MUAY THAI BORAN LEGEND NAI KHANOM TOM (นายขนมต้ม)

The legend of the great Nai Khanom Tom is antithetical tale of calamity and triumph. The 1938 (2481 BE) manuscript known as the "Royal Chronicles of Thailand" (พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงเก่าฉบับหล) details of this pivotal figure commences with a boy born in Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Ban Kum Village, Sena (พระนครศรีอยุธยา, หมู่บ้านบ้านกุ่ม, เสนา), which is presently known as Amphoe Bang Ban (อำเภอบางบาล), in the year 1750 (2293 BE).

His father was called Nai Gud (นาบเกิด) and his mother was named Nang I (นางอี่) and his older sister was Nang Euai (นางเอื้อย). His parents took him to the local Monastery called "Wat Bikka"(วัดปิคา), at the age of 8, the traditional age that a boy in Thailand can ordained as a Novice Buddhist Monk. The age of 8 is based on the Buddha's son Rahula's age when he ordained. The ceremony is called "Buat Nen" (บวชเณร) or Samanera (สามเณร) ordination. The "Luang Por" (หลวงพ่อ), or Abbot of the Temple gave him the name "Khanom Tom" after the boy's mother related a dream that she had while she was pregnant with the child.

In the dream she was presented with two of the sweet desserts called "Khanom Tom". The Monk told his parents that this dream signified that he would grow to become a great Martial Arts Master. When Nai Khanom Tom was only 17 years old the Burmese began their siege on Ayutthaya.

Nai Khanom Tom was assigned to the outskirts of the city as a reconnoiter tasked with alerting the military of Burmese movements. When the Burmese assaulted his village he was absent only to return to find his family had been slaughtered. In this state of desolation Nai Khanom Tom surrendered himself to Burmese forces and was taken prisoner along with 30,000 other Thais.

The events that would follow the destruction of Ayutthaya would catapult Nai Khanom Tom, along with the Art of Muay Thai Boran into the annals of History. The Burmese's assault on Ayutthaya left the capital in ruins and the remaining Nobility fled to the South. The offensive would prove to be the end of an era in Siamese history that was by then 416 years old in the region.

What the conquerors couldn't know at the time however was that like the mythological Phoenix a man would emerge from the ashes and punctuate the beginning of a golden era of Muay Thai Boran.

The fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 (2310 BE) at the sword of the Burmese forces was the culmination of centuries of conflict and warfare between Siam and its neighbors to the West. It was in these wars that the Siamese developed and honed the weapons based system of "Krabi Krabong"(กระบี่กระบอง), and it's empty hand counterpart of Muay Thai Boran (มวยไทยโบราณ), as it is known today. Ayutthaya had been the seat of Siamese power since its founding in 1351 (1894 BE) by King Ramathibodi (สมเด็จพระรามาธิบดีที่)/ U Thong (พระเจ้าอู่ทอง).

The island on the Chao Phraya River maintained its dominion over the Kingdom until it was destroyed in 1767 at the orders of Burma's King Hsinbyushin, known to the Siamese as King Anwa (ฝ่ายพระเจ้าอังวะ). The Burmese soldiers promptly marauded, defiled and set fire to the Capitol, destroying not only the structures but also much of Siam's historical and cultural chronicles. The Invaders from the West added insult to injury of this tragic incursion by abducting 30,000 of Ayutthaya's citizens and taking them as prisoners of war.

The prisoners were taken to the Burmese city of Ungwa by Suki Phra Nai Kong of Kai Pho Sam Ton where they were held captive.

The prisoners representative cross-section of Ayutthaya's populace. Within the aggregation where numerous "Nak Muay" (นักมวย), or Thai Boxers. One of the boxers was a famous pugilist who would soon find his destiny in the Burmese city of Rangoon where he would be immortalized.

On March 17th 1774 (2317 BE) the Burmese King ordered a 7-Day Buddhist Festival in the city of Rangoon. The festival was being held to celebrate the renovations of the Shwedagon Temple structure. The Temple is Myanmars most sacred and are believed to contain 8 strands of the Lord Buddha's hair which had been presented to Burmese traders 2,300 years earlier in India by the Fully Enlightened one himself.

