Editing Muay Thai (section)

=== Folklore of Nai Khanom Tom===
The popular [[folklore|folklore story]] of Nai Khanom Tom is widely celebrated in Thailand and around the world and the character is referred as the "father of Muay Thai." Several scholars have critically examined the legend of Nai Khanom Tom, suggesting it is [[myth|mythological]] rather than historical.<ref name="Vail 1998">{{cite journal|title=Modern Muay Thai Mythology|first=Peter T.|last=Vail |journal=Crossroads: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |volume=12 |issue=2 |date=1998}}</ref> Scholars suggest that the story of Nai Khanom Tom emerged in the 20th century, coinciding with efforts by Thai cultural institutions to construct a cohesive national identity. During the post-World War II era, figures like [[Luang Wichitwathakan]] played pivotal roles in promoting Thai nationalism, often through the creation and dissemination of cultural myths. The legend of Nai Khanom Tom serves as a case study in the invention of tradition, where folklore is utilized to foster national unity and cultural continuity.<ref name="Reynolds">{{cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Craig J. |title=National Identity and Its Defenders: Thailand, 1939–1989 |publisher=Silkworm Books |year=1991}}</ref><ref name="Baker">{{cite book |last=Baker |first=Chris |author2=Pasuk Phongpaichit |title=A History of Thailand |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2009}}</ref>

In his book ''Muay Thai: Inventing Tradition for a National Symbol'', Peter Vail argues that the story has been used to construct Thai national identity and serves more as a cultural symbol than a verifiable historical account.<ref name="Vail">{{cite journal |last=Vail |first=Peter |title=Muay Thai: Inventing Tradition for a National Symbol |journal=Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia |volume=29 |issue=3 |year=2014 |pages=329–356}}</ref> Similarly, historian Craig J. Reynolds, in his 1991 book ''National Identity and Its Defenders: Thailand, 1939–1989'', discusses how Thai historical narratives were shaped in the post-[[World War II]] era to promote national unity, including the elevation of figures like Nai Khanom Tom without historical documentation.<ref name="Reynolds" /> Scholars emphasize the lack of contemporary sources and suggest the legend likely emerged or was amplified during Thailand’s modern nation-building period. 

This historiography was largely extrapolated from brief mentions in written records, including four episodes in the royal chronicles of the 18th century: one where King [[Sanphet VIII]] fought an incognito match at a temple fair, [[Wiset Chai Chan district|Khwaeng Mueang Wiset Chai Chan]] in 1702;<ref name="royal-chronicle-2015"/>{{rp|283}} one where Nai Khanom Tom,<ref name="royal-chronicle-2015"/>{{rp|414}} as a war captive following the [[fall of Ayutthaya]], fought in front of the Burmese king and defeated ten Burmese fighters; one of the military commander [[Phraya Phichai Dap Hak]], who in his youth was a Muay Thai fighter; and one of Muen Phlan, who was chosen by King [[Rama I]] to fight against two French challengers in 1788.<ref name="Vail 1998" /><ref name="wenk.1968">Wenk, Klaus and Stahl, Greeley. "The restoration of Thailand under Rama I, 1782-1809," ''Asian Studies by the University of Arizona Press, Tucson'' 24(1968): 120–121. {{ISBN|978-081-6-50272-1}}</ref>

According to the popular folklore story, in 1767, after the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom from the [[Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)]], the invading [[Myanmar|Burmese]] troops rounded up thousands of Siamese citizens and brought to Burma. They then organized a seven-day, seven-night religious festival in honor of [[Buddha]]'s relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment, such as costume plays, comedies, and sword-fighting matches. King [[Hsinbyushin]] wanted to see how Thai fighters would compare to his fighters. Nai Khanom Tom was selected to fight against the King's chosen champion, and the boxing ring was set up in front of the throne. When the fight began, Nai Khanom Tom charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees to pummel his opponent until he collapsed.The King supposedly asked if Nai Khanom Tom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought one after the other with no rest periods. His last opponent was a great kickboxing teacher from [[Rakhine State]] whom Nai Khanom Tom defeated with kicks.<ref name="royal-chronicle-2015"/>{{rp|414}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.martialartsthailand.com/nai-khanom-tom-father-of-muay-thai/|title=Nai Khanom Tom: Father of Muay Thai|access-date=2020-07-09|archive-date=2020-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627083928/https://www.martialartsthailand.com/nai-khanom-tom-father-of-muay-thai/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

