Muay Chaiya

History of Muay Thai Chaiya Thai culture national treasure art of unarmed combat

Muay Chaiya is a style of traditional Thai boxing, founded about 200 years ago. The founder was an army leader of the Rattanakosin Kingdom  in the age of King Rama V. He taught Muay Chaiya to regular townspeople. The word “Muay” refers to boxing and “Chaiya” refers to the name of the city. The people who made Muay Chaiya famous is Kham Sriyapai and Plong Jumnonthong. Plong Jumnongthong popularized Muay Chaiya by showing Muay Chaiya techniques and winning a fight with the boxer from (Nakornratchasrima) in front of King Rama V.

Muay Chaiya has both of offensive and defensive techniques. Offensive techniques are throwing, smashing, grappling, and breaking. Defensive techniques are dodging, pushing, and blocking. Muay Chaiya also has a specific step called Yang Sarm Khoom. The word “Yang” refers to walk, while the word “Sarm” refers to three, and the word “Khoom” refers to a point. Yang Sarm Khoom uses three steps to change the position of the front and back legs. The key advantage of Yang Sarm Khoom is its speed and precision.