Editing Muay Thai (section)

===20th century===
====The modern era====
[[File:Muay Thai at Sanphet Maha Prasat Throne Hall in Ayutthaya 1907.jpg|thumb|Muen Muay Mee Chue (Plong Jamnongthong) of Chaiya performed [[Muay Boran]] in front of the Sanphet Maha Prasat Throne Hall in 1907 during the reign of King [[Chulalongkorn]].]][[File:USMC-110215-M-2739S-005.jpg|thumb|Local school children in Thailand demonstrate Muay Thai.]]

Modern Muay Thai arose from the local form of bare-hand fighting historically known simply as ''muay'', and became recognized as a distinct martial art form in the early 20th century, when the term ''Muay Thai'' ('Siamese boxing' in English) was introduced in physical education curricular documents to distinguish it from international boxing (''muay sakon'' in Thai).<ref name="Vail 2014">{{cite journal |last1=Vail |first1=Peter |title=Muay Thai: Inventing Tradition for a National Symbol |journal=Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia |date=2014 |volume=29 |issue=3 |pages=509–553 |doi=10.1355/sj29-3a |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/562678 |issn=0217-9520}}</ref>

The officially recognized history of Muay Thai was largely codified in the late 20th century, when the sport gained widespread popularity and became recognized as a national sport and cultural heritage. The term [[Muay Boran]] was coined to describe the pre-modern historical martial art form of Muay Thai, and they came to symbolize a warrior spirit seen as a core component of [[Thainess]].<ref name="Vail 2014" />

In 1910, the King requested ''muay'' fighters from outlying provinces to fight matches at the funeral of his son Prince [[Urubongse Rajasombhoj]], and granted the [[Thai noble titles|noble rank]] of ''Muen'' to the three best fighters, who were from [[Lopburi]], [[Khorat]] and [[Chaiya]]. These would later become codified as regional styles of Muay Boran.<ref name="Vail 2014" />

1913: British boxing was introduced into the curriculum of the [[Suankularb Wittayalai School|Suan Kulap College]]. The first descriptive use of the term "Muay Thai".

From 1914 to 1918 during [[World War I]], Thailand sent troops to fight with its allies in [[France]]. They taught people there Muay Thai, and later Thai boxing spread to others and became known internationally, so the word of ''Muay Thai'' had reached [[Europe]] by this time.<ref>Helt, Julianna. (2024). ''Muay Thai''. Mendota Heights, MN: Apex Editions; North Star Editions. p. 14. {{ISBN|978-163-7-38892-1}} {{OCLC|1417715176}}</ref> A French magazine, ''Le Sport Orient'', published in [[Mainz]], observed:
<blockquote>Thai boxing is astounding but hard to get to see. The boxers are agile, strong, and tough. This sport is not just a thrilling, strange, and extraordinary form of entertainment. Once again, it makes the French feel that Siam is one of the truly remarkable nations of Asia.<ref>Kraithat, Panya, and Kraitus, Pitisuk. (1988). ''Muay Thai: The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting''. (6th ed.). Phuket: Asia Books. p. 24. {{ISBN|978-974-8-68419-2}}</ref><ref>"Kickboxing in Thailand," in Wyatt, David K. "Bangkok." ''Microsoft Student 2009 [DVD]''. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008. para. 6.</ref></blockquote>

1919: British boxing and Muay Thai were taught as one sport in the curriculum of the Suan Kulap College. Judo was also offered.

1921: First permanent ring in Siam at Suan Kulap College. Used for both muay and British boxing.

1923: Suan Sanuk Stadium. First international style three-rope ring with red and blue padded corners, near Lumpinee Park. Muay and British boxing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://8limbs.us/muay-thai-thailand/modernization-muay-thai-timeline |title=The Modernization of Muay Thai – A Timeline | author=Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu |publisher=8Limbs.us |date=2015-01-10 |access-date=2015-06-13 |archive-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423020225/http://8limbs.us/muay-thai-thailand/modernization-muay-thai-timeline |url-status=live }}</ref>

King [[Rama VII]] (r. 1925–1935) pushed for codified rules for Muay and they were put into place. Thailand's first boxing ring was built in 1921 at Suan Kulap. Referees were introduced and rounds were now timed by kick. Fighters at the [[Lumpinee Boxing Stadium]] began wearing modern gloves, as well as hard groin protectors, during training and in boxing matches against foreigners. Traditional rope-binding (''Khat Chueak'') made the hands a hardened, dangerous striking tool. The use of knots in the rope over the knuckles made the strikes more abrasive and damaging for the opponent while protecting the hands of the fighter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Patterson|first=Jeff|title=Know Your Muay Thai: Hand Wraps|url=http://nwfighting.com/know-your-muay-thai-hand-wraps.html/|work=nwfighting.com|publisher=Northwest Fighting Arts|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306225833/http://nwfighting.com/know-your-muay-thai-hand-wraps.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> This rope-binding was still used in fights between Thais but after a death in the ring, it was decided that fighters should wear gloves and cotton coverlets over the feet and ankles. It was also around this time that the term "Muay Thai" became commonly used, while the older form of the style came to be known as "Muay Boran", which is now performed primarily as an exhibition art form.

[[File:Bangkok Lumpinee Boxing Stadium 2.jpg|thumb|left|A Muay Boran demonstration, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, [[Bangkok]]]]

Muay Thai was at the height of its popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Top fighters commanded purses of up to 200,000 [[Thai Baht|Baht]] and the stadia where gambling was legal drew big gates and big advertising revenues. In 2016, a payout to a superstar fighter was about 100,000 Baht per fight,<ref name="SAG-20161013">{{cite news |last1=Zandstra |first1=Tate |title=Blood, sweat and debt |url=https://southeastasiaglobe.com/muay-thai-gambling-death/ |access-date=3 April 2020 |work=Southeast Asia Globe |date=13 October 2016 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225162140/https://southeastasiaglobe.com/muay-thai-gambling-death/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but can range as high as 540,000 Baht for a bout.<ref>{{cite news |last=Krausz |first=Tibor |title=Muay Thai child fighters put their health on the line for gamblers and hope of a better life |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2168323/muay-thai-child-fighters-put-their-health-line-gamblers-and-hope-better |access-date=3 April 2020 |work=South China Morning Post |date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=4 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304172109/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2168323/muay-thai-child-fighters-put-their-health-line-gamblers-and-hope-better |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1993, the [[International Federation of Muaythai Associations|International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur]], or IFMA was inaugurated. It became the governing body of amateur Muay Thai consisting of 128 member countries worldwide and is recognised by the [[Olympic Council of Asia]].

In 1995, the [[World Muaythai Council]], the oldest and largest professional sanctioning organisations of muay Thai, was established by the Thai government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

In 1995, the World Muay Thai Federation was founded by the merger of two existing organisations, and established in [[Bangkok]], becoming the federation governing international Muay Thai. In August 2012, it had over 70 member countries. Its president is elected at the World Muay Thai Congress.