Traditional Thai Weapons of Krabi Krabong

Muay thai today comes from the thai weapons art of krabi krabong and the unarmed martial art of muay boran or ‘Ancient Boxing’.

The Thai weapons based system called krabi krabong is closely related to other martial arts in the Southeast Asian region.

Similar to krabi krabong is Penack Silat from the Malay region, which also make extensive use of local weapons.

And while today the thai weapons art of krabi krabong is more of a performance and artistic based martial art involving choreographed sequences, krabi krabong has its roots in the battlefields and wars of the old Siam Kingdom.

Origins of Krabi Krabong

As historical records and accounts were lost in ancient warfare much of the true history and development of krabi krabong is not fully accounted for.

In addition many of the old fighting systems were passed down orally from teacher to student and kept in secrecy to avoid the knowledge falling into enemy hands.

Temple Buddhai Sawan in Ayuttayah

There are historical records of the Buddhist Temple Wat Buddhai Sawan in Ayuttayah being perhaps the birthplace or at least a founding temple for today’s krabi krabong.

It is at Wat Buddhai Sawan that many notable military persons and noble men learned Thai traditional weapons fighting taught by the original monks of the temple.

There are historical accounts of famous thai weapons masters who were well versed in the fighting arts and who learned the arts at Wat Buddhai Sawan.

Two such famous figures and outstanding royal figures in Thai history were Naresuan the Great and King Taksin.

Naresuan the Great

A historical figure of great cultural importance in Thailand is Naresuan the Great who is known to have studied sword fighting at Wat Buddhaisawan. Naresuan was well known for being an expert in the Daab single edged sword among other thai weapons.

A famous story of Naresuan the Great tells of his battle against the crown prince of Burma in the battle to retake regions of Siam from the Burmese.

In this account Naresuan is said to have charged the Burmese crown prince on an elephant and and using the bladed staff, sliced the Burmese prince from shoulder to hip.

With their prince killed the Burmese armies retreated and Naresuan reclaimed the territories in the name of Siam. Naresuan ascended to the throne in 1590.

King Taksin

During the 18th century, many battles and wars were waged between the Ayuttayah Kingdom and the Burmese.

History states that Taksin learned the Thai weapons arts studying as a boy at Wat Buddhai Sawan.

Taksin was regarded as a formidable weapons master but more so as a brilliant military strategist.

In 1767 Taksin proclaimed himself King after restoring Siam to almost its former size but defeating a Burmese army despite rallying and commanding a force only half the size of the Burmese army.

Weapons of Krabi Krabong

The name Krabi krabong is derived from two of the weapons used in this martial art.

The krabi is the curved sword and krabong is the long wooden staff.

However a host of other weapons are also included in this weapons art of Thailand:

• Krabi: single-edge sword
• Krabong: staff/pole
• Daab song mue: double swords for each hand
• Lo: shield/buckler made from wood or buffalo hide
• Phlong: stick/cudgel
• Ngaw or Ngau: bladed staff
• Mai sok san: a pair of clubs worn on the forearms

Each of the weapons used have their own unique attacking techniques based on different situations.

Each weapon also has its own unique dance performance similar to a kata.

The dance aspect of the art makes it unique.

There are 108 known dances in krabi krabong that utilize weapons as well as rhythmic, graceful and elegant dance movements that are combined with fighting applications.

Krabi krabong and Muay Boran

Historically muay boran, which later developed into modern day muay thai, and krabi krabong are closely related as fighting systems used in the time of warring Kingdoms and notably wars between the Siam Kingdom (modern day Thailand) and the Burmese.

Muay boran is known as the unarmed form of combat used by Siamese warriors and made use of many of the modern day muay thai techniques as well as headbutts, pressure point strikes, joint locks and throws.

The development of muay boran and krabi krabong may have been interrelated but the loss of historical records following the Burmese invasion of Siam makes it difficult to know for sure.

Krabi Krabong Today

Today krabi krabong has seen a resurgence in growth of practitioners and students.

Today Wat Buddhai Sawan is known a the center of excellence for the art of Krabi Krabong but it has now closed and the centre has moved to Lad Prao Bangkok

The interest in the Ancient thai weapons art has also grown among the non-Thai.

And schools with teachers have begun holding classes to meet the demand.

The system is favored as a self defense martial art granting practitioners the ability to defend themselves with normal everyday objects that can be used as weapons.

Today some schools in Thailand have begun teaching krabi krabong to students as a form of sports and physical exercise as well as to preserve and promote traditional Thai culture.

Modern Day Competition

Krabi krabong is now a feature of the Thai Martial Arts Games & Festival with the Dap Thai or Thai sword competition a feature of the event.

Competition matches of krabi krabong take place in marked circles and begin with the traditional Wai Khru ceremony.

Muay boran boxing techniques such as kicks and throws are also used and winners are declared based on the display of technical skill, movement and grace.

Where to Learn Krabi Krabong

Tiger Muay Thai and MMA in Phuket is one such place where you have the opportunity to learn the Thai weapons art

Master Toddy’s muay thai gym also offers a short course for those wanting to learn krabi krabong. The course includes:

• Learn to use two swords, one at a time, attaining basic movements of attack- which way is the most effective and knowing why
• Structured system of learning
• How to protect yourself at all times using the sword
• The use of controlled power when sparring
• Learn both attack and defense for every move

The Association Institute of Thai Martial Arts (AITMA) is a well established institute in Thailand that offers courses and certification to teach krabi krabong, muay boran and meditation.

The AITMA offers schools in German as well and seminars and instruction under a well established master in the systems taught.