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Muay ThaiThe Origins of Muay ThaiMuay Thai originated in Thailand around 600 A.D. Muay Thai was first used as another weapon in close combat. The only actual weapons available to most people were short swords, spears, pikes and clubs. Thus, Muay Thai gave the soldiers another weapon: the human body. Muay Thai has been practiced long before the Dark Ages. However with few written records pertaining to pre-nineteenth century Muay Thai history; it is nearly impossible to know exactly when Muay Thai was first practiced. Knowledge has been passed down orally for centuries, which makes it even harder on how to differentiate the fact from the fiction. Muay Thai is called "the art of nine body parts." These nine body parts include: two hands; two elbows, two knees, two feet and the head. The head can represent both intelligence, or literally be used in battle; eg: headbutting. This gives Muay Thai fighters an advantage over traditional boxers who use two points of contact (the fists) and other martial arts including four points (fists, and feet) Muay Thai as a sportTraditional sportingIn 1920 Muay Thai was banned due to its hazardous risks. Many people were killed or paralyzed that practiced Muay Thai. The gear that was previously worn was hard hemp or rope tied around the fighter's hands and wrists to act as punching gloves. The sport was called violent and dangerous. However, with much protest, in 1937, the sport was revived and the fighters would now wear more protective gear. Becuase previously the sport had no rules or regulations, a new set of rules was laid out that had to be followed.  Modern sportingMuay Thai is fought with traditional boxing gloves. The fighters only wear shorts to enable them to kick higher and faster. Muay Thai is a sport that is practiced within the UFC and MMA. It is a sport scored per round. With points awarded for powerful and accurate hits. The first fighter to score ten points wins. Fighters can lose points due to penalties called by the referee. Currently there are eighteen different weight divisions withing the sport of Muay Thai. The lightest category is Mini Flyweight at 105 lbs, whilst the heaviest is Super Heavy Weight at 209+ lbs. The rules in Muay Thai are very strict in order to prevent any dangers from occurring to the fighters. One of the categories that must be strictly followed, the dress code is as follows: Dress code A. BOXER'S ATTIRE 5.1. Only boxing shorts are to be worn, the colour of which depending on the corner; red, pink, or maroon or with a red stripe for the red corner; blue, bright blue, black for the blue corner. The dressing gown will be as specified by the World Muay Thai Council. 5.2. To ensure the boxer's safety, a groin protector must be worn and tied only at the back. 5.3. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short mustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip. 5.4. The Mongkol should be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher), prior to the match start. Amulets are only to be worn on the arm or waist and covered by material to avoid injury. 5.5. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arm or legs to prevent sprains, however insertion of a shin guard, etc, is not allowed. 5.6. No metalized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn. 5.7. The use of Vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed. But pre-fight warming agents such as Namman Muay are allowed in most Muay Thai fights. 5.8. Boxer may wear elastic ankle bandages to protect his feet. B. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until they are corrected. 
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