Golf, soccer, boxing, badminton, tennis,
bowling and snooker figure prominently among international
sports enjoyed by Thais. Indigenous games and sports include
world-famous Thai boxing, takrao, kite frying and fighting
and boat racing. Thai sports and International sports visitors
are likely to enjoy include:
THAI BOXING
Thai boxing was developed as a form of self - defense during
the Ayutthaya period ( 135-1767). Boxers are forbidden to
wrestle or bite.
 Thai
boxing (Muay Thai) is everything combined into one, as it
is a sport, a form of martial skill, a king of science, and
undeniably an art form. It has been handed down through generations
for over 2,000 years. It has even spread its root to ancient
China, which eagerly adapted it to their own style and culture.
It is a science, which could be practiced by the general people.
It could introduce them to the world of courage and will to
fight. Thai boxing has seen its ups and downs. Some time it
was considered a valuable cultural heritage, some time it
was in decline depending on the patronage of the Thai rules
at a particular time. In the old time Thai boxers or those
skilful in Thai boxing would often be granted a title of noble
man. They would be under Tanai Like and directly answerable
to the Defense Ministry. They would serve as the king's bodyguards.
Thai boxing, the precious cultural heritage of the Thais,
has spread its wings to faraway lands. It has been adapted
and became the source of innumerable martial arts.
Thai boxing is an art of fighting with bare hands. In the old time, even the use of the head was permitted in addition to hands, feet, kness and elbows. Thai boxing started to receive serious attention as a competition sport during the reign of King Rama VI. In B.E. 2464 (i.e. 1921 A. D.), the
King commanded Praya Nontisen Surentara Pakdi, chief general of the scouts to build a boxing stadium in Suan Kulab College so as to organize the classic Thai boxing competition every Saturday. The boxers fought with hands wrapped in strings. The admission fee ranged from 50 Satangs to 1 Baht (at that time 25 Satangs could buy 8 rice dishes and 1 dessert). The fight with fists wrapped in strings lasted 11 rounds of 3 minutes each. There was one referee only, and no score judges. When the referee wanted the boxers to come apart, he would blow the whistle very loud. Only the first competition was staged on the lawn of Suan Kulab College, after that the proper ring made of wood was erected. Later on, the boxers were required to use gloves in accordance with the international practice. The boxing ring also complied with the international standard. Rules were used to control the fight; they replaced the sporting spirit and untempered raw courage of the real man.
Thai boxers in the past were skilful in the art of Thai boxing as it was the art, which every man worth his salt had to learn. Everyone was too proud to take undue advantage over the opponent. They competed because their pride was at stake. They fought for a clean victory that could not be doubted by anyone. The instruction of the basic movement and master tricks of Thai boxing will differ from one boxing camp to another or from master to another. By looking at the Wai Kruu dance, one could detect the regional origin of the performing boxer's style.
However, they may kick, shove and push and unreservedly use bare feet, legs, elbows and shoulders, besides fists, to batter each other into submission. Thai boxing is featured throughout the week at Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Stadium (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday) and Lumphini Stadium (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday).
International Muay Thai
In Thailand an English-language periodical called Muay Thai
world appears annually in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket bookshops
that sell English-language material. It includes features
on muay thai events abroad as well as in Thailand, and contains
current rankings for Bangkok's Luphini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums.
The World Muay Thai Council (WMTC), a newly recognized organization
Sanctioned by Thailand's Sports Authority and headquartered
at the Thai Army Officers Club in Bangkok, has begun organizing
international muay thai bouts in Bangkok stadiums and elsewhere.
The WMTC tracks training facilities as well as ranked fighters.
So for the largest number of WMTC- affiliated muay thai facilities
is found in the USA, followed by Australia, the Netherlands,
Canada, Japan and France. Dutch fighter Ivan Hippolyte took
the middle - weight WMTC championship in November 1995 at
Lumphini Stadium, reportedly the first foreigner ever to win
a Lumphini fights. International perticipation portends a
new era for Thai boxing; some observers think it will upgrade
the martial art by reconcentrating the focus on fight technique
rather than ringside betting.
TAKRAO
This sport is traditionally played by a loosely formed circle of men who use feet, knees, thighs, chests and shoulders to acrobatically pass a woven rattan ball to each other, endeavoring to keep it airborne, and eventually. Kick it into a basket suspended above their heads.
KRABI - KRABONG
Another traditional Thai martial art still practiced in Thailand is krabii-krabong. This tradition focuses on hand-held weapons techniques, specifically the krabii (sword), plong (quarter-staff), ngao (halberd), daap sawng meu (a pair of swords held in each hand) and mai sun-sawk (a pair of clubs). Although for most Thais krabi - krabong is a ritual arterfact to be displayed during festivals or at tourist venues, the art is still solemnly taught according to a 400-year-old tradition handed down from Ayuthaya's Wat Phutthaisawan. The king's elite bodyguard are trained in krabi - krabong; many Thai cultural observers perceive it as a "purer" tradition than muay thai.
