Muay Thai or Muaythai (Which Is Correct?)

Both Muay Thai and Muaythai refer to the same sport. “Muay Thai” (two words) is the traditional spelling, while “Muaythai” (one word) is the official version used by International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) for international and Olympic recognition.

• Muay Thai (two words) → traditional spelling, used worldwide
• Muaythai (one word) → official spelling used by International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA)

The one word spelling was adopted to align with SportAccord requirements, which stated that sport names should not include a country reference. When IFMA joined SportAccord in 2006, they formally changed the name from Muay Thai to “Muaythai.”

Muay Thai (มวยไทย) translates to:

• Muay (มวย) - boxing
• Thai (ไทย) - Thai

Meaning: “Thai boxing.”

This is why the two word version is still the most commonly used spelling globally.

“Muaythai” is not just branding, it was standardised by IFMA as part of its push for Olympic recognition.

When IFMA joined SportAccord in 2006, there was a requirement that sport names should not directly reference a country. As “Thai” refers to Thailand, the name was adjusted to "Muaythai" (one word) to allowed the sport to move closer toward Olympic recognition and international standardisation.

Yes - but only in specific contexts.

• Official bodies (IFMA, federations) → use Muaythai
• Olympic / international sport context → use Muaythai
• Everyday use → still Muay Thai

So both are correct - they are just used differently.

Different organisations use different spellings, depending on context:

• International Federation of Muaythai Associations → uses Muaythai
• World Muaythai Council → uses Muaythai
• World Muay Thai Organization → uses Muay Thai
• World Boxing Council Muay Thai → uses Muay Thai
• Rajadamnern Stadium → uses Muay Thai
• ONE Championship → uses Muay Thai

There is no single global standard used by everyone.

• IFMA + WMC → prefer Muaythai
• Most promotions, stadiums, and media → use Muay Thai

This is why both spellings still exist today.

• Muay Thai → general use, writing, media
• Muaythai → official, federations, Olympic context, branding

In Thailand, the sport is written as มวยไทย, which translates directly to Muay Thai (two words). So in everyday use, even in Thailand, “Muay Thai” is still the natural and traditional form.