The festival hosted a variety of religious and cultural activities as well as entertainment. On the first day of the celebration King Angwa ordered an exhibition of unarmed combat between a Siamese and Burmese. The King was curious to see how his Kingdom's Art of Lethwei would fare against the Siamese Art of Muay.

A ring was assembled at the foot of the throne and the Burmese Champion emerged. A senior Burmese Nobleman presented Nai Khanom Tom to King Angwa to pay his respects. King Angwa approved the Siamese Fighters request to represent his Kingdom and the Art of Muay Boran. The referee escorted Nai Khanom Tom to the ring and announced to the crowd that the man was Ayutthaya's entrant for the contest.

The Siamese Warrior entered the ring area and immediately commenced his compulsory pre-fight ritual of "Wai Kru Ram Muay" (ไหว้ครูรำมวย) dancing around the Lethwei exponent, performing the esoteric movements to pay respects and homage to his teachers, parents, ancestors, Past Masters of Muay Thai Boran, the King, Kingdom and the Lord Buddha. The Burmese spectators were confounded by the Siamese's mystical movements looking on in awe. Nai Khanom Tom completed his Wai Kru and beset upon the Burmese Champion with a flurry of strikes, lambasting the outmatched man with his elbows until the Champion collapsed under the force of the Nak Muay's blows.

Despite the dominance and unequivocal triumph of Nai Khanom Tom, the biased referee ruled the knockout moot, arguing that the Lethwei fighter was distracted by the Wai Kru ritual and mesmerizing Sarama music and therefore it was unable to focus believing that black magic was at play.

King Angwa then asked Nai Khanom Tom if he was willing to fight nine more Burmese Champions. This caused the other Siamese in the crowd to volunteer to fight alongside their comrade, however Nai Khanom Tom courageously accepted the challenge, agreeing to fight all comers. The Nak Muay was willing to prove the effectiveness of Muay Thai Boran as well as demonstrate the indomitable Siamese Spirit even against seemingly Sisyphean odds.

Nai Khanom Tom fought each of the Burmese Champions one after another, leaving them all battered and defeated until finally the 10th opponent entered the ring.

The last Burmese Challenger was a renowned Lethwei Master from the City of Ya Kai who happened to be visiting Rangoon in honor of the Buddhist Festival. The Spectators must have felt it as if they were experiencing Deja Vu as Nai Khanom Tom systematically dismantled the Master as he had done with the previous 9 antagonists. Nai Khanom Tom maimed the Burmese fighter with his powerful kicks and the final Victory cemented his reputation and that of the Art of Muay Boran as deserving of respect and fear.

Despite losing every fight to the prisoner, the Burmese ceded ground to Nai Khanom Tom on their own soil and no other Burmese would step into the ring with the Muay Thai Boran machine.

King Angwa was so impressed with what he had just witnessed the Siamese prisoner called Nai Khanom Tom exhibit that he exclaimed that:

"Every part of the Thai is Blessed with Venom ! Even with his bare hands he can defeat 9 or 10 opponents".

The Burmese King summoned Nai Khanom Tom and asked him if he would prefer to be rewarded for his victories with money or two beautiful Burmese wives. Nai Khanom Tom elected to accept the wives as his reward saying that money was easier to acquire.

King Angwa presented Nai Khanom Tom with two beautiful wives of the Mon (มอญ) Tribe and granted him his freedom.

Some renderings of the story say that the King also released the other Siamese prisoners of War at the request of Nai Khanom Tom. Nai Khanom Tom is believed to have returned to Siam with his wives where he lived out the rest of his life. Whatever may have become of Nai Khanom Tom he certainly forever etched himself and the Art of Muay Thai Boran into the history of Thailand and Burma, as well as the hearts and minds of Nak Muay across time and space.

Nai Khanom Tom is considered to be the "Father of Muay Thai Boran" because he is the first person to represent the Art in a competitive forum outside the borders of Siam. He did so with honor, integrity, courage and dignity on foreign soil under Draconian circumstances. Nai Khanom Tom's exploits in Burma as a prisoner made him the de facto ambassador of Siamese Martial Arts and a symbol of their resilience.

