Known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” Muay Thai boxing originated in the mid-16th century when the famous Siamese fighter Nai Khanomtom returned to Siam after fighting in the Burmese-Siamese war. His unique hand-to-hand combat style was soon recognized as a national sport, becoming part of local festivals and celebrations as well as a technique used in actual warfare. Unlike boxing, which uses two points of contact (the fists), Muay Thai is characterized by its combination of fists, elbows, knees, legs, shins, feet and neck, making it a full-contact sport.

In Bangkok, tourists can catch a match at the city’s most venerable venue, Ratchadamnoen Stadium, with events taking place on Sunday afternoons and evenings, as well as several weekday evenings. Training in Muay Thai has become increasingly popular for foreigners of both sexes, and multi-day courses on the fundamentals of Thai boxing are offered in English at schools such as the MuayThai Institute, associated with the respected World Muay Thai Council, or the long-running Fairtex Muay Thai camp just south of the city.