Travel Information
Bangkok Travel News
Hotels Location Tips
Mode of Transportation
History of Bangkok
Dining out in Bangkok

Tours in Bangkok
Landmark of Bangkok
Tour to Grand Palace 
Floating Market Tour
Ayuthaya River Cruise 
River Kwai Tour
& more Bangkok Tours

Thailand Destination
Hotels in Phuket 
Hotels in Koh Samui
Hotels in Krabi 
Hotels in Hua Hin 
Hotels in Pattaya
Trang Hotels 
Koh Lanta Hotel 
Phi Phi Island Hotel 
Thailand Hotels & Tours

Other Resources
Links | Resources

 

Bangkokians are avid sports followers, enjoying the excitement of many sports and games. Though sports in the West like snooker, soccer, golf, American football, volleyball, tennis and badminton are very popular, traditional sports, pastimes and games still play an important role in their lives. These include Thai boxing, takraw, kite flying and fighting, and cock, fish, and insect fighting. Since most Thais are inverterate gamblers, during many sporting events, there is usually as much activity on the sidelines as on the field. Wagers could be on a boxer, a cricket, or a kite.

THAI BOXING (MUAY THAI OR SIAMESE KICK BOXING)
It is not uncommon for foreign visitors to Bangkok to come across a group of Thais crowding around television sets at night watching the latest boxing match. Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, attracts the most attention of the Thai people.

Your visit to Bangkok will not be completed if you do not see at least one Thai boxing match. Although boxing matches are regularly televised, attending the live event is a thing not to be missed. Thai boxing is almost universally regarded as today's most exciting ring sport. It is considered by many to be the most violent martial art compared with Japanese Karate, Korean Taekwando, and Chinese Kang Fu.

A boxing stadium is normally a noisy crowded arena, full of spectators cheering and screaming supports for their favourites. Each fight starts with both corners performing a ritual, honoring and paying homage to their teachers (Ruam Muay Thai). A match consists of five rounds, each of which lasts three minutes with a two-minute break between rounds. The bout is normally accompanied by the music of a three-instrument orchestra (drums, cymbals and flute). The music rises and falls with the action taking place in the roped ring.

Apart from using their gloves, boxers are allowed to use their feet, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders, or any other parts of the body, except the head, to overcome their opponent. A winner is awarded for a knock-out or a points decision given by a panel of judges.

There are two boxing stadiums in the city: Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Thanon Ratchadamnoen Nok (near the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Office), and Lumphini Stadium on Thanon RamaIV (near Thanon Sathorn). Events take place at Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. However, interested visitors are advised to check in advance for information on venues, times and ticket prices.

TAKRAO
Walking around Bangkok, particularly in temple compounds, visitors will probably encounter a small group of young men, kicking a small loosely-woven rattan ball back and forth. They are playing Takrao which is one of the most popular Thai games. It is an ancient Thai sport which probably dates back to the early 17th century. The game represents an amazing demonstration of body co-ordination on the part of the players.

There are two types of takrao games. The first type features a six-member team, standing in a circle beneath a netted basket which stands about five meters above the ground. Players mainly use their legs, and sometimes their heads, to bounce the hollow, rattan ball into the net to score as many points as possible within a fixed time period, after which another team takes its turn. The second type features two three-man teams playing on opposite sides of a net. Players use their feet, knees, elbows and heads (not hands) to pass the rattan ball over the net from one side to the other keeping it off the ground.

Takrao tournaments are periodically held at Sanam Luang and at various sportsand around Bangkok.

KITE FLYING AND FIGHTING
Kite flying is another popular traditional Thai pastime. It was reportedly introduced during the Ayutthaya period to spur the rains.

Between February and May, particularly during most weekends, at Sanam Luang (next to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), visitors can witness many spectacular kite-fighting events. Kite flyers often hold kite-fighting contests with the aim of capturing the line of an enemy kite, using their own lines, to pull their opponent's kite across a line marked on the ground.

The most popular battle is between two types of kites which are used in a symbolic fight between the two opposite sexes. The star-shaped make kite Chula (about two metres tall) manoeuvres to catch the much smaller diamond-shaped female kite Pakpao to pull it down into his territory Pakpao seems to be at a great disadvantage because of her size, but, in fact, she has a slightly better chance of winning because of her agility!

FISH, COCK, AND CRICKET FIGHTING
Fish-fighting is a favourite 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 up-country to watch this gruesome sport.

Visitors may still occasionally find 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.

GOLF
Golf has become increasingly popular among well-to-do Thais and can be enjoyed year round. There are several golf bourses located in and around Bangkok, many of which compare with the best courses in the world.

TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE
Visitors to Thailand should include traditional Thai massage, also called "ancient massage" (Nuat Phaen Boran in Thai), on their things-to-do list. However, those having sensitive muscles may prefer to abstain. The massage helps release blocked channels of energy and alleviates jet lag experienced by newly arrived travellers.

Be aware that not every place advertising massage services offers a traditional Thai massage. Massages in Bangkok come in many variations, ranging from traditional massage to the "modern" or "physical" massages with lots of soap-suds and seductive body contact. They also range from joint-breaking pulls and pushes to gentle muscle kneading. According to Thai massage aficionados, blind masseurs give the best traditional massage.

Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, is most renowned for its traditional massage. A massage here costs 90 baht per half an hour or 150 Baht per hour. Visitors can also get similar services at the highly-praised Oriental Hotel but at a much higher price tag. Many hotels in Bangkok also offer legitimate massage services.

If time permits, visitors may also want to learn about traditional Thai massage at the Traditional Medical Practitioners Association Center (at Wat Pho) which offers a thirty-hour Thai massage course.

Bangkok Hotels - Discount Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Tours - Domestic Flights - Train in Thailand - Transfer Service - Contact Us - Sitemap