มวยไทย · Glossary

Muay Thai glossary

305 terms. Thai spellings and pronunciations vary between regions and transliteration systems; where they do, we list the common variants.

Search glossaryCategory

Showing 305 of 305

4 oz gloves equipment: /—/Open-fingered gloves used by ONE Championship for Muay Thai. They raise knockout rates and make punches as dangerous as kicks, which changes tactics away from the clinch-heavy stadium game. Also: MMA gloves, Four-ounce gloves. See: Gloves, ONE Championship.
7-Eleven slang: /—/The convenience chain on every Thai corner, a fixture of camp life for post-training food, electrolytes and late-night toasties. Also: Seven. See: Camp food.
Ajarnอาจารย์ culture: /AH-JAHN/Master teacher, a step above kru. Used for senior instructors with long lineages, and in wider Thai society for university lecturers and respected monks. Also: Arjan, Achan, Ajahn. See: Kru, Wai Kru.
Anklets equipment: /—/Elasticated cloth sleeves worn over the ankles. They keep the joint warm, cushion the top of the foot on pads and bag, and help grip on the canvas; WBC Muaythai lists ankle supports as required kit. Also: Ankle supports, Ankle guards. See: Shin guards, Thai shorts.
Aoเอา language: /OW/Take or want. Ao eek means again or one more; mai ao means no, not that. Also: Ow. See: Eek, Mai.
Aroiอร่อย language: /A-ROY/Delicious. Aroi mak is very tasty. Also: Aroy. See: Phet.
Art of eight limbs culture: /—/English nickname for Muay Thai that counts its eight striking surfaces: two fists, two elbows, two knees and two shins/feet. It distinguishes the sport from boxing (two limbs) and kickboxing (four). Also: Science of eight limbs. See: Muay Thai, Sok, Khao.
Axe kickเตะเข่า technique: /DTEH KOW/Leg raised high then brought straight down with the heel. Listed in Thai technique catalogues but seldom seen in the ring. Also: Te khao, Heel-drop kick. See: Te.
Bag workกระสอบทราย training: /GRA-SORP SAI/Rounds on the heavy bag (Thai: sand sack) for power, endurance and shin conditioning. Trainers often set 100 or 200 kicks per leg at the end of a session. Also: Krasop sai, Heavy bag rounds. See: Banana bag, Heavy bag.
Balance rules: /—/A core Thai judging concept: a strike that leaves the striker steady and the opponent stumbling scores; one that lands but leaves the striker off balance, or is answered by a sweep, scores against them. Also: Composure, Poise. See: Scoring criteria, Sweep.
Banana bag equipment: /—/Long, narrow heavy bag reaching almost to the floor so low kicks, knees and clinch work can be practised on the same bag. The standard bag in Thai gyms. Also: Long bag, Six-foot bag. See: Bag work, Teardrop bag, Heavy bag.
Baoเบา language: /BOW/Light, soft. Bao bao is the instruction to spar or clinch lightly. Also: Bao bao. See: Raeng, Sparring.
Belly pad equipment: /—/Padded vest or apron worn around the trainer's midsection so the fighter can drive full-power knees and teeps into the body during pad rounds. Also: Body pad, Abdominal pad. See: Thai pads, Khao trong.
Belt slang: /—/Shorthand for a championship title. In Thailand a Lumpinee or Rajadamnern belt is the career goal; abroad it usually means a WBC or WMC strap. Also: Championship belt, Strap. See: Title fight.
Blockบัง technique: /BUNG/General term for stopping a strike with the arms, shin or glove. Thai trainers call bang! when they want the guard raised. Also: Bang, Bat. See: Check, Long guard.
Blue cornerมุมน้ำเงิน rules: /MOOM NUM NGERN/The challenger's or underdog's corner by convention. Gamblers signal a blue bet with the little finger. Also: Mum nam ngoen. See: Red corner, Hand signals.
Body kick technique: /—/Roundhouse to the ribs, arms or torso. The bread-and-butter scoring kick in Thai stadiums because it visibly moves the opponent and lands on the largest target. Also: Te lam tua, Mid kick. See: Te tat, Scoring criteria.
Body lock technique: /—/Arms wrapped around the opponent's waist. Mostly defensive, used to smother knees and pin the hips, but it can set up a twist and dump. Also: Waist clinch. See: Double underhooks, Dump.
Body parts language: /—/Padmen name targets in Thai: hua (head), tong (belly), kha (leg), na khaeng (shin), jamuk (nose), mue (hand), tao (foot). Also: Hua, tong, kha, na khaeng. See: Body punch, Hands up.
Body protector equipment: /—/Corner-coloured padded vest required in IFMA youth and some amateur divisions; adults in elite divisions fight without it. Also: Chest guard, Body armour. See: Head guard, IFMA.
Body punchต่อยท้อง technique: /DTOY TONG/Punch to the stomach or ribs. Thai trainers say toi tong (punch the belly) when they want hands to the body rather than the head. Also: Toi tong, Dtoy tong. See: Hook, Uppercut.
Boxing Act 1999พระราชบัญญัติกีฬามวย พ.ศ. 2542 institution: /—/Thai law that placed professional boxing and Muay Thai under the Sports Authority of Thailand's Board of Boxing Sport, requiring bouts, promoters and officials to be licensed. Also: Boxing Sport Act, Muay Act. See: SAT.
Camp food culture: /—/Meals at Thai camps lean towards Isan (north-eastern) cooking because most trainers come from the region: sticky rice, grilled meat, som tam and clear soups. Also: Gym food, Ahan Isan. See: Khao niao, Som tam, Gin khao.
Catch and sweep technique: /—/Catching an opponent's kick under the arm, then sweeping or pushing them over. Rules limit how far you may walk them: IFMA allows no more than two steps without striking. Also: Kick catch, Leg catch. See: Sweep, Fouls.
Chaช้า language: /CHAH/Slow, slower. Used to bring a trainee back to technique. Also: Sha, Chaa. See: Reo.
Chanaชนะ language: /CHA-NA/To win. Phae is to lose and samoe is a draw. Also: Chanak. See: Phae, Draw.
Channel 7 Stadiumสนามมวยช่อง 7 institution: /—/Free-entry stadium beside the Channel 7 television studios near Chatuchak, Bangkok, staging televised Sunday afternoon fights. Its titles rank just behind Lumpinee and Rajadamnern. Also: Channel 7 Boxing Stadium, Muay Thai 7 See. See: Rajadamnern Stadium, Omnoi Stadium.
Chao mueเจ้ามือ slang: /JOW MEW/The bookmaker or bet-holder who matches wagers between gamblers in the stands. Also: Bookmaker. See: Sian muay, Gambling.
Chap khoจับคอ technique: /JAP KAW/Literally grab the neck: the Thai term for clinching. It covers the whole stand-up grappling phase where fighters fight for head and arm control to land knees, elbows and sweeps. Also: Jab kho, Djab ko. See: Clinch, Plum, Muay Khao.
Checkบัง technique: /—/Lifting the shin to block an incoming roundhouse so it lands shin-on-shin instead of on the thigh or ribs. The basic defence against kicks. Also: Shin block, Bang. See: Low kick, Block.
Chingฉิ่ง culture: /CHING/Small thick brass finger cymbals that keep time in the sarama ensemble. Also: Ching cymbals. See: Sarama.
Chokชก technique: /CHOK/To box or punch. It is also the referee's command to resume fighting after a break, and appears in the send-off phrase chok dee (good luck). Also: Chock. See: Mat, Chok dee, Yut.
Chok deeโชคดี language: /CHOK DEE/Good luck. The standard send-off before a fight and a common farewell. Also: Chok dii, Good luck. See: Chok, Dee.
Clinchจับคอ technique: /—/Close-range grappling phase where fighters control the head, neck and arms to land knees, elbows and sweeps. Judges reward the fighter who dominates position; referees break it when it stalls. Also: Chap kho, Plum fighting. See: Chap kho, Plum, Sweep, Muay Khao.
Clinch drills training: /—/Timed rounds of live clinch wrestling with a partner, usually with no strikes or only light knees. Thai gyms do this daily; it is where Muay Khao skills are built. Also: Clinching, Clinch rounds. See: Clinch, Plum, Muay Khao.
Conditioning training: /—/Hardening the body for impact: kicking the bag and pads to toughen the shins, and press-ups, sit-ups and knee drills at the end of a session. Also: Body conditioning, Shin conditioning. See: Bag work, Check.
Counter technique: /—/Striking immediately after, or during, the opponent's attack. Technical fighters (Muay Femur) build whole games on countering. Also: Counter-strike. See: Muay Femur, Feint.
Crossหมัดตรง technique: /—/Rear-hand straight punch thrown with hip rotation. Typically paired with a kick or knee in Thai combinations. Also: Rear straight, Mat trong. See: Jab, Mat trong.
Cross-face technique: /—/Forearm driven across the opponent's face or jaw to turn their head and break their posture in the clinch. Also: Cross face. See: Clinch, Frame.
