Muay Thai Rules - The Ring

ITEM 1: THE RING

Photo credited to Jason Elias Photography

The ring shall be constructed as follows:

1.1. Size: A square with each side the following dimension: Small size 20-feet (6.10 metres); Large size-24-feet (7.30 metres), to be measured within the ropes.

1.2. Floor And Corner: Must be well constructed with no obstructions and with a minimum extension outside the ring of at least 3 feet (91 cm). The minimum floor height should be 4 feet (1.22 metres) with a maximum of 5 feet (1.48 metres) from the building floor. The corner posts should have a diameter of between four (10.00 cm) to five inches (12.70cm) with a height of 58 inches (1.47 metres) from the ring floor. All four posts must be properly cushioned.

1.3. Ring Floor: The floor must be padded by either cushioning, rubber, soft cloth, rubber mat, or similar material with a minimum thickness of 1 inch (2.50 cm) and a maximum of 1.5 inch (3.7 cm). The padding should be completely covered by a canvas cloth.

1.4. Ropes: Consisting of four ropes with a minimum diameter of 1.20 inches (3 CMS) and a maximum of 2 inches (5 CMS), stretched and linked to the four corner posts. The distance from the ring floor to the lower rope will be 18 inches (46 cm), to the 2nd rope 30 inches (76 cm), to the 3rd rope 42 inches (107 cm) and the top rope 54 inches (137
cm) respectively. The rope will be covered by a soft or cushioned material . Each rope will be joined together by two strong cords of 1.20-1.60 inches (3-4 CMS) diameter and are at equal distance from each other.

1.5. Ring Steps: At least three (3) sets are required. The width of each step should be at least 3.50 feet (1.07 metres). One set is located at each corner and a third shall be positioned centrally for the doctor and other officials.

1.6. Plastic Bin: To be located at the fighter's corner for the disposal of tissues, bandages or any other garbage.

Credit to MuayThai.com

Muay Thai Training

Muay Thai is a Thai mixed martial art form. It has many techniques of fighting. While using Muay Thai techniques, also known as "Mae Mai Muay Thai," fighters use the entire body including fists, elbows, shins, feet and knees.


The basic Muay Thai training techniques include punch techniques (jab, straight right/cross, hook and uppercut), elbow techniques (horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying) and kicking techniques (push kick, roundhouse kick, etc.). The following are some special Muay Thai techniques:

The Clinch

This technique is exclusively used in Muay Thai fights. While combating the fighter applies this technique by holding his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. It is known as Thai clinch.

To apply the clinch, the fighter has to hold his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. The fighter also has to press his forearm against his opponent's collar bone while his hands are around the latter's head rather than his neck.

A common clinching technique used in Muay Thai fights is to just tap the head downward then give a throw. The fighter can also throw the opponent to his left in case the latter is using a knee from the right. It can cause the opponent to lose his balance.

The Kru

This is a tough technique. A new fighter takes a lot of training and hard work to learn this technique. The technique is provided by the fighter’s Krue or Thai boxing training. The trainer makes the fighter work hard and learn the technique. It is a tradition for the fighter to express his respect to his trainer through a ritual called Wai Kru.

There are some elements that are part of Muay Thai training techniques. These include:

•Running – A trainee has to run 18 km running per day (around 12 km in the first half and around 6 km in the second half).

•Stretching – The trainee has also to do stretching for around 20-30 minutes. It improves muscular elasticity and reduces the stretch reflex.

•Shadow boxing – This training includes around 20 minutes of shadow boxing. Shadow boxing is usually practiced in front of a mirror.

Muay Thai training takes a lot of hard work. To become a good fighter young people have to go through a lot of physical and mental strain. It takes sheer dedication, commitment, and “never-say-die” attitude that a trainee transforms himself into a sound Muay Thai fighter.

Credit to Shin Chang & Boxing-MuayThai.