Muay Thai

With my Thailand tour http://www.stressescapetours.com , I try to offer as many experiences as possible:
The martial art form of Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) was born from the ancient Siamese soliders who went into combat unarmed.
This became a spectator sport at local festivals and for the king and remain a popular entertainment on a regular basis in bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Although I have traveled to Thailand for over 20 years, it was just a year ago that I finally broke down and went to a tournament. My culture junkies had an interest in viewing this popular sport and so we went. A little way down Loi Khroh, a few blocks from the night market is a staium surrounded by small 'girlie' bars. Card tables and fold up chairs are arranged around the stadium and for the steep price of 120 baht for a Chang beer, you can watch boys, men and women beat each other up. Obviously I have not yet discoered the charm of the sport.
But I continue to go now, as an extra event for my group to be part of. It is quite an experience.
Our hostesses are men who have become women, more beautiful and shaely than most hollywood stars. The air is heavy with smoke and loud with cheers fom Thai and farang alike.
Each match begins with the opponents perform Wai Khru Ram Muay beore and after the fight.

Wai Khru Ram Muay is performed to pay respect to teachers, parents and all things held sacred. They pray for their safety and of course for victory. This ritual has been developed throughout the years and regions allowing each fighter to have their own version of it.
There are three sections of Wai Khru Ram Muay:

• The Royal Homage Section-intended to show loyalty to the king
• Kneeling Section-in which the fighter pivots to all four corners of the ring
• Standing Section- to express devotion, gratitude and humilty (as well as to sometimes scare the opponent)

The bell rings and blows are thrown.

Muay Thai is referred to as " The Art of the Eight Limbs" because hands, shins, elbows and knees are used. (In the USA, with Western boxing, only the fists are used-"two points" and most other sport-oriented forms of martial arts are "four points" (fists and feet).
I spend most of my time video taping the fights as well as the half time girlie shows or standing right at the ring to get photographs. Some nights I get better shots than others. This night was only mediocre....