02/27/2024
In traditional Muay Thai there is no belt ranking system as there is in many other martial arts. You improve by training long hours and fighting often, showcasing your skills in the ring and winning. In Western countries, fighting let alone fighting often is not realistic for many students who train Muay Thai for recreational sport and adults who maintain full time careers. To accommodate this and the modern expectation of a belt ranking system, many Muay Thai gyms have developed their own ranking systems. Here at Naruepon Muay Thai we have opted for a ranking system that utilizes Muay Thai arm bands, or Pra Jiad (ผ้าปะเจียด), with different colors and stripes similar to that used in the BJJ belt rankings as many of our students practice both disciplines. Pra Jiad are often worn by fighters during a match as a good luck talisman for the fighter. As part of teaching respect in Muay Thai we teach our students to respect their arm band as a way to honor their teacher and to mark their training.
