Thailand the southern part

                                              ประเทศไทย(Thailand)

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand

แผนที่ประเทศไทย(thai map)

 Thai flag of red, white and blue

Thailand (/ˈtaɪlænd/ ty-land or /ˈtaɪlənd/ ty-lənd;^[11] Thai: ประเทศไทย, RTGS: Prathet Thai), officially the Kingdom of Thailand (Thai: ราชอาณาจักรไทย, RTGS: Ratcha Anachak Thai; IPA: [râːt.tɕʰā ʔāːnāːtɕàk tʰāj] ( listen)), formerly known as Siam (Thai: สยาม; RTGS: Sayam), is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos andCambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest.

The country is a constitutional monarchy, headed by King Rama IX, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, who, having reigned since 1946, is the world's longest-serving current head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history.^[12] The king of Thailand is titled Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Adherent of Buddhism, and Upholder of religions.^[13]

Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country in terms of total area, with an area of approximately 513,000 km² (198,000 sq mi), and is the 20th-most-populous country, with around 64 million people. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, which is Thailand's political, commercial, industrial and cultural hub. About 75–85% of the population is ethnically Tai, which includes the four major regional groups of Central Thai: 30%,Northeastern Thai: 22%, Northern Thai: 9% and Southern Thai: 7%. 14% are of significant Chinese heritage (Thai Chinese)^[5] and up to 40% have at least partly Chinese ancestry.^[14] 3% are ethnically Malay; the rest belong to minority groups including Mons, Khmers and various "hill tribes". The country's official language is Thai. The primary religion is Buddhism, which is practised by around 95% of the population.

Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1996, and is presently a newly industrialized country and a major exporter.Tourism also contributes significantly to the Thai economy.^[15][16] There are approximately 2.2 million legal and illegal migrants in Thailand,^[17]and the country has also attracted a number of expatriates from developed countries.

The country has always been called Mueang Thai by her citizens; but by others, by the exonym Siam (Thai: สยาม RTGS: Sayam,pronounced [sàjǎːm]). Also spelled Siem, Syâm or Syâma, it has been identified with the Sanskrit Śyāma (श्याम, meaning "dark" or "brown"). The names Shan and A-hom seem to be variants of the same word, and Śyâma is possibly not its origin but a learned and artificial distortion.^[19]

SPPM Mongkut Rex Siamensium

The signature of King Mongkut (r. 1851 – 1868) reads SPPM (Somdet Phra Poramenthra Maha) Mongkut King of Siam, giving it official status until 23 June 1939 when it was changed to Thailand.^[20] Thailand was renamed Siam from 1945 to 11 May 1949, after which it again reverted to Thailand.

The word Thai (ไทย) is not, as commonly believed,^{[citation needed]} derived from the word Thai (ไท) meaning "independence" in the Thai language; it is, however, the name of an ethnic group from the central plains (the Thai people).^{[citation needed]} A famous Thai scholar argued that Thai (ไท) simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Thai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" (คน) for people.^[21]

The Thai use the phrase "land of the free" to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never colonized by a European power. While the Thai people will often refer to their country using the polite form Prathet Thai (Thai: ประเทศไทย), they most commonly use the more colloquial word Mueang Thai (Thai: เมืองไทย) or simply Thai (Thai: ไทย); the word mueang (Thai: เมือง) meaning nation but most commonly used to refer to a city or town. Ratcha Anachak Thai (Thai: ราชอาณาจักรไทย) means "Kingdom of Thailand" or "Kingdom of Thai".

Etymologically, its components are: -Ratcha- (from Sanskrit raja, meaning "king, royal, realm") ; -ana- (from Pāli āṇā, "authority, command, power", itself from Sanskrit ājñā, same meaning) -chak (from Sanskrit cakra or cakraṃ meaning "wheel", a symbol of power and rule). The Thai National Anthem (Thai: เพลงชาติ), composed and written by Peter Feit during the extremely "patriotic" 1930s, refers to the Thai nation as: prathet-thai (Thai: ประเทศไทย). The first line of the national anthem is: prathet thai ruam lueat nuea chat chuea thai (Thai: ประเทศไทยรวมเลือดเนื้อชาติเชื้อไทย) and was translated in 1939 by Colonel Luang Saranupr

                                     Muay Thai

                                                                         

      

Also known as	Thai boxing, Thai kickboxing, Tharshanning
Focus	Clinch fighting, striking
Country of origin	Thailand
Famous practitioners	Tony Jaa, Apidej Sit Hrun,Samart Payakaroon, Buakaw Banchamek, Sakmongkol,Changpuek Kiatsongrit,Yodsanklai Fairtex, Coban Lookchaomaesaitong, Diesel Noi, Alexey Ignashov, Dany Bill,Felicies Radu-Siviu Dorin Niculae, Giorgio Petrosyan,Saenchai Sor Kingstar, Jean Skarbowsky, Cosmo Alexandre,Artem Levin, Daniel Ghiță,Simon Marcus, John Wayne Parr, Fabio Pinca, Vladimír Moravčík, Tomáš Hron, Stephen Wakeling, Joe Schilling, Kevin Ross, Andrei Kulebin, Sanny Dahlbeck, Chaz Mulkey, Romie Adanza, Ky Hollenbeck, Ilya Grad,
Parenthood	Muay Boran, Krabi Krabong
Olympic sport	no
Official website	http://wmcmuaythai.orghttp://ifmamuaythai.org

Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย, RTGS: Muai Thai, [mūaj.tʰāj] ( listen)) is a combat sport from the muay martial arts of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.^[1][2][3][4] This physical and mental discipline which includes combat on foot is known as "the art of eight limbs" because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet, being associated with a good physical preparation that makes a full-contact fighter very efficient.^[5] Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the twentieth century, when practitioners defeated notable practitioners of other martial arts.^[6] A professional league is governed by the World Muay Thai Council.^[7][8]

Etymology

The word Muay derives from the Sanskrit Mavya which means "to bind together".

History

Further information: Indochinese kickboxing

Further information: Muay boran

Praying before the match

Muay Thai championship boxing match in Sterling, VA

Muay boran, and therefore Muay Thai, was originally called by more generic names such as pahuyuth (from the Sanskrit bahu-yuddha meaning unarmed combat), Toi muay or simply muay. As well as being a practical fighting technique for use in actual warfare, muay became a sport in which the opponents fought in front of spectators who went to watch for entertainment. These muay contests gradually became an integral part of local festivals and celebrations, especially those held at temples. Eventually, the previously bare-fisted fighters started wearing lengths of hemp rope around their hands and forearms. This type of match was called muay khat chueak (มวยคาดเชือก). Kickboxing was also a component of military training and gained prominence during the reign of King Naresuan in 1560 CE.

Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" or the "Science of Eight Limbs", because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight "points of contact", as opposed to "two points" (fists) in boxing and "four points" (hands and feet) used in other more regulated combat sports, such as kickboxing and savate.^[5] A practitioner of muay Thai is known as a nak muay. Western practitioners are sometimes called Nak MuayFarang, meaning "foreign boxer."^[9]

19th century

The ascension of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to the throne in 1868 ushered in a golden age not only for muay but for the whole country of Thailand. Muay progressed greatly during the reign of Rama V as a direct result of the king's personal interest in the sport. The country was at peace and muay functioned as a means of physical exercise, self-defense, recreation, and personal advancement.^{[citation needed]}

Masters of the art began teaching muay in training camps where students were provided with food and shelter. Trainees would be treated as one family, and it was customary for students to adopt the camp's name as their own surname. Scouts would be sent by the royal family to organize matches between different camps.^{[citation needed]}

Modernization

King Rama VII (r. 1925-1935) pushed for codified rules for muay, and they were put into place. Thailand's first boxing ring was built in 1921 at Suan Kularp. Referees were introduced and rounds were now timed by kick. Fighters at the Lumpinee Kickboxing Stadium began wearing modern gloves, as well as hard groin protectors, during training and in boxing matches against foreigners. Traditional rope-binding (Kaad Chuek) made the hands a hardened, dangerous striking tool. The use of knots in the rope over the knuckles made the strikes more abrasive and damaging for the opponent while protecting the hands of the fighter.^[10] This rope-binding was still used in fights between Thais but after the occurrence of a death in the ring, it was decided that fighters should wear gloves and cotton coverlets over the feet and ankles. It was also around this time that the term muay Thai became commonly used while the older form of the style came to be known as muay boran, which is now performed primarily as an exhibition art form.

With the success of muay Thai in the mixed martial arts, it has become the de facto style of choice for competitive stand-up fighters. As a result, western practitioners have incorporated much more powerful hand striking techniques from boxing although some Thai purists accuse them of diluting the art.^{[citation needed]}

In 1993, the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur, or IFMA was inaugurated. It became the governing body of amateur Muay Thai consisting of 128 member countries worldwide and is recognized by Olympic Council of Asia.

