The question remains, not just for those who have no experience in Muay Thai, but for those who have fighting experience in modern Muay Thai. Is Muay Boran just for show? Does it really work? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked this question, both here and in Thailand. But the answer isn’t always as clear cut as it should be. Muay Boran is the original Muay Thai that was created during times of war. So how can it be considered just for show? Talking to the top experts in the field of Muay Thai, one comment that stays consistent is the fact that Muay Boran is no longer used in modern day competitions. This is why many, including modern day fighters, may question its credibility. In public events, Muay Boran is showcased in exhibitions as opposed to real fights. This is due to the fact that the ancient ways have been prohibited in modern Muay Thai arenas. The rules of the game has changed since the late 1930s when Muay Thai went through its most drastic evolution and fights adopted western-style rules, the use of gloves, the use of rounds, and, of course, weight class distinctions. Back in the days, there was only one round lasting until someone gave up, got badly hurt or died. There were no weight classes and each fighter could agree to fight each other based on a simple nod of approval from both sides. Ancient fighters did not use gloves and could do a multitude of things including grabbing, breaking, throwing and rolling. If seeing is believing, then it would be hard to judge the effectiveness of Muay Boran skills nowadays. But to the trained eye, as well as those who practice it religiously, the techniques are as effective today as they were in ancient times. Modern day fights may have evolved to mixed martial arts proficiency, but the rules of old-school Muay Thai already embodied the use of anything that works. It’s just that those who have never been exposed or educated in Muay Thai aside from it’s current version may have a hard time keeping an open mind.