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Thai Boxing
Thai Boxing Started in 1650 when
King Naresuen of Siam was
captured by the burmese, he was offered freedom if he could
defeat Burmese champions. He successfully defeated 12 of the
finest Burmese boxers and became a national hero. This made Thai
Boxing a national pastime. The actual origins may date back
further but this is unknown due to the Burmese book burnings in
1776.
Thai Boxing is an adaptation of the Thai military arts. In
peacetime the weapons of the battlefield were laid down and the
soldiers would fight empty hand to keep their edge. At that time
there were few rules, no rounds, and no weight classes. In this
time period boxers fought barefooted, their fists and forearms
wrapped in hemp rope and combat was extremely brutal. Training
methods were vast and varied. Banana trees were kicked, kneed,
and elbowed, softening the tree until it could be wrapped on the
trainers arms for kicking. This is where the unique creation of
the Thai pad got it's start.
Thai Boxing also find much of it's root's in Buddhism. People who
see Thai Boxing for the first time often wonder about the
pre-fight ritual that takes place before every authentic Thai
fight. This ceremony called the "Ram Muay," is a spiritual
ceremony which seals off the ring from outside influences, pays
homage to gods, parents, teachers, loved ones, king and country.
A great deal of significance is placed on the Ram Muay since it
displays the spirit and heart of the fighter. Both the Ram Muay
and the fight itself are accompanied by music from a four piece
ensemble. The pace of the fight is often dictated by the music
played on the side of the ring.
Because the Thais quickly adapt to anything which may give them
an edge, Thai Boxing has evolved towards greater efficiency for
centuries. Most recently they have adapted various Western Boxing
techniques, training methods, and strategies to their already
formidable tools. In the past 50 years Thai Boxing has enjoyed
even greater popularity. Modern western style gloves, weight
classes, and 3-minute rounds have been adopted. Because of the
rigorous nature of it's testing ground and the directness of it's
techniques, Thai Boxing and Thai Boxers are some of the most
highly respected martial artists throughout the world.
To tip or not to tip
Practical nomads who have been to a lot of places know that tipping
has always been a very good gesture of appreciation for services
rendered. Tip, however you look at it, is a subtle bribe for special
treatment to any of those in the service field, such as the bartender,
waiter or waitress, host or hostess, doorman, room service attendant,
service station attendant, sigh-seeing guide, usher, driver, bellman,
masseur or masseuse.
Of course, a bribe usually comes before service is rendered. While the
tip always come after. In a way, it is saying thank you - in kind.
While tipping is a discretion on the part of guest or patron, service
people in most tourist-oriented countries like Thailand - no matter
the Sunday morning smiles they accord you - expect a tip. In their
vocabulary, a tip means "to insure prompt" service. So if you want to
experience the full wrath of the bellman or any person doing the
service for you, don't tip him. Ask the hotel managers and owners of
massage parlors, they'll tell you they are trying to discourage
tipping. They are empty words, really.
One standard rule in tipping is that if someone renders special
service to you along the way, you can show your appreciation with a
tip. But tipping can be a problem if you do not know the appropriate
amount to tip. Tipping is as different to every country as it is with
every establishment. The going rate of tipping in the United States,
according to service personnel, is 15 percent of the cost of a
service. Although this is still the norm, it is slowly going up to 20
percent.
Internationally, the rules become even more disparate. In most of
Europe, tourists are expected to tip for many services, such as
getting directions around town, things considered freebies in America.
In China, on the other hand, tipping your waiter or bellman is
considered rude. In Italy, customary rates of five percent is given to
the one who is asked to wait to render a particular service.
In Thailand tipping chiefly depends on the generosity of individual.
Some restaurants already includes a service charge in a bill. But
guests usually don't mind giving away the loose change, particularly
if the service is good. In some massage parlors, for instance, they
don't encourage tipping to masseuse or masseurs. At least, that's what
managers tell us. But if you are more than satisfied with the service,
handing out a Bt100 bill would be reasonable. If it was body massage,
however, and there was much special service rendered, Bt200 to Bt500
is the going rate for "tips". A establishment requires not less than
Bt700. In some place it goes up to even to Bt1,000. But that goes for
splendid body service.
In a bar, a tip is not necessary if you had nothing but a swig. If you
took a go-go girl to sit by, you order drinks for her and that takes
care of her service. You can go without any tip but then you become a
marked man. Next time you come by, the girls may try to avoid you like
the plague - if there are other customer around.
For taxis, you don't have to pay extra because they already charge
Bt35 on flag-down. But if the driver brought you back to the hotel in
one piece after showing you around without any hassle, a generous tip
certainly would be welcome.
For charming caddy, lugging your heavy golf bag and assisting you with
the direction of your shots and line of your putts, the minimum tip is
Bht.100, average 150 -200 and more if you feel good about it
The thing about tipping is , it's not an obligation, as far as this
part of the world is concerned. It's a gift you give to someone who
deserves it. After all, it's not all money up for it through a warm
smile and sincere "thank you". This may not fatten a service worker's
pocket but it certainly will warm his heart all throughout the day.
02. December 2004