The history and rise of Thai boxing are known from old scriptures from Burma and Cambodia, and from chronicles of the old, northern Lamma kingdom in Chiang Mai. In 1767, the army of Birma destroyed the old city of the king, Aytathaya, in Siam (the previous Thailand). They burned all the documents found in state archives about the rise of Muay Thai. Nonetheless it is generally accepted that Muay Thai developed from old warrior arts from Thai soldiers, of which it still forms part. One theory is that the Thai moved from China: the fighting techniques clearly have Chinese influences.

A second theory refers to archaeological sites, which prove that the original inhabitants of Thailand possessed Muay Thai techniques long before they moved. In Nachao in Southern China the book 'Chupasart', about fighting techniques with weapons, was written around 700 ac. In 1225 Thailand, Burma and Laos became the Kingdom of Utong, under rule of Cambodia. Than the Mongols destroyed the area of Amchao and the Thai split up in three independent groups : the Thai Noi moved to Thailand, the Thai Yai to Burma and the Thai Ar Home to Laos.

Contemporary Muay Thai boxing developed in the Sam Nak Sa Mer Korn training centre in Sukhothai (a newly formed state in the 1238-1378 period), where self defence techniques are learned and how to handle weapons. Here the famous book about warrior techniques Tamrab-Pichei SONGKRAM was written by Sukhoithai Ara. Copies of this book are found in all state libraries of Thailand. Ayuthaya became the new Capital during the period 1590-1604, in which 34 kings ruled. A well-know king is Neresuon who mastered warrior arts. In the 1697-1709 period 'tiger king' Pra Chao Sua became the main representative of Thai fighting. In disguise, together with his four guardians, he regularly participated in matches. This reign also wrote a Muay Thai book, which now is regarded the 'bible' of Muay Thai. 1708: After general Chao Phya Chakri took his seat as governor, king Taksin replaces the Capital to Bangkok. Nowadays the Chakri dynasty still rules in Thailand.

In 1774 legendary Muay Thai fighter Nai Khanom Dtom is taken to prison in Birma. There he is kept for seven years. But on the 17th of March 1774 Burma king Mangra decided to organise ten Muay Thai matches. Khanom Dtom fought and conquered ten Burma soldiers. This impressed the king such that he got his freedom back: a great champion and hero was born. The legend of Nai Khanom Dtom is honoured by organising matches in Thai stadiums the 17th of March each year.

In the 19th century, king Ramoa the Second rebuild the 'Wang Lang' stadium near his palace. Matches with and without weapons were fought. Those were called Ram Muay, the later Muay Thai. Halfway during the 19th century king Rama 4, a fanatic Muay Thai and Krabbi-Krabong practitioner, developed a new law to officially accept the Thai warrior arts. His successor Rama 5 (1868-1910) started the 'Sam Nak Muay Luong' department where techniques are improved and training rules determined. Here teachers as well as trainees passed their exams. Only the best fighters were allowed to fight in the king's palace. The winners became the palace guardians. When the first World War takes took stage king Rama 6 (1910-1925) sent his soldiers to Europe for support. Those Muay Thai demonstrations strongly impressed the European commanders in charge.

In 1921 the first Muay Thai matches took place. For the first time a match was chaired by a referee, and a bell used to set the rhythm of the fight. Also, from that moment on hands were taped with marihuana cords or strokes of cotton, and drained in a glue bath with broken glass pieces and sand; before hands were taped with horse skin. Further people paid an entrance fee for the first time. The income went to the, so called, scouting department. On November 9th 1929 for the first time championships were organised in a tent in Lumpini park. Here, on December 29th, the first championships with a counting system were organised. Also, metal protection for the private parts and boxing gloves (earlier made out of shells or bark) were introduced. In 1937 the Department of Physical Education officially determined the rules of Muay Thai.

During the second World War the First Muay Thai stadium, the Rajadamnern Stadium at the Rajadamnern Avenue in Bangkok, was built under the presidency of P.Pibulsongkram. From the start matches were organised to take 5 times 3 minutes with a pause of two minutes, and fighters were weighted on a stone balance for horses.

Between 1958 and 1962 fighters from Japan, China and the Philippines challenged the Thai. Finally for the first time two Japanese fighters beat the Thai in 1962: one based on disqualification and one on points.

1971: The rules for amateur Muay Thai are laid down.

1976: Dutch MEIJIRO GYM fighters return from a training session in Japan. In the same year the first unofficial Dutch kickboxing championships took place in the Jaap Edenhal in Amsterdam.

1978: The introduction of Muay Thai in the Netherlands.
1979: the Dutch Kickboxing Bond was founded (NKBB)

On the 24th of January 1983 the Dutch Muay Thai Bond was founded and during that same day the first World Championships took place. Benny Urquideze (male) and Lucia Rijker (female) were the first World Champions.