Muay Thai Rules

Apart of learning how to fight and concepts of Muay Thai, It is absolute necessary for people who want to become a Muay Thai boxer or trainer to learn all forms of Wai Kru ceremony, which consists of four elements; Initiation as a trainee of fighter (Yok Kru), Annual Homage-Paying ceremony, Initiation as a teacher (Krob Kru), and the Ritual Dance of Homage. Even though to become a formal boxer, the person must complete all of these elements, but only in this article we will talk about the Ritual Dance of Homage which is generally called "Ram Wai Kru". It is the performace that fighter must perform before the fight.

The objectives of Ram Wai Kru are many, but there are several main objectives of one is to pay respect and regardness to the teachers, parents or anything that they respect. Two is for boxer to be able to have a chance to get concentrate and release tension that he may have before the fight begin and the third is to observe their opponent's ability and weakness throu

There are traditions bout what do's and don'ts when boxers and seconds/trainers are during the formal competition. Manners in Muay Thai are actually derived from the Thai clture. It is very important for boxers to follow these strictly, and respectfully no matter what nationality they are or where the competition is held;

All of Muay Thai boxer MUST perform Ram Wai Kru, There is an official regulations specify that boxers must perform Ram Wai Kru before the fight.

Boxers must follows the Muay Thai rules strictly and obey to the referees's judgement/instructions without any objections

Boxers must not do anything that considered to be impolite to opponents, audiences, yelling, spitting at them, for example.

Boxers/trainers must respect to the referees' final judgements without any objection and boxers must not do any behaviour that to protest the judgement such as do not step down from the ring after the fight or attack the referee etc.

During the fight, when opponent about to loose or being disadavatage, boxer wil not take opportunity to intensify situation eventhough boxer can do that without breaking the rules.

Seniority is ery important, younger boxer must pay respect to more senior boxer before and after the fight.

Hand Wrapping/Boxing Gloves

Hand wraping material could be a bandage stripe and can be 2-inches wide and 12 ft. long for maximum. Sticky tape can be used to adhesive the hand wrap material. However, the sticky tape must wide 1 inch and 6ft. long for maximum and could cover only the back of the wrist, not cover on the knuckles.
See how to wrap

Gloves:
Boxing gloves for Muay Thai weight between 4-6 ounce can be used for competition. In some case, weight of gloves can be varied depends on weight class of boxer as follows
Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight = 6 ounce (132g.)
Featherweight - Welterweight = 8 ounce (227g.)
Junior Middleweight and upwards = 10 ounce (284 g.)

Dress:

Boxers must wear groin protector, mouth guard is also allowed.

Boxers must wear shorts that long between thigh and knees. Colour of shorts should be red and blue to repersent boxer's side. Wording on the shorts must not be rude, offensive or intimidate to any party.

Vest, socks and shoes are not allowed, but in the case of women competition, vest can be used. and for safety, toenail must be short and clean

Ammulets such as head garland (Mong Kol) is allowed only when boxer perform Wai Kru. Armband (Pra Jeard) must be worn only at the upperarm and covered by soft material.

Ankles supporters are also allowed but boxer can not wear double ankels supporters in the same foot. (only 1 ankle supporter per foot). Boxer can not use other materials as an ankle like stripe, bandage etc.

No belt or any other decorating materials are allowed.
Gel, vasline, oil or any other lubricate material applying to boxers' skin are not allowed, only vasline ca be used for stop the wound bleeding.

Weight Divisions

All of boxerswho want to enter to formal competition must be at least 15 years old. Like other kind of boxing sport, weight devisions of Muay Thai boxers are determined as described below;

1. Mini Flyweight, not exceed 104 pounds (47.5 kg.)
2. Junior Flyweight, not exceed 108 pounds (49 kg.)
3. Light Flyweight, not exceed 112 pounds (51 kg.)
4. Junior Bantamweight, not exceed 115 pounds (52.5kg.)
5. Bantamweight, not exceed 118 pounds (54 kg.)
6. Junior Featherweight, not exceed 122 pounds (55.5 kg.)
7. Featherweight, not exceed 126 pounds (57.5 kg.)
8. Junior Lightweight, not exceed 130 pounds (59.5 kg.)
9. Lightweight, not exceed 135 pounds (61.5 kg.)
10. Junior Welterweight, not exceed 140 pounds (64 kg.)
11. Welterweight, not exceed 147 pounds (67 kg.)
12. Junior Middleweight, not exceed 154 pounds (70 kg.)
13. Middleweight, not exceed 160 pounds (73 kg.)
14. Light Heavyweight, not exceed 175 pounds (79.5 kg.)
15. Heavyweight, exceed 175 pounds

Referees

In Muay Thai Competition There must be match comitee, which consist of;
1 referee on the fighting area and 2 referees for boxer's marking.
All of referees must have educational qualification in physical education and have intensive experience in Muay Thai judgement.


» Before boxer perform Wai Kru, referee must check boxers' dressing, make sure that they do not against the rules.
» Before the fight, in some case, referee may repeat important rules/ suggestions to boxers and seconds.
» Referee has the right to give warning to boxers as well as an order to deduct boxer's score, or dismiss boxers/seconds out of the ring in case if they are breaking the rules.
» Referee's judgement is final, could not be objected or changed.
» Referee has the right to stop the fight at anytime if he consider that one of boxer has very much lower in skills and ability than another boxer so they are not able to fight equally.
» Referee has the right to stop the fight at anytime if one of boxer has very serious injuries and is not be able to fight any further.
» Referee has the right to stop the fight and dismiss one or both of boxers seem to has no willing to fight or not fighting seriously.
» Referee is responsible to make judgement on any rules which beyond the formal terms and regulations.

Judgement and Scoring

Fighting result cloud be determined by;

Boxer's total score, the boxer who has the highest total score is the winner. There might be some cases when both of boxers has serious injuries before the end of the competition and they can not complete the fight. These rules could be applied.

1. If the competition is set for 5 rounds, when the referee on the fighting area decide to end the fight in round 1 or 2, the boxers will be draw as a result.
2. If the referee on the fighting area decide to end the fight in between round 3-5 the the boxer who has the highest current score will be the winner.

Knock Out (K.O), the referee will terminate the fight when;
1. One of the boxer has seroius injuries and down to the floor. The referee will consider to end the fight if would be in danger if he continue the fight.
2. In consultation with the doctor, referee will terminat the fight when one of boxer has a large wound more han 2 cm long.
3. One of the boxer get down to the floor more than 2 times in the same round.
4. One of the boxer commit to surrender.
5. One of the boxer breaking the competition rules, with or without prior warning

Fouls/Penalties

Boxer is breaking the rules when he tries to do one of these activities.
» Using forehead or part of the head to attack. (head butt)
» bite or spit on the opponent
» pull opponent's hair
» grab opponent's arms/neck
» When opponent is down to the floor, try to slay down on opponent or use knees/elbow strike on opponent.
» Use Judo/wrestling technique to throw opponent.
» Hang on the ring strings when attack opponent.
» Pretend to fall down to take adventage from oponent. (have chance to rest during the fight)
As mention in the scoring topic that boxer who breaks any rules will be deducted the scores. The score deduction can only be deducted 2 time for maximum during the fight and then will be autometically voted down if he break the rules more than 2 times during the fight.