Thum - Thap - Jab - Hak (Throw, Crush, Grapple, Break) (Mr. Plong Jamnongthong)
Father smiled when he heard the words, “I’ll fight to the death.” He reached out and touched his favorite student’s neck, signaling a deadly point while gently reassuring him—it wasn’t in vain being born near the salty seas. Then he leaned in and whispered in his ear: “Jab - Hak” (Break him). This was the name of a major combat tactic in the Thai martial art known as Muay Thai Paahuyuth.
When Nai Plong Jamnongthong had recovered and was ready to face his rival, the crowd roared in anticipation. They were eager to witness the thrilling showdown between the two top fighters—one from Korat (northeast), the other from Chaiya (south).
Plong stared intensely at his opponent without blinking. Raising both fists to touch his forehead above the Unalome, he performed a symbolic short Wai Khru salutation in the manner of Southern Muay Thai style. Every movement showed caution—he could not afford to lose a second time. He carefully advanced, using the”Yaang Sam Khum - Khum Daen Yak” (the three-step stride), beginning the duel with the attitude of one ready to die. He crouched low, head bobbing erratically in a mock drunken sway, mimicking a staggering man just sobering up.
The Korat boxer eyed him warily—this Southern fighter still had guts in him. Confidence and perplexity mixed in his stare.
Plong crouched even lower, arms bent, weaving his fists left and right to guard his face and ribs (Phan Mad). He crept forward on his toes into the danger zone, stirring uncertainty in the Korat fighter, who was preparing to unleash a devastating move from the northeastern plains.
“Kick! Kick! Kick!” Yelled the crowd.
Plong’s poised feet shifted restlessly, ready to lash out in an instant. But still, he waited—for the perfect moment.
He could hear the warnings: “Don’t crouch too low! Don’t crouch! You’re gonna get killed!” But he didn’t care. He had decided to die with honor. As he drew nearer, his eyes locked on the opponent’s lower abdomen—on a vital point known in traditional massage as Sumana.
His muscles twitched, ready to spring into deadly action.
The Korat opponent grew increasingly suspicious, weaving his arms defensively in anticipation of a close-range strike. He was prepared to unleash a shin kick if attacked.
Plong raised his left knee, easing into the danger zone, his right leg stretched far behind in the style of “Suea Laak Hang” (stalking tiger). Still, his opponent didn’t kick, even when the chance was obvious. The crowd howled, but to no avail. The moment wasn’t yet right. This was the wisdom passed down from the old masters—strike only when the time is right.
Now Plong’s face was at knee level to his opponent, less than a meter away. He clenched his teeth, ready for a final gamble. If it failed, he’d be carried away. With a sudden movement, he swept his right hand to parry his rival’s left shin near the chest. The crowd fell silent—shocked by the reckless daring of this Southern-style Muay Chaiya fighter.
In that instant, the opponent’s mighty right leg unleashed a devastating kick, known in folklore as “The Kick of Korat.” Which used to spread fear among outsiders by the past.
But in the same moment, Plong Jamnongthong, the Chaiya boxer, slid his right leg swiftly forward under his opponent’s stance, twisted his right elbow up under the chin, and pivoted so that his right arm blocked over the opponent’s left temple. Then he surged upward with a counter-spin, pulling the kicking leg close to him and dragging the rival off balance. Simultaneously, he drove his rival’s head forcefully down in a grappling move known as “Hiranyak Yak Muan Phaendin” (The Giant Hiran Rolls the Earth).
The Korat boxer’s neck hit the ground, with Plong’s knee and elbow crushing his opponent’s chest and stomach. The crowd erupted in deafening roars—no one knew who was cheering for whom. There were no referees or appointed judges like today. In the old days, the officers had to remain neutral and absolutely impartial—they could not interfere in any way.
When the fight paused, as per tradition, because both fighters fell entangled to the ground, it was Plong Jamnongthong who rose first. His opponent remained flat on his back, eyes closed. His cornermen rushed to carry him to the shade, trying to revive him with massages. But the Korat boxer, having been “Jab Hak” (caught and broken), lay with his neck crooked—unable to rise and fight again, even as night fell.