To commemorate the story of Nai Khanom Tom, the Muay Thai Festival and Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony are staged annually every year on March 17 as "Muay Thai Day" in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wmcmuaythai.org/2012/02/20/spain-pays-respect-to-nai-kanom-tom|title=Spain Pays Respect to Nai Kanom Tom|date=2012-02-20|access-date=2013-05-11|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619232455/http://www.wmcmuaythai.org/2012/02/20/spain-pays-respect-to-nai-kanom-tom|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Gourley">{{cite web |url=https://berniegourley.com/2015/08/03/the-legend-of-nai-khanomtom-hero-of-muay-thai/ |title=The Legend of Nai Khanomtom: Hero of Muay Thai |author=Bernie Gourley |date=August 3, 2015 |website=berniegourley.com}}</ref><ref name="KBR">{{cite web |url=https://en.kokusaibujinrenmei.org/Blogs/history-masters-martial-arts/nai-khanom-tom-legacy-muay-thai-mastery |title=Nai Khanom Tom: Legacy and Mastery in Muay Thai |website=Kokusai Bujin Renmei |access-date=May 12, 2025}}</ref> 

[[File:งานรำลึกนายขนมต้ม 2560.jpg|right|thumb|Every year on March 17, Thailand celebrates ''Nai Khanom Tom'' day.]]

King Hsinbyushin was allegedly so impressed that he remarked in ''The Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya'':<ref name="royal-chronicle-2015"/>{{rp|414}}

{{Blockquote|text=''While King Hsinbyushin of Burma was residing at [[Yangon]] to raise an umbrella crown of the [[Shwedagon Pagoda]] for celebration, a Burmese nobleman informed him of a Siamese-skilled muay thai man. The King then stated a royal order to arrange for a Siamese man named Nai Khanom Tom, a famous fighter from Ayutthaya, to confront a Burmese boxer in front of the throne. The first round, the latter collapsed by Nai Khanom Tom, and the other round he confronted nine and ten other Burmese boxers. King Hsinbyushin was applauding him and said that Siamese was in a dangerous situation, but he could confront opponents up to nine and ten while unarmed. Because of King of Ayutthaya's negligent behavior that caused the aftermath of Ayutthaya Kingdom, the kingdom could stay if he's good. King Hsinbyushin then royally rewarded Nai Khanom Tom as should.''<ref name="damrong.1962">[[Damrong Rajanubhab]]. (1962). ''Phraratcha Phongsawadan Chabap Phraratcha Hathalekha Lem 2 [The Royal Chronicle of Letters by the King's Own Hand Volume 2]. พระราชพงศาวดาร ฉบับพระราชหัตถเลขา เล่ม 2'' (in Thai). (2nd ed.) Bangkok: OdiantStore. p. 384.</ref><ref name="royal-chronicle-2015"/>{{rp|414}}{{refn|group=Note|In Thai: ฝ่ายพระเจ้าอังวะยังอยู่ ณะ เมืองย่างกุ้ง ทำการยกฉัตรยอดพระมหาเจดีย์เกษธาตุสำเรจ์แล้วให้มีการฉลอง จึ่งขุนนางพม่ากราบทูลว่า คนมวยเมืองไทมีฝีมือดียิ่งนัก จึ่งตรัสสั่งให้จัดหามาได้นายขนมต้มคนหนึ่ง เปนมวยดีมีฝีมือแต่ครั้งกรุงเก่า เอาตัวมาถวายพระเจ้าอังวะ พระเจ้าอังวะจึ่งให้จัดพม่าคนมวยเข้ามาเปรียบกับนายขนมต้มได้กันแล้ว ก็ให้ชกกันหน้าพระธินั่ง แลนายขนมต้มชกพม่าไม่ทันถึ่งยกก็แพ้ แล้วจัดคนอื่นเข้ามาเปรียบชกอิก นายขนมต้มชกพม่าชกมอญแพ้ถึ่งเก้าคนสิบคนสู้ไม่ได้ พระเจ้าอังวะทอดพระเนตรยกพระหัตถ์ตบพระอุระตรัสสรรเสรีญฝีมือนายขนมต้มว่า ไทมีพิศม์อยู่ทั่วตัว แต่มือเปล่าไม่มีอาวุธเลยยังสู้ได้ คนเดียวชณะถึ่งเก้าคนสิบคนฉนี้ เพราะจ้าวนายไม่ดีจึ่งเสียบ้านเมืองแก่ข้าศึก ถ้าจ้าวนายดีแล้วไหนเลยจะเสียกรุงศรีอยุทธยา แล้วพระราชทานรางวัลแก่นายขนมต้มโดยสมควร<ref name="damrong.1962"/>}}}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Somdet Phra Phonnarat (Vanaratana) of [[Wat Pho]]|title=The Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya : Version by Somdet Phra Phonnarat of [[Wat Pho|Wat Phra Chettuphon]]}}</ref>