The rules of Thai boxing (Muay Thai)

Learn all about the rules of Thai boxing, as they are practiced in Thai stadiums.

The sport of Thai boxing is divided into many acronyms and federations, so the rules can be formulated in various ways.

The rules of Thai boxing: the ring

The ring, which measures between 5 and 7 meters on each side, must be surrounded by at least 3 rows of ropes.

The floor will be lined with a soft, elastic material, 4 cm thick, and covered with canvas.

Thai boxing fighters' attire

Boxers (nak-muays) will present themselves in combat-appropriate attire, consisting of shorts and a jockstrap for the shell.

They must fight bare-chested and barefoot, but are allowed to wear ankle guards. They may tie a ribbon called a "prajeet" around one or both arms.

The sacred headdress called "mongkon" is permitted during the preliminary and ritual phases but must be removed before the start of the fight.

Thai boxing shorts

Thai boxing bandages and gloves

The knuckles will be protected by a three-meter elastic band, secured with adhesive tape. Gloves can range from size 6 to 16 ounces.

The weight of Muay Thai fighters

A doctor will perform a general physical check-up that will allow the boxer to carry out his or her fights or assaults (light-contact version).

The weighing operations take place in the presence of the opponent and his assistants, and take place at least 4 hours before the match.

The rules of Thai boxing: the rounds

Official matches consist of 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 2 minutes of rest between each round in Thailand (or sometimes 1 minute 30 of rest in Europe).

But in France it depends on the "class" in which the nak-muay practitioner evolves. The "classes" go from "D" to class "A" for seniors (20 years and over).

Thai boxing fighters' assistants

Each fighter can be accompanied by two or three assistants depending on the class (coach and healer).

The rules of Thai boxing: the scores

Points are awarded according to the following evaluation criteria:

• Technique, precision, power and damage caused by each blow (punched, kicked, elbowed and kneeed);
• Defensive skill;
• Combativeness and attacking skill;

The judge's rating (based on the difference between the two fighters – professional English boxing code)

• Equality: 10 points per round for each of the two protagonists,
• Slight advantage: 10 points to 9,
• Net advantage: 10 points to 8,
• Overwhelming advantage: 10 points to 7.

When the boxers get the same number of points, the victory goes to the one judged to be the most combative.

– Penalty: The referee is authorized to deduct a point each time the fighter commits a serious fault or a minor but repeated fault.

Thai Boxing Referees and Judges

The final decision rests with a referee and two judges, who fill out their respective ballots (judging cards) at the end of each round.

The decision is given after the last round based on the judge's cards.

The authorized shots

The permitted strikes are: punches, elbows, knees and kicks.

Close combat can be quite long, and often involves knee strikes and can end with a throw or even be interrupted by the referee.

The roundhouse kick at different heights (head, trunk and thighs) is often delivered with the shin.

The roundhouse kick seems to be the most commonly used and is often considered the "basic move" of the competitive fighter.

The Rules of Thai Boxing: Irregularities

• Hitting the opponent when he is down, when he is getting up or after the end of the round
• Pull hair.
• Bite or spit.
• Hit the eye with your thumb.
• Lean on the ropes.
• Fight while holding onto a rope.
• Maliciously avoiding the opponent's attacks, for example by pretending to fall, slip under the ropes or hide behind the referee.
• Intentionally hitting the genitals.
• Commit any incorrect action that may injure the opponent.

Reminder: A fighter who commits a fault without causing a handicap or inflicting an injury to the opponent will receive an oral warning and will be penalized one point.

A fighter who deliberately commits an irregularity that disadvantages or injures his opponent may lose the match for a fault or be disqualified by the referee without notice if he repeats his behavior during the match.

In the event of an unintentional fault preventing the fight from continuing, the referee stops the match;

he will therefore award victory by technical knockout to the boxer with the highest score, or declare the match a draw in the event of a tie.

An athlete may complain about having suffered an irregularity to the referee, who will immediately make a decision:

If he considers that the fault does not fall within the scope of those listed above, the fight will continue.

Victory in a Thai boxing match

Victory is proclaimed:

on points;
by KO: the opponent who has fallen to the ground does not get up within 10 seconds;
by technical KO: the referee interrupts the fight because an athlete:

• is not in a position to continue
• does not appear after the gong is called
• suffers an injury that prevents him from continuing the fight
• by doctor's decision, following an injury
• by abandonment: one of the fighters declares that he does not want to continue the fight
• by disqualification of the opponent for serious misconduct
• by judges' decision: once the fight is over, the judges award the victory to the boxer with the highest score

The Rules of Thai Boxing: Decisions

unanimously: 3 votes in favor;
by majority: 2 votes in favor and one against;
draw:

• if this is the decision of 2 out of 3 judges,
• if the judges' opinions are all discordant;

“No-contest”: in the event of an unforeseen event or an injury at the start of the fight.

• If this is the decision of the judges at the request of the supervisor, because the 2 athletes fight incorrectly or avoid the confrontation.
• When a fighter is on the ground, the referee orders his opponent to go to the neutral corner, and immediately begins counting from 1 to 10.
• If the boxer who knocked his opponent to the ground does not obey, he stops counting, repeats his order and waits until the latter has produced its effect to resume counting the seconds.
• If the boxer falls to the ground during the count or before being counted 8, the fighter may continue.
• If the fallen boxer is unable to continue the fight, he must continue to count to 10.
• If the fallen boxer gets up before being counted 10, then falls again, he must start counting the seconds again.
• If both boxers fall to the ground:

1. He starts counting and doesn't stop if one of the two gets up.
2. He declares the match a draw if at 10, neither of them gets up.

Special modalities in Thai boxing

The bell does not save the boxer from being out of action (from the count of seconds), except in the last round.

At the end of the count of seconds, the boxer able to continue the fight will be declared the winner.

Professional Categories

Official Rajadamnön categories: (At Lumpini Stadium in Bangkok , the categories stop at Welterweight)

Strawweight (-47.5 kg / -105 lb)
Light Flyweight (-49 kg / -108 lb)
Flyweight (-51 kg / -112 lb)
Super Flyweight (-52.5 kg / -115 lb)
Bantamweight (-53.5 kg / -118 lb)
Super Bantamweight (-55.5 kg / -122 lb)
Featherweight (-57.5 kg / -126 lb)
Super Featherweight (-59 kg / -130 lb)
Lightweight (-61.5 kg / -135 lb)
Super Lightweight (-63.5 kg / -140 lb)
Welterweight (-67 kg / -147 lb)
Super Welterweight (-70 kg / -154 lb)
Middleweight (-72.5 kg / -160 lb)

In Europe, the categories vary depending on the federations and very often correspond to the international kickboxing organizations (notably the WKA, ISKA, WKF and WAKO).

So, we must add the categories less than 75 kg, less than 81 kg, less than 90 kg and then more than 90 kg (heavy goods).

If you want to go further, I recommend one of the best books on Muay Thai:

Abundantly illustrated, this book will meet the expectations of beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. This guide is the result of consultation between several luminaries of Thai boxing . It presents all the facets of this art: History, myths and traditions of Muay Thai , Equipment and ceremonies, Warm-up and preparation for combat, Footwork of the fighter, Descriptions of blows (fist, elbow, knee, foot, etc.), Dodges and blocks, etc.

See the book on Amazon

You will find accessories (gloves, shorts, oils) on:

Amazon's Muay Thai Store

See also:
Muay Thai, Thai boxing

Muay Thai Techniques with Illustrations

Taking a Muay Thai Class in Thailand: A Beginner's Guide

Thai boxing music

Ram Muay, a ritual dance before Muay Thai fights