In 1995, World Muaythai Council, the oldest and largest professional sanctioning organizations of Muay Thai was set up by the Royal Thai Government and sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand.

Today, there are thousands of gyms spread out across the globe.

Folklore

Nai Khanomtom

According to Thai folklore at the time of the fall of the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767, the invading Burmese troops rounded up thousands of Siamese and took them to Burma as prisoners. Among them were a large number of kickboxers, who were taken to the city of Ava.

In 1774, in the Burmese city of Rangoon, the Burmese King Hsinbyushin (known in Thai as "King Mangra") decided to organize a seven-day, seven-night religious festival in honor of Buddha's relics. The festivities included many forms of entertainment, such as the costume plays called likay, comedies and farces, and sword-fighting matches. At one point, King Hsinbyushin wanted to see how Muay Boran would compare to the Burmese Lethwei (Burmese Boxing). Nai Khanomtom was selected to fight against the Burmese champion. The boxing ring was set up in front of the throne and Nai Khanomtom did a traditional Wai Kru pre-fight dance, to pay his respects to his teachers and ancestors, as well as the spectators, dancing around his opponent. This amazed and perplexed the Burmese people, who thought it was black magic. When the fight began, Nai Khanomtom charged out, using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees to pummel his opponent until he collapsed.

However the Burmese referee said the Burmese champion was too distracted by the dance, and declared the knockout invalid. The King then asked if Nai Khanomtom would fight nine other Burmese champions to prove himself. He agreed and fought them all, one after the other with no rest periods in between. His last opponent was a great kickboxing teacher from Rakhine. Nai Khanomtom mangled him by his kicks and no one else dared to challenge him.

King Mangra was so impressed that he allegedly remarked, "Every part of the Thai is blessed with venom. Even with his bare hands, he can fell nine or ten opponents. But his Lord was incompetent and lost the country to the enemy. If he had been any good, there was no way the City of Ayutthaya would ever have fallen."^{[citation needed]}

King Mangra granted Nai Khanomtom freedom along with either riches or two beautiful Burmese wives. Nai Khanomtom chose the wives as he said that money was easier to find. He then departed with his wives for Siam. Other variations of this story had him also winning the release of his fellow Thai prisoners. His feat is celebrated every March 17 as Boxer's Day or National Muay Boran Day in his honor and that of muay boran's.^[11]

Today, some have wrongly attributed the legend of Nai Khanomtom to King Naresuan, who spent his youth as a royal hostage in Burma while Ayutthaya was a Burmese vassal. However, Nai Khanomtom and King Naresuan lived almost two centuries apart.

Technique

Muay Thai match in Bangkok, Thailand

Formal muay Thai techniques are divided into two groups: mae mai or major techniques and luk mai or minor techniques. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another. This is certainly the case with traditional stylists in Thailand, but is a less popular form of fighting in the contemporary world fighting circuit where the Thai style of exchanging blow for blow is no longer favorable. Almost all techniques in muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch, elbow and block.

Punching (Chok)[edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Jab	แจบ	Mat nueng
Cross	หมัดตรง	Mat trong	[màt troŋ]
Hook	หมัดเหวี่ยงสั้น	Mat wiang san	[màt wìəŋ sân]
Swing	หมัดเหวี่ยงยาว	Mat wiang yao	[màt wìəŋ jaːw]
Spinning Backfist	หมัดเหวี่ยงกลับ	Mat wiang klap	[màt wìəŋ klàp]
Uppercut	หมัดเสย/หมัดสอยดาว	Mat soei/Mat soi dao	[màt sɤ̌j], [màt sɔ̌j daːw]
Cobra Punch*	กระโดดชก	Kradot chok	[kradòːt tɕʰók

The punch techniques in muay Thai were originally quite limited being crosses and a long (or lazy) circular strike made with a straight (but not locked) arm and landing with the heel of the palm. Cross-fertilization with Western boxing and western martial arts mean the full range of western boxing punches are now used: lead jab, straight/cross, hook, uppercut, shovel and corkscrew punches and overhands as well as hammer fists and back fists.

As a tactic, body punching is used less in muay Thai than most other striking combat sports to avoid exposing the attacker's head to counter strikes from knees or elbows. To utilize the range of targeting points, in keeping with the center line theory, the fighter can use either the Western or Thai stance which allows for either long range or short range attacks to be undertaken effectively without compromising guard.

Elbow (Ti sok)[edit]

The elbow can be used in several ways as a striking weapon: horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying. From the side it can be used as either a finishing move or as a way to cut the opponent's eyebrow so that blood might block his vision. The diagonal elbows are faster than the other forms, but are less powerful.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Elbow Slash	ศอกตี (ศอกสับ)	Sok ti	[sɔ̀ːk tiː]
Horizontal Elbow	ศอกตัด	Sok tat	[sɔ̀ːk tàt]
Uppercut Elbow	ศอกงัด	Sok ngat	[sɔ̀ːk ŋát]
Forward Elbow Thrust	ศอกพุ่ง	Sok phung	[sɔ̀ːk pʰûŋ]
Reverse Horizontal Elbow	ศอกเหวี่ยงกลับ (ศอกกระทุ้ง)	Sok wiang klap	[sɔ̀ːk wìəŋ klàp]
Spinning Elbow	ศอกกลับ	Sok klap	[sɔ̀ːk klàp]
Double Elbow Chop	ศอกกลับคู่	Sok klap khu	[sɔ̀ːk klàp kʰûː]
Mid-Air Elbow Strike	กระโดดศอก	Kradot sok	[kradòːt sɔ̀ːk]

There is also a distinct difference between a single elbow and a follow-up elbow. The single elbow is an elbow move independent from any other move, whereas a follow-up elbow is the second strike from the same arm, being a hook or straight punch first with an elbow follow-up. Such elbows, and most other elbow strikes, are used when the distance between fighters becomes too small and there is too little space to throw a hook at the opponent's head. Elbows can also be utilized to great effect as blocks or defenses against, for example, spring knees, side body knees, body kicks or punches. When well connected, an elbow strike can cause serious damage to the opponent, including cuts or even a knockout.

Kicking (Te)[edit]

Muay Thai boxer delivering a kick

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight Kick	เตะตรง	Te trong	[tèʔ troŋ]
Roundhouse Kick	เตะตัด	Te tat	[tèʔ tàt]
Diagonal Kick	เตะเฉียง	Te chiang	[tèʔ tɕʰǐəŋ]
Half-Shin, Half-Knee Kick	เตะ ครึ่งแข้ง ครึ่งเข่า	Te khrueng khaeng khrueng khao	[tèʔ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰɛ̂ŋ kʰrɯ̂ŋ kʰàw]
Reverse Roundhouse Kick	เตะกลับหลัง	Te klap lang	[tèʔ klàp lǎŋ]
Down Roundhouse Kick	เตะกด	Te kot	[tèʔ kòt]
Axe Heel Kick	เตะเข่า	Te khao	[tèʔ kʰàw]
Jump Kick	กระโดดเตะ	Kradot te	[kradòːt tèʔ]
Step-Up Kick	เขยิบเตะ	Khayoep te	[kʰa.jɤ̀p tèʔ]

The two most common kicks in muay Thai are known as the thip (literally "foot jab") and the te chiang (kicking upwards in the shape of a triangle cutting under the arm and ribs) or roundhouse kick. The Thai roundhouse kick uses a rotational movement of the entire body and has been widely adopted by practitioners of other combat sports. it is done from a circular stance with the back leg just a little ways back (roughly shoulder width apart) in comparison to instinctive upper body fighting (boxing) where the legs must create a wider base. The roundhouse kick draws its power entirely from the rotational movement of the body; the hips. It is thought many fighters use a counter rotation of the arms to intensify the power of this kick, but in actuality the power is from the hips and the arms are put in said position to get them out of the way.

If a roundhouse kick is attempted by the opponent, the Thai boxer will normally check the kick, that is he will block the kick with his own shin. Thai boxers are trained to always connect with the shin. The foot contains many fine bones and is much weaker. A fighter may end up hurting himself if he tries to strike with his foot or instep.

