By definition, Silat is a martial arts of Nusantara - the Malay world that existed even before the 1st century. Today, Nusantara consists of West Malaysia (Malay Peninsula), Singapore, Borneo, Indonesian Islands, Southern Thailand, east Vietnam and southern Philippines.
In Malaysia, Tomoi is Muay Thai and martial arts is know as Seni beladiri or Seni Silat. Hence we call it Tomoi, Silat Tomoi which means martial arts of Tomoi. However Silat Tomoi is not Muay Thai. Silat Tomoi is a silat style from the 1st century Kedah Empire. This ancient Empire was the border where modern Malaysia and Thailand are today.
Muay Thai historians state that there are three sources of modern Muay Thai that is from the north of Siam, the east of Siam and the south of Siam which is at the border of the Kedah Empire. These sources are known as Muay Boran or ancient Muay. In the history of southeast Asia, the downfall of the Kedah Empire gave Srivijaya of Sumatera the chance to rise and gain control of the spice route and became a centre of religion in the region. Srivijaya controlled the business route in the beginning of the 7th century. It had three capital cities, one in Palembang Sumatera, one Java and another in Chaiya city of the ancient Kedah Empire.
Muay Chaiya is a famous Muay Boran from Chaiya a city of the ancient Kedah Empire. In the Malay language, Chaiya means "light". The influence of Silat is eviden in the footwork as well as their hand motion which resembles bunga or kembangan - flowery hand moves. Even costumes worn by modern Muay Chaiya and Muay Boran practioners resemble traditional silat costumes. Books written by the Thai about Muay Thai will highlight the 18 secrets of ancient Muay know as Mae Mai. These Mae Mai consist of secret fighting techniques based on human, animal, plant, nature and demigod actions.
Two of the 18 secrets techniques show influence of the Silat world. The first in Thai is "Java Sad Hok" which means a Javanese man launching his spear". A Javanese man is from Java, the Madjapahit Kingdon. The second " Inao Thaing Kris" which means Inao stabbing with his Keris a Silat weapon. Inao was the prince of Sailendra, an acnient Javanese kingdom during Srivijaya.
Silat Tomoi is also refered to as Silat from Pattani which is the southern Thai region that was occupied by the Malays till this day. In Thailand, it it categorised as Muay Boran and in Malaysia Silat Tomoi.
So how old is the art ? Martial arts have existed to help man to fight for survival. Based on the 2 secrets of Mae Mai we can see the influence of silat. We know Muay Chaiya which translates to the art of fighting of Chaiya which was the capital city of the Srivijaya Empire of the 7th century. Therefore Silat Tomoi has infuenced antient muay or muay boran even before the 7th century. Boran later evolved to Muay Thai. Muay Thai is not Muay Boran but a modern combative sport with rules while boran was for the battlefield.
JO: Muay Boran is a kind of Silat to me because of the resembelance of footwork and hand movements. Silat is the oldest martial arts which has existed since the ancient Sunda plate.
Silat Tomoi is a complete Silat system created for the battlefield. It is reality based. All Tomoi techniques are to win fights and go home early. A Tomoi warrior uses the whole body as a weapon. We fight airborne, standing, on the knees and on the ground too. We strike and grapple in all fighting range. On top of all these, we have projectile, long range, mid and close range weapons too.