Thus, fighters from Chaiya and the South regard “Thum - Thap - Jab - Hak” (Throwing, Crushing, Grappling, and Breaking) as the highest level of Muay Thai mastery. It is a way to overcome even those who excel in kicking. Anyone who seeks fame and progress in the art must train relentlessly until they master these skills.
If one teaches but cannot do—he is no true master.
Only One Regret
The author once heard from Phraya Prawatisutthikon (Charoen Tulayanon), a royal accountant under the Ministry of Interior, that…
In a match held before King Rama V, where a Chaiya fighter was repeatedly kicked but still defeated a Korat boxer, the spectacle was so intense that the audience gaped in awe. Both sides had unleashed their most secret and refined techniques—taught only by grandmasters. But there was one flaw:
Every lineage kept their secrets tightly guarded, reserving them only for their own disciples. These devastating finishing moves (Mai Ded) —“one strike to end it all”—never spread widely because they often died with the masters themselves.
For example, the legendary move called “Luk Dueay” was once an important secret technique. Today, almost no one knows how it was truly performed.
The Rise of “Muen Muay Mee Chue” (The Boxer of Fame)
With his overwhelming victory and royal praise, Mr. Plong Jamnongthong was granted the noble title “Muen Muay Mee Chue” (Lord of Famed Boxing), alongside other top-tier fighters, as is now known.
(Fah Muang Thai, Vol. 6, Issue 302, Thursday, January 2, 1975 –
“Review of Muay Thai,” pp. 475–478)
#มวยไทยโบราณ#สาระน่ารู้มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง#เสือลากหาง#ทุ่มทับจับหัก#มวยไชยา#มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง#muayboran#มวยโบราณ#ประวัตินายปล่องจำนงทอง#ประวัติหมื่นมวยมีชื่อ#ประวัติมวยไชยา#muaychaiya#history
Muay Chaiya BaanKruPraeng
Thum - Thap - Jab - Hak (Throw, Crush, Grapple, Break) (Mr. Plong Jamnongthong)
Father smiled when he heard the words, “I’ll fight to the death.” He reached out and touched his favorite student’s neck, signaling a deadly point while gently reassuring him—it wasn’t in vain being born near the salty seas. Then he leaned in and whispered in his ear: “Jab - Hak” (Break him). This was the name of a major combat tactic in the Thai martial art known as Muay Thai Paahuyuth.
When Nai Plong Jamnongthong had recovered and was ready to face his rival, the crowd roared in anticipation. They were eager to witness the thrilling showdown between the two top fighters—one from Korat (northeast), the other from Chaiya (south).
Plong stared intensely at his opponent without blinking. Raising both fists to touch his forehead above the Unalome, he performed a symbolic short Wai Khru salutation in the manner of Southern Muay Thai style. Every movement showed caution—he could not afford to lose a second time. He carefully advanced, using the”Yaang Sam Khum - Khum Daen Yak” (the three-step stride), beginning the duel with the attitude of one ready to die. He crouched low, head bobbing erratically in a mock drunken sway, mimicking a staggering man just sobering up.
The Korat boxer eyed him warily—this Southern fighter still had guts in him. Confidence and perplexity mixed in his stare.
Plong crouched even lower, arms bent, weaving his fists left and right to guard his face and ribs (Phan Mad). He crept forward on his toes into the danger zone, stirring uncertainty in the Korat fighter, who was preparing to unleash a devastating move from the northeastern plains.
“Kick! Kick! Kick!” Yelled the crowd.
Plong’s poised feet shifted restlessly, ready to lash out in an instant. But still, he waited—for the perfect moment.
He could hear the warnings: “Don’t crouch too low! Don’t crouch! You’re gonna get killed!” But he didn’t care. He had decided to die with honor. As he drew nearer, his eyes locked on the opponent’s lower abdomen—on a vital point known in traditional massage as Sumana.