In 1954 (2497 BE) Thailand's Ministry of Culture and Boxing Commission officially recognized Nai Khanom Tom's unprecedented promulgation of the Noble Art. The day is commemorated and celebrated every year on March 17th as this is the day that in 1774 Nai Khanom Tom made his historical stand against the Burmese. This is a National Holiday in Thailand known as "Muay Thai Day" or "Nai Khanom Tom Day".

Pilgrims from every corner of the earth flock to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, as well as other parts of Thailand to participate in the Annual Wai Kru Ceremony or "Piti Wai Kru Brajam Bi" (พิไหว้ครูประจำปี) organized by the Grandmasters.

Events include exhibitions of Muay Thai Boran and the ancient Regional Styles, Wai Kru ceremony as well as other competitions amateur and professional. In addition to the technical demonstrations are Initiation "Kuen Kru" (ขึ้นครู) and Promotional "Krop Kru" (ครอบครู) ceremonies are performed.

Nak Muay of every ranking and nationality mingle freely.

What the conquerors couldn't know at the time however was that like the mythological Phoenix a man would emerge from the ashes and punctuate the beginning of a golden era of Muay Thai Boran.

The prisoners were taken to the Burmese city of Ungwa by Suki Phra Nai Kong of Kai Pho Sam Ton where they were held captive.

Nai Khanom Tom fought each of the Burmese Champions one after another, leaving them all battered and defeated until finally the 10th opponent entered the ring.

Despite losing every fight to the prisoner, the Burmese ceded ground to Nai Khanom Tom on their own soil and no other Burmese would step into the ring with the Muay Thai Boran machine.

King Angwa was so impressed with what he had just witnessed the Siamese prisoner called Nai Khanom Tom exhibit that he exclaimed that:

"Every part of the Thai is Blessed with Venom ! Even with his bare hands he can defeat 9 or 10 opponents".

King Angwa presented Nai Khanom Tom with two beautiful wives of the Mon (มอญ) Tribe and granted him his freedom.

Nak Muay of every ranking and nationality mingle freely.

Muay Thai Boran day is a celebration of Nai Khanom Tom and Muay Thai Boran, as well as a family reunions of sorts for Nak Muay from all over the world.MUAY THAI BORAN LEGEND NAI KHANOM TOM (นายขนมต้ม)

The legend of the great Nai Khanom Tom is antithetical tale of calamity and triumph. The 1938 (2481 BE) manuscript known as the "Royal Chronicles of Thailand" (พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงเก่าฉบับหล) details of this pivotal figure commences with a boy born in Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Ban Kum Village, Sena (พระนครศรีอยุธยา, หมู่บ้านบ้านกุ่ม, เสนา), which is presently known as Amphoe Bang Ban (อำเภอบางบาล), in the year 1750 (2293 BE).

His father was called Nai Gud (นาบเกิด) and his mother was named Nang I (นางอี่) and his older sister was Nang Euai (นางเอื้อย). His parents took him to the local Monastery called "Wat Bikka"(วัดปิคา), at the age of 8, the traditional age that a boy in Thailand can ordained as a Novice Buddhist Monk. The age of 8 is based on the Buddha's son Rahula's age when he ordained. The ceremony is called "Buat Nen" (บวชเณร) or Samanera (สามเณร) ordination. The "Luang Por" (หลวงพ่อ), or Abbot of the Temple gave him the name "Khanom Tom" after the boy's mother related a dream that she had while she was pregnant with the child.

In the dream she was presented with two of the sweet desserts called "Khanom Tom". The Monk told his parents that this dream signified that he would grow to become a great Martial Arts Master. When Nai Khanom Tom was only 17 years old the Burmese began their siege on Ayutthaya.

Nai Khanom Tom was assigned to the outskirts of the city as a reconnoiter tasked with alerting the military of Burmese movements. When the Burmese assaulted his village he was absent only to return to find his family had been slaughtered. In this state of desolation Nai Khanom Tom surrendered himself to Burmese forces and was taken prisoner along with 30,000 other Thais.

