Thai boxing (Muay Thai) is everything combined into one, as it is a sport, a form of martial skill, a king of science, and undeniably an art form.
It has been handed down through generations for over 2,000 years. It has even spread its root to ancient China which eagerly adapted it to their own style and culture. It is a science which could be practised by the general people. It could introduce them to the world of courage and will to fight.

Thai boxing has seen its ups and downs. Some time it was considered a valuable cultural heritage, some time it was in decline; depending on the patronage of the Thai rules at a particular time. In the old time Thai boxers or those skilful in Thai boxing would often be granted a title of noble man.
They would be under Tanai Liek and directly answerable to the Defence Ministry. They would serve as the king's bodyguards. Thai boxing, the precious cultural heritage of the Thais, has spread its wings to faraway lands. It has been adapted and became the source of innumerable martial
Thai boxing is an art of fighting with bare hands. In the old time, even the use of the head was permitted in addition to hands, feet, kness and elbows. Thai boxing started to receive serious attention as a competition sport during the reign of King Rama VI. In B.E. 2464 (i.e.1921 A.D.), the King commanded Praya Nontisen Surentara Pakdi, chief general of the scouts to build a boxing stadium in Suan Kulab College so as to organize the classic Thai boxing competition every Saturday. The boxers fought with hands wrapped in strings. The admission fee ranged from 50 Satangs to 1 Baht (at that time 25 Satangs could buy 8 rice dishes and 1 dessert). The fight with fists wrapped in strings lasted 11 rounds of 3 minutes each. There was one referee only, and no score judges. When the referee wanted the boxers to come apart, he would blow the whistle very loud. Only the first competition was staged on the lawn of Suan Kulab College, after that the proper ring made of wood was erected.

Later on, the boxers were required to use gloves in accordance with the international practice. The boxing ring also complied with the international standard. Rules were used to control the fight; they replaced the sporting spirit and untempered raw courage of the real man.
Thai boxers in the past were skilful in the art of Thai boxing as it was the art which every man worth his salt had to learn. Everyone was too pround to take undue advantage over the opponent. They competed because their pride was at stake. They fought for a clean victory which could not be doubted by anyone. The instruction of the basic movement and master tricks of Thai boxing will differ from one boxing camp to another or from master to another. By looking at the Wai Kruu dance, one could detect the regional origin of the performing boxer's style.