Are You Interested in Learning “Colorful” Muay Thai Techniques?
The Muay Thai techniques you’re going to learn about are “colorful” due to their fancifully descriptive names.
An ancient text
written during the reign of King Rama III, describes the four
basic attacks of muay, major techniques, minor techniques, and
counter techniques.
My training and
other texts I have acquired over the years also involved major
techniques, minor techniques, defensive
/ counter
techniques
versus a punch,
defensive
/ counter
techniques
versus an
elbow,
defensive
/ counter
techniques
versus a kick,
defensive
/ counter
techniques
versus a knee,
and
isolated
techniques or
technique
series of defensive, offensive, or
counterattacking patterns that
employ
“tricks” of the hand, elbow, foot, and knee.
Recall from the homepage that my ultimate objective for you is to flourish; not just in martial arts, but in life.
An intensive study of the movement training discipline of Muay Thai can cultivate the highest level of well-being by satisfying all elements of its construction.
The 4 Basic Attacks
The basic attacks include thum, thap, chap, and hak.
Thum involves
grappling and throwing an opponent in any direction.
Thap involves
jumping into the opponent with the buttocks, as if trying to sit on
him.
Chap involves
holding or locking the opponent.
Hak involves
physically damaging the opponent’s arms.
Mae Mai
These Muay Thai techniques are referred to as major or primary techniques. Sometimes these techniques may also be referred to as master tricks.
The Mae Mai
arsenal includes twelve or more fundamental techniques. Examples
include Chawa Sat Hok,
Hak Nguang Aiyara, and Yo
Khao Phra Sumen.
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Chawa Sat Hok Chawa Sat Hok or The Javanese Throwing the Spear. This technique involves defending a punch and delivering an elbow to the attacker’s ribs. |
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Yo Khao Phra Sumen Yo Khao Phra Sumen or Lifting Mount Sumehn. This technique involves ducking a straight punch and then returning a punch to the attacker’s chin. |
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Hak Nguang Aiyara Hak Nguang Aiyara or Breaking the Tusks of the Divine Elephant. This technique involves “catching” a kick and then delivering an elbow to the attacker’s kicking thigh. |
Luk Mai
These Muay Thai techniques are referred to as minor or secondary techniques. Sometimes these techniques may also be referred to as other tricks.
The Luk
Mai arsenal includes twelve or more fundamental techniques.
Examples include Khun Yak Pha
Nang, Hiran
Muan Phaendin, and
Hong Pik Hak.
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Khun Yak Pha Nang Khun Yak Pha Nang or The Demon Chief Abduction the Lady. This technique involves evading a straight punch and then throwing the attacker over your hip. |
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Hiran Muan Phaendin Hiran Muan Phaendin or Hiran, the Giant, Overturns the Earth. This technique involves using the elbows or forearms to defend a kick and then delivering a spinning back elbow to the attacker’s face. |
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Hong Pik Hak Hong Pik Hak or Swan with Broken Wing. This technique involves “shooting” your arm inside an incoming punch to deflect it and then delivering a elbow to the attacker’s punching shoulder. |
Counter Techniques
These Muay Thai techniques are referred to as Kon Muay Kae indicating the techniques are for defense and counterattack.
Kon Muay Kae
are broken into four categories:
- Kon Muay Kae
Mat
- Kon Muay Kae
Sok
- Kon Muay Kae
Thao
- Kon Muay Kae Khao
Kon Muay Kae Mat
is for defense and counterattack against punches.
Kon Muay Kae Sok
is
for defense and counterattack
against elbows.
Kon Muay Kae Thao
is
for defense and counterattack
against kicks.
Kon Muay Kae Khao
is
for defense and counterattack
against knees.
Kon Muay Kae Mat
– Punch
Defense & Counterattack
There are an abundance of Muay Thai techniques that may be used to defend and counterattack punching attacks.
Examples include Dap Chawala, Khun Suek Ti Thuan, and Nu
Tai Rao.