Knee (Ti Khao)^[12][edit]

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight Knee Strike	เข่าตรง	Khao trong	[kʰàw troŋ]
Diagonal Knee Strike	เข่าเฉียง	Khao chiang	[kʰàw tɕʰǐəŋ]
Curving Knee Strike	เข่าโค้ง	Khao khong	[kʰàw kʰóːŋ]
Horizontal Knee Strike	เข่าตัด	Khao tat	[kʰàw tàt]
Knee Slap	เข่าตบ	Khao top	[kʰàw tòp]
Knee Bomb	เข่ายาว	Khao yao	[kʰàw jaːw]
Flying Knee	เข่าลอย	Khao loi	[kʰàw lɔːj]
Step-Up Knee Strike	เข่าเหยียบ	Khao yiap	[kʰàw jìəp]

• Khao dot [kʰàw dòːt] (Jumping knee strike) – the boxer jumps up on one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
• Khao loi (Flying knee strike) – the boxer takes a step(s), jumps forward and off one leg and strikes with that leg's knee.
• Khao thon [kʰàw tʰoːn] (Straight knee strike) – the boxer simply thrusts it forward but not upwards, unless he is holding an opponents head down in a clinch and intend to knee upwards into the face. According to one written source, this technique is somewhat more recent than khao dot or khao loi.^{[citation needed]} Supposedly, when the Thai boxers fought with rope-bound hands rather than the modern boxing gloves, this particular technique was subject to potentially vicious cutting, slicing and sawing by an alert opponent who would block it or deflect it with the sharp "rope-glove" edges which are sometimes dipped in water to make the rope much stronger. This explanation also holds true for some of the following knee strikes below as well.

Foot-thrust (Thip)[edit]

The foot-thrust or literally "foot jab" is one of the techniques in muay Thai. It is mainly used as a defensive technique to control distance or block attacks. Foot-thrusts should be thrown quickly but yet with enough force to knock an opponent off balance.

English	Thai	Romanization	IPA
Straight Foot-Thrust	ถีบตรง	Thip trong	[tʰìːp troŋ][13]
Sideways Foot-Thrust	ถีบข้าง	Thip khang	[tʰìːp kʰâːŋ]
Reverse Foot-Thrust	ถีบกลับหลัง	Thip klap lang	[tʰìːp klàp lǎŋ]
Slapping Foot-Thrust	ถีบตบ	Thip top	[tʰìːp tòp]
Jumping Foot-Thrust	กระโดดถีบ	Kradot thip	[kradòːt tʰìːp]

Clinch and neck wrestling (Chap kho)[edit]

See also: Muay Thai clinch

In Western boxing the two fighters are separated when they clinch; in muay Thai, however, they are not. It is often in the clinch where knee and elbow techniques are used. To strike and bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used in the clinch. The front clinch should be performed with the palm of one hand on the back of the other. There are three reasons why the fingers must not be intertwined. 1) In the ring fighters are wearing boxing gloves and cannot intertwine their fingers. 2) The Thai front clinch involves pressing the head of the opponent downwards, which is easier if the hands are locked behind the back of the head instead of behind the neck. Furthermore the arms should be putting as much pressure on the neck as possible. 3) A fighter may incur an injury to one or more fingers if they are intertwined, and it becomes more difficult to release the grip in order to quickly elbow the opponent's head.

A correct clinch also involves the fighter's forearms pressing against the opponent's collar bone while the hands are around the opponent's head rather than the opponent's neck. The general way to get out of a clinch is to push the opponent's head backwards or elbow them, as the clinch requires both participants to be very close to one another. Additionally, the non-dominant clincher can try to "swim" their arm underneath and inside the opponent's clinch, establishing the previously non-dominant clincher as the dominant clincher.

Muay Thai has several other variants of the clinch or chap kho [tɕàp kʰɔː], including:

• arm clinch: One or both hands controls the inside of the defender's arm(s) and where the second hand if free is in the front clinch position. This clinch is used to briefly control the opponent before applying a knee strike or throw
• side clinch: One arm passes around the front of the defender with the attacker's shoulder pressed into the defender's arm pit and the other arm passing round the back which allows the attacker to apply knee strikes to the defender's back or to throw the defender readily.
• low clinch: Both controlling arms pass under the defender's arms, which is generally used by the shorter of two opponents.
• swan-neck: One hand around the rear of the neck is used to briefly clinch an opponent before a strike.^{[citation needed]}

Defense against attacks[edit]

Defenses in muay Thai are categorized in six groups:

• Blocking – defender's hard blocks to stop a strike in its path so preventing it reaching its target (e.g. the shin block described in more detail below)

• Redirection – defender's soft parries to change the direction of a strike (e.g. a downwards tap to a jab) so that it misses the target

• Avoidance – moving a body part out of the way or range of a strike so the defender remains in range for a counter-strike. For example, the defender moves their front leg backwards to avoid the attacker's low kick, then immediately counters with a roundhouse kick. Or the defender might lay their head back from the attacker's high roundhouse kick then counter-attack with a side kick.

• Evasion – moving the body out of the way or range of a strike so the defender has to move close again to counter-attack, e.g. defender jumping laterally or back from attacker's kicks

• Disruption – Pre-empting an attack e.g. with defender using disruptive techniques like jab, foot-thrust or low roundhouse kick, generally called a "leg kick"(to the outside or inside of the attacker's front leg, just above the knee) as the attacker attempts to close distance

• Anticipation – Defender catching a strike (e.g. catching a roundhouse kick to the body) or countering it before it lands (e.g. defender's low kick to the supporting leg below as the attacker initiates a high roundhouse kick).

Punches and kicks[edit]

Defensively, the concept of "wall of defense" is used, in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker from successfully executing techniques. Blocking is a critical element in muay Thai and compounds the level of conditioning a successful practitioner must possess. Low and mid body roundhouse kicks are normally blocked with the upper portion of a raised shin. High body strikes are blocked ideally with the forearms and shoulder together, or if enough time is allowed for a parry, the glove (elusively), elbow, or shin will be used. Midsection roundhouse kicks can also be caught/trapped, allowing for a sweep or counter-attack to the remaining leg of the opponent. Punches are blocked with an ordinary boxing guard and techniques similar, if not identical, to basic boxing technique. A common means of blocking a punch is using the hand on the same side as the oncoming punch. For example, if an orthodox fighter throws a jab (being the left hand), the defender will make a slight tap to redirect the punch's angle with the right hand. The deflection is always as small and precise as possible to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure and return the hand to the guard as quickly as possible. Hooks are often blocked with a motion sometimes described as "combing the hair", that is, raising the elbow forward and effectively shielding the head with the forearm, flexed biceps and shoulder. More advanced muay Thai blocks are usually in the form of counter-strikes, using the opponents weight (as they strike) to amplify the damage that the countering opponent can deliver. This requires impeccable timing and thus can generally only be learned by many repetitions.

Conditioning[edit]

A fighter punching a heavy bag at a training camp in Thailand

A fighter before a round

Like most competitive full contact fighting sports, muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning.^[14] Muay Thai is specifically designed to promote the level of fitness and toughness required for ring competition. Training regimens include many staples of combat sport conditioning such as running,shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises, and in some cases weight training. Thai boxers rely heavily on kicks utilizing the shin bone. As such, practitioners of muay Thai will repeatedly hit a dense heavy bag with their shins, conditioning it, hardening the bone through a process called cortical remodeling.^{[citation needed]}

Training that is specific to a Thai fighter includes training with coaches on Pad Thais, focus mitts, heavy bag, and sparring. The daily training includes many rounds (3–5 minute periods broken up by a short rest, often 1–2 minutes) of these various methods of practice. Pad Thai training is a cornerstone of muay Thai conditioning which involves practicing punches, kicks, knees, and elbow strikes with a trainer wearing thick pads which cover the forearms and hands. These special pads (often referred to as pad Thais) are used to absorb the impact of the fighter’s strikes and allow the fighter to react to the attacks of the pad holder in a live situation. The trainer will often also wear a belly pad around the abdominal area so that the fighter can attack with straight kicks or knees to the body at anytime during the round.

Focus mitts are specific to training a fighter’s hand speed, punch combinations, timing, punching power, defense, and counter-punching and may also be used to practice elbow strikes. Heavy bag training is a conditioning and power exercise that reinforces the techniques practiced on the pads. Sparring is a means to test technique, skills, range, strategy, and timing against a partner. Sparring is often a light to medium contact exercise because competitive fighters on a full schedule are not advised to risk injury by sparring hard. Specific tactics and strategies can be trained with sparring including in close fighting, clinching and kneeing only, cutting off the ring, or using reach and distance to keep an aggressive fighter away.

Due to the rigorous training regimen (some Thai boxers fight almost every other week) professional boxers in Thailand have relatively short careers in the ring. Many retire from competition to begin instructing the next generation of Thai fighters. Most professional Thai boxers come from the lower economic backgrounds, and the fight money (after the other parties get their cut) is sought as means of support for the fighters and their families. Very few higher economic strata Thais join the professional muay Thai ranks; they usually either do not practice the sport or practice it only as amateur muay Thai boxers.

Rules[edit]

2013 Southeast Asian Games' fights (for 14 gold medals) will be ruled by Southeast Asian Muay Federation.^[15] Other rules are those of International Federation of Muaythai Amateur(Ifma) and subordinate organizations (Federation of Amateur Muaythai of Asia(Fama) and other organizations recognized^[15] by Ifma (such as Amateur Muaythai Association of Thailand—Amat).