The events that would follow the destruction of Ayutthaya would catapult Nai Khanom Tom, along with the Art of Muay Thai Boran into the annals of History. The Burmese's assault on Ayutthaya left the capital in ruins and the remaining Nobility fled to the South. The offensive would prove to be the end of an era in Siamese history that was by then 416 years old in the region.

What the conquerors couldn't know at the time however was that like the mythological Phoenix a man would emerge from the ashes and punctuate the beginning of a golden era of Muay Thai Boran.

The fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 (2310 BE) at the sword of the Burmese forces was the culmination of centuries of conflict and warfare between Siam and its neighbors to the West. It was in these wars that the Siamese developed and honed the weapons based system of "Krabi Krabong"(กระบี่กระบอง), and it's empty hand counterpart of Muay Thai Boran (มวยไทยโบราณ), as it is known today. Ayutthaya had been the seat of Siamese power since its founding in 1351 (1894 BE) by King Ramathibodi (สมเด็จพระรามาธิบดีที่)/ U Thong (พระเจ้าอู่ทอง).

The island on the Chao Phraya River maintained its dominion over the Kingdom until it was destroyed in 1767 at the orders of Burma's King Hsinbyushin, known to the Siamese as King Anwa (ฝ่ายพระเจ้าอังวะ). The Burmese soldiers promptly marauded, defiled and set fire to the Capitol, destroying not only the structures but also much of Siam's historical and cultural chronicles. The Invaders from the West added insult to injury of this tragic incursion by abducting 30,000 of Ayutthaya's citizens and taking them as prisoners of war.

The prisoners were taken to the Burmese city of Ungwa by Suki Phra Nai Kong of Kai Pho Sam Ton where they were held captive.

The prisoners representative cross-section of Ayutthaya's populace. Within the aggregation where numerous "Nak Muay" (นักมวย), or Thai Boxers. One of the boxers was a famous pugilist who would soon find his destiny in the Burmese city of Rangoon where he would be immortalized.

On March 17th 1774 (2317 BE) the Burmese King ordered a 7-Day Buddhist Festival in the city of Rangoon. The festival was being held to celebrate the renovations of the Shwedagon Temple structure. The Temple is Myanmars most sacred and are believed to contain 8 strands of the Lord Buddha's hair which had been presented to Burmese traders 2,300 years earlier in India by the Fully Enlightened one himself.

The festival hosted a variety of religious and cultural activities as well as entertainment. On the first day of the celebration King Angwa ordered an exhibition of unarmed combat between a Siamese and Burmese. The King was curious to see how his Kingdom's Art of Lethwei would fare against the Siamese Art of Muay.

A ring was assembled at the foot of the throne and the Burmese Champion emerged. A senior Burmese Nobleman presented Nai Khanom Tom to King Angwa to pay his respects. King Angwa approved the Siamese Fighters request to represent his Kingdom and the Art of Muay Boran. The referee escorted Nai Khanom Tom to the ring and announced to the crowd that the man was Ayutthaya's entrant for the contest.

The Siamese Warrior entered the ring area and immediately commenced his compulsory pre-fight ritual of "Wai Kru Ram Muay" (ไหว้ครูรำมวย) dancing around the Lethwei exponent, performing the esoteric movements to pay respects and homage to his teachers, parents, ancestors, Past Masters of Muay Thai Boran, the King, Kingdom and the Lord Buddha. The Burmese spectators were confounded by the Siamese's mystical movements looking on in awe. Nai Khanom Tom completed his Wai Kru and beset upon the Burmese Champion with a flurry of strikes, lambasting the outmatched man with his elbows until the Champion collapsed under the force of the Nak Muay's blows.

Despite the dominance and unequivocal triumph of Nai Khanom Tom, the biased referee ruled the knockout moot, arguing that the Lethwei fighter was distracted by the Wai Kru ritual and mesmerizing Sarama music and therefore it was unable to focus believing that black magic was at play.

