Muay Boran

Muay Boran (Thai: มวยโบราณ), which translates to "Ancient Boxing", is the predecessor to Muay Thai. Its age makes it hard to trace Muay Boran's origins. Archeological evidence suggests that martial arts similar to Muay Boran have been practiced in several Southeast Asian countries as much as 2000 years ago. These were most likely aided in their development by Indian and Chinese martial arts brought through the general flow of culture into Southeast Asia from India and China. The training regimen was probably developed by or borrowed from the ancient military. Matches utilizing this style became popular and such fights became known as dhoi muay (ต่อยมวย), a term now used for boxing and pugilism in general. Originally the fighters didn't wear gloves or socks and the ring was nothing more than an open space with spectators crowded to form a rough circle. Fights went on until one competitor gave up or was incapable of continuing. The original rules simply stated that there was to be no eye gouging, grasping, hair pulling, hitting the groin area or hitting a fallen opponent. Some believe that this form of fight may have came from Cambodia or some other kingdom and spread from there but this is unproven. Either way, the art was adapted to fit the needs of the individual fighters which gave birth to a number of regional styles. Muay Boran was eventually categorized into Muay Thasao (North), Muay Korat (Eastern or North-East), Muay Lopburi (Central) and Muay Chaiya (South). There is the phrase "Punch Korat, Wit Lopburi, Posture Chaiya, Faster Thasao" (หมัดหนักโคราช ฉลาดลพบุรี ท่าดีไชยา เร็วกว่าท่าเสา)
Muay Boran's form is quite efficient, in that it maximizes the amount of damage that each blow can inflict, and effective, in that it can easily lead to the death or serious injury of the opponent. Most notably, Muay Boran emphasizes the use of extremely powerful elbow and knee techniques, and combinations thereof, always thrown at full force and speed, with the intent to overcome one's adversary as quickly as possible, because another one might already be coming close or attacking.
Traditionally, Muay Thai masters would teach the techniques of Muay Boran as advanced Muay Thai but this is not often done today. Various moves in Muay Boran are forbidden in present-day Muay Thai tournaments and competitions. Even in Thailand it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a school willing to teach it; they prefer to focus on "modern" Muay Thai, as this is more easily exploitable as a form of income. Many schools nowadays who claim to offer Muay Boran just teach Muay Thai and sell it under the name of Muay Boran.
Muay Boran was previously not well-known in the West outside a small circle of practitioners. The art was featured in the 2003 Thai film Ong Bak starring Tony Jaa.
Muay Boran may be the offspring of Mae Mai Muay Thai.