Thailand's+Sport

 There are many sports that are played in Thailand. Three traditional sports are; Muay Thai boxing, Kraabi Krabong, Kaeng Ruer and Sepak Takraw. There are many other modern day sports that they play there, such as Volley ball and Football.

Mu ay Thai boxing, also known as Thai boxing, is probably the most popular sport that has an audience in Thailand. It is an ancient way of fighting that has been handed down from generation to generation. The fights are commonly fierce and furious. The way they fight is unique; they can use elbows, knees, bare feet and gloved fists. A contest is often decided by techniques rather than brute force.

Kraabi Krabong, also known as the traditional Thai martial arts, this focuses on hand held weapon techniques in conjunction with Thai boxing techniques. This also once formed part of the medieval training. Before the fight begins the contestants perform a ‘Wai Khru’ rite with musical accompaniment.

Kaeng Ruer, also known as boat racing, is dated from the Aytthaya period. These races are often held just before the rainy season months of October and November. Boats are made of hard wood such as Takhian. Coloured cloth tied to the boat prow honours the guardian spirit. Each team consists of 8 to 10 oarsmen and a heimsman.



hon Wua or Bull fighting is a popular sport in southern Thailand and is believed to have been introduced to Thai by Portuguese traders during the Ayutthaya period. Contests are usually staged during festivals or on the first Saturday of every month. Before the fight, the bulls are sometimes displayed with their horns covered, to audience as they decided which bull to place a bet on. The match reaches its conclusion when the weaker bull retreats. The locking of the horns as the bulls clash never ceases to enthral spectators.

Sepak Takraw is a sport that is indigenous to Thailand; it is a variant of volleyball played with the feet and a light rattan ball. There are several different versions of the game with different rules. In southern Thailand the game is played with a net and only head and feet are allowed to touch the ball. The players often perform aerial pirouettes, spiking the ball over the net with their feet.

Takraw is a favourite pastime and sport in Thailand which is a variant of Krabi Krabong. The main purposes of the game is to keep a rattan ball in the air using only their feet, knees, elbows and head or any part of the body except for the hands. Formal versions of the game are played similarly to volleyball with a net between the two teams and more casual games are played in a circle as the ball is passed around.

Some of the most common sports that are played today, in Thailand are Muay Thai boxing, kraabi krabong, sepak takraw, volley ball and football. Muay Thai boxing is probably the most popular type of sport played in Thailand. There is wild musical accompaniment and a ceremonial beginning to each match, and of course exciting martial arts action. This all happens both in the ring and the stands. Kraabi Krabong is a traditional sport not very common, but still practiced by some people. It is a Thai martial art which focuses on hand-held weapons techniques also related to the Thai boxing techniques. Another indigenous sport of Thailand is called Sepak Takraw. It is a variation of volleyball which is played with the feet and a light rattan ball. There are a few versions of the game, each with different rules. Only the feet and head is allowed to touch the ball, which makes the game quite hard to play.