Tim

Like most of the fundamental Muay Chaiya moves, Tim includes several important concepts, Speed: minimal movement, no over reaching Power: utilising body weight combined with timing speed and snap Defense: dropping the head, raising the elbow (as a parry) and the all important cover

Execution

Starting from the Tha Kru, shift your body weight forward, punch straight forward with the top (front) hand raising the elbow and bring up you back hand to cover the open side of your face. Your head should follow the line of your fist, and by raising you elbow, you shoulder lifts covering the jawline and most of the side of your face. The striking arm should only straighten about 60%, leaving the elbow sticking out to the side. The main reason for this is to avoid having your elbow popped when striked from the outside (Bat Nawk). By keeping the elbow bent, you keep the joint strong, and sharp! Unless you're following the move with another technique, return back to the Tha Kru.    

Where's the power?

The power in the technique comes from shifting the body weight forward in concert with the snap of the fist moving forward and the elbow raising. The body shift starts in your rear foot (the heel should already be raised in preperation) and pierces straight forward. Because the arm is never straightened, you lose some range. This can be a problem if you're fighting in the ring, used to using the jab to control your opponent. In real fighting  you don't take you time, you get inside your opponents guard to finish the fight as quickly as possible. With this in mind, Thim is a great counter attack, or stop hit, getting you inside the opponents guard where you can follow up with a range of finishing techniques. The raised elbow also works as an effective parry, that can be timed against the opponent's straight strike from the same side. This works because of the position of the arms in the Tha Kru because unless your opponent is half your size, chances are their straight strike will be following a line over the top guard arm. It's important to practice this parry with a partner, so that you get a feel for raising the elbow against the opponents strike.