Martial Arts

Thai martial arts survive today in the form of swordfighting which is frequently staged at cultural shows, and Muay Thai, or the ever popular sport of Thai Boxing, as it is better known. Muay Thai and swordfighting had evolved by the 1500s when Ayutthaya, the ancient Thai capital, dominated much of Southeast Asia. Muay Thai, originally an unarmed form of self-defense, formed part of the military training given to all Thai conscripts.