Vacation Thailand - Thai Culture  ... by ash-hotel.com      

Muay Thai - Kick Boxing     
Like other Asian martial arts with ancient roots, Thai boxing thrives on some ritual. Before each fight, boxers must per- form the "Ram Muay" (Boxing Dance). This, it is said, is to expel evil spirit from the ring. Boxers also perform Buddhist meditation "to gain protection" in the battle ahead.
And protection they really need. Muay Thai fighters have a reputation for murderous kicking techniques and if that' s not enough, once fighters get within fist distance, it's elbows and knees, you have to worry about as well.. The knock-out blow can come from anywhere.
Any part of the body except the head may be used to strike an opponent, but punching is considered the least effective form of attack. Knee and elbow strikes are far more decisive. In the early days, the combatants' fist were wrapped  in a thick horse hide for maximum impact and minimum knuckle damage. Fighters also used  cotton soaked in glue and ground glass. Later, hemp, tree bark, and seashells were used to protect the groin from lethal kicks.
But many Thai Boxing bouts don't go the full distance. They often end when the referee counts one fighter out (after a knock-down) or decides that a boxer can no longer defend himself. Also, a referee can (and often  does) disqualify a fighter if he considers him not showing enough enthusiasm . After all, betting is encouraged so the referee has an obligation to ensure that all contestants give their best

The Ancient Art of Traditional Massage
Traditional Thai Massage has its roots extending back deep into history. It was developed from ancient Chinese acupuncture and was used together with local herbal medicine to cure the ills of the village folk in the days before doctor become a part of the everyday scene.   Their systems is based on lines of energy believed to flow through the body and converges at many points. Pressure can be applied or needles inserted at these points to unblock the flows of energy that accumulate. The custom of taking a regular massage is still practiced today, as it has been proven to aid good health and long life.
Some people today believe that traditional massage is doomed.  But this fear is nothing new. Two hundreds years ago King Rama III, alarmed at the dwindling number of practitioners of ancient massage ordered that all tenets of the precious knowledge should be carved on stone, in case they may be irrevocably lost. These inscribed slabs can be seen today in the compound of Wat Po, one of the better centers of traditional massage.
Following on this tradition, some establishments have employed masseuses trained from the oldest academy in Thailand and offer special courses tailor-made to the customers requirements. They usually follow the same basic principles, but the style may not always be the same, with emphasis on this and that method varying from place to place.
The masseuses do not only press the parts the patient can't reach, they also stretch them. One of the main areas in need of attention is the spine. One of the standards stretching routines for this main pillar of the body is to bend the patient over backwards, so that the spine rests on the masseuses upright knees. It is a spectacular trick that needs to be done just right if its not to cause more harm than good.  The good masseuses usually start on the legs, course through every nook and cranny of aches and tension, finishing with a facial tone-up.

Thai Etiquette
What is considered polite in your country is probably considered polite in Thailand, too. However, there are a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence. For exmaple, Thais revere their royal family. Even social malcontents, who ignore legal and community standards, refuse to tolerate a faintly implied slur on the monarchy. Out ward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish.
Visitors who remain calm and smile will find all sorts of doors opened to them. Visitors should dress neatly in all religion shrines. They should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home, a Buddhist temple chapel, any of the Islamic communitys mosques.
Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything, which might indicate a lake of respect. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon.
Westernized Thai couples may hold  hands, but thats as far as it goes in public. It Is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, litterally and figuratively. Therefore, they do not appreciate anyone patting them there, even as a friendly gesture.
Thai customarily ask questions which are regarded elsewhere as being personal. If the visitor is asked, "Where are you going?" or "How much do you earn?" such questions are asked in a friendly manner and signify genuine interest. Joking answers such as, "I'm not sure" or "Never enough!" are perfectly acceptable.

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