Silat and Muay Thai are two extremely powerful martial arts on planet Earth. They specialize in fighting techniques, and we’ll review what they teach exactly later in this article. Regardless, this article is going to dive straight into them and break them down, so you can sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy your reading.
In a real fight between Silat and Muay Thai, who’s going to come out victorious?
A Muay Thai fighter is more likely to win against the Silat fighter because the first is specifically geared toward fighting. As a result, Thai Boxing includes many spars and conditions its trainees to learn to get hit numerous times and not move a single inch. That’s why Muay Thai is more likely to win against Silat.
Let’s begin this article by going over their differences. Then, we’ll finish this article off with which of them you should learn.
We have a lot to cover. Without further ado, let’s dive into the article!
Table of Contents
- Silat vs. Muay Thai – Differences
- Which Is Better, Silat or Muay Thai?
- Should I Learn Silat or Muay Thai?
- Final Words
Silat vs. Muay Thai – Differences
This is the most important of the article, so I’ve decided to cover it first. I want you to understand something, whether you’re reading this article because you’re trying to decide which martial art you want to learn or if you’re simply reading because you’re interested, understanding how they differ is key to understanding these martial arts.
In the following parts of this article, we’re going to review which of them is going to win if a representative fighter from each martial art were to face each other. To understand my answer to that, you must understand how they differ.
Let’s dive straight into the first one!
Difference #1 – Origin
The first difference we’ll review is the origin of the martial art. Non-martial arts trainees will not understand why this is important to review. If you want to decide which style you’ll learn today, you want to examine what it looks like today.
That’s partially true, and let me explain why.
Where martial art originates from heavily influences what it’ll look like today. So, let’s take a popular martial art as an example; Kung fu. Because Kung fu originates in China, it looks like what it looks like today. China was a major part of the development of Kung fu throughout history.
If it were to originate from another place, it would not look the same. I’m referring to Chinese Kung fu, which is still a wide group of styles. But still, I simply gave an example.
Let’s see where Silat is from.
Silat
Silat originates in Indonesia. It includes a full-body fighting system, including striking, takedowns, grappling, and the use of many weapons. It’s a very creative martial art, at least more than the average fighting style.
The history of Pencak Silat is mesmerizing. It became a martial art in the 6th century when tribal groups observed animals and the way they defend themselves. After all the construction and development work on it, it became what it is today.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai, as the name suggests, originates in Thailand. Its history is one of the more intriguing stories you’ll hear. However, I don’t want to dive into too many details about the history, so I’ll try to keep it as concise as possible.
Muay Thai began when times were times of war, around the 13th century, and Thailand needed to teach its army to fight so they can defend the kingdom. They ended up developing Muay Thai, which commenced in the military and spread from there.
Today, many Thai people know Thai Boxing, and it’s also their national sport, which I find fascinating.
I want to make sure you remember what I said about the importance of the origin of the martial art you’ll be learning. Because it was developed for the military, it’s going to be extremely effective. It started as a self-defense art and it ended like that. Today, for that reason, it’s one of the most powerful and dynamic fighting styles on the globe.
To learn in which countries Muay Thai is most popular, follow this link.
Difference #2 – Fighting Techniques
The second difference is fighting techniques. As you can imagine, these two focus on different techniques. For instance, Muay Thai focuses almost entirely on striking, such as with kicking, punching, elbowing, and kneeing. On the other hand, Silat focuses on other fighting aspects, such as the one we’ll review right now!
Silat
Let’s begin with Silat. Silat’s philosophy (which we’ll review in the next difference) is that you want to learn to defend yourself through fighting. If you can’t defend yourself, you’ll be helpless in distinct situations.
Silat teaches various fighting techniques, including striking and grappling. Likewise, if we put the unarmed aspect on the side, it also teaches armed combat, which you’ll learn once you prove yourself in the unarmed art.
So it’ll take time for you to get into armed combat. However, you’ll be able to call yourself a solid fighter once you get there, as you’ll be familiar with various punching, kicking, and many grappling techniques.
Muay Thai
Next up, let’s review what Thai Boxing teaches.
Muay Thai, aka The Art of Eight Limbs, teaches you to use your 8 limbs to inflict as much damage as possible on your opponent. You’ll learn to knee, elbow, kick, and punch. You’ll also learn to use the clinch, which is when you and your opponent are in close range “hugging” each other. Finally, you’ll become familiar with various throws and sweep.s
Muay Thai is as effective as it is because it’ll condition you to have an iron body and head. You won’t care if you get hit and you’ll push forward while inflicting tons of damage onto your opponent.
All in all, it’s one of the best fighting styles you’ll learn, that’s guaranteed.
To learn about the best defensive moves that Muay Thai teaches, follow this link.
Difference #3 – Philosophy
The last difference we’ll review is philosophy. This is only a difference because they’re from different places. Both Silat and Muay Thai are spiritual and self-defense arts, making them fairly similar in that sense.
However, they still are different in the way they approach and look at fighting.
Silat
Silat is a spiritual martial art, so it can be fascinating to practice it if it’s your home religion. What I adore about this fighting style is its ability to be both spiritual and teach practical and effective self-defense.
Its philosophy is less about competition than it is about self-defense. Contrary to Muay Thai, where competitions are an integral part of the fighting tradition. So this can be quite the factor to consider if you’re wondering which style you should learn.
Muay Thai
Lastly, let’s talk about Muay Thai. Most of it today is about fighting. Typically, when you’ll see a Thai fighter get in the ring in a professional bout, you’ll see this traditional dance he’ll do. This dance is one of the most terrifying rituals I saw in the world of sports, as it gives the Thai fighter a platform to express himself before the fight.
Today, however, you won’t see as much spirituality as you’ll see fighting. While it’s definitely a traditional and spiritual martial art, Silat is more prominent in that matter.
Which Is Better, Silat or Muay Thai?
The following answer is my opinion only, as you can probably understand.
Muay Thai is a better martial art than Silat because it prepares you for real fights and the real world, which is the most important factor in whether a fighting style is good. It has more spars and conditions its trainees to be more competent and dynamic fighters. All in all, it’s more effective.
Should I Learn Silat or Muay Thai?
If you’re interested in learning a martial art that’s specifically geared to teaching you effective fighting while making you a fearsome opponent, Muay Thai is your choice. On the other hand, if you’re interested in learning a more traditional and spiritual martial art that’ll teach you self-defense and weapons, learn Silat.
If you’re interested in starting your Thai Boxing journey, here’s the equipment you’ll need to get to attend your first Muay Thai class.
Final Words
And that’s it for this article. I hope you understood the differences between Muay Thai and Silat and that you now know which of them you’re going to learn.
The entire purpose of Blinklift is to help more people start their martial arts journey. I know it can be difficult to take that initial step, but I want you to understand just how beneficial it really is.
Your life will change forever when you begin fighting, and that’s what it really is all about.
Here are other articles you’ll benefit from reading:
Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo – Which Is Better (Differences)
Muay Thai vs. Bokator – The Ultimate Showdown
Judo vs. Muay Thai – The Ultimate Showdown (Who Wins?)
Muay Thai vs. Kung Fu – Who Wins? (Differences & Advantages)
Krav Maga vs. Muay Thai (Who Really Wins) – Showdown!
