What is Muay Chaiya?
The southern boxing style with a tight guard, and how it differs from ring Muay Thai.
Muay Chaiya is one of the oldest regional styles of Thai boxing. It comes from Chaiya, a district in Surat Thani province in the south of Thailand, and is still taught by a small number of teachers who keep the old methods alive.
One of four regional styles
Before Muay Thai became a ring sport, each region had its own way of fighting. Muay Chaiya was known for its posture and defence, Muay Korat for heavy punches, Muay Lopburi for clever technique and Muay Tha Sao for speed. An old Thai saying sums them up: heavy fists of Korat, smart Lopburi, good posture of Chaiya, faster than the wind of Tha Sao.
Defence first
Muay Chaiya is built on a low, closed guard and the principle of ป้อง ปัด ปิด เปิด: protect, parry, close and open. Instead of trading blows, a Chaiya boxer covers up, deflects the attack and answers with a short elbow, a knee or a sweep. Footwork follows the yang sam khum, a three-step pattern that keeps the body balanced and the angles closed.
Elbows and knees
Because it was built for real confrontation, Muay Chaiya favours the short weapons: elbows from every angle, knees, and locks and throws from close range. Many modern Muay Thai fighters study it to tighten their guard and sharpen their counters.
Learning Muay Chaiya at KMAX
Kru Chane trained Muay Chaiya at the Siamyuth Center, Baan Kru Praeng, and teaches it in private lessons when he is at the gym. These lessons are not on the weekly schedule, so message us with your dates first. Read more on our Muay Chaiya & Krabi Krabong page.
