Thai boxing
Muay Thai (Thai, RTGS: Muai Thai,], lit. "Thai Boxing") is a form of hard martial art practiced in large parts
of the world, including Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. The art is similar to others in Southeast
Asia such as: Pradal Serey in Cambodia, Lethwei in Burma, Tomoi in Malaysia, and Muay Lao in Laos. Muay Thai has
a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport.
Pone Kingpetch was a Thai boxer, from Hua Hin, who defeated Pascal Perez, an Argentinean boxer to become the
first Thai WBC Flyweight Champion on 16 April 1960 and later a 3 time WBC Flyweight Champion. Pone Kingpetch
originally known as Mana Sidokbuab, assumed this name from his training camp; Kingpetch. Thai fighters
traditionally take on the name of the camps they train for. That owner of the gym and head coach’s, Thongtos
Intratat is present in these pictures. Thongtos Intratat is also known for being the first person to officially
formulate and bottle Namman Muay (Thai Liniment) which is desired for his fighter, Pone Kingpetch. Namman Muay
(Thai Liniment) is still only produced by his direct descendants in Thailand.
Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies significantly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks,
punches and knee and elbow strikes in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing and this has
led to Thailand gaining medals at the Olympic Games in Boxing.
Sepak Takraw
Is a sport native to Thailand, which the players hit a rattan ball and only be allowed to use their feet, knees,
chest and head to touch the ball. Sepak Takraw is a form of this sport which appears in volley ball style; the
players must volley a ball over a net and force it to hit the ground on oppnent's side. It is a popular in other
countries in Southeast Asia also.
Rugby
is also a growing sport in Thailand with the Thailand national rugby union team rising to be ranked 61st in the
world.[64] Thailand became the first country in the world to host an international 80 kg welterweight rugby
tournament in 2005The national domestic Thailand Rugby Union (TRU) competition includes several universities and
services teams such as Chulalongkorn University, Mahasarakham University, Kasetsart University, Prince of
Songkla University, Thammasat University, Rangsit University, the Thai Police, the Thai Army, the Thai Navy and
the Royal Thai Air Force. Local sports clubs which also compete in the TRU include the British Club of Bangkok,
the Southerners Sports Club (Bangkok) and the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
Golf
Thailand has been called the Golf Capital of Asia as it is a popular destination for golf. The country attracts
a large number of golfers from Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa and Western countries who come to play golf
in Thailand every year The growing popularity of golf, especially among the middle classes and expats, is
evident since there are more than 200 world-class golf courses nationwide and some of them are chosen to host
PGA and LPGA tournaments, such as Amata Spring Country Club, Alpine Golf & Sports Club, Thai Country Club
and Black Mountain Golf Club.
Other sports in Thailand are slowly growing as the country develops its sporting infrastructure. The success in
sports like weightlifting and Taekwondo at the last two Summer Olympic Games has demonstrated that boxing is no
longer the only medal chance for Thailand.
Football
Football in Thailand is organized by Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
Football is the most famous sport in Thailand. Although the professional football leagues are new to Thai
people, football was introduced to Thailand as far back as 1897. Many Thais also watch football on local and
paid-cable TV. Many matches, especially those in the English FA Premier League can be watched free on local
channels. Thai channels broadcast every match of the 2006 World Cup.
In 2007, Thailand co-hosted the Asian Cup 2007 with three other countries. This was the second time the event
had been held in Thailand, the first being in 1972.