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Boxers Honour Muay Thai Legend, Nai Khanom Tom

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Over 100 professional boxers, from both Thailand and overseas

Over 100 professional boxers, from both Thailand and overseas

 

AYUTTTHAYA – Thai and foreign boxers alike took part in an annual ceremony to honour a legendary Muay Thai hero in Ayutthaya province.

Nai Kanom Tom is said to have lived in the 18th century

Nai Kanom Tom is said to have lived in the 18th century

Remembered fondly by many Thais as a patriot and one of the pioneers of their national martial art, Nai Kanom Tom is said to have lived in the 18th century, during the period in which Ayutthaya was the capital city of the pre-modern Siamese country. 

Over 100 professional boxers, from both Thailand and overseas, were led by their coaches to the statue of Nai Kanom Tom, where they proceeded to pray and conduct other traditional ceremonies to honour the spirit of the Muay Thai hero.

The boxers, dressed in traditional boxing outfits, were carried to the statue by a convoy of elaborately-decorated elephants. Mr. Witthaya Piwphong, Governor of Ayutthaya province, said such a display was designed to invite divine blessings for the boxers.

He hopes the event will further promote the art of Muay Thai and bring awareness of the sport to a wider international audience.

According to the Governor events will be conducted during the evening in several venues across the province, such as a Thai boxing contest, a banquet for boxers from overseas, and a traditional initiation ceremony for newly trained boxers.

“We want to remember Nai Kanom Tom, who has brought so much honour to our nation,” Mr. Witthaya said, “And we want to promote tourism for Ayutthaya province”.

Nai KhanomTom

Nai Khanom Tom is a Muay Thai boxing legend of the highest calibre. Known as the ‘Father of Muay Thai’, Nai Khanom Tom was taken prisoner along with thousands of his countrymen when the capital Ayutthaya fell in 1767 to the Burmese. In 1774, a great festival was held by the King of Burma and as part of the celebrations, Nai Khanom Tom, still a prisoner of war, was to fight ten of the king’s men in a row.

After dispatching each of them, the Thai boxer became a legend and was rewarded with his freedom. He was also given the choice of either great financial reward, or two wives and as he believed riches were easier to come by than two beautiful women, he chose the latter.

To this day, National Muay Thai day is celebrated in his honour.

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