Thai Boxing was developed as a form self-defence during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767). Boxers are forbidden to wrestle or bite

However, they may kick, shove and push and unreservedlly use bare feet, legs, elbows and shoulders, besides fists, to batter each other into submission. Thai Boxing is featured throughout the week at Bangkok's Ratchadamnone Stadium (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and Lumpini Stadium (Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday).

In the old days, Thai boxing was a dangerous sprot, with no saety gear of any kind for the fighters, and only lengths of cords to wrap around the fists in place of gloves. Over the years, rules have been written along the line of international boxing regulations. In recent years, the sprot has attracted a wide following outside of the country, and training facilities has been set up in countries as far as the U.S. and the former Soviet states.