THAILANDIAWEB; your Tour Operator in Thailand :

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THAI BOXING

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is extremely popular in Thailand and is the equivalent of soccer in Europe and baseball in US . Events are regularly shown on TV and there are stadiums dedicated to the sport around the country . Bangkok has 2 stadiums and is probably the best place to take in some professional games . The start of the game is highly ritualized ceremony accompanied by live music from a phiphat orchestra . Each boxer follows a pattern of making obeisance to the four quarters of the compass and to his home province. He then perform a dance . When the actual fighting begins it is less spiritual and more physical . Those of a delicate nature might not want to watch as the bout gets under way, with frenetic betting going on as the match progresses  and the wailing phiphat getting faster and louder . Some visitors might want to attend a kickboxing school.