It can be traced back to the 15th century[2] when it was used for military combat during the Lan Xang dynasty.

[3] [4] Muay Lao was an event at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane.

[5] The martial art is related to other forms of martial arts found in other parts of the Angkor cultural sphere including Pradal Serey in Cambodia and Muay Thai in Thailand.

[8] Three Lao boxers reached the gold medal match for boxing at the 32nd SEA Games in 2023.

People referred to this martial art in ancient times as "tiger tail boxing".