{"id":2610,"date":"2022-02-04T19:46:58","date_gmt":"2022-02-04T12:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/?post_type=culture_heritage&p=2610"},"modified":"2025-05-15T11:27:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T04:27:33","slug":"muay-lopburi-from-legend-to-the-ring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/muay-lopburi-from-legend-to-the-ring\/","title":{"rendered":"Muay Lopburi – From Legend to the Ring"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Muay Lopburi [\u0e21\u0e27\u0e22\u0e25\u0e1e\u0e1a\u0e38\u0e23\u0e35] is the oldest muay boran style with 1,356 years of history. As its name suggests, Lopburi boxing originated in Lopburi, a province in the central region of Thailand at present. It is characterized by finesse and nimbleness of boxers and inspired by the epic Ramayana and movements of animals, resulting in a fascinating fighting technique.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Development of Muay Lopburi<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

According to legend, Muay Lopburi was developed in 675 by hermit Sukatanta of the Khao Samor Khon Martial Art School in Lopburi. The last student to have learned boxing from this school was King Ram Kamhaeng of the Sukhothai Kingdom (736 – 755). It was, however, not until 600 years later that this boxing style was truly established. Another king who practiced this boxing was King Khun Ngam Muang, who ruled the Phayao Kingdom from 1258 to 1298.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Muay Lopburi was standardized and became a respected form of martial art as it entered the second era in 1656 \u2013 1867 when King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1656 \u2013 1688) took it under his patronage. It was at this point when rules, boxing rings, and boxing competitions were officially documented. Another king of Ayutthaya who had so much passion for boxing that he disguised himself as a common man to compete in boxing tournaments was King Sanphet VIII (1703 \u2013 1708).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Phra Prag Sam Yod, an ancient temple in Lopburi [cr. MThai]<\/span><\/p>\n

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The third era, or the golden age of Muay Lopburi, was during the reign of King Rama V of Rattanakosin (1868). Passionate about boxing, His Majesty studied, learned, and regularly frequented boxing matches. In one competition he attended as a spectator, a rising star boxer named \u201cKlueng Tosa-at\u201d from Lopburi who was able to take down the most opponents, earned from his impressive act the noble title \u201cMuen Mue Man Mud\u201d (Precise Puncher) from His Majesty. In the reign of King Rama VI, emerged another skilled Lopburi boxer, Chan Buathong.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Identity<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Muay Lopburi is as unique as it is enthralling to watch. At the very core of this boxing school lie three key elements: quick movement, straight punching, and tricks. Lopburi boxers must keep moving to distract their opponents and attack when opportunities arise. By the way, did you know that Lopburi is the city of monkey? Maybe, this is why Lopburi boxing is fast-paced and full of tricks to mimic the spirit animal of the city. The Lopburi precise and lightning fast punches, as well as the kicks, the knee and the elbow strikes, are all released in the forward direction in order to penetrate the opponents\u2019 defenses. Each punch is never a miss. Muay Lopburi is known by another name as \u201cChalat Chok\u201d (smart punching) or \u201cMuay Kiao\u201d in which boxers must be in constant movement whether they are attacking or defending. This requires a high level of tactics, wit, agility, and focus, and is in contrast to \u201cMuay Lak\u201d which is distinguishable by its calm and careful approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Techniques and Training<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n