King Angwa then asked Nai Khanom Tom if he was willing to fight nine more Burmese Champions. This caused the other Siamese in the crowd to volunteer to fight alongside their comrade, however Nai Khanom Tom courageously accepted the challenge, agreeing to fight all comers. The Nak Muay was willing to prove the effectiveness of Muay Thai Boran as well as demonstrate the indomitable Siamese Spirit even against seemingly Sisyphean odds.

Nai Khanom Tom fought each of the Burmese Champions one after another, leaving them all battered and defeated until finally the 10th opponent entered the ring.

The last Burmese Challenger was a renowned Lethwei Master from the City of Ya Kai who happened to be visiting Rangoon in honor of the Buddhist Festival. The Spectators must have felt it as if they were experiencing Deja Vu as Nai Khanom Tom systematically dismantled the Master as he had done with the previous 9 antagonists. Nai Khanom Tom maimed the Burmese fighter with his powerful kicks and the final Victory cemented his reputation and that of the Art of Muay Boran as deserving of respect and fear.

Despite losing every fight to the prisoner, the Burmese ceded ground to Nai Khanom Tom on their own soil and no other Burmese would step into the ring with the Muay Thai Boran machine.

King Angwa was so impressed with what he had just witnessed the Siamese prisoner called Nai Khanom Tom exhibit that he exclaimed that:

"Every part of the Thai is Blessed with Venom ! Even with his bare hands he can defeat 9 or 10 opponents".

The Burmese King summoned Nai Khanom Tom and asked him if he would prefer to be rewarded for his victories with money or two beautiful Burmese wives. Nai Khanom Tom elected to accept the wives as his reward saying that money was easier to acquire.

King Angwa presented Nai Khanom Tom with two beautiful wives of the Mon (มอญ) Tribe and granted him his freedom.
Some renderings of the story say that the King also released the other Siamese prisoners of War at the request of Nai Khanom Tom. Nai Khanom Tom is believed to have returned to Siam with his wives where he lived out the rest of his life. Whatever may have become of Nai Khanom Tom he certainly forever etched himself and the Art of Muay Thai Boran into the history of Thailand and Burma, as well as the hearts and minds of Nak Muay across time and space.

Nai Khanom Tom is considered to be the "Father of Muay Thai Boran" because he is the first person to represent the Art in a competitive forum outside the borders of Siam. He did so with honor, integrity, courage and dignity on foreign soil under Draconian circumstances. Nai Khanom Tom's exploits in Burma as a prisoner made him the de facto ambassador of Siamese Martial Arts and a symbol of their resilience.

In 1954 (2497 BE) Thailand's Ministry of Culture and Boxing Commission officially recognized Nai Khanom Tom's unprecedented promulgation of the Noble Art. The day is commemorated and celebrated every year on March 17th as this is the day that in 1774 Nai Khanom Tom made his historical stand against the Burmese. This is a National Holiday in Thailand known as "Muay Thai Day" or "Nai Khanom Tom Day".

Pilgrims from every corner of the earth flock to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, as well as other parts of Thailand to participate in the Annual Wai Kru Ceremony or "Piti Wai Kru Brajam Bi" (พิไหว้ครูประจำปี) organized by the Grandmasters.

Events include exhibitions of Muay Thai Boran and the ancient Regional Styles, Wai Kru ceremony as well as other competitions amateur and professional. In addition to the technical demonstrations are Initiation "Kuen Kru" (ขึ้นครู) and Promotional "Krop Kru" (ครอบครู) ceremonies are performed.
Nak Muay of every ranking and nationality mingle freely.

Muay Thai Boran day is a celebration of Nai Khanom Tom and Muay Thai Boran, as well as a family reunions of sorts for Nak Muay from all over the world.The legend of the great Nai Khanom Tom is antithetical tale of calamity and triumph. The 1938 (2481 BE) manuscript known as the "Royal Chronicles of Thailand" (พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงเก่าฉบับหล) details of this pivotal figure commences with a boy born in Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Ban Kum Village, Sena (พระนครศรีอยุธยา, หมู่บ้านบ้านกุ่ม, เสนา), which is presently known as Amphoe Bang Ban (อำเภอบางบาล), in the year 1750 (2293 BE).

