| The most well known sport in Thailand is the Thai | | | | This dance form is called Ram Muay. Ram Muay |
| boxing or Muay Thai. It is a sport which needs a | | | | differs according to individual training camps. The |
| lot of strength, stamina and adaptability. It has a | | | | dance is accompanied by music played by the |
| spiritual element too which is normally not linked | | | | band. The music is also known as phipat music. |
| with sports. | | | | The participant wears a tennis racket-like hoop on |
| It is a form of combat between two fighters. | | | | the head during the dance ceremony and then |
| Records show that this sport existed as early | | | | the coach removes it to indicate the start of the |
| 1411, but it is possible that Muay Thai was in | | | | fight. Fighters wear bands containing a Buddha |
| existence even before that. In 1920, Muay Thai | | | | amulet and / or some kind of herb to bring good |
| was banned as it had become extremely violent | | | | luck to them. |
| and dangerous for the fighters. However, in 1937, | | | | The actual boxing has five rounds and each round |
| the sport was revived and the fighters had to | | | | is for 3 minutes. There are three judges, who are |
| wear protective gear as the new rules and | | | | seated in three different boxes on three different |
| regulations that were laid down. | | | | sides of the boxing ring. Points are given for each |
| The spiritual aspect in Muay Thai can be seen | | | | punch that lands on the opponent. In between the |
| before the sport starts. The fighters kneel down | | | | rounds, fighters can rest. Trainers use the rest as |
| to pray to their wai kru or teacher before the | | | | an opportunity to soak the fighters with water |
| event begins and they also perform a dance | | | | and advice them. |
| which is a bit of warm up besides being a ritual. | | | | |