Damage rules: /—/Judges look for visible effect: a fighter buckled, winded, cut or knocked down. Under ONE rules damage is the first criterion after knockdowns; in the stadiums it sits alongside balance and dominance. Also: Effect, Visible effect. See: Scoring criteria, Knockdown.
Decision rules: /—/A result decided on the judges' cards when the bout goes the distance. Announced as unanimous, split or majority; a draw is possible in most rule sets. Also: Points win, Judges' decision. See: Unanimous decision, Split decision, Draw.
Deeดี language: /DEE/Good. Dee mak is very good, the padman's highest praise, and mai dee is not good. Also: Dii, Dee mak. See: Suay, Chok dee.
Dernเดิน language: /DERN/Walk. On the pads it means walk forward and pressure; dern dern is keep coming. Also: Doen, Dern dern. See: Thoi, Muay Bouk.
Disqualification rules: /—/Removal from the bout for serious or repeated fouls, giving the opponent the win. Also: DQ. See: Fouls, Referee.
Double underhooks technique: /—/Both arms threaded under the opponent's armpits to lift and control the torso, opening the ribs for knees or setting up a turn. Also: Body clinch, Under-arm control. See: Clinch, Body lock.
Drawเสมอ rules: /SA-MER/A bout with no winner on the cards. Relatively rare in Thai stadium judging, which is expected to find a winner. Also: Samoe, Tie. See: Decision.
Dump technique: /—/Sending the opponent to the canvas from the clinch by turning and snapping their head and shoulders while stepping through. A well-timed dump scores as a sign of dominance. Also: Throw, Clinch throw, Off-balance. See: Sweep, Clinch, Scoring criteria.
Eekอีก language: /EEK/Again, more. Shouted after a good strike to demand a repeat. Also: Ik, Ao eek. See: Ao.
Eight count rules: /—/The referee's mandatory count to eight after a knockdown before allowing the bout to resume, used to check the fighter can continue. Also: Standing eight count, Count of eight. See: Knockdown, Knockout.
Elbow pads equipment: /—/Soft sleeves over the elbows, mandatory in IFMA amateur competition to reduce cuts, and used in some gyms for sparring. Also: Elbow guards. See: Head guard, Shin guards.
Entertainment Muay Thai culture: /—/Newer TV-oriented format pioneered by promotions such as Max Muay Thai and adopted in variations by ONE and RWS: three rounds, judging that rewards aggression and damage, and fewer clinch stalls. Also: Three-round Muay Thai, Modern rules. See: Stadium Muay Thai, Max Muay Thai, ONE Championship, RWS.
Face teep technique: /—/Push kick to the opponent's face. Beyond the physical effect it carries a cultural sting, because the foot to the face is a deliberate insult in Thai culture. Also: Teep to the face, Thip na. See: Thip, Trash talk.
Farangฝรั่ง language: /FA-RUNG/Westerner. Neutral in most contexts; also the Thai word for guava. Also: Falang. See: Nak Muay Farang.
Feint technique: /—/A deliberately incomplete strike or step that draws a reaction, opening a real strike elsewhere. Thai fighters feint heavily with the teep and lead leg. Also: Fake. See: Counter, Question-mark kick.
Fifth round rules: /—/In stadium Muay Thai the final round frequently slows down: the fighter ahead protects the lead and the one behind may accept the loss, reflecting judging that weighs the whole fight rather than each round equally. Also: Coasting round, Round five. See: Five rounds, Scoring criteria.
Fight camp training: /—/The period of focused preparation before a bout. In Thailand it doubles as the word for the gym itself, since fighters live and train on site. Also: Camp, Training camp. See: Khai muay, Weight cut.
Fight fixedล้มมวย slang: /LOM MOO-AY/Lom muay, literally to topple boxing, is the Thai term for throwing a fight for gambling money. It is a criminal matter under the Boxing Act and a persistent scandal in the stadiums. Also: Lom muay, Thrown fight. See: Gambling, Boxing Act 1999.
Fight night training: /—/The day of the bout. Typical Thai routine: weigh in the morning or the day before, rest, eat, light shadowboxing, then wrap and oil at the venue. Also: Fight day. See: Weigh-in, Nam man muay.
Five rounds rules: /—/The traditional professional format: five three-minute rounds. The first round is often a slow feeling-out phase, rounds three and four decide the fight, and the fifth may coast if the result is clear. Also: 5x3, Full rules. See: Round, Stadium Muay Thai, Fifth round.
Focus mitts equipment: /—/Small hand-held pads for punching speed and accuracy. Thai camps use them less than Thai pads but reach for them when working boxing. Also: Focus pads, Hand pads. See: Thai pads, Pad work.
Fouls rules: /—/Actions that draw warnings, point deductions or disqualification. Common to all Muay Thai rule sets: head-butts, biting, eye gouging, groin and spine strikes, striking a downed opponent, holding the ropes, judo-style hip throws, leg hooks and joint locks. Also: Illegal techniques, Prohibited techniques. See: Hip throw, Sweep, Referee, Disqualification.
Frame technique: /—/Using a straight forearm or hand on the opponent's shoulder, chest or bicep to create space and stop them closing into the plum. Also: Framing, Long guard clinch defence. See: Long guard, Clinch.
Gamblingการพนัน culture: /—/Betting is woven into stadium Muay Thai: odds shift round by round via hand signals, and the money shapes matchmaking and even fighters' pacing. Officially it is tolerated inside the stadiums rather than licensed. Also: Stadium betting. See: Sian muay, Hand signals, Kha yai.
Gin khaoกินข้าว language: /GIN KOW/Eat, literally eat rice. Shouted round the camp when food is ready. Also: Kin khao, Eat. See: Khao, Camp food.
Gin namกินน้ำ language: /GIN NUM/Drink water. The trainer's cue for a water break between rounds. Also: Kin nam, Drink water. See: Phak.
Glovesนวม equipment: /NOO-AM/Thai-style gloves are shorter in the cuff than boxing gloves with a more open palm for clinching. Pro bouts use 8 oz up to welterweight and 10 oz above; IFMA amateurs use 10 oz; training gloves run 12 to 16 oz. Also: Nuam, Boxing gloves. See: 4 oz gloves, Hand wraps, Kard chuek.
Groin guardกระจับ equipment: /GRA-JUP/Protective cup worn under the shorts. Thai fighters favour a hard steel cup held on with cord, tied at the hips, rather than a jockstrap-style cup. Also: Krachap, Steel cup. See: Thai shorts, Groin strike.
Groin strike rules: /—/Illegal strike below the belt. Under IFMA the hit fighter gets up to three minutes to recover; refusal to continue after that hands the win to the opponent. Also: Low blow. See: Fouls, Groin guard.
Gym name culture: /—/Thai fighters fight under a ring name plus their camp's name, so the camp is advertised with every result. Prefixes such as Sit (student of), Sor and Por are abbreviations that precede the camp owner's name. Also: Ring name, Camp suffix. See: Khai muay, Sit, Sor.
Gym rat slang: /—/Someone who practically lives at the gym. In Thailand the term fits the long-stay foreigners who train two sessions a day for months. Also: Lifer. See: Nak Muay Farang, Fight camp.
Haห้า language: /HAH/Five (5). Also: Haa. See: Thai counting.
Hand signals slang: /—/Gestures that carry stadium bets across the crowd: palm down for the favourite, palm up for the underdog, fingers for the odds, thumb for red and little finger for blue. Also: Betting signals. See: Gambling, Red corner, Blue corner.
Hand wrapsผ้าพันมือ equipment: /PAH PUN MEW/Cloth bandages wound around the hands and wrists under the gloves. WBC Muaythai limits them to six metres per hand; Thai cornermen often add tape over the knuckles for fights. Also: Pha phan mue, Pad meu, Wraps. See: Gloves.
Hands upมือ training: /MEW/Trainer's reminder to keep the guard high. In Thai the single word mue (hands) shouted from the pads means the same thing. Also: Mue, Meuu. See: High guard, Sung.
Hanuman Thawai Waenหนุมานถวายแหวน culture: /HA-NU-MAHN TA-WHY WAIRN/A Luk Mai technique: a double uppercut under the chin, named after the monkey god Hanuman presenting a ring in the Ramakien epic. Also: Hanuman offers the ring. See: Luk Mai, Uppercut.
Head guard equipment: /—/Padded helmet required in IFMA amateur bouts, worn without cheek or chin protection and removed before the decision is announced. Not used in professional Muay Thai. Also: Headgear. See: IFMA, Elbow pads, Body protector.
Head kick technique: /—/Roundhouse to the head or neck. High-risk, high-reward: a clean one often ends the fight, but a missed one leaves the kicker off balance. Also: High kick, Te hua. See: Te tat, Kradot te.
Heavy bagกระสอบทราย equipment: /GRA-SORP SAI/Generic hanging bag for power work. Thai gyms hang rows of them outdoors under a roof; the Thai name means sand sack. Also: Krasop sai, Punch bag. See: Banana bag, Bag work.
High guard technique: /—/Both gloves held at the temples with elbows tucked. Solid against punches and elbows but leaves the body open to knees and kicks. Also: Tight guard, Boxing guard. See: Long guard, Block.
