The WMC represent the international face of MuayThai and don't run MuayThai in Thailand. However, one of the authors of the new rule, Radom Na Bangchang, is head referee for the WMC as well as being a main player in writing the Boxing Board of Sport rules.

I personally like clinching and see it as highly skilled and a valuable contribution to the sport. However, some people in Thailand have argued the use of some types clinching tactics have resulted in a deterioration in traditional MuayThai skills. Major rules changes in the past have resulted in a change in the skills being practised and applied in fights. Many traditionalists feel boxers today are less skilled than their predecessors. My personal opinion is they are equally if not more skilled, but that those skills are different skills. Generally although rule changes have changed the sport to a degree, they have not compromised the spirit or essence of MuayThai.

The level to which this rule impacts on the style of boxing used, will be determined by its interpretation and application by referees. If it proves successful in achieving its objective and also proves popular with gamblers in Thailand, it is likely to adopted more widely.