The traditional roots of MUAYTHAI date back thousands of years to a time when Thai people used their fighting art to forge an independent country.
During this time, a manual of warfare named the Chupasart was written which marked out the martial uses of each part of the body. The underlying philosophy of this manual is that fighting is more than weapon use but must involve the self and be a full commitment from mind and body.

People from all walks of life were involved with the sport from Kings to the poorest commoners. Boxers today still talk of King Naresuan, or King Prachao Sua and Thai children all know the legend of Nai Khanom Tom in his battles with the Burmese. The latter best illustrates the favorable elements in MUAYTHAI - the indomitable will to win for an honor other than the boxers own and the willingness to face any odds. This can be summarized as 'nothing can stand against you except yourself'.

Until the early 1930s, MUAYTHAI was very different to that of today - no timekeepers, rounds, or gloves. Then, for a variety of reasons, rules were established to make it an international sport. Five round contests were introduced along with eight divisions based on international boxing. Queensbury rules boxing gloves replaced the ropes binding on the hands.

Since then, MUAYTHAI swept the world like a wild fire, developed into the premier ring sport - a fighting art with no equal in terms of unarmed combat and spectator appeal. Development of the amateur side of the sport has also grown.

In the late 80's, the Thai government saw the need to have one regulatory body holding bouts around the world and dealing with the regulations, and safety measurements. The father of Amateur MUAYTHAI, the late Mr. Bunjuen, was instrumental in setting up the AMAT to run the sport in Thailand. The FAMA (Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia) and IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Amateur) were then established with the objectives of promoting MUAYTHAI as a cultural art form, self-defense, and ring sport as well as to have Amateur MUAYTHAI included into SEA, Asian and Olympic games.

General Mana Rattanakoset was appointed the first AMAT President; he then chaired a meeting where associations from countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, officially joined together to form the Federation of MUAYTHAI Amateur (FAMA). Mr. Bunjuen was voted as the President.

The first International Asian Championship was staged in 1988 organized by the FAMA under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Thailand. The great success of this Asian event proved that there was also a need for a more international body.

An international meeting soon followed in 1989 in Thailand with about 20 Amateur Federations in attendance. They discussed and issued the first constitution, rules, and regulations to establish the IFMA.

In 1990, the IFMA was officially established during its first World Meeting. This was followed by many exciting Amateur MUAYTHAI events including the Prince's Cup 1991, 1992, and 1994.

On December 5, 1994, His Majesty the King of Thailand graciously permitted the First King's Cup World Championship to be arranged under the IFMA banner.

In 1995 the World saw another historic day with the inauguration of the World Professional Body under the directive of the Thai government, the body known as the World MUAYTHAI Council. Both the amateur and professional world bodies have always worked closely together for the betterment of the sport. Many talented boxers have first been seen at amateur championships with their skills being nurtured until they are ready for the professional scene.

On the amateur scene, the IFMA and FAMA continued to work together for example when they jointly acted as the sanctioned body during the SEA games in 1995.
In 1996, the first Queen's Cup Championship arranged by FAMA and IFMA was staged.

Following on from the great success of the King's Cup World Championship in 1998, the Privy Councilor to His Majesty the King, General Pichitr Kullavanijaya took the position as Honorary IFMA President.

During that time, General Vorayudh Mesommonta, General Secretary of the WMC was voted as the President of the IFMA and the AMAT, and Mr. Bunjuen was selected as the President of the FAMA.

1998 saw some very exciting events as with the full support from the professional body WMC, MUAYTHAI was selected as a Demonstration Sport in the Asian Games. This was under the IFMA umbrella and made clear that the Olympic Committee of Asia accepted IFMA and FAMA as the controlling body for MUAYTHAI. Sadly for us all, Mr Bunjuen passed away 3 hours after the opening ceremony.

In 1999, Thailand celebrated the 6th Birthday Cycle of His Majesty, the King of Thailand. In conjunction with this, IFMA arranged the World Championship.

The MUAYTHAI against Drugs Campaign was officially established in 2001. Many events were arranged under the campaign by the WMC, IFMA, and FAMA.

Events were held annually by IFMA with another highlight being the World Cup 2002 held in honour of the 4th birthday cycle of His Majesty the Crown Prince of Thailand. 50 countries were carefully selected to participate, one for each year of his life. This first World Cup was honoured by the presence of Her Royal Highness who greatly enjoyed the fabulous action she saw in the ring.

2003 was the first time that the world championship was held outside of Thailand – in Kazakhstan, His Excellency General Pichitr Kullavanijaya, traveled to Kazakhstan to host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as to represent Thailand. This was an incredible championship showing the depth of amateur MUAYTHAI talent around the world.

This year also saw the sad passing of the IFMA President, General Vorayudh. Dr. Sakchye Tapsuwan, the former Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, was elected by the World Committee as the new President.

Today, the main IFMA objective is to bring all national federations together to work for the sport and the athletes. However, this is not an easy task and there have been many pitfalls on the way. Efforts to unite with another sanctioning body have failed twice and have now been abandoned in favor of consolidation of its own members.

Another first was taken by IFMA in 2004, when Amateur MUAYTHAI was included into the 1st Asian Indoor Games.

Last June the IFMA World Meeting was attended by 78 representative executive board members as well as General Pichitr Kullavanijaya, General Chetta Thanajaro, Dr. Santiparb Tejavanija, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand.

This was followed by the World Championships on November 5-12 2004. 69 countries participated, making this the biggest Amateur World Championships ever held. Fighters from all over competed, in male, female and juniors divisions.

In 2004 the General Assembly of International Sports Federation (GAISF) recognized the IFMA as a true international body following international sports law and structure. IFMA will now apply for full membership at the next world congress in 2006.

2006 will also see the next IFMA World Championship with 78 countries already confirmed. We hope to reach 100 this time.

As in any sport, there should be only one recognized body. The IFMA has held 9 Prince's Cups Championships, 5 Asian Cups Championships, 3 King's Cups World Championships, and 4 World Cups. Additionally, many continental championships have been held in North America, Australia, Europe and Africa; under the IFMA, FAMA and all other continental banner.

FMA started as a small federation with a couple of enthusiastic countries more then a decade ago and now in 2005 has 110 member countries. The enthusiasm and commitment of the members – boxers and officials are the greatest assets that IFMA brings to the ancient sport of MUAYTHAI.

(article from IFMA http://www.ifmamuaythai.org/history.html)