Junior Thai Boxing Bout, Chiang Mai

Junior Thai Boxing Bout, Chiang Mai
Originally uploaded by JonathanTheMan.

The junior lead-up bouts gave us some indication of what was to come. Essentially fighters seem to be permitted to strike their opponent using any part of the body except the head. Blows from the fists and feet seem to be mostly used for softening up - knees and elbows do the real damage. Boxers appear to be very respectful towards each other, with no signs of aggression or trash talking before or after the bout. (Though given that I don't speak Thai, maybe they just do it with a very straight face!)