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Dap Chawala Dap Chawala or Extinguish the Lamp or Putting Out the Lamp involves an evasive step coupled with a block that moves slightly forward, inward, and downward, and then delivering a punch to the attacker’s face. |
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Khun Suek Ti Thuan Khun Suek Ti Thuan or The Soldier Hitting with Lance or the Warlord Fighting with the Lance involves an evasion coupled with an arm grab and a kick to the attacker’s ribs. |
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Nu Tai Rao Nu Tai Rao or the Mouse Climbing the Line or the Rat Walking on the Bar involves a forward step, a slip outside, double arm control, and a knee to the attacker’s body; preferably his ribs. |
Kon Muay Kae Sok
– Elbow Defense & Counterattack
There are several Muay Thai techniques that may be used to defend and counterattack elbowing attacks.
Examples include
Phra Ram Hak Son, Phra Ram Nao Son, and Phra Ram Yan Son.
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Phra Ram Hak Son Phra Ram Hak Son or Rama Breaking the Arrow involves “catching” the elbow with one hand while grabbing the wrist of the elbowing arm, and then pushing and pulling with the hands to attack the opponent’s shoulder or elbow. |
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Phra Ram Nao Son Phra Ram Nao Son or Rama Bending the Bow involves an upward forearm shield to defend against an elbow attack from above and then an uppercut to the attacker’s chin. |
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Phra Ram Yan Son Phra Ram Yan Son or Rama Leaning on the Bow involves pushing on the attacker’s shoulder that’s delivering the elbow and then delivering your own elbow. |
Kon Muay Kae Thao
– Kick Defense &
Counterattack
There are an abundance of Muay Thai techniques that may be used to defend and counterattack kicking attacks.
Examples include
Khon Rukkhamun, Nakha Mut Badan, and Yuan Thot Hae.
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Khon Rukkhamun Khon Rukkhamun or Chopping Down the Tree or Cutting Down the Tree involves ducking under an incoming kick and using both hands to unbalance the attacker’s stance leg causing him to fall. |
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Nakha Mut Badan Nakha Mut Badan or The Serpent Diving to the Underworld or The Serpent Sneaking Down into the Underworld involves ducking under an incoming kick and kicking the attacker’s stance leg. |
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Yuan Thot Hae Yuan Thot Hae or The Vietnamese Throwing the Fish Net or The Yuan Casting the Fishing Net involves a downward circling defensive hand and a kick to the attacker’s knee joint. |
Kon Muay Kae Khao
– Knee Defense &
Counterattack
An abundance of other Muay Thai techniques may be used to defend against a kneeing attack.
Examples include Ben
Sumen, Kanghan Tong Lom, and Phlik Phaen Din.
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Ben Sumen Ben Sumen or Pushing the Mountain or Shifting the Mountain involves blocking a knee with two forearm shields and then delivering an elbow to the attacker’s face. |
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Kanghan Tong Lom Kanghan Tong Lom or The Rotating Windmill or The Windmill Getting the Wind involves pushing on the attacker’s chest with one arm while moving the other hand as a downward guiding defensive hand that slides under the knee. The attacker is then thrown down. |
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Phlik Phaen Din Phlik Phaen Din or Turning the Land Upside Down or Turning Over the Earth involves a downward guiding defensive hand that slides under the knee and a punch or a push to the attacker’s chest or chin; before throwing the attacker down. |
Kon Muay for
Attack
An abundance of Muay Thai techniques may be used to attack.
Examples include Hanuman Thayan, and Hanuman Waek Fong, and Taphian Faeng To.
