Text Book of Pahuyuth, Muay Thai, The most Distinguished Art of Fighting,
By Panya Kraitus and Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus. (Published by P. Kraitus, distributed by Asia Books Co. Ltd.)

Video Review by SDJ.

I received this book as a present two years ago and quite frankly it was one of the best presents I have ever received! From the minute I got it, I didn't put it down till I had read it all, cover to cover. Written and published by Panya Kraitus, Panya was born in Phuket in 1956 and has been training in Muay Thai since the age of eight when he began by kicking a 100Kg sack of rice. He consequently went on to train under the Late Supreme Master Ket Sriyapai who was in turn, taught by Master Kimseng Taveesith, Head of the Taveesith Boxing Camp and Boxing Master during the reign of king Rama VI. At the age of sixteen Panya started compiling a text book of Thai Boxing that took him ten years to complete and served as the basis of this English Language text. This book is THE complete Mauy Thai text-book, the bible of Muay Thai. For any one remotely interested in Muay Thai, then this book is a must buy.

The book gives a highly detailed account of every aspect of Muay Thai, over 220 pages and 29 chapters. It starts of with an Introduction and then onto Chapter 1: Preface and then onto a in depth look at the history of the art, including how its name has changed over the years from "Mai Si Sok" to "Pahuyuth" to "Muay Tai" and finally "Mauy Thai". In Chapter 2 we are shown an ancient Thai Boxing text-book from the time of King Rama III (1824 - 1851). Chapter 3: What is Thai Boxing? covers the origins of Thai Boxing and tells of the Legend of Nai Khanom Tom. He is a Legend in Thailand and is considered to be the first Thai Boxer to have imprinted Muay Thai dignity and gave it such a reputation as the best fighting art outside of Thailand's borders. Chapter 4: The Initiation ceremony looks at the Yok Kruu, in which the student pays respect to the teacher. Chapter 5:Daily Training shows how to train and practice and the effects of Thai Boxing training on the body. Chapter 6 tells how to build up skills and abilities and how to warm up. Moving onto Chapter 7 the topic of massage is detailed, the different types and the beneficial effects. Chapter 8 shows a number of traditional Thai training exercises, all well explained together with photos to illustrate. The ninth chapter targets weight reduction and the best way to achieve it. On to Chapter 10 (just another 19 chapters to go!) and we are shown the target points on the human body, handy for those wishing to fight effectively in the ring. Eleven, a brief chapter, offers advice for the boxer in training, which is followed by do's and don'ts in the ring, in 12. Chapter 13: Boxing tactics is a very handy chapter for those wishing to learn better ring craft for a fight, how to deal with opponents whether they be tall or short or have a particular technique. In 14, we are told all about the magical powers linked with Muay Thai in Thailand from the protective Mongkon or head band to the Praciat or arm band, which is used in the West as a grading system. Next we are shown and told about the wide variety of equipment used by Thai Boxers to train. Chapter 16 shows in a number of sequential photographs how to bind your fists for a fight.

That is it! I can't possibly go on! There is simply far to much information for me to convey here, there are another 13 chapters, each one covering every aspect of Muay Thai from the musical instruments used, movement in the ring to the tools of Thai Boxing and the Master tricks and Complimentary tricks of Muay Thai. It is quite simply the definitive guide to all things Muay Thai! You get a feel for the art in its true form and what the authors want to convey to you about the art they obviously love. This book should be owned by you! There is no more I need to say apart from if you have already got this book then you know how good it is, if not…

GO AND BUY IT NOW!

Editors Note: This book is excellent and is worth buying for the large number of photographs alone. There is however next to nothing about clinching within the book. This is more than made up for by the detailed history and background information on muaythai. An essential in anyone's library.