Hip throw technique: /—/Loading the opponent over the hip to throw them, as in judo. Prohibited under IFMA, WBC Muaythai and most stadium rules; only balance-based sweeps and dumps are allowed. Also: Judo throw, Illegal throw. See: Fouls, Sweep, Dump.
Hokหก language: /HOK/Six (6). Also: Hohk. See: Thai counting.
Hong Hernหงส์เหิน culture: /HONG HERN/A Ram Muay style named for a soaring swan, performed with outstretched arms and turns towards each side of the ring. Also: Hongsa hern, Soaring swan. See: Ram Muay.
Hookหมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น technique: /MUT WEE-ANG SUN/Short arcing punch to the head or body. The Thai name means short swinging fist. Also: Mat wiang san, Mat tawad. See: Overhand, Mat.
IFMA institution: /IF-MA/The world governing body for amateur muaythai, founded in 1993 and based in Bangkok and Lausanne. Runs world championships and the World Games event under three-round rules with protective gear, and holds IOC recognition. Also: International Federation of Muaythai Associations. See: Sanctioning body, Khan, WMC.
Injection slang: /—/Cash pooled by gamblers and handed to a fighter who wins them money, often worth more than the official purse. Also: Tip, Gambler's bonus. See: Purse, Sian muay.
Jabหมัดแย็บ technique: /JAB / MUT YEP/Lead-hand straight punch. In Muay Thai it is more of a range-finder and set-up for kicks than a scoring blow, because judges weight punches lightly unless they cause visible damage. Also: Mat yaep, Mat na. See: Mat trong, Cross, Scoring criteria.
Jai yenใจเย็น language: /JAI YEN/Calm down, keep a cool heart. Said to fighters who rush or lose their temper. Also: Jai yen yen, Cool heart. See: Sabai.
Jetเจ็ด language: /JET/Seven (7). Also: Jed, Chet. See: Thai counting.
Jorakhe fat hangจระเข้ฟาดหาง technique: /JOR-A-KAY FAHT HAHNG/Spinning heel kick named after a crocodile swinging its tail. Listed among the fifteen Mae Mai of Muay Boran and occasionally seen as a showpiece in modern bouts. Also: Jarake fad hang, Crocodile whips its tail. See: Mae Mai, Te klap lang.
Judgeกรรมการ rules: /GUM-MA-GAHN/Official scoring the bout from ringside. WBC Muaythai and stadium bouts use three judges; IFMA amateur events use five. Thai kammakan covers both judges and the referee. Also: Kammakan, Ringside judge. See: Referee, Ten-point must.
Kaeoก้าว language: /GOW/Step. A padman calling kaeo wants the trainee to step in before striking. Also: Gaow. See: Dern.
Kaoเก้า language: /GOW/Nine (9). Sounds close to khao (knee), so listen for context on the pads. Also: Gao, Gaao. See: Thai counting.
Kard chuekคาดเชือก culture: /KAHT CHEU-AK/Fighting with hands bound in hemp rope instead of gloves, the pre-1930s norm. Gloves became compulsory after a ring death in the late 1920s; modern rope-bound bouts on promotions such as Thai Fight use thin gloves under the rope. Also: Kaad chuek, Khat chueak, Muay kard chuek. See: Muay Boran, Thai Fight, Gloves.
Kha manฆ่ามัน language: /KAH MUN/Kill it, finish it. Aggressive corner shout when the opponent is hurt; not literal. Also: Ka man. See: Dern.
Kha yaiขาใหญ่ slang: /KAH YAI/Big legs: the heaviest-betting gamblers who effectively act as the house, watching weigh-ins and setting opening odds. Also: Big legs. See: Sian muay, Gambling.
Khai muayค่ายมวย culture: /KYE MOO-AY/A Muay Thai camp or gym. Thai camps are residential: fighters live, eat and train there and often take the camp name as their surname. Also: Kai muay, Muay Thai camp. See: Gym name, Nak Muay, Fight camp.
Khanขั้น training: /KUN/Graded rank levels used by IFMA and Thai teaching bodies to structure a Muay Thai syllabus, similar in purpose to belts in other martial arts. Traditional Thai gyms do not use them; fight records matter instead. Also: Khan grading, Khan level. See: IFMA, Kru.
Khaoเข่า technique: /KOW/Knee, and the knee strike. Knees score heavily in Thai stadium judging, especially from the clinch, and define the Muay Khao archetype. Also: Kao, Kow, Khow. See: Khao trong, Muay Khao, Clinch.
Khao (rice)ข้าว language: /KOW/Rice, and by extension a meal. Khao pad is fried rice, khao niao sticky rice. Also: Kao, Khao. See: Khao niao, Khao pad, Gin khao.
Khao chiangเข่าเฉียง technique: /KOW CHEE-ANG/Knee angled inward on a diagonal, landing on the ribs or around a guarding arm. Also: Diagonal knee. See: Khao, Khao trong.
Khao kaengข้าวแกง culture: /KOW GANG/Rice served with your choice of pre-cooked curries from trays, the cheapest sit-down meal near most gyms. Also: Curry rice, Rice and curry shop. See: Khao.
Khao khongเข่าโค้ง technique: /KOW KOHNG/Knee that curves in from the side, used when the opponent covers the centre line in the clinch. Also: Curving knee, Round knee. See: Khao, Khao tat.
Khao loiเข่าลอย technique: /KOW LOY/Flying or jumping knee, launched off one or both feet at the head or chest. Also: Flying knee, Kao loy. See: Khao, Kradot.
Khao niaoข้าวเหนียว culture: /KOW NEE-OW/Glutinous rice steamed in a bamboo basket, the Isan staple eaten by hand with grilled meat. Also: Sticky rice, Khao neow. See: Camp food, Moo ping.
Khao padข้าวผัด culture: /KOW PUT/Fried rice, the safe post-training order at any roadside stall. Also: Fried rice, Kao pad. See: Khao.
Khao tatเข่าตัด technique: /KOW DTUT/Horizontal knee across the body, the knee equivalent of a hook. Also: Horizontal knee, Cutting knee. See: Khao, Khao khong.
Khao topเข่าตบ technique: /KOW DTOP/Slapping knee that lands with the inside of the thigh or knee, common in the clinch when there is no room to drive a straight knee. Also: Knee slap, Khao ti. See: Khao, Clinch.
Khao trongเข่าตรง technique: /KOW DTRONG/Straight knee driven upward and forward into the body or head, usually with the hips thrust in. The main clinch weapon. Also: Straight knee, Kao trong. See: Khao, Clinch, Muay Khao.
Khao yaoเข่ายาว technique: /KOW YAO/Long-range knee thrown from outside the clinch, stepping in as it lands. Sometimes translated as the knee bomb. Also: Long knee, Knee bomb. See: Khao, Khao trong.
Khao yiapเข่าเหยียบ technique: /KOW YEE-AP/Knee delivered after stepping on the opponent's thigh or hip to gain height, mostly seen in Muay Boran demonstrations. Also: Step-up knee, Climbing knee. See: Khao loi, Mae Mai.
Khayoep teเขยิบเตะ technique: /KA-YERP DTEH/Kick delivered after a small shuffle or step-up to close range, sometimes off the opponent's thigh in Muay Boran displays. Also: Step-up kick, Yiep te. See: Te tat.
Khop khunขอบคุณ language: /KORP KOON/Thank you. Add khrap or kha for politeness. Also: Kop kun, Khob khun. See: Sawasdee.
Khrap / khaครับ / ค่ะ language: /KRUP / KAH/Polite particles ending a sentence: khrap for male speakers, kha for female. Also serve as yes. Also: Krap, Ka. See: Sawasdee.
Khunคุณ language: /KOON/Polite Mr/Ms prefix for adults you do not know well. Also: Koon. See: Phi, Nong.
Khwaขวา language: /KWAH/Right. Called on the pads to request the right-side weapon. Also: Kwa, Quaa. See: Sai, Pad work.
Kick shield equipment: /—/Large curved pad held against the body with two straps, used for repetitive power kicks and teeps when a single holder cannot use Thai pads safely. Also: Kick pad, Curved shield. See: Thai pads.
Klong khaekกลองแขก culture: /GLONG KAIRK/The pair of long double-headed drums that set the sarama's tempo. Also: Glong khaek. See: Sarama, Pi chawa.
Knee block technique: /—/Placing the thigh or knee across the front of the opponent's hips in the clinch to stop them stepping in to knee. Also: Knee bar in clinch, Hip check. See: Clinch, Frame.
Knockdown rules: /—/A fighter sent to the canvas by a legal strike, prompting the referee's count. IFMA distinguishes a knockdown (from a scoring strike) from a mere down (slip or push). Also: Down, Count. See: Eight count, Knockout, Three-knockdown rule.
Knockoutน็อก rules: /NOK/Victory when the downed fighter cannot beat the referee's count of ten. IFMA also records KOH (knockout from a head strike), which triggers a longer medical suspension. Also: KO, Nok. See: Knockdown, TKO, Medical suspension.
