10th may

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thursday began pining for someone i'd only known for a few hours and in several states of drunkeness.we made the resolution to get the hell outta dodge.bangkok is an amazing city but we found it draining on our energy and our bank balance.the few days in bangkok were a wind down for the both of us after leaving jobs and going straight to a new enviroment.but before we went ,we wanted to see somthing real not something put the for the tourist. so that night we went to the muay thai thailands national sport .a twenty minute walk from khao san at ratchadamnoen boxing stadium.muay thai consists of 5 three minute rounds with two minute intervals anything goes except headbutting,but strikes with the elbow and knee being the hardest to pull of given the most respect.
it was amasing to emerse ourselves in a part of thai culture that wasn't put the just for tourists
the start of each fight the fighter would pay respect to there trainers and show off the prowess buy bowing at each corner of the ring and performing a rituilist dance showing of there skills and stretching at the same time ,it seemed the part of it was also to intimidate the opponent
when the bouts began the audience would be quiet and the fight was more about sizing the other opponent, all to the repeditive music they play for each round.
by the 3rd round the stadium took on a life of its own as the crowd and fighter took on the game after the 3rd round the intervals between the rounds became as frantic as the fight with the gamblers betting furiously with one another in an atmosphere similar to an 80's stock market trading floor the stands became electric
all ages from 10 or 12 to 20's took part and the fight from the 3rd round onwards the crowd greeted each blow with a deafing whoo-haa add to the excitment plus the precussion that was played each round quickened as the fight wen't on adding even more to the atmosphere
we saw one knockout during the fights but most were decided by points decision some were easier to pick but a lack of of the rules or an intimate understanding of the game.we took there word for it when our chosen fighter lost

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Photos

blessings
trainer blesses his fighter before fight

advice
a worried looking recives advice from coach

prayers before the fight
the prayer ritual where the fighter says a quick prayer at each corner before the fight

the dance
the ritual dance before each fight is part dance, part ritual,part intimadation

foreigner
not in khao san anymore toto

spot the faarang
in deep thought

the betting room floor
where all the betting action happens