Muay Boran

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Muay Boran, which translates to "Ancient Boxing", is the predecessor to Muay Thai. The aim of Muay Boran is to help a warrior survive a battle after he has lost his weapons (until this time, he will use a style known as Krabi Krabong); its style is quite efficient, in that it maximizes the amount of damage that every blow can leverage, and effective, in that it can easily lead to the death or serious injury of the opponent. Most notably, Muay Boran emphasizes the usage 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. Muay Boran were categorized in to Muay Thasao (North), Muay Korat (Esarn or North-East), Muay Lobburee and Muay Chaiya. There was the phrase state that "Powerful punch Korat, Wit Lobburee, Good Posture Chaiya, Faster Thasao" (หมัดหนักโคราช ฉลาดลพบุรี ท่าดีไชยา เร็วกว่าท่าเสา)

Various techniques 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. Today many schools who claim to offer Muay Boran just teach Muay Thai and sell it under the name of Muay Boran.

Traditionally, Muay Boran was 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. Tony Jaa has learned Muay Korat (A form of Muay Boran).