Kom Krabก้มกราบ culture: /GOM GRAHP/The three bows to the canvas performed kneeling during the Wai Kru, honouring the Buddha, the teachings and the teachers. Also: Krab, Prostration. See: Thep Phanom, Wai Kru.
Kradotกระโดด technique: /GRA-DOAT/To jump. Prefix that turns any strike into its leaping version: kradot te, kradot sok, kradot thip, kradot chok. Also: Gradot, Kra-dote. See: Kradot te, Kradot sok, Kradot thip.
Kradot sokกระโดดศอก technique: /GRA-DOAT SORK/Leaping downward elbow, often thrown off the ropes or a clinch break to bring weight down onto the opponent's head. Also: Jumping elbow, Flying elbow. See: Sok ti, Kradot.
Kradot teกระโดดเตะ technique: /GRA-DOAT DTEH/Leaping roundhouse, usually to the head, used to close distance dramatically. Scores well when it lands cleanly because it shows commitment and balance. Also: Jumping kick, Flying kick. See: Te tat, Kradot.
Kradot thipกระโดดถีบ technique: /GRA-DOAT TEEP/Jumping push kick, driven through with the whole body weight, typically aimed at the chest or face. Also: Jumping teep, Flying teep. See: Thip, Kradot.
Kruครู culture: /KROO/Teacher or trainer. The word descends from the Sanskrit guru and carries real weight in Thai culture; students wai their kru and honour them in the Wai Kru. Also: Khru, Kroo. See: Ajarn, Wai Kru, Phi liang.
Kru Muaythai Association institution: /—/Thai association that certifies Muay Thai instructors and maintains a grading structure for trainers, giving foreign gyms a formal route to recognised kru status. Also: KMA. See: Kru, Khan.
Kumกุม technique: /GOOM/The boxer's hunch: chin tucked, chest hollowed, shoulders rolled forward so the head sits behind the guard. Trainers call it out when a fighter stands too upright. Also: Goom. See: High guard, Stance.
Lean backหลบ technique: /LOP/Slipping a head kick or elbow by leaning the upper body back out of range without moving the feet. Thai lop means to dodge or evade. Also: Lop, Evade. See: Parry, Counter.
Lock slang: /—/Informal sections of the stands where the serious gamblers gather. Casual spectators are steered away. Also: The locks. See: Sian muay, Gambling.
Long guard technique: /—/Defensive posture with one or both arms extended toward the opponent's head and shoulders, used to control range, smother punches and frame off the clinch. Also: Extended guard, Thai guard. See: Frame, High guard.
Low kick technique: /—/Roundhouse to the thigh or calf. In Thai rules it scores modestly unless it visibly damages or buckles the leg; it is a favourite of pressure fighters and Muay Mat. Also: Leg kick, Te kha. See: Te tat, Check, Muay Mat.
Luk Maiลูกไม้ culture: /LOOK MY/The fifteen minor or advanced techniques of Muay Boran that build on the Mae Mai, including Hanuman Thawai Waen and Sok Phuang Malai. Also: Look Mai, Child techniques. See: Mae Mai, Muay Boran.
Lumpinee Stadiumสนามมวยลุมพินี institution: /LOOM-PIN-EE/The Royal Thai Army's stadium, opened 8 December 1956 on Rama IV Road and relocated to Ram Inthra Road in 2014. A Lumpinee belt is one of the sport's two most coveted titles; since 2023 it also hosts ONE Friday Fights. Also: Lumpini Stadium, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. See: Rajadamnern Stadium, ONE Friday Fights, Title fight.
Mae Maiแม่ไม้ culture: /MAIR MY/The fifteen mother techniques of Muay Boran, mostly counters, taught as the foundation of the traditional syllabus. Names are poetic (Salab Fan Pla, Paksa Waeg Rang, Hak Kho Erawan). Also: Mae Mai Muay Thai, Mother techniques. See: Luk Mai, Muay Boran, Jorakhe fat hang.
Maiไม่ language: /MY/No, not. Placed before a verb: mai thoi (don't back up), mai ao (don't want), mai dee (not good). Also: Mai (negative). See: Ao, Thoi.
Mai pen raiไม่เป็นไร language: /MY BPEN RYE/No problem, never mind. Heard constantly in Thai gyms when something goes wrong. Also: Mai bpen rai. See: Sabai.
Mai tong reepไม่ต้องรีบ language: /MY DTONG REEP/No need to hurry. A reminder to set up strikes rather than rush. Also: Mai dtong reep. See: Jai yen, Cha.
Matหมัด technique: /MUT/Thai for fist, and the general word for a punch. Trainers shout it as a one-word command to throw hands; the specific punch is usually added (mat trong, mat soei). Also: Mad, Mahd. See: Chok, Toi, Mat trong.
Mat trongหมัดตรง technique: /MUT DTRONG/Straight punch. Covers both the lead jab and the rear cross when a trainer wants a straight line rather than an arc. Also: Mad trong, Mat dtrong. See: Jab, Cross, Mat.
Max Muay Thai institution: /—/Pattaya-based promotion founded in 2013 that pioneered the three-round entertainment format rewarding aggression and damage. Its stadium burned down in 2016 and was rebuilt. Also: MAX. See: Entertainment Muay Thai, Three rounds.
Medical suspension rules: /—/Enforced recovery period after a bout. IFMA sets seven days after a one-round win, up to 28 days after ten or more rounds, and 30 days after a head-strike KO or RSCH. Also: Mandatory rest. See: Knockout, RSC.
Mongkhonมงคล culture: /MONG-KON/The sacred headband worn during the Wai Kru. It belongs to the camp, is placed on the fighter's head by the kru and removed before the first bell. Under IFMA rules the mongkhon is mandatory for the Wai Kru. Also: Mongkol, Mongkon. See: Wai Kru, Prajiad, Kru.
Moo pingหมูปิ้ง culture: /MOO BPING/Marinated grilled pork on sticks sold from morning street grills, eaten with sticky rice after the run. Also: Muu bping, Grilled pork skewers. See: Khao niao.
Mouthguardฟันยาง equipment: /FUN YAHNG/Rubber guard over the teeth, mandatory in all competition. Spitting it out deliberately is a foul under IFMA rules. Also: Fan yang, Gum shield. See: Fouls.
Muayมวย language: /MOO-AY/Boxing or fighting in general. Combines to make muay Thai, muay sakon (Western boxing) and muay boran. Also: Boxing. See: Muay Thai, Muay Boran.
Muay Boranมวยโบราณ culture: /MOO-AY BO-RAHN/Umbrella term for the pre-modern Thai fighting arts from which ring Muay Thai was codified in the early twentieth century. Includes regional styles such as Muay Chaiya, Muay Korat and Muay Lopburi. Also: Muay Boraan, Ancient boxing. See: Mae Mai, Luk Mai, Muay Chaiya, Kard chuek.
Muay Boukมวยบุก archetype: /MOO-AY BOOK/The pressure fighter: buk means to charge or invade. Constant forward aggression with all weapons, accepting shots to give them. Some English articles reverse this into a defensive label; the Thai meaning is offensive. Also: Muay Buk, Pressure fighter. See: Muay Mat, Muay Khao.
Muay Chaiyaมวยไชยา culture: /MOO-AY CHY-YAH/Regional Muay Boran style from Chaiya in southern Thailand, known for its low stance, tight triangular guard and hard elbow and forearm defences. Also: Chaiya style. See: Muay Boran, Muay Korat.
Muay Femurมวยฝีมือ archetype: /MOO-AY FEE-MEU/The skilled technician: a fighter who wins on timing, feints, counters and ring craft rather than raw aggression. Thai fi mue means skill or craftsmanship; the Femur spelling is a Western corruption that stuck. Also: Muay Fimeu, Muay Fimue, Technician. See: Counter, Feint, Muay Khao.
Muay Khaoมวยเข่า archetype: /MOO-AY KOW/The knee fighter: relentless forward pressure into the clinch, then knees to the body and head. Physically the most demanding style and one of the most rewarded by Thai judges. Also: Muay Kao, Knee fighter. See: Khao trong, Clinch, Muay Plam.
Muay Koratมวยโคราช culture: /MOO-AY KO-RAHT/Regional Muay Boran style from Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) in the north-east, traditionally associated with heavy swinging punches and kicks. Also: Korat style. See: Muay Boran, Muay Chaiya.
Muay Lopburiมวยลพบุรี culture: /MOO-AY LOP-BOO-REE/Regional Muay Boran style from Lopburi in central Thailand, reputed for clever, boxing-like hand work. Also: Lopburi style. See: Muay Boran, Muay Korat.
Muay Matมวยหมัด archetype: /MOO-AY MUT/The puncher: heavy hands, usually paired with low kicks, and a forward-moving knockout-hunting style. Thai punchers often add boxing to their base. Also: Muay Mad, Puncher. See: Overhand, Low kick, Hook.
Muay Plamมวยปล้ำ archetype: /MOO-AY PLUM/The clinch wrestler: plam means to wrestle. Describes a fighter who wants to tie up, control and throw rather than strike at range. Often folded into Muay Khao; one Rajadamnern article uses Muay Plum for an elusive feinter instead, which is not the usual reading. Also: Muay Plum, Muay Bplam, Clincher. See: Clinch, Muay Khao, Dump.
