With the rise of Covid, Thailand saw a massive drop in tourism. In order to make up for this shortfall Muay Thai gyms and promotions moved towards an online model to drive business. Now with Covid being in the rearview mirror, we have a chance to look at how the landscape of Muay Thai has changed.
To start we should have a brief look over of what is Muay Thai. Simply put Muay Thai is synonymous with its description as the "art of 8 limbs" ergo if it doesn't have punches, kicks, elbows, and knees then it isn't Muay Thai. Another distinguishing feature is the clinch fight, though rules on clinch vary and can be a little more on the esoteric side.
Entertainment Muay Thai - A term from recent years, gained prevalence during COVID. With the decline of tourism in Thailand, Muay Thai had to find a new audience. This audience was online and global. Entertainment Muay Thai is meant to appeal to a general audience and its ruleset reflects this. Fights are generally 3 rounds instead of 5. Scoring is round by bound reflecting the Western 10 point must system. Score is generally dictated by damage with a limit on clinch fighting to make fights more exciting and approachable. Some leagues instituted MMA gloves for aesthetic purposes.
Entertainment Muay Thai Leagues include: One Championship, Rajadamnern World Series (RWS), and Lumpinee World Cup (LWC formerly Max Muay Thai)
Traditional Muay Thai - Traditional Mauy Thai is very diverse reflecting the heritage and changes of the sport over time. Fights are 5 rounds normally with extended clinch being allowed. Scoring can be done narratively (the story of the fight), round by round, with open or closed scoring.
Traditional Muay Thai can be viewed on the regularly occurring Petchyindee promotion.
Western Muay Thai - Muay Thai in the west can generally be viewed as Entertainment Muay Thai. Western Emphasis and value on offence and aggression often carries through to pro-Muay Thai matches in the West. Here we are specifically talking about amateur IFMA styled competition. Major changes are aesthetic. Elbow and knee pads, sometimes requiring head gear and body protectors.
Western Muay Thai - Look at IFMA sanctioned organizations.
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