Vintage: denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind. Vintage is a word that can have several meanings. Its primary definition is “of old, recognized and enduring interest, importance or quality.” It is usually associated with the quality of aging, enduring or improving over time.
Muay Thai is a Martial Art with a long tradition, dating back hundreds of years. The origins and primordial history of this art are unknown; however, researchers trace back the periods of development of Muay from the 13th century onwards. The traditional classification of the history of Siam (that became Thailand in 1949) is based on five Eras; each one of them is identified by the city elected capital at that time. According to this classification there was a prehistoric Era or pre-Sukhothai, a Sukhothai Era, an Ayutthaya Era, a Thonburi Era and Rattanakosin Era; this last one is commonly divided into 3 Ages (ancient, middle, and late). Muay Thai went through many transformations along the centuries going from a purely battlefield skill to a well- regulated sport. The much appreciated fighting sport we know today is the result of the mixing of ancient Muay with western Boxing: this mix was created in the course of a few decades, during the middle and late Rattanakosin Era, that is roughly from 1909 to 1970. Conventionally, this period corresponds to King Rama VI to early King Rama IX reign. According to many scholars, a “vintage” expression of Muay Thai corresponds to this specific time-span. Let us see why.
During Rama VI (king Mongkut) reign (1909-1924), Muay went through a transformation that led to the future development of this Art. In fact, the very first permanent boxing stadium was erected (Sanam Muay Suan Kularb) in 1921 and boxing matches were organized on a regular basis. Boxers still wrapped their hands with raw cotton ropes, fighting with the old Muay Kard Chiek rules. In this period western boxing gloves started to be used and the rules and regulations slowly became stricter, aimed at defining a new approach to fighting, less brutal and extremely spectacular. The introduction of western Boxing was not welcome at first: however, trainers and fighters accepted the new “companion” and little by little absorbed the elements that could upgrade their technique and training methodology. Every camp structured training sessions according to a more modern approach: proper dieting and functional fitness programs were developed and training equipment borrowed from western Boxing started to be employed by all teachers.
In Rama VII (king Prachathipok) period (1924 to 1933), two more stadiums were established: Sanam Muay Lak Muang and Sanam Muay Ta Chang. In those years several textbooks were written by prominent teachers of the time, outlining a martial art in full evolution: this process didn’t stop then and it is still on at present time. According to many experts this evolutionary capability represents the real strenght of Muay Thai. In 1929 the use of boxing gloves was declared mandatory: the death of a boxer caused by the head punches he had suffered in the course of a Kard Chiek fight brought to the final decision of banning rope binding. Since then, the ancient style of hand wrapping started to slowly disappear until becoming a part of the attire used in Muay demonstrations.
Rama VIII (king Anandha Mahidol) (1933-1945). Before World War II Muay Thai was for many years in a quiet phase. Bangkok Rajadamnern Stadium’s foundation was ordered by former Prime Minister Pibulsongkram. The italian “Imprese Italiane all’Estero” company won the construction contract to build the stadium in 1941. The foundation stone was laid on March 1st (the definitive, well-equipped stadium was completed in 1951). Later on, at the end of 1944, an attempt to revive Thailand’s national sport was initiated and in August 1945 after the war ended the revival was in its full swing. Rajadamnern Stadium was renovated: by the end of that year boxing matches were once again held there. This could be counted as the true starting point of the modern age of Muay Thai.
Those years saw the great transformation of an ancestral fighting discipline that evolved into a modern sport. But what happened to the old styles of Muay that evolved independently in each regions of Thailand and made the history of this Art before modernity changed it? The four principal regional styles are Muay Lopburi (central Thailand), Muay Korat (north eastern Thailand), Muay Chaiya (southern Thailand) and Muay Ta Sao (northern Thailand). The researchers agree that during Rama VI to Rama VIII periods all these local styles went through a systematic transformation that aimed at adapting the old martial techniques and fighting strategies to the new situation. In fact these years are labelled as “development” or “changing” period by the followers of traditional styles: Muay Thai changed from Boran to Modern.
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