Muay sakonมวยสากล language: /MOO-AY SA-GON/Western-rules boxing, literally international boxing. Many Thai punchers cross over to it after their Muay Thai careers. Also: Western boxing, International boxing. See: Muay, Muay Mat.
Muay Sokมวยศอก archetype: /MOO-AY SORK/The elbow specialist: a fighter who hunts cuts and knockouts at close range with elbows. Less common as a whole identity; more often a trait within a Muay Khao or Muay Bouk. Also: Elbow fighter. See: Sok, Sok ti.
Muay Taeมวยเตะ archetype: /MOO-AY DTEH/The kicker: a fighter whose game revolves around the roundhouse, usually to the body, thrown in volume from the outside. Also: Muay Te, Kicker. See: Te tat, Body kick.
Muay Thaiมวยไทย culture: /MOO-ay TIE/Thailand's national combat sport, fought standing with punches, kicks, knees, elbows and clinch work. Often called the art of eight limbs because both fists, both shins/feet, both knees and both elbows are legal weapons. Also: Muaythai, Thai boxing. See: Art of eight limbs, Nak Muay, Muay Boran.
Muay Thai Institute institution: /—/Training and certification school at Rangsit Stadium that runs structured courses and instructor gradings for foreign students. Also: Rangsit Muay Thai Institute. See: Rangsit Stadium, Khan.
Nak Muayนักมวย culture: /NUCK MOO-AY/A Muay Thai fighter or practitioner. In Thailand it implies someone who competes; foreign trainees are often called nak muay farang. Also: Nakmuay, Nak muay Thai. See: Nak Muay Farang, Kru, Khai muay.
Nak muay dekนักมวยเด็ก culture: /NUCK MOO-AY DEK/Child fighter. Thai children commonly start competing well under ten; IFMA youth rules ban head strikes under twelve and elbows or knees to the head under sixteen. Also: Child boxer. See: Nak Muay, IFMA.
Nak Muay Farangนักมวยฝรั่ง culture: /NUCK MOO-AY FA-RUNG/A foreign (Western) Muay Thai fighter. Farang is the everyday Thai word for a white foreigner and carries no insult on its own. Also: Nakmuay farang. See: Nak Muay, Farang.
Nak Muay Yingนักมวยหญิง culture: /NUCK MOO-AY YING/A female Muay Thai fighter. Women were barred from the traditional Bangkok stadium rings for decades; Lumpinee staged its first women's bouts in 2021 and Rajadamnern in 2022. Also: Female nak muay. See: Nak Muay, Lumpinee Stadium, Rajadamnern Stadium.
Nam man muayน้ำมันมวย equipment: /NUM MUN MOO-AY/Heating liniment rubbed into the legs and shoulders before training and fights. The camphor-menthol smell is the signature scent of a Thai gym. Also: Namman muay, Thai boxing liniment, Thai oil. See: Warm-up, Phi liang.
Neungหนึ่ง language: /NUNG/One (1). Trainers count pad combinations and bag reps in Thai, so the numbers are the first words most trainees learn. Also: Nueng, Nung. See: Thai counting.
Neutral corner rules: /—/One of the two corners not assigned to a fighter, where the standing fighter must go during a count. Also: White corner. See: Knockdown, Red corner, Blue corner.
No contest rules: /—/Bout declared void, typically after an accidental foul or injury early in the fight before enough rounds have been completed for a technical decision. Also: NC. See: Decision, Fouls.
Nongน้อง language: /NAWNG/Younger sibling; prefix for juniors, younger fighters and staff. Also: Nawng. See: Phi.
Omnoi Stadiumสนามมวยสยามอ้อมน้อย institution: /OM-NOY/Stadium in Samut Sakhon on Bangkok's western edge, known for televised Saturday afternoon cards and a title that sits in the second tier of Thai belts. Also: Siam Omnoi Stadium, Om Noi. See: Channel 7 Stadium, Rangsit Stadium.
ONE Championship institution: /—/Singapore-based promotion that stages Muay Thai in 4 oz gloves over three rounds (five for titles), scored with priority on knockdowns, damage and clean strikes. Its deal with Lumpinee brought weekly ONE Friday Fights to Bangkok. Also: ONE, ONE FC. See: ONE Friday Fights, Lumpinee Stadium, 4 oz gloves.
ONE Friday Fights institution: /—/ONE Championship's weekly series at Lumpinee Stadium, first held on 20 January 2023, mixing Muay Thai and some MMA and serving as a pipeline to ONE's main roster. Also: Friday Fights, OFF. See: ONE Championship, Lumpinee Stadium.
Overhandหมัดเหวี่ยงยาว technique: /MUT WEE-ANG YAO/Long, looping punch that travels over the guard. Thai: long swinging fist. Popular with punchers (Muay Mat) chasing a knockout. Also: Mat wiang yao, Haymaker. See: Hook, Muay Mat.
Pad krapaoผัดกะเพรา culture: /PUT GRA-POW/Stir-fried meat with holy basil and chilli over rice, usually topped with a fried egg. Thailand's default lunch. Also: Pad kra pao, Holy basil stir-fry. See: Khao.
Pad round training: /—/A single timed round on the pads, normally three to five minutes with a short rest. Fighters in camp typically do three to five per session, morning and afternoon. Also: Pads round, Pad session. See: Pad work, Round.
Pad workต่อยเป้า training: /DTOY BPOW/Rounds spent striking Thai pads held by a trainer who calls combinations, feeds counters and moves. The heart of a Thai camp session; pao is the Thai word for a target or pad. Also: Toi pao, Dtoi pao, Pads. See: Thai pads, Pad round, Kru.
Padman training: /—/The trainer holding Thai pads. In Thailand padmen are usually retired fighters who read a trainee's habits through the pads and coach with a handful of Thai words. Also: Pad holder, Pad man. See: Pad work, Kru, Phi liang.
Paetแปด language: /BPAIRT/Eight (8). Also: Bpaet, Bpaaet. See: Thai counting.
Paksa Waeg Rangปักษาแหวกรัง culture: /PUK-SAH WAIRK RUNG/Second of the Mae Mai: stepping inside and parting an opponent's punches with both arms, like a bird pushing through its nest. Also: Bird parting the nest. See: Mae Mai.
Parryปัด technique: /PUT/Redirecting a punch or teep with the hand rather than absorbing it, usually followed by a counter. Also: Pat, Slap-down. See: Block, Counter.
PAT institution: /—/Thai professional boxing association that helped found the WPMF and works alongside the Sports Authority of Thailand in licensing professional Muay Thai. Also: Professional Boxing Association of Thailand. See: WPMF, SAT.
Phaeแพ้ language: /PAIR/To lose. Also: Pae, Peh. See: Chana.
Phakพัก language: /PUK/Rest, break. Called at the end of a round or session. Also: Pak, Pack. See: Pho laeo, Round.
Phetเผ็ด language: /PET/Spicy. Mai phet asks for it mild; phet nit noi is a little spicy. Also: Pet, Spicy. See: Aroi.
Phiพี่ language: /PEE/Older sibling; used as a respectful prefix for anyone older or senior, including trainers (Phi + name). Also: Pee, P'. See: Nong, Phi liang.
Phi liangพี่เลี้ยง culture: /PEE LEE-ANG/Literally older sibling who looks after you: the trainer or cornerman who works a fighter's corner, oils them, wraps them and gives instructions between rounds. Also: Pee liang, Cornerman. See: Seconds, Kru, Phi.
Pho laeoพอแล้ว language: /POR LAIR-OO/Enough, finished. Signals the end of a drill or session. Also: Por laew, Poh laew. See: Phak.
Phrom Si Naพรหมสี่หน้า culture: /PROM SEE NAH/Part of the Ram Muay in which the fighter salutes the four cardinal directions, invoking the four-faced Brahma for protection from every side. Also: Brahma four faces, Four directions. See: Ram Muay, Wai Kru.
Pi chawaปี่ชวา culture: /PEE CHA-WAH/The reed oboe whose wailing melody leads the sarama. Its name means Javanese pipe, reflecting its origins. Also: Pee chawa, Javanese oboe. See: Sarama, Klong khaek.
Pit sa phokปิดสะโพก technique: /BPIT SA-POHK/Trainer's instruction to turn or close the hip fully over on a kick so the shin, not the foot, lands. Pit eo (close the waist) is the same idea. Also: Bpit sa pohk, Turn the hip. See: Te tat, Pad work.
Play fight slang: /—/Light, laughing technical sparring, the Thai norm. Trainers say len (play) to set the tone. Also: Len, Playful sparring. See: Sparring, Sabai.
Plum technique: /PLUM/The dominant clinch position: both hands cupped behind the opponent's head, forearms clamped on the collarbones, elbows tight. From here the attacker snaps the head down into knees. Also: Thai plum, Double collar tie, Double neck tie. See: Clinch, Single collar tie, Khao trong.
Porป. culture: /POR/Abbreviation in ring names (Por.Suantong, P.K.) that precedes the camp owner's or sponsor's name, in the same way as Sor. Also: Por., P.. See: Gym name, Sor.
