Fighting in Thailand: Fouls and Non-Fouls 

If this is your first time fighting in Thailand, it may be confusing. Scoring has changed with entertainment shows, so 3 round fights differ from 5 round fights.

However, fouls and non-fouls are treated the same in Thailand, so here’s some information on what constitutes a foul that may come in handy if you plan on fighting in Thailand in the future.

The maxim “protect yourself at all times” applies here. If you believe someone committed a foul during your fight, do not protest or make a big deal about it. Allow your corner and coaches to speak for you, especially if they are Thai (the referee may not understand what you’re saying).

Here are some FOULS:

1. Holding the ropes for any reason.
2. Not letting go in the clinch when the referee calls for the break.
3. Not fighting and running away. If you think backpedaling is foot work, it is not here.
4. Hip tosses, judo flips, wrestling takedowns, backbreakers… etc.
5. The cartwheel kick (Saenchai kick). It’s cool and all, but it is not legal.
6. Biting, spitting, and head butting.
7. Knee to the groin.
8. Hitting a down opponent (opponents gloves already on the floor).
9. Spitting your mouth guard out intentionally to put a pause in the fight.
10. Plowing and throwing an opponent out the ring. 

Here are some NON-FOULS that may not be what you’re used to:

1. Certain groin strikes. I’ve seen some fighters win by striking the groin. If you are struck in the groin, do not collapse while holding your private area. If you fall, you will receive an 8 count (unless it is a knee and the referee sees it).
2. It is not a foul to hit the top or back of the head and body, You are not supposed to give your back, and if you do, you will be struck.
3. It is not a foul to hit an opponent in mid-air or when they are off balance.
4. Here, 12-6 elbows are legal.
5. Teep (push kick) to the knee or any part of the leg and a teep to the groin is not a foul.

We’ve seen fighters win or lose a fight because they believed their opponent committed a foul (getting hit in the groin and collapsing).

You must learn and adapt to the scoring and what is legal wherever you fight in the world. Many fighters have said, “If this were the United States, I would have won,” or vice versa.

We incorporate what works and scores well in our Muay Thai drills classes on Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm at Yak Yai Muay Thai in Phuket Thailand. We want everyone who plans to fight here to be prepared for whatever happens during their match.

A friendly reminder to those who want to fight for our gym. We will not allow you to fight if you do not put in the work. We are not the type of gym that will throw you into a fight right away. If you arrive at our gym fit and ready, you may be placed in a match sooner than others, but we must see for ourselves.

Fighting is exciting, but keep in mind that it is dangerous, and serious injuries or death can occur.

For more information on our gym, please visit our website’s contact page at https://yakyaimuaythai.com/contact-us/.

You can also find us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/yakyaimuaythai.