Muay Thai
7th century

The earliest origin of Muay Thai dated back to 657 AD Haripuñjaya period of a hermit named, Sukatanata who established his school liberal and martial arts consisting Muay Thai of which will be mentioned in order of history compiled officially by The Institute of the Art of Muay Thai, Department of Physical Education National Stadium of Thailand (DPE).

From 738 AD in Nanzhao period. Muay Thai had been trained from variant movements of dance, Fon Joeng (Thai: ฟ้อนเจิง) included weapons and bare hands showing the art of men’s fighting which is similar to Lei tai due to the war engagement with China for a long time. It is said as the earliest stage of Thai people forming and Muay Thai had been training for generations along the Fon Joeng dance. the Fon Joeng also became one of recreational Thai Classical Dance in Northern Thailand, existing nowadays.

In 947 AD after the foundation of Singhanavati Kingdom by Thai people under the leadership, Phu Chao Lavachakkaraj ruling the town of Fang (Thai: เมืองฝาง) (Now located in Uttaradit province, Thailand), the primogenitor of Mungrai Dynasty of Lan Na Kingdom. These forefathers conquested against Kom people and Thai people invaded down northwest and established Sukhothai Kingdom. The Sukhothai Kingdom was successfully founded in 1243 AD by King Si Inthrathit, who was descended from King Phrom of Singhanavati Dynasty (Lavachakkaraj) as mentioned in the folklore, Legend of Singhanavati. There was the first mentioned of Muay from palm-leaf manuscripts in Northern Thai language called Mungraiyashastra also known as Mungrai Law 1839 BE enacted in 1296 AD, the oldest text mentioned of Muay ever recorded in the reign of King Mangrai who established the town of Chiang Mai (1292–1311 AD).

In 1238-68 AD during Sukhothai Kingdom, Muay Thai had been treated as high art which was included in the curriculum for the royal family members to be trained as brave warriors with top physical fitness and kings of capable rule and war engagement with its neighboring kingdom. King Si Inthrathit sent his second son aged 13, Prince Ram Khamhaeng to learn Dharma, Liberal and Martial arts at Samo Khon School, located at Khao Samo Khon in Lawapura town (now Lopburi province, Thailand). Prince Ram Khamhaeng eventually became comrade with Prince Ngam Mueang (later King of Phayao Kingdom since 1258 AD) during his education as The Yonok Chronicles reads:-

พระยางำเมืองเจ้านครพะเยาตนนี้ เป็นบุตรพระยามิ่งเมืองผู้ครองเมืองพะเยาลำดับที่ ๙ ตั้งแต่ขุนจอมธรรมเป็นต้นมา เมื่อเจริญชนมายุได้ ๑๔ ปี ได้เรียนศาสตรเพทกับเทพอิสิตนอยู่ ณ ภูเขาดอยด้วน ครั้นชนมายุได้ ๑๖ ปี ไปเรียนศิลปในสำนักพระสุกทันตฤๅษี ณ กรุงละโว้ อาจารย์เดียวกันกับสมเด็จพระร่วงเจ้ากรุงสุโขทัย เหตุดังนั้นพระยางำเมืองกับสมเด็จพระร่วงเจ้ากรุงสุโขทัยจึงได้เป็นสหายแก่กัน

(Translation): King Ngam Mueang of Phayao Kingdom was the son of the ninth king of Phayao, King Ming Mueang who was descended from King Chom Tham, son of King Khun Ngearn of Ngoenyang He was trained the Principles of Brahman's sorcery at Thep Isitana School at Khao Doi Duan (now located in Chiang Rai province, Thailand.) when he aged 14. He was continued trained liberal and martial arts with a hermit named, Sukatanata—instructor of King Ram Khamhaeng, at Samo Khon School in Lawapura after aged 16. Thence, King Ngam Mueang became comrade with King Ram Khamhaeng of Sukhothai since both have trained with the same instructor.

The Samo Khon school was founded in 657 AD of Haripuñjaya period, by a hermit name, Sukatanata (Thai: พระฤๅษีสุกกะทันตะ). The subjects he taught called Maiya Shastra (ಮೈಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ), consisting of boxing (Muay), sword fighting, archery, elephant and horse control. King Mangrai was well-known alumnus of the school. The Hermitage of Sukatanata had been still existing nowadays and be able to visit at Wat Khao Samo Khon, Lopburi province Thailand.
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