Prajiadประเจียด culture: /PRA-JEE-AT/Armband worn on one or both biceps during the fight, traditionally a strip of cloth carrying a charm or blessing. Rules allow it if the tails are short and it stays secure. Also: Pra jiad, Prajeat, Prajied. See: Mongkhon, Wai Kru.
Purse rules: /—/The fee paid to a fighter for a bout. Thai stadium purses are modest for most fighters and typically split with the camp; gamblers' tips can exceed them. Also: Fight purse, Fight money. See: Injection, Khai muay.
Question-mark kick technique: /—/Kick that starts on a front-kick line then hooks over the guard to the head, drawing a question-mark shape. A modern feint-based variant more than a classical Thai name. Also: Fake teep to head kick, Brazilian kick. See: Head kick, Feint.
Raengแรง language: /RANG/Power, hard. Raeng raeng means hit harder. Also: Reng, Leng. See: Bao, Reo.
Rajadamnern Stadiumสนามมวยราชดำเนิน institution: /RAH-JA-DUM-NERN/Bangkok's original national boxing stadium on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Ground was broken in 1941 and the first fights were held on 23 December 1945. Now run by Global Sport Ventures and home to the Rajadamnern World Series. Also: Ratchadamnoen Stadium, Raja. See: RWS, Lumpinee Stadium, Title fight.
Ram Muayรำมวย culture: /RUM MOO-AY/The danced portion of the pre-fight ritual, performed to sarama music. Movements are stylised and often tell a story; each camp or region has its own sequence. Also: Ram muay, Boxing dance. See: Wai Kru, Sarama, Yang Sam Khum.
Rangsit Stadiumสนามมวยรังสิต institution: /RUNG-SIT/Stadium in Pathum Thani north of Bangkok, home to Friday-night televised shows and to the Muay Thai Institute's training and grading programme. Also: Rangsit Boxing Stadium. See: Omnoi Stadium.
Red cornerมุมแดง rules: /MOOM DAENG/Corner traditionally given to the champion, favourite or home fighter; the gambling crowd's default reference point (thumb up for red). Also: Mum daeng. See: Blue corner, Hand signals.
Refereeกรรมการห้าม rules: /GUM-MA-GAHN HAHM/The official inside the ring who starts and stops the action, breaks clinches, counts knockdowns and deducts points. IFMA referees use the Thai commands yut, yaek and chok. Also: Kammakan ham, Third man. See: Yut, Yaek, Chok, Judge.
Reoเร็ว language: /REH-OO/Fast, faster. A padman shouting reo reo wants more speed. Also: Reu, Reow. See: Cha, Raeng.
Ringเวที equipment: /WAY-TEE/Square roped platform. WBC Muaythai specifies 18 to 24 feet inside four ropes. IFMA has fighters climb in between the second and third ropes (third and fourth for heavier divisions) and receive the mongkhon once inside. Also: Wethi, Boxing ring. See: Ropes, Neutral corner.
Ring doctor rules: /—/Medical officer who clears fighters at the weigh-in, examines cuts during the bout and can order the referee to stop it. Also: Ringside physician. See: TKO, Medical suspension.
Ring generalship rules: /—/Controlling where the fight happens and dictating its pace, including holding centre ring and winning the clinch. A tie-breaker in most rule sets and a major factor in Thai judging. Also: Ring control, Dominance. See: Scoring criteria, Clinch.
Roadwork training: /—/English gym term for the conditioning run that opens the training day. In Thailand the morning run is usually the longer of the two. Also: Morning run. See: Wing, Training day.
Ropes equipment: /—/Four tensioned ropes around the ring. Holding them to strike, or using them to avoid strikes, is a foul in every rule set. Also: Ring ropes. See: Ring, Fouls.
Roundยก rules: /YOK/One timed period of fighting. Stadium and WBC pro bouts run five rounds of three minutes with two-minute rests; IFMA amateurs and ONE non-title bouts run three rounds of three minutes with one-minute rests. Also: Yok. See: Five rounds, Three rounds, Timekeeper.
RSC rules: /—/IFMA's term for a referee stoppage, equivalent to a TKO. RSCH marks a stoppage due to head strikes and carries a 30-day rest requirement. Also: Referee Stops Contest. See: TKO, Medical suspension.
RWS institution: /—/Rajadamnern Stadium's flagship promotion, launched in late 2022 with modernised rules and TV-grade production. Its Saturday cards feature champions from the main Thai stadiums and are distributed internationally via DAZN. Also: Rajadamnern World Series. See: Rajadamnern Stadium, Entertainment Muay Thai.
Sabaiสบาย language: /SA-BYE/Relaxed, comfortable, easy. Trainers say sabai sabai to take tension out of a movement; in wider Thai life it means take it easy. Also: Sabai sabai. See: Jai yen, Sparring.
Saiซ้าย language: /SIGH/Left. Called on the pads to request the left-side weapon. Also: Saai. See: Khwa, Pad work.
Sak yantสักยันต์ culture: /SUK YUN/Sacred geometric tattoos applied by monks or ajarns, believed to give protection. Common on Thai fighters and increasingly on foreign trainees. Also: Sak yan, Yantra tattoo. See: Mongkhon, Prajiad.
Salab Fan Plaสลับฟันปลา culture: /SA-LAP FUN PLAH/First of the Mae Mai: a zig-zag cross-step to the outside of a straight punch, named after the alternating pattern of fish teeth. Also: Salab fan pla, Fish-teeth cross. See: Mae Mai.
Samสาม language: /SAHM/Three (3). Also: Saam. See: Thai counting.
Sanam muayสนามมวย culture: /SA-NAHM MOO-AY/A boxing stadium or arena. Appears in the Thai names of the big venues: Sanam Muay Ratchadamnoen, Sanam Muay Lumpinee. Also: Boxing stadium. See: Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee Stadium.
Sanctioning body rules: /—/Organisation that licenses bouts, ranks fighters and awards titles under its rulebook. Muay Thai has many overlapping ones: state (SAT, PAT), pro (WMC, WBC Muaythai, WPMF) and amateur (IFMA). Also: Governing body. See: IFMA, WMC, WBC Muaythai, SAT.
Saramaสะระหม่า culture: /SA-RA-MAH/The live music that accompanies the Wai Kru and the fight, played by a small ensemble of pi chawa (oboe), klong khaek (drums) and ching (cymbals). It speeds up as the rounds progress. Also: Sarama music, Wong pi klong. See: Pi chawa, Klong khaek, Ching, Wai Kru.
SAT institution: /—/State body under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports that regulates all Thai sport. The Boxing Act of 1999 created its Board of Boxing Sport, which licenses Muay Thai promotions, officials and fighters. Also: Sports Authority of Thailand, Board of Boxing Sport. See: Boxing Act 1999, WMC, PAT.
Sawasdeeสวัสดี language: /SA-WUT-DEE/Hello and goodbye, said with a wai and the polite particle khrap (men) or kha (women). Also: Sawatdee, Sawaddee. See: Wai, Khop khun.
Scoring criteria rules: /—/What judges reward. Thai stadium judging prioritises clean, balanced strikes that visibly affect the opponent, then control and dominance; volume and aggression matter less. Kicks and knees to the body outscore punches unless the punch does clear damage. Also: Judging criteria. See: Ten-point must, Balance, Damage, Ring generalship.
Seconds rules: /—/The cornermen permitted to assist a fighter between rounds. IFMA holds the fighter responsible for their seconds' conduct and restricts water to a spray bottle only. Also: Corner, Cornermen. See: Phi liang, Fouls.
Shin guardsสนับแข้ง equipment: /SA-NUP KANG/Padded protectors strapped to the shins for sparring and clinch drills. Mandatory in IFMA amateur competition; not worn in professional bouts. Also: Sanap khaeng, Shin pads. See: Elbow pads, Sparring.
Siสี่ language: /SEE/Four (4). Also: See, Sii. See: Thai counting.
Sian muayเซียนมวย slang: /SEE-AN MOO-AY/The professional stadium gamblers, literally boxing experts, who set and move the odds. Their reactions in the stands are the loudest soundtrack at a Thai fight. Also: Sian, Muay expert. See: Gambling, Kha yai, Hand signals.
Siapเสียบ technique: /SEE-AP/Trainer's word for a straight stabbing knee driven in like a spear, usually from range with a step or skip. Literally to insert or skewer. Also: Siiap, Skip knee, Spear knee. See: Khao trong, Khao yao.
Single collar tie technique: /—/One hand on the back of the neck, the other controlling the bicep or wrist. Less dominant than the plum but quicker to secure and better for turning the opponent. Also: Single neck tie, Arm clinch. See: Plum, Clinch.
Sipสิบ language: /SIP/Ten (10). Sip et is 11, yi sip is 20, and roi is 100, the usual bag-work target. Also: Sib. See: Thai counting.
Sitศิษย์ culture: /SIT/Prefix in camp and ring names meaning disciple or student of, as in Sitsongpeenong or Sitjaesairoong. It tells you whose lineage the fighter belongs to. Also: Sit-, Sitt. See: Gym name, Sor.
