absolutelyBangkok archive · Sports & Fun
Originally published Feb. 18, 2008
Ever witnessed a Muay Thai fight?
Muay Thai is not just about tears and sweat and blood and broken dreams.
Muay Thais is a pan-religious experience. Just to mention the repetitive monotonous intro that lifts you into a trance-like mood.
And the dance, the wais and the prayers, the garlands and the invocation of magic powers. You’re soon able to touch manifested the ecstasy and frenzy.
Whole villages if not cities cheer for their local hero.
Families put all their hopes into their fighting son or even daughter.
Betting along the boxing ring soon goes wild, with everybody understanding the complex sign language of bets and losses and the losers giving it and the winners taking it all.
Especially in smaller boxing arenas: Hardly anything brings you nearer to the pulse of the Thai nation as a make-or-break fight of pan-religious Muay Thai.
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