BootsnAll Travel Network
Add this blog to: MyYahoo, Google, Bloglines, RSS


Archive for the 'Thailand' Category

« Home

Thai Boxing…a male perspective

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

really cool!!!

live music (albeit some type of funny flute). lots of tasty adult beverages! Loud, constant gambling. AND guys (and gals !!) throwing everything on their bodies that moves at the opponent.

much better than the boxing we see in the U.S.. NO QUESTION.

Posted in Thailand | 3 Comments »

Thai boxing…a female perspective

Friday, December 23rd, 2005

I wanted to give a little description of my first Muay Thai (Thai boxing) match. Scott and I were walking down the streets of Patong, in awe of all the loud music and neon lights, when we became surrounded by men in green vests promoting the big bout. I must admit I’m usually a little squeamish about boxing but somehow these persuasive gentlemen made it sound like the fight of a lifetime. I secretly wanted to spend the evening watching some Thai Dance, but before I knew it we had purchased tickets to the match for about 500B/$12 US. A few hours later we were in a cab speeding down a dark alley to the arena. I was starting to get a little nervous after I read a brief description in our guide book. The five, three-minute rounds, consist of opponents kicking each other in the head, neck, and any other body part they can reach, apparently, high kicks to the face, knees to the ribs, and elbow thrust are especially encouraged and they consider punching as a weaker blow. I was a little on edge as we entered the testosterone filled stadium. Much to my surprise there was a orchestra of men in the corner blowing on all kinds of instruments I’ve never seen. The music was a little erratic but the boxers seemed to enjoy the rhythm as they bowed to the audience and performed a little jig?
We were approached by a waiter who offered us some refreshments and an evening meal of fish balls and rice. We passed on the fish balls, decided on a drink, and settled in to watch the match. Sure enough they came out kicking! It really looked quite painful as they delivered multiple kicks and punches to the face. I must admit, they were very skillful and even a little graceful as they delivered the blows. At the end of each round the trainers physically picked them up and sat them in steal trays filled with ice. I noticed multiple reddish/purplish hematomas developing on their legs and they certainly looked exhausted. At the end of the round the judges declared a winner whom took home 2000B about $50US. Seemed like a lot of work and physical abuse for that much money? Surprisingly, I actually had a good time and would recommend the experience, at least once, to anyone visiting Thailand.

Posted in Thailand | 5 Comments »