His muscles twitched, ready to spring into deadly action.
The Korat opponent grew increasingly suspicious, weaving his arms defensively in anticipation of a close-range strike. He was prepared to unleash a shin kick if attacked.
Plong raised his left knee, easing into the danger zone, his right leg stretched far behind in the style of “Suea Laak Hang” (stalking tiger). Still, his opponent didn’t kick, even when the chance was obvious. The crowd howled, but to no avail. The moment wasn’t yet right. This was the wisdom passed down from the old masters—strike only when the time is right.
Now Plong’s face was at knee level to his opponent, less than a meter away. He clenched his teeth, ready for a final gamble. If it failed, he’d be carried away. With a sudden movement, he swept his right hand to parry his rival’s left shin near the chest. The crowd fell silent—shocked by the reckless daring of this Southern-style Muay Chaiya fighter.
In that instant, the opponent’s mighty right leg unleashed a devastating kick, known in folklore as “The Kick of Korat.” Which used to spread fear among outsiders by the past.
But in the same moment, Plong Jamnongthong, the Chaiya boxer, slid his right leg swiftly forward under his opponent’s stance, twisted his right elbow up under the chin, and pivoted so that his right arm blocked over the opponent’s left temple. Then he surged upward with a counter-spin, pulling the kicking leg close to him and dragging the rival off balance. Simultaneously, he drove his rival’s head forcefully down in a grappling move known as “Hiranyak Yak Muan Phaendin” (The Giant Hiran Rolls the Earth).
The Korat boxer’s neck hit the ground, with Plong’s knee and elbow crushing his opponent’s chest and stomach. The crowd erupted in deafening roars—no one knew who was cheering for whom. There were no referees or appointed judges like today. In the old days, the officers had to remain neutral and absolutely impartial—they could not interfere in any way.
When the fight paused, as per tradition, because both fighters fell entangled to the ground, it was Plong Jamnongthong who rose first. His opponent remained flat on his back, eyes closed. His cornermen rushed to carry him to the shade, trying to revive him with massages. But the Korat boxer, having been “Jab Hak” (caught and broken), lay with his neck crooked—unable to rise and fight again, even as night fell.
Thus, fighters from Chaiya and the South regard “Thum - Thap - Jab - Hak” (Throwing, Crushing, Grappling, and Breaking) as the highest level of Muay Thai mastery. It is a way to overcome even those who excel in kicking. Anyone who seeks fame and progress in the art must train relentlessly until they master these skills.
If one teaches but cannot do—he is no true master.
Only One Regret
The author once heard from Phraya Prawatisutthikon (Charoen Tulayanon), a royal accountant under the Ministry of Interior, that…
In a match held before King Rama V, where a Chaiya fighter was repeatedly kicked but still defeated a Korat boxer, the spectacle was so intense that the audience gaped in awe. Both sides had unleashed their most secret and refined techniques—taught only by grandmasters. But there was one flaw:
Every lineage kept their secrets tightly guarded, reserving them only for their own disciples. These devastating finishing moves (Mai Ded) —“one strike to end it all”—never spread widely because they often died with the masters themselves.
For example, the legendary move called “Luk Dueay” was once an important secret technique. Today, almost no one knows how it was truly performed.
The Rise of “Muen Muay Mee Chue” (The Boxer of Fame)
With his overwhelming victory and royal praise, Mr. Plong Jamnongthong was granted the noble title “Muen Muay Mee Chue” (Lord of Famed Boxing), alongside other top-tier fighters, as is now known.
(Fah Muang Thai, Vol. 6, Issue 302, Thursday, January 2, 1975 –
“Review of Muay Thai,” pp. 475–478)
#มวยไทยโบราณ #สาระน่ารู้มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง #เสือลากหาง #ทุ่มทับจับหัก #มวยไชยา #มวยไชยาบ้านครูแปรง #muayboran #มวยโบราณ #ประวัตินายปล่องจำนงทอง #ประวัติหมื่นมวยมีชื่อ #ประวัติมวยไชยา #muaychaiya #history
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