There have been tournaments where elbow strikes are only permitted in the last fight of each weightclass.

Attempt to unite boxing styles[edit]

At an ASEAN meeting in 1995 regarding the upcoming King's Cup Muay Thai competition, Cambodia wanted to rename Muay Thai as "Sovannaphum boxing" or "SEA Boxing", which represented Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Sovannaphum means "golden land" in Khmer and is written as Suwannabhumi in Thai. The name refers to mainland Southeast Asia in the Indian language of Pali.

Thailand would not compromise, stating that each Southeast Asian country including Cambodia's Pradal serey has its own boxing style and that Thailand was responsible for making its kickboxing an international sport. At the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, Cambodia did not enter the Muay Thai event in protest of the name used to refer to the sport.^[16]

Use in other combat sports[edit]

Mixed martial arts[edit]

Muay Thai, like boxing and various forms of kickboxing, is recognized as a very effective striking base within MMA, and is very widely practiced among mixed martial artists. Fighters (some of whom have won titles) such as Maurício Rua, Wanderlei Silva, Thiago Silva, Gina Carano and Cristiane Santos employ a broad range of tactics born of Muay Thai. Countless other mixed martial artists have trained in the art and it is often taught at MMA gyms as is BJJ and Wrestling.

Many techniques associated with muay Thai are often seen in MMA, such as punches, elbows, clinch fighting, high kicks, leg kicks and knees.

Thailand have 77 Province

1. Krabi Province

tham sua temple View from Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) in Krabi town, Krabi, Thailand.

Aonang beach krabi thailand Panorama of Ao Nang beach in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand.

krabi (Thai: กระบี่) is a town (thesaban mueang) on the west coast of southern Thailand at the mouth of the Krabi River where it empties inPhangnga Bay. As of 2005 the town has a population of 24,986. The town is the capital of Krabi Province and Krabi district. Tourism is an important industry.

Administration

he town covers the tambon Paknam and Krabi Yai of Krabi district, and is subdivided into 10 communities 

Location

Krabi is a southern province on Thailand's Andaman seaboard with perhaps the country's oldest history of continued settlement. After dating stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery and skeletal remains found in the province's many cliffs and caves, it is thought that Krabi has been home to Homo Sapiens since the period 25,000 - 35,000 B.C. In recorded times it was called the 'Ban Thai Samor', and was one of twelve towns that used, before people were widely literate, the monkey for their standard. At that time, c. 1200 A.D., Krabi was tributary to the Kingdom of Ligor, a city on the Kra Peninsula's east coast better known today as Nakhon Si Thammarat.

History

At the start of the Rattanakosin or Bangkok period in the late eighteenth century, when the capital was finally settled at Bangkok, an elephant kraal was established in Krabi by order of Chao Phraya Nakorn (Noi), the governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was by then a part of the Thai Kingdom. He sent his vizier, the Phra Palad, to oversee this task, which was to ensure a regular supply of elephants for the larger town. So many followers emigrated in the steps of the Phra Palad that soon Krabi had a large community in three different boroughs: Pakasai, Khlong Pon, and Pak Lao. In 1872, King Chulalongkorn graciously elevated these to town status, called Krabi, a word that preserves in its meaning the monkey symbolism of the old standard. The town's first governor was Luang Thep Sena, though it continued a while as a dependency of Nakhon Si Thammarat. This was changed in 1875, when Krabi was raised to a fourth-level town in the old system of Thai government. Administrators then reported directly to the central government in Bangkok, and Krabi's history as a unique entity separated from the other provinces, had begun.

Tourism[edit]

Phra Nang beach covered with tourists.

Much of the province has been the seat of several national parks. The topmost destinations are Hat Noppharat Thara, Ao Nang, Railay, Ko Phi Phi National Park. Yet over 80 smaller islands such as Lanta islands, or Koh Lanta, Phi Phi islands - made famous as the ideal location for adventurers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkelers and day-trippers from Phuket.

Krabi is growing fast, in the last few years Tesco, HomePro, Big C have all opened and a new International hospital is in the final stages of construction. Krabi has a reputation of being a true Thai countryside location and with the now enlarged Krabi International airport is seen as the ideal balance between convenience and lifestyle. People are being drawn to Krabi in search of the idyllic beach life that Phuket and Koh Samui offered a decade ago but are in danger of losing as they get bigger. International residents are catered for, although on a smaller scale than Phuket, with regard to immigration services and English speaking staff in local government offices. Entertainment options are on the increase as are true International standard Hotels and attractions. To cater for the inward surge of potential residents, many real estate companies have emerged building high quality villas and homes specifically for foreigners.

The Ko Lanta National Park, also in Krabi province, includes several coral-fringed islands with well-known diving sites. The largest island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the site of park headquarters, and is also home to Chao Le, or sea gypsies who sustain themselves largely through fishing. The islands are best visited during the non-monsoon months of October through April.

Kayaking, sailing, birdwatching, snorkeling are also among top activities. In the interior, two predominantly mainland national parks, Khao Phanom Bencha and Than Bokk-horani, offer inland scenic attractions including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking, birdwatching and eco-tours.

The rock faces at Railay Beach near Aonang have attracted climbers from all over the world and each year are the venue for the Rock and Fire Festival. There are several Rock Climbing schools at Railay beach.

transport[edit]

Since 1999 the town has been served by the international Krabi Airport. Passing through the town is Phetkasem Road (Thailand Route 4).

Panoramic view over Krabi from Tiger Cave Temple.

2.PHUKET PROVINCE

Phuket (pronounced puu gèt) (ภูเก็ต) [1], is Thailand's largest island. It is 48 km in length, 21 km at its widest, and is in Southern Thailand, on the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline, suspended from the southern tip of Phang Nga Province by a pair of short but substantial road bridges.

Map of Phuket

[edit]Regions

Western Phuket (Bang Thao, Kamala, Karon, Kata, Laem Sing, Mai Khao, Nai Thon and Nai Yang, Patong, Surin) This region is what Phuket is known for the world over. There is a wide variety of beaches, some calm, some totally ruined by millions of visitors each year. Patong is one of the party capitals of Asia.

Southeastern Phuket (Chalong Bay, Cape Panwa, Nai Han, Rawai, Ya Nui) Slightly off-beat beaches that are worth the trip. Chalong Bay is the largest town that acts as a harbour for outgoing boats to Phang Nga Bay.

Interior Phuket (Bang Rong, Ko Sire, Phuket Town, Phra Taew National Park,Thalang) Besides Phuket Town, the interior of Phuket is pretty much unvisited by foreign visitors. This fertile hilly expanse consists of mangrove forests, fishing villages, rubber and pineapple plantations, small Muslim communities and shrimp farms. The Phra Taew National Park is a nice escape from the tourist crowds, as is the Gibbon Project.

Phang Nga Bay (Ko Bon, Ko Hae, Ko Lon, Ko Mai Thon, Ko Maphrao, Ko Racha, Ko Yao) Famous for its limestone cliffs, caves, mangroves, fishing villages and James Bond Island.

[edit]Cities

• Chalong Bay — home to Phuket's most popular yacht anchorage and the primary gateway to the islands off Phuket
• Kamala — a quieter beach to the north of Patong
• Karon — the second most-developed beach after Patong
• Kata — busy, clean tourist beaches with good surf, split into Kata Yai and Kata Noi Beaches
• Nai Thon and Nai Yang — two quiet beaches in Sirinat National Park
• Patong — the largest beach resort, known for its night life
• Phuket Town — the administrative centre of the province, and the island's main population centre
• Rawai — set off point for lots of local islands, popular with locals for eating on the water front
• Surin — an up-and-coming up-market destination

[edit]Understand

Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline 862 kilometres south of Bangkok. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign trader’s ship logs.

In recent times, though, Phuket's top earner has been tourism, which has transformed the island into Thailand's wealthiest province. Expect prices to be a bit higher than on the mainland. The west coast of Phuket was hit severely by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, but almost no evidence of the damage now remains. Phuket enjoys great popularity as a travel destination. Most beaches are on the west coast, with Phuket Town to the southeast and the airport in the north.

[edit]Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily highs (°C)	32	33	34	33	32	32	31	31	31	31	31	31
Nightly lows (°C)	23	24	24	25	25	25	24	24	24	24	24	24
Precipitation (mm)	30	21	49	122	319	269	291	273	399	310	176	59
Check Phuket's 7 day forecast at TMD.go.th

Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The hot season is generally considered to be from March to early May. During the summer monsoon season from May to October, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider November to February the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centres around the Gulf coast. It's comparable to Florida's summer weather in temperature and intensity of rain storms: 25-33 deg C, flying clouds, short and thunderous rainfalls in the afternoons and evenings. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.