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Hanuman Thayan Hanuman Thayan or Hanuman Jumps or The Monkey Bouncing Off involves throwing a surprise flying knee after the defender pulls away from a head-level round kick. |
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Hanuman Waek Fong Hanuman Waek Fong or Hanuman Wades through the Bubbles or The Monkey Bursting the Bubble involves defending a punch from the inside, grabbing the punching arm, and delivering a knee to the attacker’s chest. |
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Taphian Faeng To Taphian Faeng To or The Barb Fish Hiding Behind the Stick or The Fish Hiding Behind a Stump involves a stepping evasion followed by an elbow to the face, a knee to the body, or both. |
Choeng Muay
These Muay Thai techniques are executed in isolation or as a series of defensive, offensive, or counterattacking patterns. These patterns employ “tricks” of the hand, elbow, foot, and knee. In most cases, Choeng Muay are redundant to Kon Muay. As with Kon Muay, Choeng Muay are titled with fancifully-descriptive names.
Like
Kon Muay Kae, Choeng Muay are broken into four
categories:
- Choeng Muay
Mat
- Choeng Muay
Sok
- Choeng Muay
Thao
- Choeng Muay Khao
Choeng Muay Mat
The following patterns focus on the punch: Akkhi Song Saeng, Nakha Phon Fai, and Phra Phai Lom Singkhon.
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Akkhi Song Saeng Akkhi Song Saeng or The Glowing Fire involves delivering an alternating punch and elbow strike. |
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Nakha Phon Fai Nakha Phon Fai or The Serpent Spouting Fire involves delivering alternating punches – mid and then high. |
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Phra Phai Lom Singkhon Phra Phai Lom Singkhon or The Wind God Crushing the Mountain involves delivering alternating punches – high and then mid. |
Choeng Muay Sok
The following techniques or patterns focus on the elbow: Phra Yai Kae, Sok Fan Na, and Yan Phayak.
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Phra Yai Kae Phra Yai Kae or The Old Lady’s Knife involves delivering an elbow strike to the opponent’s jaw. |
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Sok Fan Na Sok Fan Na or Slashing the Face with the Elbow involves delivering an elbow strike to the opponent’s clavicle or nose. |
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Yan Phayak Yan Phayak or Pushing the Tiger involves alternating elbows, both directed high. |
Choeng Muay Thao
The following patterns focus on the kick: Nang Salap Bat, Phachi Sabat Yang, and Yotha Sinthop.
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Nang Salap Bat Nang Salap Bat or The Lady Stomping Her Feet involves alternating kicks – high and then mid. |
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Phachi Sabat Yang Phachi Sabat Yang or The Prancing Horse involves alternating high kicks. |
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Yotha Sinthop Yotha Sinthop or The Military Steed involves a foot thrust followed by a straight kick. |
Choeng Muay Khao
The following techniques or patterns focus on the knee: Kumphakan Phung Hok, Ngu Lai Tukkae, and Phu Pha Sathan.
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Kumphakan Phung Hok Kumphakan Phung Hok or The Giant Throwing the Spear involves delivering a straight knee to the opponent’s abdomen or chest. |
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Ngu Lai Tukkae Ngu Lai Tukkae or The Snake Chasing the Gecko involves delivering alternating knee strikes – ribs and then abdomen or chest. |
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Phu Pha Sathan Phu Pha Sathan or The Mountain Quake involves delivering alternating knee strikes. |
Summary
You now have some familiarity with the four basic attacks of muay as described in an ancient text from the King Rama III era.
You now also have some knowledge of more than 30 “colorful” Muay Thai
techniques that span categorizations, such as major techniques, minor
techniques, defensive
/ counter
techniques
versus a punch,
etc.
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Note
The spelling of the “colorful” techniques and their translations varies considerably from person to person and text to text. The spelling variances result from the Thai writing system being completely different from the Roman script-based writing system. Although there is the Royal Thai General System for transliterating Thai to the Roman alphabet, there is no standardized, universally understood Romanization for Thai. As a result, Thai’s have the tendency to transliterate Thai into the Roman alphabet any way they want.
Sources
- Personal training experiences at Muay Thai Institute, Rangsit, Phathumthani, Thailand
- Art of MuayThai (Boran) by Chinawut Sirisompan GM Woody
- Mae Mai Muay Thai: The Art of Self-Defense by Kukdej Kantamara
- Read Thai in 10 Days by Arthit Juyaso
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