#Muay Thai & Other Sports

Muay Thai &  Other Sports

   Bangkokians are avid sports followers, enjoying the excitement of many sports and games. Through sports in the West Like snooker, soccer, golf, American football, volleyball, tennis and badminton are very popular, traditional sports, pastimes and games still play an important role in their lives. These include Thai boxing, takraw, kite flying and fighting, and cock, fish, and insect fighting. Since most Thais are inveterate gamblers, during many sporting events, there is usually as much activity on the sidelines as on the field. Wagers could be on a boxer, a cricket, or a kite.

                                   Credit Photo: thairath.co.th

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai or Simese Kick Boxing)

   It is not uncommon for foreign visitors to Bangkok to come across a group of Thais crowding around television sets at night watching the latest boxing match. Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, attracts the most attention of the Thai people. Your visit to Bangkok will not be completed if you do not see at least one Thai boxing match. Although boxing matches are regularly televised, attending the live event is a thing not to be missed. Thai boxing is almost universally regarded as today's most exciting ring sport. It is considered by many to be the most violent martial art compared with Japanese Karat, Korean Taekwando, and   Chinese kang Fu. A boxing stadium is normally a noisy crowded arena, full of spectators cheering and screaming supports for their favorites. Each fight start with both corners performing a ritual, honoring and paying homage to their teachers (Ruam Muay Thai).

                                  Credit Photo: siamsport.co.th

A match consists of five rounds, each of which lasts there minutes with a two-minute break between rounds. The bout is normally accompanied by the music of a three-instrument orchestra (drums, cymbals and flute). The music rises and falls with the action taking place in the roped ring. Apart from using their gloves, boxers are allowed to use their feet, legs, knees, elbows, shoulders, or any other parts of the body, except the head, to overcome their opponent. A winner is awarded for a knock-out or a points decision given by a panel of judges. There are two boxing stadiums in the city: Ratchadamnoen Nok Road (near the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Office), and Lumphini Stadium on Ramintra Road (near Central Ramintra, which moved from Rama IV Road). Events take place at Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and at Lumphini Staduim on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. However, interested visitors are advised to check in advance for information on venues, time and ticket prices. (Credit: Tourism Authority of Thaialnd)

#Thailand Travel Information

 Thailand Travel Information

        Here' is a quick snapshot of everything you need to know when you're planning a Thailand trip, form destinations to visa and currency advice. Travelling in Thailand is just brilliant, and hopefully this help to get your Thailand adventure off the ground.

                                   Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay (Bangkok)

THAILAND HIGHLIGHTS

Here are a few travelling highlights in Thailand that can help you plan your perfect Thailand adventure tour.

Bangkok-The vibrant capital of Thailand, and the essential place to begin any Thailand trip, Wander around the Grand Palace, enjoy at Wat Pho, visit the floating markets and sample the street food.

Chiang Mai- A highlight of any trip to Thailand. Take part in a traditional Thai cookery course or visit the historic Old town. Ride an elephant, stay in a Hill Tribe village or float down the river on a bamboo raft on one many Thailand jungle treks that depart from this charming city.

Kanchanaburi- Visit the famous bridge over the river Kwai, travelalong the Deach Railway, stay overnight on the floating jungle raft, and swim in the fairytale Erawan waterfalls.

Ayutthaya- The ancient capital of Thailand. Take a sunset tour of the ancient ruins.

Kho Phangan- Home to the infamous Full Moon Party. Head over to the far side of this island  where few tourists venture out, and you will find idyllic beaches. 

Kho Tao- This tiny island is one of the best places in the world to dive and easily included in many Thailand island hopping trip. 

                                   Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay (Phu ket)

Phuket- This colorful and cosmopolitan island is the largest and most popular of Thailand's island.

Kho Phi Phi - The setting of the 2000 move the Beach, the Phi Phi islands.

                                  Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay (Kho Phi Phi)

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Krabi- Visit the Tiger Cave  Valley, wander around the morning market or cruise around the nearby islands.

Kho Samui- Soak up the sun on a sandy beach, visit the night market, or hop into a jeep and explore the less traveled road of kho Samui.

Kho Chang- Laze in a hammock on a beach with a cocktail in hand, hike alongside waterfalls, or trek by elephant.

MAIN TRAVELERS ROUTERS

Most people in travelling in Thailand start off in bangkok, visit Kanchanaburi for a couple of days before working their way up to Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. Many people chose to end their trip in Thailand with some time on the islands in the South before returning to Bangkok for their international flights home.

CAPITAL AND MAIN CITIES

Bangkok

Other main populated area : Chiang Mai (North)

LANGUAGES

Thai

English

Chinese

CURRENCY

Thai Baht

VISA

Tourists from the UK do not require a visa if planning a trip to Thailand of less than 30 days, If you are planning to stay in Thailand for more than 30 days, then you will require a 6 month visa. Alternatively, it is possible to renew the tourist visa by leaving and then re-entering the country.

#LoyKrathong and Candle Festival

LoyKrathong Day

Highlight Spot: Along the Chao phranya River banks

One of the most beautiful festivals that take place in Thailand is the one for Loy Krathong. This is celebrated on the full moon in October 31, 2020. The word Loy means to float, and a Krathong is a banana leaf cup. People place a candle and incense sticks in their Krathongs and then float them on a local river or pond. As they push away their Krathong, they ask for forgiveness in polluting the waterways and also for good luck in the coming months.

The festival probably originated in India as a Hindo festival similar to Deepavali as thanksgiving to the deity of Ganges with floating lanterns for giving life throughout the year. According to the writings of H.M. King Rama IV in 1863, the originally Brahmanical festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honour the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama. Apart from venerating the Buddha with light (the candle on the raft), the act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all one's grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. People will also cut their fingernails and hair and add them to the raft as a symbol of letting go of the bad part of oneself. Many

   

    Thai belive that floating a krathong will create good luck, and they do it to

honor and thank the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha. The beauty contests that accompany the festival are known as "Noppamas Queen Contests". According to legend, Noppamas was a consort of the Sukothai King Loethai (14th century) and she was the first to float decorated krathongs. The Loy Krathong festival is also associated with the start of vegetable carving. The Thai tradition of Loy Krathong started off in Sukhothai, but is now celebrated throughout Thailand, with the festivities in Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya being particularly well known. In Chiang Mai Loi Krathong is also known as "Yi Peng". Every year thousands of people assemble to float the banana-leaf krathong onto the waterways of the city, honouring the Gooddess of Water. A multitude of Lanna-style sky lanterns (khom fai) are also launched into the air where they resemble large flocks of giant fluorescent jellyfish gracefully floating by through the skies. These are believed to help rid the locals of troubles and are also taken to decorate houses and streets. Kelantan also has the same celebration, especially in the Tumpat area. The ministry in charge of tourism in Malaysia recognises it as an attraction for tourist. Many people visit the celebration each year. (www.wikipedia.org) This year is October 31, 2020.

    

                                  The lamp on Loy Krathong Day                  

                                  Credit Photo:bangkokpost.com

    Loy Krathong is an ancient traditional that first originated in Sukhothai, the first Thai capital. It is appropriate to hold this memorable festival in the charged atmosphere of the ruins of this ancient city. Krathong are floated on the river to take away bad luck. This full-moon-wide. In Bangkok, Krathong with lighted candles can be seen from the banks of the rivers and canals. 

Tropping of the Colours   

     Their Majesties the king and Queen preside over this impressive event held each year in the Royal Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid great pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Royal Family.