[edit]Culture

Phuket is a melting pot of indigenous Thais, Thai-Chinese, ethnic Malays and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. Outside of the provincial town, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand. The provincial town’s economy having boomed over the past decade has led to a lot of the youngsters leading similar lives to those in Bangkok. Altogether, the lifestyle of the urban Sino-Thais in Phuket resembles that of their counterparts in Bangkok.

[edit]Get in

[edit]By plane

The compact Phuket International Airport [2](IATA: HKT) (ICAO: VTSP) is in the north of the island, and is Thailand's second largest hub, second only to Bangkok. There are very frequent flights [3] to/from Bangkok as well as direct flights to many other airports in the region, including Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and direct charters to Europe and Australia in the high season.

3.Phang Nga Province

Phang Nga (Thai: พังงา, pronounced [pʰāŋ.ŋāː]) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, on the shore to the Andaman Sea. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ranong, Surat Thani and Krabi. To the south is the Phuket province, but without land boundary to Phang Nga.

Geography[edit]

The province is located on the west side of the Malay Peninsula, and includes many islands of the Phang Nga Bay. The most famous one is the so-called James Bond Island, a needle formed limestone rock in the sea, which featured in the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The Ao Phang-Nga (Phang-Nga Bay) National Park was established in 1981 to protect the many fascinating islands. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's main diving destinations, are also part of Phang Nga province. It is located 788 kilometres (490 mi) from Bangkok and covers an area of 4,170 square kilometres (1,610 sq mi).

Phang Nga City Hall/ in front of Chang Mountain

History[edit]

During the reign of King Rama II, nearby areas (including Thalang, now known as Phuket) were occupied by the Burmese and so many people fled to Kraphu-nga. In 1824, Siamese troops defeated the Burmese and the invaders were expelled. King Rama III renamed the area Phang-nga and in 1933 the town was expanded to be a province.

On the morning of December 26, 2004 Phang-nga Bay was devastated by a Tsunami disaster and thousands of people lost their lives.

Symbols[edit]

The provincial seal shows the Phu Khao Chang mountains in the background, and the City Hall in front. It also shows a dredge to represent the tinmining in the province.

The provincial tree is Cinnamomum porrectum (Hardy Cinnamon), and the provincial flower is Anaxagorea javanica.

The provincial slogan is Massive mining industry, Ban Klang Nam “floating house” delightful caves, strangely shaped hills, Jampun flower, rich in resources.

Administrative divisions[edit]

Phang Nga is subdivided into 8 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 48 communes (tambon) and 314 villages (muban).

Mueang Phangnga Ko Yao Kapong (Malay: Kampung) Takua Thung Takua Pa Khura Buri Thap Put Thai Mueang

Transportation[edit]

Roads

• Highway No. 4 is the main route that connects all districts in Phang-Nga (except Kapong and Koh Yao).
• Highway No. 401 connects Phang-Nga to Surat Thani.
• Highway No. 402 connects Phang-Nga to Phuket Province.
• Highway No. 4090 connects Muang to Kapong district.

Rail systems There is no rail system in Phang-Nga Province. The nearest railway station is at Phunphin district, Surat Thani Province.

Bus There are both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses to Bangkok and other provinces. There are also non air-condition inter-provincial buses.

Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle) The public passenger pick-up vehicle is the most popular mode of public transportation in Phang-nga.

Motorbike-taxi These are found mainly in the town areas and are used mainly for very short distances. The charges differ according to the distance travelled through the Motorbike-taxi.

Airport There is no airport in Phang-Nga Province because many high mountains around the town. The nearest airport is Phuket International Airport.

Tourism[edit]

Mushroom Rock Island and Ko Tapu aka. James Bond Island inPhang Nga Bay.

Situated on the Andaman Sea, Phang-nga province is famed for the natural beauty of its water, beaches, islands, mountains and forests.

Phang-nga was damaged in the 2004 Tsunami, although tourism has largely recovered.^{[citation needed]}

Sights / Attractions[edit]

• Ao Phang Nga (Phang Nga Bay) National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติอ่าวพังงา) was declared a national park in 1981. It has scenic views and features mass limestone formations scattered around in the sea near the shore. The same factors contribute to the density of caves in the area. The park is fertile with mangroves and there are a number of islands in the vicinity.

• ko Panyi a Muslim Fishing Village on stilts.

• Mu Ko Similan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสิมิลัน) was declared a national park in 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south and is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater.

• Mu Ko Surin National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะสุรินทร์) is an archipelago of 5 islands: Ko Surin Nuea, Ko Surin Tai, Ko Ri, Ko Khai, and Ko Klang. It was declared a national park on July 9, 1981. The archipelago is located in the Andaman Sea, near the Thai-Burmese oceanic border, to the west of Thailand. There are coral reefs and the area is suitable for snorkeling.

• Ko Phra Thong (เกาะพระทอง), located in Tambon Phra Thong. It is a large island northwest of Phang-nga. The island has many beaches. There is a large fresh water reservoir on the island.

• Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาหลัก-ลำรู่) was declared a national park in August 1991. The park occupies a vast area of 150 square kilometers (58 sq mi) and covers Amphoe Thai Mueang, Amphoe Kapong, Amphoe Takua Pa, and Amphoe Mueang. The interesting attractions are: Khao Lak (เขาหลัก), which has the Chao Pho Khao Lak Shrine, Laem Pakarang (แหลมปะการัง) which has groves of pine, making it good for camping and relaxation and Namtok Ton Chong Fa (น้ำตกโตนช่องฟ้า) or Ton Chong Fa Waterfall.

• Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาลำปี-หาดท้ายเหมือง) The park occupies an area of 18,000 acres (7,300 ha). It was declared a national park on April 14, 1988. Interesting attractions in the park include: Namtok Lampi (น้ำตกลำปี) is a 6-tiered waterfall that runs all year round, Namtok Ton Phrai (น้ำตกโตนไพร) is a huge waterfall that runs all year round and Hat Thai Mueang (หาดท้ายเหมือง) being a long beach where the Sea Turtle Festival is held annually.

• Wat Suwannakhuha (วัดสุวรรณคูหา), located in Tambon Krasom, is a temple in Phang-nga. It is of historical and archaeological importance. Within the boundary of the temple is a mountain with numerous caves out of which one is also used as a temple and houses various manners of Buddha images. There are also Royal Monograms inscriptions on the walls of the cave.

• Ko Yao (เกาะยาว) covers an area of 137 square kilometres (34,000 acres). The majority of the population are Muslim. The island is made up of 2 large islands: Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai.

• Hat Khao Lak (ชายทะเลเขาหลัก), located 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Takua Pa, is a long scenic beach along the Andaman Sea set beneath the green mountain of Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, parallel to the coast. The accommodation of Takua Pa along Khao Lak and Bang Sak Beach is built in the original southern architecture style.

• Wat Rat Uppatham or Wat Bang Riang (วัดราษฎร์อุปถัมภ์ หรือ วัดบางเหรียง), located in Tambon Bang Riang, the temple, situated on Khao Lan hill, contains several structures including an elaborate bell-shaped pagoda called Chedi Phutthathambanlue. The hilltop pagoda overlooks surrounding undulating mountains and hills as well as a huge Buddha image and a Guan-yin Chinese Goddess statue.

Activities[edit]

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Elephant cave trekking to Tham Phung Chang which is a cave with numerous stalactites and stalagmites.

Rafting in Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary north of Phang Nga town.

Rock climbing is a popular activity which passes through the routes including high quality limestone, steep, pocketed walls, overhangs and hanging stalactites.

Kayaking - Phang Nga's coastline, which consists of mangroves, limestone, small coves, caves and islands, and an interior with rivers lined with fascinating cave systems, has transformed the area into a haven for tourists wanting to try out kayaking. The most popular place of all is Khao Lak.

Bird watching - Many rare birds can be seen in Phang Nga, which include: Gurneys, Finfoots, Bigwinged Brown Kingfishers, egrets, and herons.

Sailing and cruising in Ao Phang Nga National Park

Fishing - marlin, sailfish barracuda and tuna can be found.

Jungle trekking - There are rich flora and fauna in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park and Si Phang-nga National Park.

Bamboo Rafting is a popular activity along Lam Ru Yai Canal at Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park.

Golf - There are two 18-hole golf courses near Khao Lak: Tablamu Navy Golf Course and Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina.

Spa - Many hotels and resorts offer world-class spa services. Many of these spas are accredited by the Thai Spa Association, with properly trained therapists.

Cultural exchange and Homestay - Visit a local village to see how people try to maintain their traditional way of live through community-based tourism.

