Thai Chic                                                     GayguideinThailand

Sports
 

Spectator Sports

Muay Thai ( Thai Boxing )

Thai boxing or Muay Thai is very popular in Bangkok with most major bouts held at ether the Lumphini or Ratchadamnoen Stadium. Thai brutal but graceful martial art has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. Past Kings are reported to have been champion fighters and one, King Naresuan, introduced the sport as part of military training in the 16th century. Due to the high incidence of death during combat, the sport was banned in the 1920s but reintroduced soon after under more safety conscious Queensbury rules. Bouts consist of three five-minute rounds during which the fighters use every part of the body (except the head) to bludgeon the opponent into defeat. Before the bout begins, a ritual dance named ram muay is performed by both fighter to placate the spirits and show respect to the art and its teachers. Bouts are extremely boisterous and noisy affairs an should be witnessed for the spectacle alone. Be warned though, this isn't the WWF an the blows are hard hitting and real.

Takraw (Kickball)

Go to the Lumphini Park on any given Sunday and watch sweaty Thais combine the skills of volleyball, football and gymnastics. As many as two dozen men pair off to leap and dive through the air with one objective in mind: without using their hands, keep a rattan ball from hitting the ground on their net side. The diverse mix of player - tuk tuk drivers, security guards and student - says much  about the widespread Thai love of takraw, the most beautiful Asian game. Played since the 11th century, it has spread throughout the region, but nowhere is it played with as much relish as here, where it fills stadiums. The sport's killer move, the somersault scissor kick, can send the ball hurtling back over the net at amazing speeds. Watch in awe.

Thai Boxing Venues

Lumphini Boxing Stadium
Rama IV Rd., next to Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Tel 02 2514303, 02 2528765
Fights  Tue & Fri from 6pm-10pm
Sat  5pm-8pm, 8.30 pm-midnight

Ratchadamnoen Stadium
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Tel 02 2814205, 02 2801684
Fights Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun from 6.30pm-10pm

Aerobics

It might be hard to imagine, but every day, busy Bangkokians find the time for some energising aerobics - out in the open. Heading to any park in the city around 5 pm-6 pm, and you will be able to spot large groups of office workers, kids and the elderly following the instructions of an enthusiastic coach to blaring disco dance songs. The best places for the free classes are the centrally located Lumphini Park and the smaller Benjasinri Park (next to the Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd. BTS Phrom Pong). Others, a bit off the beaten path, include Romnaninat Park (Siriphong Rd, near Giant Swing). Saranrom Park ( Thaiwang Rd.) Near the Grand Palace and Chatuchak Park. Never mind the possibility of fainting - simply join in !

Active Sports

Yoga
Yoga Elements

Home / Gay Guide / Service / City / Traveller's review / Hotel / All About Thai / Learn Thai / Thai Chic
Gay Chic / News / Books Corner / Gallery / Links / E-mail / Contact / Site Map

e-mail : guide@gayguideinthailand.com
Hot line :  +66 86 7732696 

Copyright © 2006 GayguideinThailand.com   All rights served.