Like muay thai of 70 years ago, modern krabi - krabong matches are held within a marked circle, beginning with a wai khruu ceremony and accompanied throughout by a musical ensemble. Thai boxing techniques and judo - like throws are employed in conjunction with weapons techniques. Although sharpened weapons are used, the contestants refrain from striking their opponents - the winner is decided on the basis of stamina and the technical skill displayed. Although an injured fighter may surrender. Injuries do not automatically stop a match.
For information on muay thai and krabi - krabong training courses in Thailand, see Martial Arts Training in the Courses section of this chapter.
KITE FLYING AND FIGHTING
During the hot season months, particularly March and April,
opposing teams fly male Chula and female Pakpao kites in a
surrogate battle of the sexes. The small, agile Pakpao kite
tries to fell the more cumbersome Chula, while the male kite
tries to ensnare the female kite and drag it back into male
territory.
BOAT RACES
Regattas are featured as part of country fairs in many parts
of Thailand to celebrate the end of the annual Rains Retreat.
The long, narrow, low-slung wooden boats are decorated with
flags and flowers, manned by oarsmen and raced with great
excitement. The most noteworthy boat races are at Nan, Phichit,
Nakhon Phanom, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani near
Bangkok.
FISH, COCK AND CRICKET FIGHTING
Fish-fighting is a favourtite traditional pastime in Bangkok.
Fish, known as Pla Kat instinctively fight one another whenever
they meet. Watching fish-fighting can be very exciting. Two
Brightly-coloured male fish are put into a big bottle or a
jar in which they  attack
one another. The battle ends when one fish swims away or dies.
However, since this sport is illegal, the event is usually
confined to small, private groups. Another popular gambling
sport is cock-fighting but it is also outlawed in Bangkok.
Since only a few people know where the action is taking place,
visitors who are interested will have to travel upcountry
to watch this gruesome sport. Visitors may still occasionally
fine cricket-fighting in some areas of Bangkok. It is a game
for children. Two crickets are placed into a box and the children
tickle the insects' heads with straws, stimulating them to
fight one another. During the battle, the crickets often produce
sounds by rubbing their wings together. The fight is usually
short with one running away or being devoured by the other.
DEEP-SEA GAME FISHING
Bang Sare Fishing Club, just south of Pattaya, is the principal centre for fishermen seeking marlin, king mackerel, tuna, sharks and other varieties of the Gulf of Thailand. Major fishing centres on the Indian Ocean coast include Ranong and Phuket.
GOLF
 Thailand's
mild weather means that golfers can enjoy the sport all
year round at a wide variety of challenging courses. There
are more than 200 golf courses in Thailand, many of which
are located in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Hua Hin, Chon buri,
Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Of these, many are championship
courses designed by such golf greats as Greg Norman and
others.
HORSE RACING
Weekend races, each averaging 10 races, can be seen at Bangkok's
Royal Turf Club and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
MOTER SPORTS
The 2.4 kilometre Bira International Pattaya Circuit
regularly features local and international motor and motor-cycle
racing.
SAILING
Hobie Cats, Lasers and Prindles are available in Hua Hin
and Phuket, Each year in December, the King's Cup Regatta
is held. Sailing enthusiasts and serious competitors from
around the world converge in Phuket for a week of nautical
fun and excitement.
SCUBA DIVING/SNORKELING
Thailand offers some of southeast Asia's finest diving opportunities.
Divers can choose from the Gulf waters around pattaya, Sattahip,
Rayong's Ko Samet, Trat,s Ko chang marine National Park,
Chumphon and Surat Thani's sparking archipelago where the
beautiful Ko Samui and Angthong Marine National Park are
located. In the Andaman Sea on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline
divers can explore around Surin, Similan, Phuket and Phi
Phi Islands as well as the Tarutao Marine National Park
near the Thai-Malaysian maritime border. Professional dive
shops in Pattaya, Phuket, Samui and elsewhere offer courses
for novice divers. Snorkeling opportunities abound throughout
Thai waters.
TENNIS/BADMINTON/SQUASH
Numerous courts are found in leading Bangkok hotels as well
as at resort hotels outside the capital. A list of courts
where visitors are welcome can be found in Bangkok's English-Language
Yellow Pages.
WINDSUFFING
Pattaya's Jomthien Beach is the major centre for this popular
sport. Other popular areas include Cha-am, Hua Hin, Ko Samui
and Phuket's Patong Beach.
Sports Information from Tourism Authority of Thailand |
