Ring & Arena Equipment
Rule 1: The Ring
For all professional bouts, the ring must meet the following criteria:
1. Size: The ring must be a square, measuring between 20 feet (6.10 meters) minimum and 24 feet (7.30 meters) maximum, measured inside the ropes.
2. Floor and Corners: The ring floor must be safe, level, and free of obstructions, extending at least 90 cm (36 inches) outside the ropes. The ring platform must be 4 to 5 feet high from the building floor, with posts of 4-5 inches in diameter extending 58 inches above the platform. All four corners must be padded to prevent any injury to fighters.
3. Ring Padding: The ring floor must be padded with rubber, soft cloth, compressed straw, compressed cork, or other suitable materials, with a thickness of not less than 1 inch and not more than 1.5 inches, fully covered by a tight canvas.
4. Ropes: There must be 4 ropes, with a thickness of 3 cm (1.18 inches) to 5 cm (1.97 inches), tightly secured to the four corner posts. The height of the ropes from the ring floor must be 45 cm (18 inches), 75 cm (30 inches), 105 cm (42 inches), and 135 cm (54 inches) respectively. Ropes must be wrapped in soft materials, with ropes on each side secured by two vertical canvas straps of 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 inches) wide at equal intervals.
5. Steps: There must be 3 sets of steps, not less than 3.5 feet wide. Two sets at opposite corners for fighters and their seconds, and one set at a neutral corner for the referee and medical staff.
6. Plastic Boxes: Two plastic boxes must be attached at neutral corners outside the ring for the referee to dispose of cotton or gauze used to wipe blood.
Rule 2: Ring Equipment
The ring setup must include the following essential equipment:
Gloves & Boxing Attire
Rule 3: Boxing Gloves
1. Approval: Competitors must use official gloves provided by the organizers and approved by the World Muaythai Council (WMC). Personal gloves are strictly prohibited.
2. Glove Weight Standards:
- Divisions up to 122 lbs: 8 oz gloves.
- Divisions above 122 lbs up to 147 lbs: 10 oz gloves.
- The leather portion must not exceed half, and the padding must not be less than half of the total weight.
3. Inspection: Officials must inspect gloves and hand wraps before the fighter enters the ring.
Rule 4: Hand Wraps
Fighters must use soft hand wraps, not exceeding 6 meters long and 5 cm wide per side. All other wrap types are prohibited. Adhesive tapes or plasters of any kind are strictly forbidden. However, a single piece of medical plaster (not exceeding 2.5 meters long and 2.5 cm wide) may be wrapped around each wrist or back of the hand, but must not cover the knuckles.
Rule 5: Attire
A. Fighter Dress Code
1. Shorts: Half-thigh shorts. Red corner must wear red/pink/maroon or white with a red stripe. Blue corner must wear blue/black (no red stripe). Robes must comply with WMC regulations.
2. Groin Guard: Must be made of durable, protective materials approved by WMC, tied firmly at the back with a double knot.
3. Physical Hygiene: Long messy hair is prohibited. Mustaches must not exceed the lips. Toenails must be cut short and smooth.
4. Sacred Items: Mongkhon headbands and Prajiad armbands are allowed during the Wai Kru ritual. Prajiad may remain on the upper arms during the bout but must be wrapped securely in cloth.
5. Ankle Supports: Allowed up to 1 elastic support per ankle. Shinguards or folded-down ankle sleeves are strictly prohibited.
6. Jewelry: All metal belts, necklaces, or jewelry are strictly forbidden.
7. Oils & Vaseline: Vaseline, hot oils, liniments, or herbs that could put the opponent at a disadvantage are forbidden on the body or gloves.
8. Mouthguard: Competitors must wear a mouthguard.
B. Dress Code Violations
The referee will disqualify any fighter with unhygienic or incorrect attire. If a fighter's gloves or attire becomes loose during the bout, the referee will halt the match to adjust it.
Weight Divisions Classification
Rule 6: Weight Divisions
A. Divisions & Weight Limits
B. Weigh-ins:
- Must weigh in naked on the match day. The bout cannot start less than 3 hours after weigh-in.
- Fighters must receive a physical clearance from a certified WMC doctor before stepping onto the scales.
- When weigh-in time expires, a final weigh-in is checked for those who exceeded limits initially.
Rounds & Wai Kru
Rule 7: Wai Kru & Round Limits
1. Wai Kru Ritual
Prior to the first round, both fighters must perform the traditional Wai Kru Ram Muay ritual accompanied by traditional Sarama music (Pi, Ching, Klong). The bout officially starts once the ritual concludes.
2. Bout Duration
Bouts consist of 5 rounds of 3 minutes each, with a 2-minute rest between rounds. Any time-outs called by the referee for warnings, attire adjustments, etc. are not counted towards the 3-minute limit.
Rule 8: Fighter Qualifications
Minimum Age
Minimum Weight
Perfect Health
Must not have any disqualifying medical conditions specified in the WMC Medical Handbook.
Fighters & Seconds
Rule 9: The Seconds
1. Number: Each fighter is allowed 2 seconds (3 seconds for championship bouts, but only 2 may enter the ring).
2. Prohibitions: Seconds must not coach, assist, or interfere while the round is in progress. A second cannot throw a towel or sponge into the ring to concede defeat.
