About Us
International Muay Chaiya Asociation (IMCA.)
The International Muay Chaiya Association was founded by Kridakorn Sodprasert, also known as Kru Lek, the chairman of the association, along with his students. The purpose of the association is to preserve and promote Muay Chaiya, a national heritage. It conducts activities to spread Muay Chaiya for public benefit. Additionally, the association promotes, supports, and develops the teaching and learning of Muay Chaiya, testing the abilities of both learners and teachers according to the association’s standards, to ensure accuracy according to the principles, practices, and traditions of Muay Chaiya as taught by PorTan Ma. This includes the Thai art and culture that are inextricably linked with Muay Chaiya. Muay Chaiya is open to people of all genders, ages, and nationalities, with members both in Thailand and abroad
The founder and chairman of the International Muay Chaiya Association
Kridakorn Sodprasert, also known as Kru Lek, has been interested in Thai arts, including Thai martial arts, since childhood. Born into a family of artists and craftsmen, he was always surrounded by art and began training in Muay Thai with his older brother, who was a student of Grandmaster Kimseng Thavesit. Later, during his high school years, he had the opportunity to regularly learn Muay Chaiya from Grandmaster Khet Sriyabhai until Kru Khet's passing. He then continued his training with Kru Thonglor Yalae, another important student of Grandmaster Khet,
until Kru Thonglor also passed away.
On November 4, 1996, Kridakorn opened "BaanChangThai" to teach Thai arts, including painting, drawing, Thai puppet making, and children's art. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (her title at the time) presided over the opening ceremony. Later, he began teaching Muay Chaiya, which attracted a lot of interest from people of all genders and ages, both Thai and international. He has continued teaching to preserve and promote Chaiya boxing up to the present.
To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the preservation and promotion of Muay Chaiya, Kridakorn registered the International Muay Chaiya Association, which was officially recognized on August 11, 2023, with Kridakorn serving as its chairman.
Visions
Preserve
Pass Down
Productive
Public Benefit