Cord-Bound Fists [Eng]
Muad Kad Chueak, or cord-bound fists, was a traditional method of wrapping raw cotton rope around a fighter’s hands for protection during combat.
Before a bout, a boxer would bathe to refresh his body, and some would drape a damp loincloth (pha khao ma) over their shoulders. There were no dressing rooms like today—fighters would sit and prepare anywhere they could. The proper sitting posture required both knees raised to support the elbows as the arms stretched forward. Palms were faced downward with fingers fully spread.
The person responsible for wrapping the fists—usually the Kru Muay (boxing master), who also imparted martial knowledge and spiritual protection—would begin by placing sacred items. These included a prajiad (ritual armband believed to ward off harm), or a mongkhon (sacred headband consecrated in Buddhist-Tantric ceremonies for auspiciousness and victory), on the fighter’s head. Other protective charms such as takrud (metal scroll amulets), phitsamorn (amulet cords), and even symbolic weapons might also be attached, depending on the master’s lineage. Some masters would mark the fighter’s hand with symbols of the “Four Weapons” or weapons of the gods, according to their traditions.
Next, the raw rope was tightly wound around the wrists to stabilize the eight small bones of the hand and prevent dislocation or injury. It would then be wrapped loosely over the back of the hand and knuckles, going all the way to the fingertips. The wrap was then reversed back toward the knuckles and pulled tightly through the finger gaps, exposing the joints as hardened striking points.
At this stage, the fists remained relatively soft—almost like gloves.
With about one meter of rope left, the master would twist the rope into tight spirals, forming shapes like snail shells (kan thon hoi or “spiral butts”). The boxer had to wiggle his fingers to avoid numbness as these snail-shell knots were placed evenly across the back of the fists, increasing tightness and density with each one.
Yet these knots could still shift—so a “rope tail” about a meter long and as thick as a matchstick was used to secure and anchor the spirals. The master would “sak” (press and wedge) the ends to lock each spiral in place, similar to dulling the sharp spines of a durian.
When it came time for serious combat, the master would spray or spit water onto the fists. The raw rope would soak up the moisture, swell, and become rock hard. For opponents whose guard wasn’t airtight—or whose charms lacked power—one punch could be enough to need assistance walking home, blind and dazed.
For this reason, fighters of the past were trained to defend themselves rigorously before learning advanced offensive techniques. It could take 3 to 4 years before a master would allow a student to test themselves in a real ring—which reflects the meaning of “Luk Sit” (disciple), one who is loved like a son.
Interestingly, the rope used for Muad Kad Chueak (some masters even used funeral shroud rope) was often reused for many years. Blood and flesh would become encrusted on the fibers, making them stiff and sharp like sandpaper.
There’s a widely told tale that the rope was soaked in rice water and coated with powdered glass (like razor-sharp kite string), but as the writer confesses—having never seen it personally—this remains a legend.
What is confirmed is the ancient tradition that, before any match, a fighter would gently stroke his own rope-bound fists across his face to demonstrate their hardness to the referee.
“A True Muay Thai Person has soft hands, but hard fists.” (Meaning that the person is diligent, always kind and polite, but has hard fists when it comes to fighting.)
(Fah Muang Thai, Year 4, Issue 193, Thursday, November 30, 1972 – “Review of Muay Thai”, Pages 26–27)
#มวยไทยโบราณ#สาระน่ารู้มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง#เสือลากหาง#ทุ่มทับจับหัก#มวยไชยา#มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง#muayboran#มวยโบราณ#ประวัตินายปล่องจำนงทอง#ประวัติหมื่นมวยมีชื่อ#ประวัติมวยไชยา#muaychaiya#history
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Cord-Bound Fists [Eng]
Muad Kad Chueak, or cord-bound fists, was a traditional method of wrapping raw cotton rope around a fighter’s hands for protection during combat.
Before a bout, a boxer would bathe to refresh his body, and some would drape a damp loincloth (pha khao ma) over their shoulders. There were no dressing rooms like today—fighters would sit and prepare anywhere they could. The proper sitting posture required both knees raised to support the elbows as the arms stretched forward. Palms were faced downward with fingers fully spread.
The person responsible for wrapping the fists—usually the Kru Muay (boxing master), who also imparted martial knowledge and spiritual protection—would begin by placing sacred items. These included a prajiad (ritual armband believed to ward off harm), or a mongkhon (sacred headband consecrated in Buddhist-Tantric ceremonies for auspiciousness and victory), on the fighter’s head. Other protective charms such as takrud (metal scroll amulets), phitsamorn (amulet cords), and even symbolic weapons might also be attached, depending on the master’s lineage. Some masters would mark the fighter’s hand with symbols of the “Four Weapons” or weapons of the gods, according to their traditions.
Next, the raw rope was tightly wound around the wrists to stabilize the eight small bones of the hand and prevent dislocation or injury. It would then be wrapped loosely over the back of the hand and knuckles, going all the way to the fingertips. The wrap was then reversed back toward the knuckles and pulled tightly through the finger gaps, exposing the joints as hardened striking points.
At this stage, the fists remained relatively soft—almost like gloves.
With about one meter of rope left, the master would twist the rope into tight spirals, forming shapes like snail shells (kan thon hoi or “spiral butts”). The boxer had to wiggle his fingers to avoid numbness as these snail-shell knots were placed evenly across the back of the fists, increasing tightness and density with each one.
Yet these knots could still shift—so a “rope tail” about a meter long and as thick as a matchstick was used to secure and anchor the spirals. The master would “sak” (press and wedge) the ends to lock each spiral in place, similar to dulling the sharp spines of a durian.
When it came time for serious combat, the master would spray or spit water onto the fists. The raw rope would soak up the moisture, swell, and become rock hard. For opponents whose guard wasn’t airtight—or whose charms lacked power—one punch could be enough to need assistance walking home, blind and dazed.
For this reason, fighters of the past were trained to defend themselves rigorously before learning advanced offensive techniques. It could take 3 to 4 years before a master would allow a student to test themselves in a real ring—which reflects the meaning of “Luk Sit” (disciple), one who is loved like a son.
Interestingly, the rope used for Muad Kad Chueak (some masters even used funeral shroud rope) was often reused for many years. Blood and flesh would become encrusted on the fibers, making them stiff and sharp like sandpaper.
There’s a widely told tale that the rope was soaked in rice water and coated with powdered glass (like razor-sharp kite string), but as the writer confesses—having never seen it personally—this remains a legend.
What is confirmed is the ancient tradition that, before any match, a fighter would gently stroke his own rope-bound fists across his face to demonstrate their hardness to the referee.
“A True Muay Thai Person has soft hands, but hard fists.” (Meaning that the person is diligent, always kind and polite, but has hard fists when it comes to fighting.)
(Fah Muang Thai, Year 4, Issue 193, Thursday, November 30, 1972 – “Review of Muay Thai”, Pages 26–27)
#มวยไทยโบราณ #สาระน่ารู้มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง #เสือลากหาง #ทุ่มทับจับหัก #มวยไชยา #มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง #muayboran #มวยโบราณ #ประวัตินายปล่องจำนงทอง #ประวัติหมื่นมวยมีชื่อ #ประวัติมวยไชยา #muaychaiya #history
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