3. Conduct: Seconds must remain in their designated seats between rounds. Before the bell, all towels, bottles, and buckets must be removed from the apron.
4. Water Administration: Water must not be poured excessively, ensuring the ring canvas does not become dangerously slippery.
5. Etiquette: Seconds must not insult or abuse their fighters. They must wear uniform shirts representing their camp.
6. Penalty: Violations may result in warnings or expulsion of the second. The fighter may also face point deductions or disqualification due to a second's misconduct.
Officials & Referees
Official Panel Structure:
- 1 Head Jury Chairman
- 1 In-ring Referee
- 3 Ringside Judges
Rule 10: Official Panel Requirements
Age: Must be at least 25 years old.
Physical Fitness: Must be certified in perfect physical and mental health by WMC medical staff to perform duties.
Credentials: Must possess documented judging/refereeing credentials and background.
Standard: Must be officially certified by the World Muaythai Council.
Rule 11: The Referee
Primary Duty: To safeguard the physical well-being of the fighters
3 Verbal Commands: "YUT" (Stop) to halt action, "YAK" (Break) to separate a clinch, "CHOK" (Fight) to resume the bout.
Powers: Can terminate a bout due to a severe mismatch, severe injury, or lack of competitive spirit.
Penalties: Issue warnings and point deductions for fouls. Multiple warnings may lead to disqualification.
Rule 12: Judges
3 judges independently score the bout ringside, completing scorecards immediately after each round, and remain seated until the official winner is declared.
Rule 13: Overrules & Amendments
Decisions may be reviewed or amended by the Head Jury Chairman only under the following conditions:
- 1. If the referee's action or ruling clearly violates standard regulations.
- 2. If a judge makes a clear mathematical or clerical error on a scorecard.
Rule 14: Head Jury Chairman
Primary Duty: Audits scorecard calculations, amends clear errors, and reports unsportsmanlike behavior to the WMC board.
Rule 15: Timekeeper & Announcer
Timekeeper: Manages round limits, rest periods, and time-outs.
Announcer: Announces bout details, rounds, and reads official decisions.
Decisions & Scoring
Rule 16: Decisions
Rule 17: Scoring Guidelines
Scoring Weapons: Clear, powerful, and heavy strikes from fists, feet, knees, or elbows that hit targets cleanly according to Muay Thai style.
Non-Scoring Actions: Foul strikes, strikes blocked cleanly by the opponent's arms/legs, or weak, insignificant contact.
10-Point Must System
* Fouls will result in deductions (10 : x)
Fouls & Ring Downs
Rule 18: Fouls & Violations
- Biting, eye-gouging, spitting, headbutting, or taunting.
- Suplexes, hip throws, wrestling locks, or joint locks.
- Striking an opponent who is down or in the process of getting up.
- Holding the ropes to strike, or using abusive language.
Special Rule: Groin Strikes
"If a groin strike is deemed intentional, 1 point is deducted. If unintentional and causing injury, a time-out of up to 5 minutes is granted before resuming."
Rule 19: Downed Fighter
Definition of 'Down':
- Any part of the body other than the feet touches the canvas.
- Hanging defenseless on the ropes in a semi-conscious state.
- Knocked completely out of the ring.
- Defenseless under severe, unanswered strikes.
Counting: The referee counts aloud from 1 to 10 with 1-second intervals and hand signals. The active fighter must immediately go to the furthest neutral corner; counting stops if they fail to do so.
Resuming: If a fighter rises before 10 but before 8 is reached, the referee must count to 8 before letting them fight. If they rise and immediately fall without being struck, the count resumes.
Medical Regulations
Rules 20 & 21: Duties of the Ringside Physician
- • Performs medical checkups on all fighters before weigh-ins.
- • Remains at ringside throughout the event, until the final bout is concluded.
- • Performs post-fight physical examinations and determines medical rest periods.
Rules 22 & 23: Clearances & Knockouts
"Fighters must pass rigorous medical examinations, verifying they are in perfect health and free from any disqualifying diseases or injuries."
Knockout Protocol
If a fighter is unconscious, only the referee and doctor may enter the ring. The knocked-out fighter must receive immediate, comprehensive medical attention.
Standard Medical Rest Periods
Bout ended in 1 Rd
Bout ended in 3 Rds
Knockout (KO) Loss
Standard Rest Period
General Conduct
Rule 24: Drug Use & Doping
1. Doping, stimulants, or performance-enhancing drugs are strictly forbidden. Violators face disqualification.
2. Local hemostatic agents are restricted to Adrenaline 1:1000 and must be approved by ringside physicians.
Rule 25: Rules Interpretation
Any disputes regarding rule interpretation or situations not covered under this guide shall be decided solely by the World Muaythai Council.
Official Ethics & Conduct
- Zero tolerance for corrupt practices or bias.
- Refrain from statements that bring disrepute to the sport.
- No alcohol consumption within 24 hours of officiating.
Mandatory Referee Procedures
Must enforce the Wai Kru. Bouts cannot proceed without it.
Pre-fight instruction: "Fight hard, show sportsmanship, no fouls, and obey my commands strictly."
Must not leave the ring before both fighters have exited.
Raise the winner's hand facing the same direction as the fighter.