In ancient times in the northeastern region of Thailand before there was Muay Khad Chuek. There is another type of boxing that is known by many names. such as some Lao boxing, Some tigers drag their tails. Such boxing is popularly practiced in temples and villages. The purpose is to be used in defense and at the same time to take into account the beauty of the dance style. There was a study of magic that turned knee fists to become so strong that the opponent could not harm them.
At present, Sakon Nakhon is the only province that still has ancient boxing in traditional merit-making festivals, such as the Candle Procession Festival and the Buddhist Lent Festival. In these festivals, Villagers will organize a fun parade to join the procession.
Especially Sakon Nakhon people in the area around the city have held it since ancient times. that when it comes to the festival of merit, the villagers will arrange a parade and dance along the road through the front of the people's houses to make merit and make merit together for Phra That Choeng Chum temple.
In addition to containing People, young and old, dressed in traditional costumes dancing along the streets, there are also ancient boxers dancing in front of the parade, which is very exciting to passersby.
Each boxer wears a jagged stingray, allowing the stingrays to hang down nicely. For this reason, the villagers often call the boxers "tailed tigers". The body and legs are also popular for tattooing. The upper part is often an animal image on the chest such as a Garuda image, a snake image, a tiger image, a Hanuman image, and a tattoo along the thigh to become a vegetable image, such as a rice plant pattern.
The belief in this tattoo from ancient times was considered a symbol of strength and satisfaction for women. Some people may have a motto about invulnerability mixed with beauty.
The ancient boxers had a true wrapped around their arms inside the Takrud containing talismans. that they respect, wear an auspicious headdress while Hai Kru, as in modern Muay Thai and take off the auspicious when it comes to dancing or fighting.
The beauty of ancient boxing lies in the gesture of worshiping teachers. which uses a style from the behavior of animals such as tigers, elephants, horses, cows, and buffaloes to adapt as well The style of the boxers and moving to the sound of the drums. Some boxers also bring the gestures of monkeys and giants in Ramayana to create beautiful dance moves.
Ancient boxing is divided into 3 parts. 1. Ancient Boxing Parade 2. Respecting the teacher or solo dance and 3. Fighting
It is worth noting that ancient Muay Thai doesn't use an infighting fight because it will show less dancing style. But the boxer will attack the opponent and retreat periodically to dance and then invade or prepare to defend or counter the opponent.
In other words, the fun of ancient boxing lies in the boxers' tricks. Those who are more advanced tend to have some brilliant tricks, including offensive and defensive moves, which means training. Learned well in an offensive position to conquer many opponents.
Agile ancient boxers tended to hit their opponents with their feet. while at the disadvantage of the opponent until he loses his grip Boxers will solve problems such as quickly dodging and using their feet to knock opponents down or use their elbows. But be careful of the crocodile's tail strike from the opposing side.
Ancient boxing is not a boxing fight to lose or win like the current boxing. But if it is a fight that focuses on the art of dancing, it should be called ancient boxing dance. It's not the current boxing style.