Skipping training: /—/Rope-skipping for footwork and cardio, often done for ten to twenty minutes before pads. Thai gyms favour heavy plastic ropes. Also: Jump rope, Rope. See: Warm-up, Wing.
Skipping rope equipment: /—/Heavy plastic or rubber rope used for the warm-up. Thai gyms favour thick, weighty ropes that build shoulders as well as footwork. Also: Jump rope, Thai rope. See: Skipping.
Sokศอก technique: /SORK/Elbow, and the elbow strike. Elbows are prized for cuts and knockouts at close range; a fighter who specialises in them is a Muay Sok. Also: Sork, Sawk. See: Sok ti, Sok tat, Muay Sok.
Sok klapศอกกลับ technique: /SORK GLUP/Spinning back elbow. Turning the body 180 degrees adds power at the cost of briefly losing sight of the opponent. Also: Sok glap, Spinning elbow, Sok wiang klap. See: Sok, Spinning backfist.
Sok klap khuศอกกลับคู่ technique: /SORK GLUP KOO/Two chopping elbows delivered in quick succession, one after the other, typically both downward. Also: Double elbow chop. See: Sok ti, Sok klap.
Sok ngatศอกงัด technique: /SORK NGUT/Upward prising elbow driven under the chin from close range, often from a clinch break. Also: Sok ngad, Uppercut elbow. See: Sok, Uppercut.
Sok phuang malaiศอกพวงมาลัย technique: /SORK POO-ANG MA-LIE/One of the Luk Mai (advanced) Muay Boran techniques: the name means garland elbow. It describes a circular chain of elbows delivered around the opponent's guard. Also: Sawk Phuang Malai, Garland elbow. See: Luk Mai, Sok.
Sok phungศอกพุ่ง technique: /SORK POONG/Elbow thrust straight forward like a spear, usually to the face when the opponent charges in. Also: Sok pung, Forward elbow thrust. See: Sok, Sok ti.
Sok tatศอกตัด technique: /SORK DTUT/Horizontal cutting elbow swung level with the shoulder into the jaw or temple. Also: Sok tad, Horizontal elbow. See: Sok, Sok ti.
Sok tiศอกตี technique: /SORK DTEE/Downward or diagonal slashing elbow that cuts across the brow. The most common elbow in the ring and the one most likely to open a cut. Also: Sok tee, Sok sap. See: Sok, Sok tat.
Som tamส้มตำ culture: /SOM DTUM/Spicy green papaya salad pounded with chilli, lime and fish sauce. Isan-style versions add fermented fish (pla ra). Also: Som dtam, Papaya salad. See: Camp food, Khao niao.
Songสอง language: /SAWNG/Two (2). Also: Sawng, Saawng. See: Thai counting.
Sorส. culture: /SOR/Abbreviation seen in ring names such as Sor.Ploenjit or Sor.Thanikul. It stands for a Thai word beginning with the letter so (commonly read as the camp's proprietor), and precedes the owner or sponsor's name. Also: Sor., S.. See: Gym name, Sit, Por.
Sparring training: /—/Practice fighting with a partner. Thai sparring is typically light and playful, aiming to sharpen timing rather than win, so fighters can spar most days without damage. Also: Technical sparring, Play sparring. See: Clinch drills, Sabai.
Spinning backfistหมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ technique: /MUT WEE-ANG GLUP/Punch delivered with the back of the glove after a spin. Legal in Muay Thai but rarely used because it exposes the back and rarely convinces judges. Also: Mat wiang klap, Backfist. See: Sok klap, Mat.
Split decision rules: /—/Judges disagree, with the majority favouring one fighter. A majority decision is when one judge scores a draw and the rest favour the winner. Also: SD, Majority decision. See: Decision, Unanimous decision.
Stadium Muay Thai culture: /—/The classical Bangkok format: five three-minute rounds, 8 or 10 oz gloves, gambling-driven crowds and judging that rewards balance, damage and dominance across the whole fight. Also: Traditional Muay Thai, Five-round Muay Thai. See: Entertainment Muay Thai, Rajadamnern Stadium, Scoring criteria.
Stance technique: /—/The upright, fairly square, weight-back posture Thai fighters adopt so both legs can kick, check and teep quickly. Narrower and taller than a boxing stance. Also: Muay Thai stance, Square stance. See: Kum, Check.
Suayสวย language: /SOO-AY/Beautiful. In the gym it means a technique was clean; mai suay means ugly, fix it. Also: Suai. See: Dee.
Sungสูง language: /SOONG/High, higher. Used for hands, knees or kicks that need to come up. Also: Soong. See: Hands up.
Superman punchกระโดดชก technique: /GRA-DOAT CHOK/Leaping straight punch, usually disguised by a fake kick so the opponent drops their hands. Thai: jumping punch. Also: Kradot chok, Cobra punch. See: Cross, Kradot.
Swan neck technique: /—/Clinch grip where the hand curls over the back of the opponent's neck with the elbow high, shaped like a swan's neck, to yank the head down. Also: Swan-neck clinch. See: Plum, Clinch.
Sweepปัดขา technique: /SWEEP/Taking the opponent's supporting foot with a sole-of-the-foot brush while pulling or pushing their upper body the other way. Legal when done with a Muay Thai skill; hooking with the calf, ankle or heel is a foul under IFMA rules. Also: Foot sweep, Leg sweep. See: Dump, Catch and sweep, Fouls.
Swimming technique: /—/Threading an arm inside the opponent's grip to regain inside position on the neck. Fighters alternate swims in a constant battle for inside control. Also: Pummelling, Swim inside. See: Clinch, Plum.
Switch kick technique: /—/Roundhouse with the lead leg after a quick foot switch to load the hip. Fast and hard to read, so it is a staple of the Thai kicking game. Also: Lead-leg roundhouse, Switch-step kick. See: Te tat, Body kick.
Taต่อ slang: /DTOR/To give odds or a handicap. Stadium odds are quoted as ratios such as three to two or one to one, and shift round by round. Also: Dtor, Give odds. See: Hand signals, Gambling.
Teเตะ technique: /DTEH/To kick. On its own it usually means the roundhouse; qualifiers name the variant (te tat, te chiang, te trong). A kick-heavy fighter is a Muay Tae. Also: Tae, Dtay, Dte. See: Te tat, Muay Tae, Thip.
Te chiangเตะเฉียง technique: /DTEH CHEE-ANG/Roundhouse thrown on a rising diagonal, usually into the ribs or under the arm, rather than level. Also: Diagonal kick. See: Te tat, Body kick.
Te khrueng khaeng khrueng khaoเตะครึ่งแข้งครึ่งเข่า technique: /DTEH KRUNG KANG KRUNG KOW/Close-range kick landing with the junction of shin and knee, used when the opponent is too near for a full roundhouse. Also: Half-shin half-knee kick. See: Te tat, Khao.
Te klap langเตะกลับหลัง technique: /DTEH GLUP LUNG/Kick delivered after turning the back, striking with the heel or shin. Rare in Thai stadiums, more common in kickboxing crossovers. Also: Reverse roundhouse, Spinning back kick. See: Jorakhe fat hang, Te.
Te kotเตะกด technique: /DTEH GOT/Roundhouse angled downward onto the opponent's thigh, ribs or collarbone, pressing weight through the shin. Also: Downward roundhouse, Te god. See: Te tat, Low kick.
Te tatเตะตัด technique: /DTEH DTUT/The Thai roundhouse: a full-hip swinging kick landing with the shin. Thai literally means cutting kick. It is the sport's signature weapon and its highest-volume scorer. Also: Tae tad, Roundhouse kick. See: Body kick, Low kick, Head kick, Muay Tae.
Te trongเตะตรง technique: /DTEH DTRONG/Kick that travels in a straight line, often used interchangeably with the teep in Wikipedia-style technique lists. Also: Straight kick. See: Thip, Te.
Teardrop bag equipment: /—/Bulbous, tapered hanging bag suited to knees, uppercuts and clinch drills because its shape resembles a torso. Also: Tear drop bag. See: Banana bag, Bag work.
Ten-point must rules: /—/Scoring system in which the winner of each round receives 10 points and the loser fewer (9, 8, or lower for knockdowns and dominance). Used by IFMA, WBC Muaythai and ONE; WBC allows the loser as low as 6. Also: 10-point must system. See: Scoring criteria, Judge.
Thai counting language: /—/Thai numbers are used for every count in a Thai gym: pad combinations, kick sets and rounds. One to ten are neung, song, sam, si, ha, hok, jet, paet, kao, sip; 100 is roi. Also: Counting in Thai, Nap. See: Neung, Sip, Pad work.
Thai Fight institution: /—/Bangkok promotion founded in 2009 by Nopporn Wartin and produced with the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Known for Thai-versus-foreigner cards and for reviving rope-bound kard chuek bouts. Also: THAI FIGHT. See: Kard chuek, Entertainment Muay Thai.
Thai kick slang: /—/Kickboxing and MMA shorthand for the shin-landing, full-hip roundhouse as taught in Thailand. Also: Thai roundhouse. See: Te tat.
