Kickboxing

Also known as muay thai, this traditional sport can be seen every day of the year at the major stadiums in Bangkok and in the provinces. Thai boxing matches are preceded by elaborate ceremonies and accompanied by lively music. Thailand has over 60,000 full-time boxers.

Although comparatively new in the west, kickboxing is an ancient martial art, which dates at least the early 15th century. Duels then were savage and fighters wrapped their fists in animal hide to inflict maximum damage on opponents and may fights were to the death.

Strict regulations similar to Queensberry Rules were introduced in the 1930s, with much of the equipment resembling that of standard boxing. However, unlike boxers, muay Thai fighters also use their feet, knees and elbows. This is why martial arts experts consider muay Thai to be the toughest and most demanding of all contact sports.

Contenders begin each match with a ritual dance to honor their trainers and the spirit of muay Thai. Then the whole competition is accompanied by the constant sound of woodwind music. The crowd roars as the fighters unleash crushing knee and elbow strikes and the atmosphere during championship bouts reaches fever pitch.

Most major towns have stadiums, but the most venerated are Bangkok’s Rajadamnoen Stadium on Rajadmnoen Nok Road and Lumphini Stadium on Rama IV Road. Although afternoon bouts are staged for tourists, the evening bouts are real. Most muay Thai contests which you can see in restaurants and bars are comparably laughable and not recommended.

Learning Muay Thai

Foreigners may enrol at a traditional muay training camp, some of which specialise in training westerners. There is a strong spiritual and ritualistic dimension to muay Thai adding grace to an otherwise brutal sport.

These schools include the Pramote Gym, Bangkok (02-215 8848), Lanna Boxing Camp, Chiang Mai (053-273 133) or Patong Boxing Club, Phuket (01-978 9352).