameter.
At the apex of each there is a small hole through which a cord is passed. A knot at
each end of the cord fits inside the apex of the cymbal and prevents the cord from
slipping through.

The Pi Chawa

is made in two sections; a cylindrical body 10 3/4 " in length and a
bell or horn in 5 1/2 "long.It is made of hardwood or ivory or both. Along the body
are seven finger holes. Four pieces of reed in double pairs are tied to a small metal
tube. The end of the tube is inserted into the body of the instrument and wrapped
with thread to make the connection sung. At rhis end of the tube there is also a
small round convex piece of metal or coconut shell to support the performer’s lips.

The Pi

Traditional Thai instruments used during and before the fights are the Pi, the Ching
and the Glawng Khaek.

The Pi Chawa or Java Pipe, it is believed, owes its origin to India where the
Javanese secured their model. It appears that the instrument was used in both
Royal and Army processions and in accompanying the traditional Thai fencing
bouts. The stirring sound which it makes is somewhat like the Chanta on Scotch
Bag Pipes.

The Pi

Traditional Thai instruments used during and before the fights are the Pi, the Ching
and the Glawng Khaek.

The Pi Chawa or Java Pipe, it is believed, owes its origin to India where the
Javanese secured their model. It appears that the instrument was used in both
Royal and Army processions and in accompanying the traditional Thai fencing
bouts. The stirring sound which it makes is somewhat like the Chanta on Scotch
Bag Pipes.

Muay Thai Traditions and Rituals

Thai Musical Instruments for Boxing
Muay Thai is still developing, but what remains unchanged is the use of the pipe
and the drums as musical accompaniments for the matches, and is considered a
unique characteristic of Muay Thai.
For dancing one may use a record player, but for thai boxing it is imperative to
have live music. For the prefight rituals and during the fight itself the tempo of
music is increased to encourage the fighters to put forth their best efforts. There are
three Thai musical instruments for boxing.

International names

were given for each weight
group, such as flyweight, and bantamweight. Matches were arranged to select a
champion for each class, following the international style. Many additions have
been made to the regulations of Muay Thai. It is forbidden now to hit the private
parts since this technique has become quite infamous as a form of attack and is
considered debasing for the fine art of Thai boxing.
Muay Thai remains a national art form. If all parties concerned help to
uplift and conserve this form of martial arts, and pass it onto following generations,
it will remain a valuable possession of the Thai nation.

The promoter was Mr. Chit Ampolsin

(Kru Chit). Bouts were organized every Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. The rules were
those of the Department of Physical Education. Bouts were five three-minute
rounds in length, with two minutes rest between rounds. The boxers were weighed
by stone. Two years later, weight was measured in kilograms, and in B.E. 2491
(1948 CE) pounds were adopted as the measure of a boxer’s weight so as to be in
accord with international standards. Divisions were assigned by weight, for
example, not over 112 pounds.

From B.E.

2485-2487 (1942-1944 CE), while the war was still going on,
boxing bouts were organized in movie theaters during the daytime. There were
boxing stadiums at Patanakarn, Ta Prachan, and Wongwian Yai where the public
could be entertained.
On the 23rd of December, B.E. 2488 (1945 CE), Ratchadamnern boxing
Stadium was opened officially. Mr. Pramote Puengsoonthorn was its chairman and
Praya Chindharak was its administrator.

King Rama VIII Period

King Ananddhamahidol (B.E. 2477-2489, 1934-1946 CE)
Between B.E. 2478-2484 (1935-1941 CE), a rich and well-known man built a
boxing stadium on Chao Chate’s ground. It was called Suan Chao Chate Boxing
Stadium. At present it is the Department of Reserved Officers Training Corps.
The stadium was run by military personnel and it did very good business.
Some of the income was donated to support military activities. After several years,
the Second World War broke out. At that time the boxing stadium was closed.
Japanese troops arrived in Thailand on December 8 B.E. 2484 (1941 CE).

In November

B.E. 2472 (1929 CE) Chao Khun Katatorabodee first organized
a boxing bout along with other festivities at a fun park in Lumpini Park. He chose
only good boxers to fight every Saturday. An educated and worldly man, he built
an international standard boxing ring with three ropes and a canvas floor. There
were red and blue corners, two judges, and a referee in the ring. It was here that a
bell was first used as the round signal.

Boxing gloves were introduced to Thailand by a Philippine boxer
who came to Thailand for an international boxing match. Prior to the introduction
of boxing gloves there was a tragic and fatal accident when Nai Pae Liangprasert
from Ta Sao, Uttaradit province, killed Nai Jia Kakamen in a boxing match which
was fought in the Kad-Chuck style where boxers’ hands were wrapped in cotton
strips.

King Rama VII Period

King Pok Klaochao Yu Hua (B.E. 2468-2477, 1925-1934 CE)
General Dhepasadin built a boxing stadium called Lak Muang at Tachang
(near the present day National Theatre). The ring rope was thicker and tighter and
without a space to protect the boxers. Bouts were organized regularly.
In B.E. 2472 (1929 CE) governmental orders required all boxers to wear
boxing gloves.

A drum

was used as the round signal and a match
was established at 11 rounds of three minutes each. Boxers were to break when
the referee so ordered, and it was now forbidden to bite one’s opponent or to attack
him while he is falling. Boxers had to go to a neutral corner when their opponent
fell down. Music for the fights was played by the orchestra of Muen Samak
Siangprachit.

This kind of scene was clearly a problem and a committee was set up to solve
it. Finally, it was decided that the ring should be raised to a height of four feet
above the ground, be covered with grass mats tied together, and surrounded by a 1
inch think rope. There was to be a space for each boxer to enter the ring near its
corner. The referee began wearing a full scouting uniform and there was now a
time keeper with two watches.