Muay Thai Rules 1

In basic Muay Thai rules, Muay Thai match formally have no more than 5 rounds, each round take 3 minutes to last, with a two-minute rest period in between. No additional round is allowed.

Boxers must regularly wear gloves, each weighing not less than 6 ounces (172 gramm) in Thai boxing rules. The gloves must not be squeezed, kneaded or crushed to change its original shape.

Contestants must wear only trunks (red or blue according to their corners) appropriately fit their bodies.

Contestants must wear standard supporters or sturdy athletic cups to protect their groin,Gum shield may be used.

Contestants wear no shirts nor shoes, but ankle cap is permitted.

A sacred cord known as Mongkol can be worn around the head only during the pre-fight ritual of paying homage to ancestral teachers of Muay Thai, to be removed before the start of the fight.

Metal or other equipments that will be harmful to the opponent is prohibited.

The complete details of Thai boxing rules are listed below:

Muay Thai Rules 1: The Ring

The ring shall be constructed as follows:

1. Size: A square with each side the following dimension: Small size 20-feet (6.10 metres); Large size-24-feet (7.30 metres), to be measured within the ropes.
2. Floor And Corner: Must be well constructed with no obstructions and with a minimum extension outside the ring of at least 3 feet (91 cm). The minimum floor height should be 4 feet (1.22 metres) with a maximum of 5 feet (1.48 metres) from the building floor. The corner posts should have a diameter of between four (10.00 cm) to five inches (12.70cm) with a height of 58 inches (1.47 metres) from the ring floor. All four posts must be properly cushioned.
3. Ring Floor: The floor must be padded by either cushioning, rubber, soft cloth, rubber mat, or similar material with a minimum thickness of 1 inch (2.50 cm) and a maximum of 1.5 inch (3.7 cm). The padding should be completely covered by a canvas cloth.
4. Ropes: Consisting of four ropes with a minimum diameter of 1.20 inches (3 cms) and a maximum of 2 inches (5 cms), stretched and linked to the four corner posts. The distance from the ring floor to the lower rope will be 18 inches (46 cm), to the 2nd rope 30 inches (76 cm), to the 3rd rope 42 inches (107 cm) and the top rope 54 inches (137 cm) respectively. The rope will be covered by a soft or cushioned material . Each rope will be joined together by two strong cords of 1.20-1.60 inches (3-4 cms) diameter and are at equal distance from each other.
5. Ring Steps: At least three (3) sets are required. The width of each step should be at least 3.50 feet (1.07 metres). One set is located at each corner and a third shall be positioned centrally for the doctor and other officials.
6. Plastic Bin: To be located at the fighter's corner for the disposal of tissues, bandages or any other garbage.

Muay Thai Rules 2: Ring Accessories

The following equipment is required at ringside.

1. Break area at both corners.
2. Two drinking water bottles and two spray bottles. No other type of bottle is allowed ringside.
3. Two towels.
4. Two bowls of water.
5. Tables and chairs for the officials.
6. Alarm bell.
7. One or two stop clocks.
8. Score sheets.
9. Locking box for keeping the score sheets.
10. One set of round indicators, signs or boards.
11. Two pairs of spare boxing gloves.
12. One spare set each of red and blue boxing shorts.
13. Groin protector with one or two ties.
14. Two cloth squares to facilitate a groin protector change or adjustment.
15. Stretcher.
16. Blunt edged scissors.

Muay Thai Rules 3: Boxing Gloves

1. Only gloves certified by World Muay Thai Council are allowed to be used in any match.
2. Boxing glove requirements:

Mini Flyweight - Junior Featherweight - 6 ounce (132 grams)
Featherweight - Welterweight - 8 ounce (227 grams)
Junior Middleweight and upwards - 10 ounce (284 grams)

The weight of the leather shall not be more than half of the total glove weight, including the internal cushioning, which should always be in good condition. The laces are to be tied at the back of the wrist band.

3. To ensure compliance with the regulations, all gloves will be inspected by a member of the match committee prior to the fight.

Muay Thai Rules 4: Bandages

Only a soft material type is allowed, size 2 inches x 6.5 yards (5 cm x 6 metres). Plastic or plaster types are strictly prohibited. The use of adhesive tape, size 2.50 cm. x 2.50 metres is only allowed for covering the back of the wrist and must not be used to cover the knuckles.

Muay Thai Rules 5: Dress Code

A. BOXER'S ATTIRE

1. Only boxing shorts are to be worn, the colour of which depending on the corner; red, pink, or maroon or with a red stripe for the red corner; blue, bright blue, black for the blue corner. The dressing gown will be as specified by the World Muay Thai Council.
2. To ensure the boxer's safety, a groin protector must be worn and tied only at the back.
3. Long hair and/or beards are prohibited. A short moustache is allowed but the hair must not extend over the lip.
4. The Mongkol should be worn when performing the Wai Kru (paying respect to one's teacher), prior to tbe match start. Amulets are only to be worn on the arm or waist and covered by material to avoid injury.
5. Single elastic bandages are allowed to be worn on the arm or legs to prevent spralns, however insertion of a shin guard, etc, is not allowed.
6. No metallized material, decoration or jewellery are allowed to be worn.
7. The use of vaseline, fat or any similar substance by the boxer to gain unfair advantage is not allowed.
8. Boxer may wear elastic ankle bandages to protect his feet.

B. Any infringement to the dress code may result in the fighter's disqualification. In the case of any problem with the boxing gloves themselves, the referee may temporarily halt the match until they are corrected.

Muay Thai Rules 7: Wai Kru and Round Definition

1. Prior to the start of the first round, both fighters shall perform the Wai Kru (paying respect to the teacher), accompanied by the appropriate Thai tradifional music, incorporating the Ching (cymbal), Klong khaek (tom-tom) and Pee Java (Thai reed pipe).
2. A Muay Thai match shall consist of five rounds, 3 minutes per round with a 2 minute break between each round. Any stoppage during the match for any reason, will not be counted as part of the 3 minute round time.

Muay Thai Rules 8: Boxers

Boxer's Eligibility

1. No physical disability and at least 15 years old.
2. Minimum weight: l00 pounds (45.36 kg).
3. Not classified as a prohibited person, as described in the medical manual of the World Muay Thai Council.

Muay Thai Rules 9: Seconds

Two seconds are allowed to attend the boxer as per the following stipulations:

1. During the match, the seconds are not allowed to advise, help or instruct their boxer. Any violation of the rules by the seconds or the boxer may result in the boxer's disqualification.
2. The seconds are not allowed to signal to interested parties, the condition of his boxer.
3. During the match, the seconds must stay in the designated area. Prior to the start of each round they will remove all towels, water bottles, etc out of the ring area.
4. During the interval, the seconds will ensure that their boxer is properly attired. In case of any problem they shall inform the referee immediately.

Muay Thai Rules 10: Match Committee

A. Committee Member's Qualification.

1. No physical disability and at least 25 years old.
2. Hold a medical certificate endorsed by the World Muay Thai Council.
3. Hold proper certification as to their work experience, health, age and occupation.
4. Certified by the World Muay Thai Council as properly qualified.

B. Referee's Qualification

1. All referees must be trained and tested by the appropriate committee of the World Muay Thai Council and be certified and registered as a referee.
2. Not over 60 years of age unless an extension is approved by the committee.
3. Must resign immediately on the order of the committee or when unable to perform his duties.

C. Number of Judges and Referees

The match committee will comprise of 3 judges and one referee for the ring with the match chairman responsible for match supervision.