From era to era, MuayThai is used as self-defense and teached in military. On King Narai Era (1604 - 1690), MuayThai became a profesional sport.
Even on King Prachao Sua Era (1697 - 1709), King himself gone for fight on the arena and win after 3 good fighters, they were Nai Klan Madtai (killing fist), Nai Yai Madlek (iron fist), and Nai Lek Madnak (hard fist).
Pre-Fight Ritual
When entering the ring, fighter use Mongkon on their head and Pong Malai around their necks.
Mongkon is represent the gym, it is essentially a crown. Fighter never touch the mongkon, mongkon places and remove by their Kru (trainer). Different gym will have different Mongkon, thats mean, a fighter can be identified which gym he present to by Mongkon.
Pong Malai are floral wreaths worn around a fighter's neck. Pong Malai given by fans or friends as good luck gesture. This custom mostly like Hawaiian Lei.
When the fighter is at last ready to step into the ring, he does so amid more ceremony and ritual. Music called sarama is played by a three-piece ensemble comprised of a pi Chawa, or Java pipe, which sounds not unlike a bagpipe; a pair of bongolike drums called the glawng khaek; and teacup-sized cymbals called ching. Music plays such a significant role in the proceedings that fighters occasionally hop to the beat of the drums during their matches.
When fighter step into the ring, they always go over the top rope, never slide between the rope. This gesture related to Thai's culture, that head is considered the most important part of the body. A fighter should always enter the ring with this gesture.
After the fighter enter the ring, they will doing ceremony "Sealing the ring" by touching top rope of the ring, followed by Wai Kru (Bowing for Trainer, paying respect to fighter's teacher). After finishing Wai Kru, fighter will doing ritual looks like dancing, called Ram Muay. This motion purpose are stretching and warming up. Finally, they will go their corner, release the Mongkon and Pong Malai.
MuayThai rich of technique, if you interested you can see the complete method (cherng) here.
Muay Thai Cherng, Click Here