Muay Thai was very popular

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Muay Thai was very popular in the early Rattanakosin period. The era that is considered to be the most prosperous is King Rama V. He studied and practiced Thai boxing and ordered a boxing competition in front of the royal palace, selecting skilled boxers from various regions. come and compete and bestowed a title also please the Department of Education Include the teaching of Muay Thai as a compulsory subject. in the physical education teacher training school Boxing was regularly offered in front of the royal palace until the reign of King Rama VI at Suankularb Palace. Both the duel between the boxers with Thai boxing teachers together and fights between boxers with foreign boxing teachers In a boxing match during the reign of King Rama VI between Liapa (Kung Fu) Chinese people from overseas. The names are Mr. Ji Chang and Mr. Young Hantalay, the chief disciples of Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak. There is a boxing posture like Korat boxing. Which emphasizes stretching and standing tall, ready to attack and defend by emphasizing the use of feet and swinging fists. and later became a model for Muay Thai training in most physical education institutions during the reign of King Rama VII. In the early days, Muay Thai competitions used wrapping the hands with rope. until Mr. Phae Raising Prasert Boxers from Tha Sao Uttaradit Province Punched Mr. Jeer, a Cambodian boxer, with a buffalo swinging punch to death. therefore changed to wear a mitten instead Later, the rules for the fight began to be set. And the first standard arenas were established, namely Lumpini Boxing Stadium and Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, where Thai boxing competitions have been held until now.

Ref:
https://www.lovethailand.org/tradition/muay_thai_boxing.html