Personnel skill up in the art of eight limbs

A week-long Muay Thai workshop, run by senior instructors from the Royal Thai Army (RTA) at Gallipoli Barracks in early September, has proven to be a big hit with ADF personnel.

Dozens of ADF members took part in the martial arts activity as part of a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) organised through the ADF Combat Sports Association.

Four senior RTA instructors taught the fundamentals of Muay Thai, including striking, clinches, defensive techniques and counterattack, during hands-on group sessions and one-to-one training. 

By day two participants were engaging in energetic shadow boxing, partner drills, pad work and advanced fist/feet combinations.

Gnr Max Barford, from 1RAR, described the sessions as physically tough but highly informative and rewarding.

“It’s not really hard work when you’re enjoying it,” Gnr Barford said.

“It [Muay Thai] doesn’t just teach you how to defend yourself and others, it also gives you the self-confidence to avoid situations and de-escalate.” 

RTA Senior Instructor Col Mahaesak Chinmart said Muay Thai was the ideal martial art for soldiers owing to its origins in close-quarters fighting.

“Muay Thai originated on the battlefield. We used Muay Thai with weapons during times of war. It is the best standing technique for fighting,” Col Chinmart said.

“We call it the ‘art of eight limbs’. It means using fists, elbows, knees and feet to kick and push, and with different combinations. I think it is the perfect weapon for the battlefield, for the military.”

With 12 RAAF personnel and one member from the RAN joining the Army-led activity, it provided a great opportunity for team building across services.

Leut-Cmdr Sarah Kaese said seeing Muay Thai take-off within the ADF was fantastic.

“Everyone is coming together and playing to their strengths. They’re communicating at what level they’re at and we’re all on the same page,” she said.

Cmdr 7 Bde Brig Jennifer Harris said the military-to-military exchange was a great example of sports diplomacy in action.

“Having the Muay Thai kickboxing instructors over here from Thailand has been an absolute privilege,” Brig Harris said.

“The Army combative program is a key component of our warfighting foundation. We have been investing in this for a number of years; this has also driven a significant increase in the interest in all manner of martial arts across Army and Defence.” 

A high-ranking delegation from the Royal Thai Army that travelled to Queensland to support the SMEE included the Director General of the Civil Affairs Department, Lt-Gen Kittiwat Jaamjiraruks.

Lt-Gen Jaamjiraruks said, even as the technology around warfare advances at a rapid pace, including long-range strikes, there would always be a need for soldiers’ to be proficient in hand-to-hand combat.

“Those personal skills of soldiers in combat are still necessary," Lt-Gen Jaamjiraruks said. “The body is a weapon for self-defence, either when stopping an opponent or surviving a specific situation to complete the mission.”

He said the visit strengthened Australia-Thailand defence cooperation and mutual understanding, while also promoting people-to-people links through cultural exchange.

See video of the training session here.