Muay Thai Boxing

Muay Thai Boxing is one of Thailand's most beloved and celebrated sports.  With arenas filling up throughout the country to watch, cheer, and gamble on fight nights, Koh Tao is no exception.  Whether you are interested in experiencing the excitement of watching a live match, or take it a step further and train to be a Muay Thai Boxer, Koh Tao has seen this sport becoming increasingly popular in travellers over the years.

Muay Thai Boxing known as the "Art of Eight Limbs" uses punches, kicks, elbow strikes, and knee strikes to achieve eight points of contact between opponents.  Initially an ancient martial art that was taught to soldiers as a back-up to losing thier weapons, the 19th century began introducing Muay Thai as a spectator sport and furthermore a means of physical exercise, self-defense and recreation.  During the 20th century under the rule of King Rama VII, codified rules for Muay Thai Boxing were established and the use of boxing gloves became the regulated practice.

Foreigners from all over the world travel to Thailand to enroll in a training program which may or may not lead them directly into the rink.  Koh Tao now currently hosts a few established training centres which promise to teach you proper techniqe and get you into shape.  Training can be full time and combine high cardio vascular work outs along with one on one time with a trainer.  Those entering the rink can be as young as 10 years old, and both men and women can train and compete.  On any given day in Koh Tao you can see Muay Thai Boxers training and jogging through the hilly terrain of the island.  If fighting isn't exactly your interest, then Muay Thai training is a quick fix to getting in shape and shedding the pounds. If that still isn't your holiday plan, then its off to the rink to witness all the excitement on the next fight night.