Muay Thai

Muay Thai, translated into English as Thai Boxing, is the national sport of Thailand and is a martial art with origins in the ancient battlefield tactics of the Siamese (or Thai) army. It evolved from Krabi-Krabong, literally sword and baton, the hand-to-hand tactics of the Thai army. The early Muay Thai bouts pitted different companies within the Siamese army against each other with few rules and no weight divisions or time limits. They became quite popular and eventually were shown in stadia across the country. In the early 20th century, time limits, boxing gloves as well as a uniform set of rules were introduced. 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, standing grappling and head-butts 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 as 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-defense, sporting, military and law enforcement activities.

The Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A. (TBA-USA), the oldest and largest Muay Thai organization in the United States, was founded in 1968 by Sardsadajarn (Grand Master) Surachai "Chai" Sirisute. Sardsadajarn Chai came to the United States with a vision to spread Muay Thai to throughout the world, and he is the first-ever Thai boxing instructor to teach Americans this art and he has worked tirelessly for 40 years to that end. We are indeed grateful to Sardsadajarn Chai for his gift of the knowledge of Muay Thai.

The TBA-USA now has representation in almost every state in the USA and has expanded to establish affiliate organizations in more than 15 countries around the world.

Classes consist of traditional techniques for punching, kicking, kneeing, and elbows and strength and flexibility exercises, combination work on focus mitts and thai pads, glove drills, and timing sparring. Mandatory Equipment: groin protection and mouth guard. Recommended Equipment: Thai shorts, hand wraps, bag or boxing gloves (preferably laceless), shin guards, focus mitts, and Thai pads.

About the Intstructor: Khru (or Instructor) Ray White has been studying Muay Thai with the Minnesota Kali Group under Ajarn (Master) Rick Faye, the North Central Director of the TBA, since 1998. Ray has trained with Sardsadajarn Chai at the MKG when he visits the United States, and at the Pacific NW Thai Camp. Ray received his Instructors rank from the TBA in 2006 under the watchful eyes of Sardsadajarn Chai, Ajarn Rick Faye of the MKG, and Ajarn Greg Nelson from the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. Recently Ray received his Associate Instructor promotion in 2010 at the Pacific North West Muay Thai Camp in Oregon. An amateur competitor in Muay Thai and Submission Grappling, Khru Ray has competed in state, regional and national tournaments like the TBA Muay Thai Classic and The Submission Hunt. As a coach and trainer for the MSU MMA club he has coached many of the South Central Minnesota most successful pro and amateur fighters, including Josh Janousek, Gus Kratzke, Dan Moret, Bryan Mortensen, Adam Michel and Eric Yngsdal.

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