In the dream she was presented with two of the sweet desserts called "Khanom Tom". The Monk told his parents that this dream signified that he would grow to become a great Martial Arts Master.

When Nai Khanom Tom was only 17 years old the Burmese began their siege on Ayutthaya.

What the conquerors couldn't know at the time however was that like the mythological Phoenix a man would emerge from the ashes and punctuate the beginning of a golden era of Muay Thai Boran.

The island on the Chao Phraya River maintained its dominion over the Kingdom until it was destroyed in 1767 at the orders of Burma's King Hsinbyushin, known to the Siamese as King Mangra (พระเจ้ามังระ). The Burmese soldiers promptly marauded, defiled and set fire to the Capitol, destroying not only the structures but also much of Siam's historical and cultural chronicles. The Invaders from the West added insult to injury of this tragic incursion by abducting 30,000 of Ayutthaya's citizens and taking them as prisoners of war.

The prisoners were taken to the Burmese city of Ungwa by Suki Phra Nai Kong of Kai Pho Sam Ton where they were held captive.

The festival hosted a variety of religious and cultural activities as well as entertainment. On the first day of the celebration King Mangra ordered an exhibition of unarmed combat between a Siamese and Burmese. The King was curious to see how his Kingdom's Art of Lethwei would fare against the Siamese Art of Muay.

A ring was assembled at the foot of the throne and the Burmese Champion emerged. A senior Burmese Nobleman presented Nai Khanom Tom to King Mangra to pay his respects. King manga approved the Siamese Fighters request to represent his Kingdom and the Art of Muay Boran. The referee escorted Nai Khanom Tom to the ring and announced to the crowd that the man was Ayutthaya's entrant for the contest.

Despite the dominance and unequivocal triumph of Nai Khanom Tom, the biased referee ruled the knockout mootarguing that the Lethwei fighter was distracted by the Wai Kru ritual and mesmerizing Sarama music and therefore it was unable to focus believing that black magic was at play.

King Mangra then asked Nai Khanom Tom if he was willing to fight nine more Burmese Champions. This caused the other Siamese in the crowd to volunteer to fight alongside their comrade, however Nai Khanom Tom courageously accepted the challenge, agreeing to fight all comers. The Nak Muay was willing to prove the effectiveness of Muay Thai Boran as well as demonstrate theindomitable Siamese Spirit even against seemingly Sisyphean odds.

Nai Khanom Tom fought each of the Burmese Champions one after another, leaving them all battered and defeated until finally the 10th opponent entered the ring.

Despite losing every fight to the prisoner, the Burmese ceded ground to Nai Khanom Tom on their own soil and no other Burmese would step into the ring with the Muay Thai Boran machine.

King Mangra was so impressed with what he had just witnessed the Siamese prisoner called Nai Khanom Tom exhibit that he exclaimed that:

"Every part of the Thai is Blessed with Venom ! Even with his bare hands he can defeat 9 or 10 opponents".

King Mangra presented Nai Khanom Tom with two beautiful wives of the Mon (มอญ) tribe and granted him his freedom. Some renderings of the story say that the King also released the other Siamese prisoners of War at the request of Nai Khanom Tom. Nai Khanom Tom is believed to have returned to Siam with his wives where he lived out the rest of his life. Whatever may have become of Nai Khanom Tom he certainly forever etched himself and the Art of Muay Thai Boran into the history of Thailand and Burma, as well as the hearts and minds of Nak Muay across time and space.

In 1954 (2497 BE) Thailand's Ministry of Culture and Boxing Commission officially recognized Nai Khanom Tom's unprecedented promulgation of the Noble Art. The day is commemorated and celebrated every year on March 17th as this is the day that in 1774 Nai Khanom Tom made his historical stand against the Burmese. This is a national holiday in Thailand known as "Muay Thai Day" or "Nai Khanom Tom Day".

The "Age-Old Oath" is recited by Grandmaster Woody and Nak Muay of every ranking and nationality mingle freely.

THE AGE OLD OATH