About Us

Khanomtom Muay Thai illustrates the most effective method of this internationally popular art with the research of the historical essence coupled with the modern application.

         Named after the historical icon, Nai Khanomtom, Khanomtom Muay Thai teaches not only authentic Muay Thai techniques and principles, but stays true to all the cultural ceremonies that are indigenous to it.

         Khanomtom Muay Thai is a combination of Muay Boran (ancient boxing) and modern ‘ring-style’ Thai boxing that has become very popular in the last decade, all over the world.



         Muay Boran

         Centuries ago, Muay Thai was very different than you see it today. Thailand (known as Siam at that time) was under constant threat and struggle which called for a strong method of defense. This combative system that was developed was known as Krabi-Krabong , which is essentially swordplay taught to the military to fend off marauders and offending nations. This method of fighting was also practiced empty hand, assuming all possibilities of warfare. The empty hand practice of this art soon turned into an obsession of the soldiers, which then turned into a sport desired by royalty and spectators all over the country. It was known as Muay Kaad Cheuk (binding hand boxing), where contestants would wrap their hands in finely woven hemp rope which would prevent them from injuries of the hand and provide reinforcement for a more solid hand strike. This was the dawn of Muay Thai.

         Today, the ancient method of Muay Thai is still taught in Thailand. This method is a wholesome representation of the militaristic version of the art, far from the Muay Thai which has been made popular through competition that you see today.

Khanomtom Muay Thai has strived to re-establish the ancient ways in a dynamic approach by finding the common denominator with modern ‘ring-style’ Thai boxing, making these historical techniques effective within modified application.

Inspired by this historical icon, Khanomtom Muay Thai represents the art of Muay Thai in it's purest form. Based upon the principles the art has been made up of, such as honor, respect, discipline and hard work, Khanomtom Muay Thai proves it's authenticity.

All of the knowledge and consumption of skill of the instructors of Khanomtom Muay Thai comes right from the source and origin of this art. Each year, the Khanomtom Instructors and Fight Team take our annual Thailand Expedition. This is one month out of the year that we spend in some of the best Muay Thai Camps in Thailand, training with Champions, former and current.

Annual Thailand Expedition

The Story of Nai Khanomtom

by Panya Kratius & Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus

At the time of the fall of the ancient Thai capital of Ayuthya in 1767, when the city was destablized and heading ofr destruction because it rulers were weak, the invading Burmese troops rounded up a group of Thai residents and took them as prisoners. Among them were a large number of Thai boxers, who were held by the Burmese potentate Suki Phra Nai Kong of Kai Pho Sam Ton at the city of Ungwa.

In 1774, On the Day of March 17, in the Burmese city of Rangoon, the Lord Mangra, king of the Burmese, decided to organize a seven-day, seven-night celebration in honor of the pagoda where the Buddha's relics are preserved. He ordered a royal presentation of a Thai boxing match between Thai and Burmese fighters. For the celebration, he also arranged for several folk-type spectacles such as the costume plays called likay, comedies and farces, and sword-fighting matches. The boxing ring was set up in front of the throne.

During the first day of the celebration, a high-ranking Burmese nobleman led a Thai boxer to pay his respects to the Burmese king. Lord Mangra then agreed to allow a Burmese boxer to pit his strength against that of the Thai boxer. A referee led the Thai boxer into the ring and introduced his as Nai Khanom Tom, a famous fighter from Ayuthya, a viewers saw a robust, dogged dark-skinned captive. Among the group of Burmese spectators was a group of Thai captives who view sitting with each other, cheering him.

As soon as he matched with a fighter, Nai Khanom Tom began dancing around his opponent, which amazed and perplexed the Burmese spectators. The referee then announced that the dance was a Thai tradition (wai khruu) through which the boxer paid his respects to his mentor.

Then the signal for the match was given, Nai Khanom Tom rushed forward, elbowing and pummeling his opponent in the chest until the latter collapsed. The referee, however, judged that the knockout was not to be considered a victory for th eThai boxer, since his Burmese opponent had been distracted by the wai khruu dance, so Nai Khanom Tom had to confront nine other Burmese boxers. This decision prompted the other Thai boxers to volunteer to fight together with Nai Khanom Tom to avenge him.

Nai Khanom Tom agreed to fight against the other Burmese boxers to uphold the reputation of Thai boxing. His last opponent was in fact a boxing teacher from Ya Kai City who was on a visit to enjoy the festivities. Thus, he volunteered to fight, but was soon so mangled by Nai Khanom Tom's kicks that no one dared to challenge him further.

However, Lord Mangra was so enthralled with Thai boxing that he summoned Nai Khanom Tom to reward him, asking which he would prefer, money or beauteous wives. Without hesitation, Nai Khanom Tom said he would take the wives, because money was easier to find. So Lord Mangra awarded him two Burmese girls from the Mon tribe. In time, Nai Khamon Tom took his lovely wives to Thailand, where he lived with them until the end of his life.

He is considered the first Thai boxer to have imprinted the art of Thai boxing with dignity, and who gave it such a reputation beyond Thailand's borders that the episode remains engraved in the history of Burma until this day.

Nai Khanomtom is also known as the "father" or "inventor" of Muay Thai and the day of March 17 is known as "Muay Thai Day".

MUAY THAI CULTURE

Wai Khru / Ram Muay

         Wai Khru / Ram Muay is a ceremony performed by Muay Thai fighters before each and every competition in the ring. It is a dance ritual used to show respect to their teachers, parents and everything they hold sacred as well as a method of praying for victory and safety.

         Wai Khru Ram Muay is an ancient ritual passed down from generation to generation. During ancient times, Siamese soldiers would perform this ceremony before going to war using their weapon of choice as a way to gather courage and healthy spirit.

         Nowadays, it is performed in the ring of traditional Muay Thai bouts. Each individual camp possesses their own Wai Khru / Ram Muay.

Mongkhon

         The Mongkhon is an essential possession of every true Nak Muay (Thai Boxer). The Mongkhon is basically a round band worn around the head of the boxer to bring good luck, success and prosperity to him/her. Another tradition descended from ancient times; the Mongkhon originates from Siamese soldiers tying lucky bandanas around their heads before going into battle.

         The Mongkhon is placed on the head of the fighter by the teacher or a relative or loved one before each fight in the ring. It is removed after the Wai Khru / Ram Muay by the teacher as a small prayer is shared between fighter and teacher before the fight.

Prajiat

         The Prajiat, much like the Mongkhon, is another essential element in Muay Thai culture. The Prajiat is a small band worn around the biceps of the fighter to increase confidence, avoid danger, injury or fatality. The Prajiat is kept on the fighter throughout the fight



         These traditional customs of Muay Thai are taken into serious account by all authentic camps. Where some camps may see them as cultural byproducts of the art, others believe that spirits have blessed these items and by wearing the Mongkhon, the Prajiat and performing the Wai Khru / Ram Muay, it empowers them almost to the point of invicibility. Although these beliefs may seem untrue to most, embracing this optimism before each fight would certainly be beneficial.