Muay Thai (boxing)

The equivalent in Thailand to watching a baseball game in the States is attending a Muay Thai boxing night. Muay Thai is the national pastime of Thailand. There is a relatively famous Muay Thai boxing gym on Koh Lanta with fighting every Friday night.

First thing we did When we arrived at the stadium was eat from the food stalls outside. I had yummy boiled corn on the cobb and some meat that is served on a stick. It was a near cousin to chicken satay! All that washed down with a Singha (Thai beer) for $1.

As we walked into the stadium we were escorted to what we called the "farang pen". This was a ringside section with all white people. It was pretty funny. All the Thais gathered around the pen to watch the matches and looked/smiled at us when they caught our eye. It was being in a zoo.

Each match begins with ceremony. Each fighter begins in their corner with their head resting on the cushion in prayer. They then walk to each of the other posts holding the top rope and resting in prayer at each corner. They then do small dances in prayer around the ring. Finally they get checked by the official for their equipment (a.k.a cup). The fighting then begins. They have gloves on but no other protection. Everything is legal. I am still not sure exactly how they score but I do know the higher the kick the more points. The most points is an uninterrupted kick to the opponents head. These guys are crazy. Strong, agile, lean, quick, powerful. The fighters go 5 rounds with the winner winning unceremoniously in a brief hand raising by the judge. The fighters hug and leave the ring. For how nasty the fighting is the fighters are quite peaceful and non boastful. A nice change from sports in the west.