The Deadly Thai Art of Krabi Krabong
A few months ago I began attending Muay Thai lessons; I didn’t let the fact that I’m over forty put me off. I have always loved martial arts and living in Thailand means that there is plenty to satisfy somebody like me. One of the things that surprised me when I moved here was that there is more to martial arts in Thailand than just Muay Thai; there is also Krabi Krabong.
Krabi Krabong – The Less Famous Thai Martial Art
When people think about the martial arts of Thailand most would only be aware of Muay Thai. This deadly art has caught the imagination of many in the western world. It is respected as a fierce fighting style; few would deny that it’s one of the most effective martial methods you can practice. Muay Thai fighters are tough; they can take a beating and attack with a ferocity that would put most people on the defensive. These fighters do well when they take on competitors from other fighting styles. It would be a mistake though, to think that this is the only martial art to originate from Thailand.
A less well known Thai martial art is Krabi Krabong. This lack of fame is not deserved though and should not be viewed as representative of the worth of this martial art. In fact among the people of Thailand it is viewed as a precious treasure. Thai students study this ancient system for at least a year or two at school. It is also taught to the Thai military. The Thai King’s bodyguards are also expected to be expert practitioners in Krabi Krabong.
The History of Krabi Krabong
Krabi Krabong is said to be at least four hundred years old; although many would claim that it is a lot older than this. It has been influenced by different fighting methods; it developed through centuries of battle against the Burmese. The people of Thailand have a knack for taking an idea from a foreign source and given it a Thai style. This mixture of ideas usually leads to something special and Krabi Krabong is no exception to this.
Krabi Krabong uses a variety of weapons and open hand techniques to beat opponents. The Krabi-Krabong practitioner is skilled at using the staff, sword, clubs, bladed staff, and two-sword techniques. They also use their hands, feet, knees, and elbows. The name of this martial art comes from two of its weapons; krapi (กระบี่) means sword and krapong (กระบอง) is a type of staff. The people of Thailand were using these weapons for centuries prior to the arrival of the current system so it is difficult to decide just how old some of the techniques really are. The one thing that can be certain is that the many bloody conflicts which occurred between Thailand and its neighbors ensured that a deadly art was produced.
Although Krabi Krabong is a long way behind Muay Thai when it comes to international fame, it is now possible to learn this deadly art in clubs all around the world.
Don’t Forget to Visit the Middle Aged Muay Thai Website (just click on the highlighted text and you will be taken right there)
Paul – Krabi Krabong is a new one on me, reading your post title I wrongly guessed it had sommething to do with the holiday island. It reads like it’s a much more traditional kung fu type of martial art than what Muay Thai is.
I got my first smile of the day from your reference to Thais having the knack of taking an idea from a foreign source and reproducing it, I sold a few football shirts on the strength of that during my early Thailand days.
It’s half seven in the morning here in Udon and already the sun is beating down. It’s a pity the UK couldn’t copy that.
Hi Martyn, it is good to see that you are making the most of this trip and getting up early in the mornings.
I didn’t really know anything about Krabi Krabong until I started teaching. I’ve always been interested in martial arts so I’m surprised that I missed it – especially as it is so popular in Thailand. I think krabi Krabong would be an excellent name for an island 🙂
Hi Paul, I listened to your podcast and really enjoyed it. I am almost 30 and have been training on and off in Thai boxing for a while. Its a tough sport and I really respect you for starting your training now. As you mentioned in your podcast, despite it being a sport for predominantly younger men, hopefully us older beginners can still derive valuable benefits from this inspirational art.
Thanks James, I do believe we can still gain benefits. I think in some ways being older can be a benefit; especially in regards to mental strength.
Hi, im from thailand. I am 12 years old and am learning Muay Thai. I didnt know about Krabi Krabong until i searched the web for all my country’s martial arts. That was when i found out about Krabi Krabong. i am SO gonna learn that when i have the chance or when i find a master who will teach me.
Hi Sirapop,I think you’ll enjoy it. You are at a great age for learning this type of art.
Hello, do you know where can I find a teacher who is teaching Krabi Krabong in bangkok? thanks!
Hi BlueLi, you might want to try the Muay Thai Conservation Centre. I think he can teach Krabi Krabong as well.
Hi. I don’t think any of these statements about the history of krabi krabong can be corroborated. I would like to be proven wrong.
What is the evidence for the history of krabi krabong? Is there any documentation for this art ***as it’s practised today***? This question is kind of important. We can’t just dismiss the need for evidence just because it’s an Eastern art. Also, we can’t determine its authenticity from battles AT ALL, because it’s supposed to be a weapons art. So if there’s no evidence historically to link it to the old art, we have no means to know if it ‘works’.
It’s a big problem when someone trains in one (famous) martial art, becomes good at it, and then asserts impossible facts about a more obscure martial art he takes up secondarily. I’m not suggesting this is what you’re doing, but it does seem to be like this:
1) Guy trains in Muay Thai and becomes a good fighter;
2) Guy trains in secondary Thai art because someone he respects and believes told him the secondary Thai art is genuine, historical and the roots of Thai boxing;
3) Guy with credibility in Muay Thai says that his credibility accredits secondary the art (krabi krabong), and states with confidence that KK is real, on the basis of his expert opinion as a martial artists.
The problem with this sequence is that, with respect, you may be good at punching, kicking, elbowing, defending, etc. as necessary with Muay Thai, but these skills aren’t the main basis of KK, so how can your expertise in pugilism transfer to weapon arts just because it feels right to you?
I’m not saying this to be rude in any way. Just to point out we need a historian to verify the claims made about any martial art whose environment is extinct. This means all blade arts, European, Japanese, Indian, and, yes, Thai, need to be backed up with historical documents proving they are the same arts with the same names used in their respective historical fencing periods and areas. If they’re not, they’re bullshit. Sorry to be blunt.
So, I’m looking forward to seeing that historical evidence.
Hi Abbo, all the assumptions you have made about me are wrong. I’m a middle-aged guy who lives in Thailand and took up Muay Thai a few years ago – I’m definitely not an expert, and I’ve never claimed to be a historian.
This post was written over four years ago and it is based on what I’d heard about Krabi Krabong. This is why I used words like “is said to be” and “many would claim”.
I appreciate that, Paul. You corrected the facts about yourself, which is very fair and reasonable. But consider, is Krabi Krabong capable of correcting any facts about itself, or is it infallible (in the view of Thai people or martial arts practitioners)? The region is a developing one, with its ethnic rivalries and nationalist sentiment in which all aspects of tribal, linguistic, religious identity including martial arts are brought right up to the fore. This particular martial art is especially identity-driven: unlike Thai boxing, in KK the wai kru and dance additions seem to be bolted on for the express purpose of a cultural claim. I understand the Thai army and government is heavily invested in Buddhai Sawan Institute, and this reminds me of the structure of Korean TKD, headed up by actual military officers and drawing on Japanese karate (which is itself a post-WW2 construct).