Diving

• Similan Islands are one of Thailand's most famous diving sites. The islands are famed for their reefs, coral and variety of marine life. Tourists like to spot chevron barracuda, giant trevally, manta rays, leopard sharks and rainbow runners.

• Surin Islands are virtually untouched with reefs that slope to the seabed. The islands are situated 80 km (50 mi) west off Ranong Province along the west coast of Thailand. Located near the Surin Islands is the horseshoe-shaped Richelieu Rock, which is considered by hoards of divers to be the best dive site in the whole of Thailand.

• Khao Lak Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park has a palm-fringed coastline with newly discovered reefs. The area is home to a plenitude of marine life and even a couple of wrecks.

Local Products[edit]

Created by the local Farmer’s Housewives Organization, artificial flowers made from rubber and fish scales are souvenirs symbolic of Phang-nga province.

Nightlife[edit]

Scattered around the beach and bay areas are several clusters of beer bars and live music venues. There are also hotel bars. Generally speaking however, the nightlife in Pha-nga is comparatively much more laid-back than that of Krabi’s.

Local Culture[edit]

Lifestyle[edit]

Phang Nga is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. Phang Nga however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Outside of the provincial town, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.

With this kind of mixture, Phang Nga is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.

Situated on the small island of Ko Surin is a community of Morgan Sea Gypsies who still live their traditional life as seafaring people. These sea gypsies speak Yawi dialect and are more very friendly. However, just like the long-necked Karen in Mae Hong Son, some folk complain that their village resembles a bit like a human zoo with hoards of tourists walking around gawking at the villagers.

Cultural Activities[edit]

• Manora or Nora (มโนราห์หรือโนรา) is an art form native to southern Thailand. The performance has graceful and beautiful dance postures. The singer will sing the lyrics ad-lib. Therefore, he or she would have to be a quick thinker to find words that rhyme and that are meaningful in lyrics, dance and costume. Accompanying musical instruments include drums, cymbals, gongs, Java pipes, and castanets. Nowadays Nora has developed into incorporating modern instruments.

• Shadow Play (หนังตะลุง) is a popular art of southern Thailand. Dried animal hide is carved into drama figures like a hermit, a lord, a lead actor, a lead actress, a giant, and a clown. The figures are held up behind a lighted screen to create shadows on it. Nai Nang or the puppeteer will sing verses or narrate the performance. He must have exceptional reflexes and be able to narrate the whole story by himself. Musical instruments used are the same as for Nora, with perhaps So U and So Duang (stringed instruments) added in.

• Li-ke Pa (ลิเกป่า) is also called Li-ke Bok or Li-ke Rammana. This type of performance is different from the usual Li-ke as the performers wear other kinds of costumes. Li-ke Pa is popular among Thai Muslims. Only 3 performers play in a single set the whole show. However, the set will have a location name change to correspond to the story being played. Musical instruments used include 2-3 tambourines, cymbals, gongs, and pipes.

Festivals / Events[edit]

• Water Melon Day (งานวันแตงโม) is organized every year. There is plenty of watermelon on offer and a food and beauty contest.

• Free The Turtles Fair (ประเพณีปล่อยเต่า) is annually atThai Muang Beach. The celebration takes place for 7 days. During the festival baby turtles raised by the Fisheries Department are released into the sea at Thai Mueang Beach.

• Songkran Festival (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์) There are a merit making ceremonies, a water-pouring ceremony to pay respect to monks and elderly people, and many shows performed by local students.

• The Ma Jor Poh Statue Procession (งานแห่เทพเจ้าศาลเจ้าแม่ม่าจ้อโป๋) It's a yearly ceremony. The statue of Ma Jor Poh is carried on an ancient Chinese carriage around the town along with the weapons of various sacred spirits from the Chinese temple with traditional music played on Chinese musical instruments.

• The Chao Ley (sea gypsy) Boat Floating Festival(งานประเพณีลอยเรือ) It's a ceremony to celebrate the ancestor's spirits (Nia An Lo Pong). Morgan sea gypsies of all kinds join in this ceremony. The ceremony includes spirit dwelling, ancestor worshipping, fortune telling, music performances, dances, and "Kabang" floating which is believed to take away all sickness and bad luck from their families and community.

• The worshipping ceremony of Narayana and his followers (งานบวงสรวงเทวรูปพระนารายณ์และบริวาร) There are also various shops, several forms of entertainment, and activities performed by students.

• Vegetarian Festival (ประเพณีถือศีลกินผัก) The Phang-Nga Vegetarian Festival: Similar to the well-known Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang, this festival is held from the first through the ninth nights of the ninth Chinese lunar month.

• Amazing Phang-Nga Festival: High Season Opening in Phang Nga (งานเปิดโลกมหัศจรรย์แดนสวรรค์เมืองพังงา) There is an opening and special events ceremony Khao Lak Center. The ceremony features entertainment, cultural shows, an exhibition of tourist attractions, water sports and local sport competitions, local products shops, and enjoy vast variety of sea food from many resort in Khao Lak.

Local Food[edit]

In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani.

Phang-nga’s Panyi Island is famous for its Shrimp Paste and Takuapa for its Chinese-style baked cakes.

Medical Health Care[edit]

The main medical facility available at Phang-nga is General Hospital. Whereas, in case of severe conditions of patients or international standards, people normally go to nearby Phuket. For nothing too serious there are plenty of clinics and pharmacies.

Retirement[edit]

There are a great number of retirees in Pha-nga and their number is growing rapidly. Many are concentrated in the Khao Lak region. There are some other retirees though, who reside in extremely quiet locations away from the tourist scene as the cost of living off the beaten track is far cheaper.

Media / Contact[edit]

Local television, satellite TV channels are available. English language newspapers and magazines are available in some bookstores. You can order your newspaper from home via the NewspaperDirect Network (Printstation in Bang Niang, Khao Lak) (http://www.newspaperdirect-asia.com). A local bi-weekly English language newspaper for Khao Lak was available online as well as in print, but it ceased publication in early-2012. (http://khaolakecho.com)

Landline telephone, satellite phone and all mobile phone systems are available at Phang-nga town and village areas. Internet can be had in hotels, resorts and internet cafés. There are post offices in every district.

4.Songkhla Province

Songkhla (Thai: สงขลา, pronounced [sǒŋ.kʰlǎː]; Malay: Singgora) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Satun, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani and Yala. To the south it borders Kedah and Perlis of Malaysia.

In contrast to most other provinces, the capital Songkhla is not the largest city in the province. The much newer city of Hat Yai, with a population of 359,813, is considerably larger, with twice the population of Songkhla (163,072). This often leads to the misconception that Hat Yai is the provincial capital.

Mermaid statue at Laem Samila

Geography[edit]

The province is located on the Malay Peninsula, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The highest elevation is the Khao Mai Kaeo at 821 meters.

In the north of the province is Songkhla lake, the largest natural lake in Thailand. This shallow lake covers an area of 1,040 km², and has a south-north extent of 78 kilometers. At its mouth on the Gulf of Thailand, near the city of Songkhla, the water becomes brackish. A small population ofIrrawaddy Dolphins live in the lake, but are in danger of extinction due to accidental capture by the nets of the local fishing industry.

Two national parks are located in the province. San Kala Khiri covers 214 km² of mountain highlands on the Thai-Malay border; Khao Nam Khang, is also located on the boundary mountains. Chinese Communist guerilla settled in this region until the 1980s.

Mermaid statue at Laem Samila

Within the boundaries of the city of Songkhla is the Samila cape beach, the most popular beach in the province. The famous mermaid statue can be found here. The two islands Ko Nu and Ko Maew (Mouse and Cat island), not far from the beach, are also a popular landmark, and a preferred fishing ground. According a local folk tale, a cat, mouse and dog were traveling on a Chinese ship, when they attempted to steal a crystal from a merchant. While trying to swimming ashore, both the cat and the mouse drowned and became the two islands; the dog reached the beach, then died and become the hillKhao Tang Kuan. The crystal turned into the white sandy beach.

History[edit]

The name Songkhla is actually the Thai corruption of Singgora (Jawi: سيڠڬورا); its original name means 'the city of lions' in Malay. This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla.

Songkhla was the seat of an old Malay Kingdom with heavy Srivijayan influence. In ancient times (200 AD - 1400 AD), Songkhla formed the northern extremity of the Malay Kingdom of Langkasuka. The city-state then became a tributary of Nakhon Si Thammarat, suffering damage during several attempts to gain independence.

Archaeological excavations on the isthmus between Lake Songkhla and the sea reveal that in the 10th through the 14th century this was a major urbanized area, and a center of international maritime trade, in particular with Quanzhou in China. The long Sanskrit name of the state that existed there has been lost; its short Sanskrit name was Singhapura ("Lion City"). The short vernacular name was Satingpra, coming from the Mon-Khmersting/steng/stang (meaning "river") and the Sanskrit pura ("city").^[1]

Since the 18th century, Songkla has been firmly under Thai suzerainty. In 1909, Songkhla was formally annexed by Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, negotiated with the British Empire.

