Over the years, rules have been written along the guidelines of international boxing regulations. In recent years, Thai has become widely known in many countries. In 1995, the World Muay Thai Council was set up to promote this national heritage at national and international levels. Muay Thai is fought in 5 three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks in between. The fight is preceded by a wai khru dance in which each contestant pays homage to his teachers. Besides the symbolic meaning, the dance is a good warm-up exercise. You will notice that each boxer wears a headband and arm- bands. The headband, called mongkhol, is believed to bestow luck to the wearer because blessed by a monk or the boxer's own teacher. It will be re moved after the wai khru dance, and only by the boxer's trainer. The armbands, meanwhile, are believed to offer protection and are only removed when the fight has ended A match is decided by a knockout or by points. Three judges decide who carries the round and the one who wins the most rounds, wins the fight. The referee plays a very important role, since boxers' safety depends on his decision Muay Thai is certainly the most famous sport in the country. Television networks broadcast fights five days a week, and the fight results at major stadiums are reported in all major newspapers. Thus, the dream of young boxers is to fight at Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen Stadiums.