802 Traditional Counter Techniques for Muay Thai, Muay Boran and More (free)

Excursus: Why no fantasy, trivial or Thai names?

The use of fantasy or trivial names for combat techniques regularly leads to misunderstandings in the practical learning process. Moreover, from a historical point of view, it is not really to be classified as “traditional”.

Supposedly traditional terms such as “Hanuman presents the ring” (Hanuman Tawai Waen) refer, for example, to the Rammakiern Saga. However, this poem wasn’t common in Siam until the 19th century. A.D., which was after the retreat of the ancient Pahuyuth Free-Warriors. The use of such fantasy names can therefore be taken as an indication that a fighting style is less than 200 years old and therefore does not belong to the traditional fighting styles.

As a rule of thumb, whenever imaginative technical names such as “The Crocodile Strikes with the Tail” (Jarake Fad Hang), “The Snake Naka Strikes with the Tail” (Naka Bid Hang) or “Hanuman Breaks the Blockade” (Hanuman Hag Dahn) are in play, it is a modern development or an imitation.

The same applies to the use of Thai language terms. Pahuyuth is much older than the Thai language and has always been practiced by members of different languages and ethnicities. With the exception of the term “Pahuyuth” (originally from Sanskrit), the names of the disciplines and some common anatomical terms, the use of foreign words is therefore largely avoided.