Nai Khanom Tom
Father of Muay Thai
Legendary Siamese fighter and Thai national hero, revered as the Father of Muay Thai.
Quick Facts
Date of Birth18. století
Date of Death18. století
Era18th century
Country of OriginThailand (Siam)
Rank / TitleLegendary Siamese Warrior
Active Yearsca 1760–1780
Biography
Nai Khanom Tom was a captured Siamese warrior who in 1774 defeated 10 Burmese champions in succession before King Mangra using Muay Boran, securing his freedom and eternal Thai fame.
Associated Martial Arts
Muay BoranNotable figure→
The collective name for Thai boxing before the sporting reform of the 1920s and 1930s. Hands were bound with hemp rope; there was no ring, no rounds, no weight classes.
Muay ThaiNotable figure→Thai boxing, the art of eight limbs — fists, elbows, knees and shins, complemented by clinch work. It moved into the ring in the early twentieth century.