Jigmi Wangdi

To encourage young enthusiasts to take up Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing in Bhutan, boxing masters from Lanna Fighting Muay Thai Boxing Gym in Chiang Mai province in Thailand demonstrated Muay Thai in Bhutan during a week-long tour that ended on July 1. 

The centuries-old art of Muay Thai or Thai kickboxing, considered to be the most effective striking-based martial art internationally, might make its entry soon among the local residents in the country. 

The practitioners of Muay Thai, known as “The Art of Eight Limbs” use eight points of contact of the body to mimic weapons. Two fists become a sword, two elbows strike like a hammer, while two knees serve as an axe and two shins form an armour.

In a fight, the eight limbs are used as a weapon to spin an enemy to the ground but in daily life, Muay Thai is a great workout routine option and self-defence skills training.  

Muay Thai has become one of the most recognised arts that engages practical use for people of all ages and genders who are interested in self-defence, physical fitness and a solution to certain health issues.

The demonstrations in the country were held at various venues ranging from primary schools to a fitness centre in Thimphu. The project concluded with the demonstration at the Clock Tower in Thimphu on July 1. 

The week-long tour was organised by the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Honorary Consulate-General in Thimphu. 

The demonstration is expected to promote people-to-people contact and enable the sport to gain more popularity among Bhutanese for physical and mental strength.