Thai padsเป้า equipment: /BPOW/Thick rectangular forearm pads, roughly forearm length, used by the trainer to take full-power kicks, knees, elbows and punches while moving with the fighter. Also: Pao, Kick pads. See: Pad work, Belly pad, Focus mitts.
Thai shortsกางเกงมวย equipment: /GAHNG-GAYNG MOO-AY/Short, wide-legged satin shorts with a high slit for kicking, usually embroidered with the camp name. Rules require them to be worn without shirt or shoes in pro bouts, in the corner colour under IFMA. Also: Kang keng muay, Muay Thai shorts. See: Groin guard, Red corner.
Thep Phanomเทพพนม culture: /TAYP PA-NOM/The kneeling, palms-together opening posture of the Wai Kru, named for a deity in prayer. IFMA rules require at least this posture and the three prostrations to count as a Wai Kru. Also: Tep Phanom, Thep Panom. See: Wai Kru, Kom Krab.
Thipถีบ technique: /TEEP/The push kick or foot-thrust, delivered with the ball of the foot or heel to the body, thigh or face. It controls distance, breaks an opponent's rhythm and scores when it visibly moves them. Also: Teep, Tiip, Teeb. See: Thip trong, Thip khang, Te.
Thip khangถีบข้าง technique: /TEEP KAHNG/Push kick delivered with the body turned side-on, landing with the blade or sole of the foot. Also: Side teep, Sideways foot-thrust. See: Thip, Thip trong.
Thip klap langถีบกลับหลัง technique: /TEEP GLUP LUNG/Push kick thrown backwards after a turn, like a mule kick. Rare, mostly a counter to a charging opponent. Also: Reverse teep, Back teep. See: Thip, Te klap lang.
Thip topถีบตบ technique: /TEEP DTOP/Slapping foot-thrust that pushes down or across rather than straight through, often used to spoil an opponent's kick or knee. Also: Slapping teep. See: Thip.
Thip trongถีบตรง technique: /TEEP DTRONG/Straight push kick to the midsection with the ball of the foot. The basic teep that every beginner learns first. Also: Straight teep, Front teep. See: Thip, Thip khang.
Thoiถอย language: /TOY/Retreat, back up. Mai thoi is the classic Thai instruction not to give ground. Also: Toy, Toi (retreat). See: Dern, Mai.
Three rounds rules: /—/Shorter format used by IFMA amateurs, ONE non-title bouts and entertainment promotions. Judging is round by round with more weight on aggression, so slow starts are punished. Also: 3x3, Entertainment rules. See: Round, Entertainment Muay Thai.
Three-knockdown rule rules: /—/Automatic stoppage after a set number of knockdowns. ONE Championship applies it at three knockdowns in a round or four in a bout; traditional stadium rules leave the decision to the referee. Also: Three knockdowns. See: Knockdown, ONE Championship.
Thukถูก language: /TOOK/Correct, right. Confirms a technique was done properly. Also: Took. See: Dee.
Timekeeper rules: /—/Official who times rounds and rests and signals with the bell or gong. Also gives the ten-second warning before each round. Also: Bell. See: Round.
Title fight rules: /—/Bout for a stadium or sanctioning-body belt. Stadium belts (Rajadamnern, Lumpinee) are the most prestigious in Thailand; WBC and WMC world titles carry more weight abroad. Also: Championship bout. See: Lumpinee Stadium, Rajadamnern Stadium, WBC Muaythai.
TKO rules: /—/Stoppage without a full count: the referee or doctor ends the bout because a fighter is outclassed, injured or has taken too many knockdowns. IFMA calls this Referee Stops Contest (RSC). Also: Technical knockout, RSC. See: Knockout, RSC, Ring doctor.
Toiต่อย technique: /DTOY/Everyday Thai verb for punching, used interchangeably with chok in the gym. Toi lom (punch the air) is the standard term for shadowboxing. Also: Dtoi, Dtoy. See: Chok, Toi lom, Mat.
Toi lomต่อยลม training: /DTOY LOM/Shadowboxing, literally punching the air. Done in front of the mirror or around the ring to warm up and rehearse movement before pads and bag. Also: Dtoi lom, Shadowboxing, Shadow. See: Toi, Warm-up.
Training day training: /—/The standard Thai camp rhythm: a morning session (run, pads, bag, clinch) and an afternoon session (run, pads, sparring, clinch, conditioning), six days a week, with Sunday off. Also: Two-a-day, Camp schedule. See: Wing, Pad work, Khai muay.
Trash talk slang: /—/Largely absent from Thai stadium culture, where fighters wai and show respect; it arrived with international promotions and press conferences. Also: Face-off. See: Face teep, Wai.
Unanimous decision rules: /—/All judges score the bout for the same fighter. Also: UD. See: Decision, Split decision.
Uppercutหมัดเสย technique: /MUT SER-EE/Rising punch under the chin or into the body. The Thai name mat soei (lifting fist) is standard; mat ngat (prising fist) is also heard. Also: Mat soei, Mat ngat, Mat soi dao. See: Hook, Sok ngat.
Vaseline equipment: /—/Applied to the brow and cheekbones before the bout to help elbows slide rather than cut. Permitted in small amounts; IFMA regulates it alongside liniment. Also: Petroleum jelly. See: Nam man muay, Seconds.
Waiไหว้ culture: /WHY/The Thai greeting: palms pressed together at chest or face height with a slight bow. Fighters wai the crowd, officials and each other, and IFMA rules accept a wai in place of a handshake. Also: The wai. See: Wai Kru, Sawasdee.
Wai Kruไหว้ครู culture: /WHY KROO/Pre-fight ritual of respect to teachers, parents and the lineage. The fighter circles the ring, seals the corners, then kneels and bows three times before rising into the Ram Muay dance. Also: Wai Khru, Wai Kru Ram Muay. See: Ram Muay, Mongkhon, Sarama, Kru.
Walk-in slang: /—/A casual trainee paying per session rather than living at the camp. Also: Drop-in. See: Gym rat, Khai muay.
Walkover rules: /—/Win awarded when the opponent fails to appear or make weight. Also: WO. See: Weigh-in.
Warm-up training: /—/The run, skipping and shadowboxing that precede the striking work. Thai trainers also rub fighters down with liniment as part of it. Also: Warm up. See: Toi lom, Nam man muay.
WBC Muaythai institution: /—/Muay Thai arm of the World Boxing Council, launched after a meeting in Hua Hin on 26 November 2001. Sanctions pro world, regional and national titles across 17 to 18 divisions under a rulebook of five three-minute rounds with 8 or 10 oz gloves. Also: WBC Muay Thai. See: Sanctioning body, WMC, Title fight.
Weigh-inชั่งน้ำหนัก rules: /CHUNG NUM NUCK/Official weight check. WMC requires it no more than 24 hours before the bout with at least three hours' rest afterward; WBC Muaythai 24 to 30 hours; IFMA amateurs weigh in each morning they compete, with a 0.5 kg travel allowance in limited cases. Also: Chang nam nak, Official weigh-in. See: Weight class, Weight cut.
Weight class rules: /—/The division a fighter competes in, fixed at the weigh-in. Pro bodies use pound-based boxing divisions (WMC/WBC: mini flyweight 105 lb up to heavyweight); IFMA amateurs use metric classes from 45 kg to 91+ kg. Also: Weight division, Nam nak. See: Weigh-in, Weight cut, WMC, IFMA.
Weight cut training: /—/Losing water weight before the weigh-in to fight in a lower division. Stadium and WBC bouts weigh in the day before; IFMA amateurs weigh in on the day, so cuts are smaller. Also: Cutting weight, Making weight. See: Weigh-in, Weight class.
Wingวิ่ง training: /WING/To run. Thai camps typically start each morning session with a run of several kilometres before pads, and often a shorter one in the afternoon. Also: Running, Roadwork. See: Roadwork, Training day.
WMC institution: /—/Professional sanctioning body created in 1995 by Thai parliamentary resolution and recognised by the Sports Authority of Thailand. Its rulebook and pound-based weight divisions are widely used as the professional standard. Also: World Muaythai Council. See: Sanctioning body, IFMA, Weight class.
WPMF institution: /—/Professional sanctioning body formed in 1995 by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand and recognised by the Sports Authority of Thailand. Active in title fights at Thai stadiums and abroad. Also: World Professional Muaythai Federation, World Muaythai Federation. See: PAT, SAT, Sanctioning body.
Yaekแยก rules: /YAIRK/Break. The referee's command to separate from the clinch, after which both fighters must step back and wait for the order to continue. Also: Yaek, Break. See: Referee, Yut, Clinch.
Yang Sam Khumย่างสามขุม culture: /YAHNG SAHM KOOM/The three-point stepping pattern in the Ram Muay, in which the fighter advances and changes lead with three deliberate steps. It mirrors the footwork used in the fight itself. Also: Yang sam khum, Three-step walk. See: Ram Muay, Wai Kru.
Yutหยุด rules: /YOOT/Stop. The referee's command to halt the action; in the gym it means end the round or stop what you are doing. Also: Yood, Yoot. See: Referee, Yaek, Chok.