Thai
Boxing:
Thai boxing also known as Muay Thai is the Country’s national
sport with a very large following. Muay Thai boxing stadiums
exist in even the smallest of towns and competitions are held
regularly to packed audiences. The sport developed in the late
19th century and by the 1920s it was part of the school curriculum
in Thailand. The sport is an indigenous form of martial art
where two fighters in a ring are allowed to fight with both hands
and
feet.
Muay Thai increased in popularity over the past century and
a number of gymnasiums and clubs were opened in residential areas
with large participation numbers. The sport spread into neighboring
Asian nations and was recently included as a competitive sport
in the South East Asian Games last held in the Philippines in
2005. The sport is also widely broadcast in the country and in
many parts of the world via pay television channels.
Religion:
According to cia.gov; the Buddhist religion is practiced by
about 94.6% of Thais. The only other prominent religion in the
country is Islam whose main domain is in southern Thailand. Thai
history and culture has for centuries revolved around the Buddhism
religion which developed in the region during the Dvaravati
Kingdom which lasted between the 9th and 11th Centuries.
Ref:
CIA Publications; available: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/th.html
