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Thais are passionate sports
enthusiasts, both as spectators and participants. Several Thais
have become world-class athletes, including marksmen, badminton
players, sprinters, and boxers with several world champions in
the lighter divisions. As the economy of Southeast Asia grew
over the last decade, modern sports became the rage of the rich
upper class and the newer middle class.
Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
Thai boxing or "Muay Thai" is a
popular sport in Thailand. It is
an art of self-defense that uses all parts of the body in
fighting. There are three elements to make strength of boxing.
They are the physical fitness, morale, and wisdom. The fighting
ability of boxers is important to them to make the correct
decision and help them in the difficult fighting. Before the fight, boxers have to perform a ritual, called the
wai kru". It is usually done to present the respect for Buddha.
It reflects the Thai culture about religion. In this
performance, the boxer walks around the ring while the Thai
music is accompanying the ritual.
After that, the fighting begins on the ring. A boxing match
generally has five rounds and displays three minutes for each
round. The interval time between each round is two minutes.
At present, Muay Thai has been preserved and promoted as an
international sport. The Thai culture of fighting is well known.
One can look for seeing the contest of Thai boxing at Bangkok
where there are two main boxing stadiums, Rutchadamnoen and
Rumpini. Moreover, there are Thai boxing on television's program
channel seven and nine in the domestic communication. Thai
boxing still attracts the foreigners from all over the world as
well as the Thais.
Golf
Thailand had become the " Golf
Capital of Asia ". And its
popularity has increased with new courses continue to be built
with the help of some of the world's top golf course designers.
Championship courses, competing with the best around the world,
have been designed by the legends of the game. One of the most
fascinating aspects of golfing in Thailand is the broad
diversity of locations and environments, in which the courses
are situated. From the urban excitement of Bangkok and the
seaside charms of Pattaya and the eastern seaboard, to the
island paradise of Phuket in the south, or the verdant hills of
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north, Thailand offers a
veritable tapestry of golfing delights.
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