Figure 1.-- Soccer (football) does nor dominate Thai sports as it does in many countries, but it is growing in popularity. We note some Thai boys are wearing long stockings for sports, especially soccer. This photo shows a teenager from Bangkok, Thailand, wearing the new sports long stockings. These are not knee siocks pulled up, but especially made long stockings with elasticized tops. I was a bit surprised because Thailand is not a terribly cold place, but I think this style has little to do with warmth, but is a definite sports fashion statement. It is not a style that can be worn by the popular kick boxwes as they compete with barefeet. Notice that the boy is not wearing either shin pads or the longish shorts now common in the game of soccer. The picture seems to be a promotion to show how long the stockings are made and how they apparently stay up without any garters. Notice the red "swoosh" which is the logo for Niki sports wear. The sneakers may be Niki as well. I think the t-shirt the boy is wearing signifies a local Thai soccer team or sports organization for teenagers. I have no idea whether this represents a school in Thailand or not. Hopefully our Thai readers will tell us more.

Sports are played in Thailand and there are a range of traditional sports, varuous martial arts disciplines. Western sports have also in recent years begun to become popular. The growth of sports in Thailand appears associated with economic growth and incrweasing prosperity. Thailand is one of the few countries where soccer (football) is not the most popular sport. It is difficult to be sure. but muay or Thai kick boxing appears to be the most popular Thail spectator sport. It is one of the many Asian martial arts that have become popular in the West. There are Muay stadiums all over Thailand. A dramatic part of the event is rather wild musical accompaniment which is a part of the the ceremonial beginning to the matches. Kraabi Krabong is another of tghe Thai martial arts. It is related to muay, but with the added complication of hand-held weapons. It is not as wide spread as muay, but there are often demonstrations at festivals or at important tourist locations. A rare team sport emerging from the developing world is Sepak Takraw. It is a kind of volleyball played with feat and a light-weight rattan ball. Whilethis is the basic game, not one has ever developed consistent rules. Thus there are several different version in which varying rules are observed, primarily on a regional basis. In thesouth, for example, the he head can often be used as well as the feet. Standard volley ball is also popular in Thailand. Beach volleyball has also become popular in many tourist areas. Soccer or football does not dominate tghe sports picture in Thailand as it does in many countries, but it is ddefinitely growing in popularity, especially among young people. And this is not only in the cities or towns, but there are also reports of boys and teenagers playing soocer in villages throughout the country.

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Created: 2:07 AM 12/27/2010
Last updated: 10:14 PM 3/11/2011