Lai Thai scrollworkMuay Thai cut9 colourwaysXS to 4XL
In short: The gold scrollwork on this short is not generic ornament: the decorative style, called lai Thai, appears on temples as well as on fight kit. Available in 9 colourways. 8 sizes, XS to 4XL. €39.
The patterns on a Thai short come from temple carving
The gold volutes on this short belong to the traditional Thai decorative repertoire, lai Thai: curved lines coiling into stylised flames, a motif carved on temple gables and painted on their walls.
Its move onto fight kit follows from what the short is in Thailand — not sportswear but a garment worn in front of a crowd, in a discipline that opens every bout with a ritual dance to the teacher. Decorating it draws on the same visual language as decorating a temple.
What the shorts look like
Nine grounds: azure blue, red, green, yellow, purple, white, black, light blue and pink. On the right leg, broad gold scrollwork in stylised flames, outlined in white. On the left leg, gold Thai lettering in the same treatment.
The wide elastic waistband takes the ground colour. Satin finish.
Nine colourways, one ornament: how to choose
The gold scrollwork is identical from one colourway to the next; what changes is the contrast. On a dark ground — black, purple, azure — the gold carries on its own. On a light ground — white, yellow, pink — it is the white outline of the motif that takes over and draws the shape.
If you are undecided, start from the colour of your gloves: the short follows, and the ornament works either way. For a short with no printed ornament and a visible cut instead, see the panelled Muay Thai short.
Technical specifications
Worth knowing: nine grounds on one ornament is the widest choice in the decorated Thai range. The white outline is what makes the motif work on the light colourways as well as the dark ones.
Getting the size right
Nine colourways, one size grid: the fit does not change from one colour to the next. Beyond that, the point that causes most ordering errors: Thai-made shorts run small and most guides tell you to size up. Not here. This is a European cut — take your usual size. Eight sizes, XS to 4XL, where most of the market stops at XXL. In a groin guard, go one size up.
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Frequently asked questions
What do the gold patterns on Muay Thai shorts mean?
They belong to lai Thai, the traditional Thai decorative repertoire — stylised flame volutes found carved on temple gables. Their presence on fight kit follows from the short being worn in front of a crowd in a discipline that opens with a ritual dance.
What size Muay Thai shorts should I get?
Take your usual size. These are cut to European sizing, so the standard advice to order one size up — which applies to Thai-made shorts — does not apply here. Eight sizes run XS to 4XL. If you train in a groin guard, go one size up.
What colours does this come in?
Nine: azure blue, red, green, yellow, purple, white, black, light blue and pink, all with the same gold scrollwork and Thai lettering.
Can you wear Muay Thai shorts for boxing?
Yes. The short leg and high split take nothing away from footwork, and plenty of boxers train in them. The one difference is the low-blow line: boxing shorts mark it with a waistband above the navel, Thai shorts do not.
Do these come in big and tall sizes?
Yes, up to 4XL. Most of the market stops at XXL on a pair of Thai shorts.
How do you wash Muay Thai shorts?
Machine wash inside out at 30 °C / 86 °F, no tumble dryer, and never put an iron directly on the design. Skip the fabric softener: it coats the weave and slows how fast sweat moves through it.
