Sports have been an
integral part of Thai life since the earliest days
of the kingdom. While such modern forms of recreation as golf, tennis,
water-skiing, and windsurfing have been eagerly adopted, the older
pleasures have not been forgotten; indeed, even in sophisticated
centers like Bangkok they continue to exert a strong appeal among old
and young alike.
Thai-style Thai Boxing, for example, originated in Ayuttanya five
centuries ago, yet still draws large crowds every night at two Bangkok
Stadiums. At once a sport and a means of self-defence, Thai boxing
differs dramatically from the Western form in that the fighters are
free to use almost every part of their body except the head as a
weapon; the feet are the deadliest and the skill with which they are
used gives a balletic grace to about, enhanced by the traditional
music played throughout.
Long-boat races,also remain popular from the days when waterways
formed the principal means of communication in the country. Many
provinces, among them Phichit, Narathiwat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nan,
Phitsanulok, Bang Sai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok stage spectacular races,
usually as part of festivals toward the end of the rainy season.
Takro involving a ball made of waven rattan, is a traditional sport
that can be observed throughout the country wherever groups of men or
boys gather after work in field or vacant piece of land. The feet,
knees, elbows, shoulders, and head--but not the hands-- are used to
keep the ball in the air, often with displays of extraordinary grace.
A more serious variation known as takro lot huang (hoop takro) can be
seen in competitions between professional teams at Sanam Luang during
the hot season, and another, Net takro is played at the National
Stadium and at Hua Mak Stadium.
Another ancient sport that deserves mention is kite fighting, and
aerial battle of the sexes best enjoyed at Sanam Luang during March
and April when there is a dependable breeze every afternoon. Huge
"male" kites, called chulas, each requiring a sizeable team of flyers,
endeavor to snare smaller "females", called pukpaos, while thousands
of fans cheer from comfortable chairs on the field, creating a unique
spectacle to be long remembered.