The Na Songkhla family's residence, now used as the Songkhla National Museum

In the 18th century many Chinese immigrants, especially from Guangdong and Fujian, came to the province. Quickly rising to economic wealth, one of them won the bidding for the major tax farm of the province in 1769, establishing the Na Songkhla (from Songkhla) family as the most wealthy and influential. In 1777 the family also gained political power, when the old governor was dismissed and Luang Inthakhiri (Yiang, Chinese name Wu Rang (呉譲)) became the new governor. In 1786 the old governor started an uprising, which was put down after four months. The position was thereafter inherited in the family and was held by 8 of his descendants until 1901, when Phraya Wichiankhiri (Chom) was honorably retired as part of the administrative reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The family's former home was converted into the Songkhla National Museum in 1953.

Songkhla was the scene of heavy fighting when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Thailand on 8 December 1941 and parts of the city were destroyed.

Songkhla was not initially affected by the recent outbreak of Pattani Separatism, which began in 2004. However, bombs planted in 2005 and 2007 created fear the insurgence might spread into Songkhla province. The districts Chana and Thepha bordering Pattani have been under martial law since 2005.^[2]

Demographics[edit]

People of the Buddhist faith make up about three-quarters of the population, most of whom are of Thai or Chinese ethnicity.^[3] About a quarter of the population are Muslim, most of them belong to a Thai-speaking Muslim group, called Sam-Sam.^[4] People claiming to be of Malay ethnicity make up a minority among the Muslim populace.^[5] The Songkhla Malays are very similar in ethnicity and culture to the Malays of Kelantan, Malaysia. They speak the Patani Malay language, which differs from the Bahasa Malay predominantly by means of actively used vocabulary and also in pronunciation.

Traffic[edit]

Phetkasem Road running all the way from Bangkok ends at the border crossing to Malaysia in Sadao. Also, the Asian highway 2 and 18 run through the province. Of note is the Tinsulanond Bridge, which crosses the Songkhla lake to connect the narrow land east of the lake at the coast to the Gulf with the main southern part of the province. With a length of 2.6 km it is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand. Built in 1986, the bridge consists of two parts, the southern 1,140 m connects Mueang district with the island Ko Yo, and the northern part of 1,800 m to Ban Khao Khiao.

The southern railway runs through the province, and continues on into Malaysia, with Hat Ya being the main and southern most station. In the past, a railway line connected the town of Songkhla with Hat Yai, but it was closed in 1978 and is now partly dismantled and partly overgrown.^[6]

Kanchanawanit Road, which runs from Songkhla Town, though Hat Yai, and all the way to the Malaysian border at Sadao District, is considered the unofficial dividing line separating the Thai South from its Deep South, Muslim-majority region.

Culture[edit]

The most important Buddhist temple of the province is Wat Matchimawat (also named Wat Klang), located on Saiburi road in the city of Songkhla itself.

On the island Ko Yo within Songkhla lake, since being easily accessible via the Tinsulanond Bridge, the residents have started to sell the hand-woven fabric named Phathor Ko Yo. Also famous for the island is the local jackfruit variant named Jampada.

Held in the first night of October, the Chak Phra tradition is a Buddhist festival specific to the south of Thailand. It is celebrated with Buddha boat processions or sports events like a run up Khao Tang Kuan hill.

In September or October at the Chinese Lunar festival the Thai-Chinese present their offerings to the moon or Queen of the heavens in gratitude for past and future fortunes.

Symbols[edit]

The provincial seal shows a conch shell on a Phan (tray) with glass decorations. The origin of the conch shell is unclear, but the most widely adopted interpretation is that it was a decoration on the jacket of the Prince of Songkhla.

The provincial tree is the Sa-dao-thiam (Azadirachta excelsa).

Administrative divisions[edit]

Songkhla is subdivided into 16 districts (amphoe), which are further subdivided into 127 subdistricts (tambon) and 987 villages (muban).

The districts of Chana (Malay: Chenok), Thepa (Malay:Tiba) were detached from Mueang Pattani and transferred to Songkhla during the thesaphiban reforms around 1900.^{[citation needed]}

Mueang Songkhla (Malay: Singgora) Sathing Phra Chana (Malay: Chenok) Na Thawi (Malay: Nawi) Thepha (Malay: Tiba) Saba Yoi (Malay: Sebayu) Ranot (Malay: Renut) Krasae Sin

Rattaphum Sadao (Malay: Sendawa) Hat Yai Na Mom Khuan Niang Bang Klam Singhanakhon Khlong Hoi Khong

Tourism[edit]

Sites[edit]

Songkhla’s City Pillar (ศาลหลักเมืองสงขลา) The Chinese architectural style building was constructed together with the city itself. The Chinese immigrants who came to settle there at the beginning of the 24th Buddhist Century had a major role in the establishment of Songkhla, hence, the distinctive Chinese lifestyle of the area.

Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon - Reclining Buddha in Wat Hat Yai Nai

The Institute for Southern Thai Studies,Thaksin university (สถาบันทักษิณคดีศึกษา มหาวิทยาลัยทักษิณ) It was established in B.E. 2521 for the studies of southern art and culture. Its museum has comprehensive exhibits on local art and culture, and southern lives as well as artefacts echoing local wisdom accumulated through several generations.

Laem Sai Estuary Fortress (ป้อมปืนปากน้ำแหลมทราย) Today this fortress is behind the Songkhla Provincial Police Headquarters.

Wat Matchimawat or Wat Khlang (วัดมัชฌิมาวาสหรือวัดกลาง), on Sai Buri Road, is a large temple and the most important in Songkhla. It is about 400 years old. This temple also has the Phattharasin Museum that houses various artefacts gathered from Songkhla, Sathing Phra, Ranot, and elsewhere.

Wat Chai Mongkhon (วัดชัยมงคล), on Phetmongkhon-Chaimongkhon Road, has a chedi that was built to house the Buddhist relics brought back from Langka by a monk named “Na Issaro” who was teaching Pali there in B.E. 2435.

The Songkhla National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติสงขลา) It became the domicile of Songkhla’s upper administrative officers and finally the City Hall. Today it is the source of local archaeology, history, and folk art and culture. It has a notable collection of the artefacts of the ‘Na Songkhla Family’ that used to rule the city.

Phathammarong Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์พะธำมะรง) It was constructed in a Thai style to resemble the birthplace of H.E. Prem Tinsulanond, the former Prime Minister and Statesman who is a Songkhla native. The construction was based on his testimony when his father was the prison warden.

Ban Sattha (บ้านศรัทธา) It is surrounded by coconut plantations. The city people had it built for H.E. Prem Tinsulanond, the Privy Councilor and Statesman, when he was the Prime Minister. Construction was completed. In B.E. 2539, H.E. Prem gave the house back to the people of Songkhla.

Laem Samila (แหลมสมิหลา) This peninsula is well known for its white sandy beach, shady pine groves, and the statue of a mermaid that is Songkhla’s symbol.

Ko Nu and Ko Maeo (เกาะหนู – เกาะแมว) A legend says that a dog, a cat, and a mouse, on a Chinese sampan stole the merchant’s magic crystal and tried to swim ashore but drowned and lost their lives. The mice and cats became the islands in the Songkhla Lake while the dog died on shore and became the hill called Hin Khao Tang Kuan near the bay. The crystal was totally destroyed and became the white sandy beach called Hat Sai Kaeo.

Khao Tang Kuan (เขาตังกวน) at Laem Samila has the Sala Vihan Daeng, the royal pavilion built during the reign of King Rama V. On the hilltop is a Dvaravati chedi housing the Buddha’s relics that was built during the Nakhon Si Thammarat Empire. A rail based cabin tram offers ascent from the street level to the hilltop. Very good 360 degree view of Songkhla and surroundings form a variety of viewpoints here. A playground for local monkeys near the base station of this hilltrain attracts visitors and locals alike.

Laem Son On (แหลมสนอ่อน) It is well shaded with sea pines. At the end of the peninsula stands the statue of Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak. This peninsula is the best spot to view Ko Nu and the Songkhla Lake.

Khao Noi (เขาน้อย) has a road to the hilltop for paying homage to the statue of Prince Lop Buri Ramet (The Southern Viceroy), and to view the city. On the east is a public park with food services and tennis courts. On the northeast is Suan Seri, another park with ornamental plants in animal shapes.

Khao Kao Seng (เขาเก้าเส้ง) It is one of the beautiful beaches of Songkhla, dotted with large boulders one of which is on a rock. It was said that underneath this boulder there used to be treasures stored by the people as funds for the construction of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Chedi and had protecting spirits.

