Muay Thai, translated into English as Thai Boxing, is the national sport of Thailand and is a martial art with origins dating back to the ancient battlefield of the Thai army.  It evolved from Krabi Krabong, literally sword and baton, the hand-to-hand tactics of the Thai army.  The History of Muay Thai goes back over 2000 years when the Thai race was then referred to by the Chinese, as the tribes of Ao-Lai. Survival in those days meant fighting. The Ao-Lai fought as they had always done (to be a free people) and managed to hold off wave after wave of invading armies. Eventually overcome by an enemy of greater numbers, the Ao-Lai were forced to migrate southwards. The people divided into three groups – the Shans settled into northern Burma; the Ahom went east into Vietnam, while the Lao-Tai moved south into what was to become the kingdom of Siam ‘Thailand’. To maintain their territory the Thai’s been in a state of constant war against their arch enemy of over a thousand years, the ever expanding and aggressive Chinese. As the Thai people moved south they ran into the powerful empire of the Khmers. Kings have had much to do with the development of Muay Thai. The Tiger King, Phra Buddha Chao Sua, was known for his ferocity as a Muay Thai fighter. He loved the life of a ‘Nak Muay’ (professional Muay Thai fighter) so much that he traveled the country fighting anyone who would take up his challenge at temple fairs. He ordered the Thai Army to train in Muay Thai and also helped set up many training camps for his people. In old times no gloves were worn and hands were bandaged in hemp rope (Muay Boran). The fights had no rounds, no fixed ring and would turn into a bloody contest whereby the last man standing would become the winner. It was the injury rate of Thai-Boxing that brought about change when in the 1930’s the Thai Government intervened. Under new official rules weight divisions, time keeping, rounds and padded gloves were introduced also no judo throws allowed, No head butting and blow to the groin was made a foul.  During the latter half of the 20th century Muay Thai was exported to many countries and is now practiced by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Muay Thai is known as "King of the Ring" in kickboxing circles.  These fights feature punches, kicks, elbows, knees and standing grappling to wear down and knock out their opponent.  Thai training methods develop devastating power, speed and superb cardio-vascular endurance as well as fighting spirit. Muay Thai training is also quite safe thanks to sophisticated pad training that evolved to keep fighters healthy between fights. Muay Thai has also proven very effective outside the ring and has been embraced enthusiastically by practitioners of a variety of self-defence, sporting, military and law enforcement activities. And so the battlefield Thai way of fighting had made its final transition into a ring sport. Nowadays Thai-Boxing events are held weekly all over Thailand with the two largest boxing stadiums being the Lumpini and Rajadamnern. The fighting spirit of Muay Thai is reflected by the beat of the live boxing band that performs at all boxing stadiums in Thailand. The music changes tempo according to the mood of the fight. For the Wai Kru the musicians play a softer more spiritual tone of cymbals, flutes and hand drums.   This is then followed by the Ram Muay, (Ram means dance in the old traditional way and Muay means boxing) a pre-dance ritual that the Thai fighter performs in order to pay homage to his homeland, kru/teachers, ancestors etc.  All Thai Boxers wear a Mongkol that crowns their heads when they enter the ring. The Mongkol belongs to Thai Boxing Camp that the fighter normally lives and trains from. The fighter is taken to a Thai Temple by his Kru/Arjarn (teacher/instructor) where he attends a special Buddhist ceremony. During the ceremony a monk provides a blessing of protection and often presents the fighter with an amulet (Prajiet/Kruang Ruang) which is worn on the fighter’s biceps during a contest. Thai’s believe that the Mongkol (head piece) and Kruang Ruang (amulets) are blessed with magical spells that have the power to ward evil spirits and also prevent serious injuries during ring combat.