{"id":2611,"date":"2022-06-19T21:44:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T14:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/?post_type=culture_heritage&p=2611"},"modified":"2025-05-16T14:07:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T07:07:37","slug":"muay-tha-sao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thailandfoundation.or.th\/th\/muay-tha-sao\/","title":{"rendered":"Muay Tha Sao and the End of Muay Kard Chueak"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Muay Thai of the north: a family\u2019s cherished treasure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the four schools of Muay Boran<\/a> (Muay Chaiya, Muay Lopburi, Muay Korat, and Muay Tha Sao), the most mysterious one is Muay Tha Sao [\u0e21\u0e27\u0e22\u0e17\u0e48\u0e32\u0e40\u0e2a\u0e32]. The reason for this will be revealed as you go through the article. This boxing school was born in the province of Uttaradit in the north of Thailand in the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767) by Kru Mek, an acclaimed boxing teacher. Muay Tha Sao stands out for its nimble, swift, and decisive movements. One of the most renowned boxing student of Muay Tha Sao was Mr. Thongdee Funkhao, or Phraya Pichai of the Broken Sword, who was King Taksin\u2019s<\/a> bodyguard. He became a key figure who branched out Muay Tha Sao by combining it with Chinese boxing and sword fighting, and in the process inventing Muay Phraya Pichai known for its unique boxing moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kru Mek passed down this martial art to his successor, Kru Iam who then passed it on to his successor, Kru Aim, who made sure the knowledge lived on through his successor, Kru Aat Kongket, and his five grandchildren from the \u201cLiang-Chuea Family\u201d which was later renamed to \u201cLiang-Prasert.\u201d The five grandchildren, described below, became elite boxers at that time, inheriting sharp moves and dazzling finesse of Muay Tha Sao from Kru Mek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Kru Toh, born in 1897, was a heavy puncher with lightning kicks, knees and punches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Kru Plong, born in 1901 and known as \u201cMuay Teen Ling\u201d (fast-footed boxer), had the best skills of the five brothers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Kru Rit, born in 1903, won many fights in Bangkok and tied with a Muslim boxer named Bang Saleb, who was a student of Kru Saeng Uttaradit, a master of Phraya Phichai boxing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Kru Phae, born in 1904, accidentally killed his opponent during the match.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Kru Ploy, born in 1907, was a nimble and agile boxer trained by Kru Plong. Kru Ploy won several boxing matches but passed away prematurely at the age of 24.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Statue of Phraya Phichai (cr. Khaosod)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After the death of Kru Plong in 1979, Muay Tha Sao was plunged into such a significant decline that even the people of Uttaradit could not tell the differences between Muay Tha Sao and other boxing schools. Today, this martial art is preserved by a small circle of Muay Tha Sao teachers, boxers, and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    If Muay Lopburi of the central region is known for precision, Muay Chaiya of the South for abundant techniques and Muay Korat of the Northeast for strength, then Muay Tha Sao of the North is comparable to an ax because of its fast, forceful, yet discreet attack. Tha Sao fighters are also known for flexibility and the fast legs that \u201cmove like a whip\u201d and can launch a kick at every height and in all directions. And while Muay Korat applies physics to boxing moves, Muay Tha Sao is guided by physiology. Each punch is released not just to score in the game, but it must hit critical areas of the body and truly serve the purpose of fighting because according to the philosophy of Muay Tha Sao, boxing is not just a game but a real combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n