Songkhla Zoo (สวนสัตว์สงขลา) It was established for the preservation of Thai wildlife and to return them to the wild. The zoo covers a hilly area with an asphalt ring road. The various animals have been grouped separately, such camels, birds, red gaur, tigers, crocodiles, and others.

Songkhla Lake (ทะเลสาบสงขลา), the only natural lake in Thailand is about 80 kilometres long and 20 to 25 kilometres wide. It is a freshwater lake with brackish water near the mouth. Boats are available for touring the lake.

Tinsulanond Bridge (สะพานติณสูลานนท์) It is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, with two parts: the first part connects the coast of Amphoe Mueang Songkhla to the southern coast of Ko Yo; the second part connects the northern shore of Ko Yo to the coast of Ban Khao Khiao.

Ko Yo (เกาะยอ) is a small island in the Songkhla Lake but is the important attraction of Songkhla. The island, covering an area of 9,275 rais (14.84 square kilometres (5.73 sq mi)).

The city of Hat Yai (ตัวเมืองหาดใหญ่) is the gateway to the neighboring countries of Malaysia and Singapore. It is only 60 kilometres from the port of entry at Sadao. Hat Yai has grown significantly into the commercial, transportation, communication, educational, and tourism centre of the south.

Hat Yai Municipal Park (สวนสาธารณะเทศบาลเมืองหาดใหญ่) The park is full of beautiful flowering plants, with a pavilion in the middle of the pond, avarium, and food stalls. At the foot of the hill near the avarium stands the statue of King Rama V. And at the southern foothill near the boy scout camp stands the jade statue of Guan-yin, the Chinese Goddess.

Wat Hat Yai Nai (วัดหาดใหญ่ใน) is the site of a large reclining Buddha measuring 35 metres long, 15 metres tall, and 10 metres wide, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon, believed to be the third largest reclining Buddha in the world.

Namtok Ton Nga Chang (น้ำตกโตนงาช้าง) It is one of the beautiful waterfalls of the south, about 26 kilometres from the city. This waterfall has seven levels, the third level is the most beautiful and is named after the waterfall.

Namtok Boriphat Forestry Park (วนอุทยานน้ำตกบริพัตร) is about 52 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. It is a small all-season waterfall.

Wat Tham Khao Rup Chang (วัดถ้ำเขารูปช้าง) The temple uses the cave as religious ground. The cave has been partitioned into several rooms with delicate stalactites and stalagmites.

Khao Nam Khang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาน้ำค้าง) has lush forest cover. There are two waterfalls within this park: Ton Dat Fa and Ton Lat Fa.

Khao Nam Khang Historic Tunnel (อุโมงค์ประวัติศาสตร์เขาน้ำค้าง) This tunnel was once known as the Piyamit Village 5, run by the Communist insurgents. It is the largest and longest man-made tunnel in Thailand, completed in two years with three separate corridors and three levels deep.

Hat Sakom (หาดสะกอม) is about 53 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang Songkhla, on the Songkhla-Chana-Thepha Highway.

Chedi Phi Nong Yot Khao Daeng (เจดีย์พี่น้องยอดเขาแดง) consists of two stupas: Chedi Ong Dam (The Black Chedi), and Chedi Ong Khao (The White Chedi).

Khu Khut Waterfowl Park (Tha-le Sap Songkhla Wildlife Refuge) (อุทยานนกน้ำคูขุด-เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าทะเลสาปสงขลา) In fact this waterfowl park is part of Tha-le Sap Songkhla or Songkhla Lake. The survey undertook by the Royal Forestry Department discovered 44 families, 137 genus, and 219 species of avian. The best times to view the birds are from December to March.

Wat Cha Thing Phra (วัดจะทิ้งพระ) This temple has several ancient ruins from the Srivijaya Period such as Chedi Phra Maha That, Wihan Phra Phutthasaiyat (reclining Buddha), and the bell tower.

Wat Pha Kho or Wat Ratchapraditsathan (วัดพะโคะหรือวัดราชประดิษฐาน) This temple was the seat of Somdet Pha Kho or Luang Pho Thuat Yiap Nam Tha-le Chuet, the most revered monk in the south.

Wat Ek Choeng Sae (วัดเอกเชิงแส) It has the revered coral Buddha image that had been covered with plaster. The image is 70 centimetres wide at the lap and 120 centimetres tall.

Laem Khwai Rap Wildlife Protection Unit (หน่วยพิทักษ์สัตว์ป่าแหลมควายราบ) There are a large number of waterfowls around the Unit and can be seen without having to travel by boat into the Lake, especially in the morning and evening when the birds are out searching for food.

Sacred Pond at Wat Laem Bo Tho (บ่อน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์วัดแหลมบ่อท่อ) It was said that a monk named Phra Sin Narai and a layman named Khun Wichai Phromsat built this pond on their way from India to Ayutthaya. This sacred pond has clean freshwater all year round.

Wat Ku Tao (วัดคูเต่า ต.แม่ทอม อ. บางกล่ำ) Wat Kutao is the oldest temple on the bank of Klong U-Tapao river. It is on the south rim of the Songkhla lake in Maetom district.

Activities[edit]

Bull Fight (กีฬาชนโค) is the famous local favourite sport since the time of Phraya Mueang, in the Srivijaya Period. After the harvest, owners would bring their bulls to fight as a gesture of solidarity and festivity. Two bulls would fight each other in each round lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the bull’s conditions.

Khao Java Birds (นกเขาชวา) is the favourite domesticated bird in the south. The famous bird-culture area is Amphoe Chana, about 40 kilometres from Amphoe Hat Yai, on Highway 408. Bird singing contests are usually held annually from January to July. Singing birds are judged by their tone, voice, beat, loudness, and continuation. The winners are highly priced.

Shooting for sport (กีฬายิงปืน) in Songkhla can be carried out at two shooting ranges that are open to the public, as follows.

Ruchirawong Range (สนามยิงปืนรุจิรวงศ์) is located in Amphoe Hat Yai, across from the Hat Yai District Police Office.

Songkhla Royal Navy Range (สนามยิงปืนราชนาวีสงขลา) is located within the Songkhla Navy Base, on Chalatat Road (on the coast).

Thai Boxing (มวยไทย) in Songkhla is held either at the Songkhla Navy Base.

Golf (กอล์ฟ) can be enjoyed at various courses.

Local Products[edit]

Shrimp and fish crackers are one of the local products of Songkhla. They are delicious and inexpensive. There are also nam budu, cashew nuts, and dried crystal shrimp.

Nang Talung (shadow puppet) is the south’s folk art that is shown to the general public in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, and Songkhla. A temporary platform is usually built for the performance. The puppets, cut from animal hide, are placed against the rear of a white screen in front of a bright light so the audience can see their shadows. The story is told by narrators.

Ko Yo Hand-woven Fabric is another folk product of Songkhla, produced mainly from Ko Yo, Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. The sturdy hand-woven fabric has intricate designs such as Lai Rat Chawat, and Lai Luk Kaeo.

Culture[edit]

Festivals[edit]

Songkran Festival (ประเพณีสงกรานต์) is held on 13 April. In Hat Yai the festival is held around Niphat Uthit 1, 2, and 3 Roads, from morning till evening. Malaysians and Singaporeans often join in the festivities with their Thai hosts.

Thai Goods and Produce Promotion Fair (เทศกาลส่งเสริมสินค้าและผลไม้ไทย) is usually held in the middle of July when fruits are at their peaks. The fair boasts large selection of the best agricultural products from all southern provinces both for display and for sale.

Tham Bun Duean Sip (งานเทศกาลทำบุญเดือนสิบ) is another southern tradition that is held on the full moon of the tenth lunar month. This festival grew from the belief that during the new moon phase in the tenth month, the souls of the deceased relatives and friends, especially those not yet reborn would be released to meet the living relatives. So the living would prepare foods to offer them to the monks in their names. In Sathing Phra this festivity is different than in other districts whereby tall gold figures are paraded as the “proxy” for the deceased who were respected by the villagers.

Lak Phra and Tak Bat Thewo (giving alms) (งานประเพณีลากพระและตักบาตรเทโว) is held on the new moon in the eleventh lunar month, around October of every year in Amphoe Mueang Songkhla. The festivity would start one day before the actual day to wrap a large cloth around the top of the Chedi on Khao Tang Kuan. In the morning of the festival day, alms are offered to monks (tak bat thewo) at the foot of the hill. Several hundred monks would walk down from Khao Tang Kuan to receive the offerings. Late in the morning monks travelling by boat from other temples in Songkhla would proceed along the waterfront so the Buddhist can offer alms and pull their boats along. Such acts are considered highly merited. The monks’ boats would congregate at the lotus pond to participate in the boat decoration contest. On the festival ground there are also art and culture performances.

Notes[edit]

1. Jump up^