MUAY THAI AND COCKFIGHTING
MUAY THAI AND COCKFIGHTING
special report by Serge TREFEU (2024)
In Thailand, cockfighting is as much a part of the local culture as Muay Thai, and has surprising similarities to the world of boxing.
Cockfighting attracts punters from all walks of life, with stakes reaching into the millions of baht. The matches are often hotly contested, and the adrenaline rush of the spectators is comparable to that of Muay Thai fans.
Some roosters, true champions, are valued at incredible prices, sometimes several million baht. These roosters are carefully raised, rigorously trained, and fed with specific diets to improve their endurance and strength.
The fights take place in specialized stadiums, often in rural areas known for their traditions. These places are always packed, and the atmosphere is electric, just like in the big Muay Thai matches.
Champion roosters are celebrated and revered as stars. Their names become famous in the industry, and their success reflects on their breeders.
These roosters can even receive prestigious awards, such as trophies or honorary titles, reinforcing their legend.
Thai trade magazines and television channels cover these competitions, devoting articles and programs to the champions and their breeders, just as they do for the big stars of Muay Thai.
Champion cock breeders gain a great reputation, similar to that of legendary boxing trainers. Their know-how, expertise in cock breeding and training, and dedication earn them immense admiration.
Fighting cocks, like boxers, undergo strict training and a tailored diet to optimize their performance.
Their physical condition is a priority, and breeders provide them with attentive care to ensure they reach their full potential.
The fights are governed by specific rules, and referees supervise the matches to ensure a fair outcome, just like in human combat sports.
The betting and festive atmosphere of the cockfighting stadiums are reminiscent of those of the big Muay Thai matches, where the passion of the spectators and the bettors is palpable.
Young roosters, called “fighting hens”, are raised individually to avoid premature fights. Each rooster has a dedicated space to grow in a calm environment.
Their diet is based on paddy rice daily, supplemented with nutritional supplements to boost their health and endurance.
Breeders ensure regular vaccination to prevent diseases.
Roosters are exposed to the sun in the morning and afternoon. This essential practice helps to:
Strengthen their immune system.
Develop their endurance and resistance.
Maintain an optimal weight.
Fighting cocks are subjected to controlled practice sessions where they test their strength and agility against other cocks. This is to assess their abilities and prepare them for real fights.
Price and trade of fighting cocks:
Cost of cocks according to their stage of development:
Chicks (1-2 months): 700 baht each.
Young cocks ready to fight: 3,000 to 10,000 baht, all breeds.
Quality breeding cocks: Between 3,000 and 5,000 baht.
Champion or promising cocks: Prices can reach tens of thousands of baht.
Minburi and Nong Chok districts near Bangkok are major breeding centres. These areas attract foreign buyers every year.
Orders are often sent by air, generating a significant source of foreign exchange for Thailand, estimated at hundreds of millions of baht annually.
Other countries also share a great passion for cockfighting, such as the Philippines, where the practice is deeply rooted in the culture, Mexico, where cockfighting is often associated with local festivities, or Indonesia, where it is integrated into traditional ceremonies.
Beyond the competition, cockfighting is a thriving industry. Breeders, traders and gamblers take advantage of this tradition to create a real economy around this activity.
Cockfighting in Thailand follows a tradition rich in techniques, specialized terms and precise rituals.
Roosters are placed in dark places, often covered with covers, to avoid mosquito bites.
They are left like this from 5:30 pm to 7:00 am for optimal rest.
Roosters are trained with special races, called random races.
Two roosters are placed close together, but separated by a pen, so that they can observe each other and run without direct contact.
Types of Losses in a Cockfight
Abandonment:
A rooster that runs away, screams, or refuses to fight is immediately declared the loser.
Slowness and Immobility:
If a rooster is judged to be too slow or inactive after three consecutive interactions without significant movement, he also loses.
After defeat:
Wounded or losing roosters are usually nursed back to health.
If their fighting career is over, they can be bred to pass on their genetic characteristics.
Technical terms of the cockfighting world
Khay Chon: Fighting cock.
Som Khay: Training camp dedicated to fighting cocks.
Stay Khay (Style of cock):
Description of the physical traits sought:
Raise chest, tilted tail.
Yellowish white eyes.
Tail with 7 feathers on each side.
Overlapping scales on the legs and grooves on the beak, signs of strength.
Kad Nam: The person in charge of hydrating and cleaning the cocks during fights.
Sangweiyn Khay: Stadium dedicated to fighting, a circular cement arena 6 meters in diameter and 1.2 meters high.
Looklao: Origin or breed of the rooster, essential element to evaluate its quality.
Nak lae Swansoung: Categorization of roosters according to weight and size:
Small: 2.9 – 3.3 kg.
Medium: 3.4 – 3.7 kg.
Large: 3.8 – 4.2 kg.
Mome (Corner):
Unlike Muay Thai, there is no red or blue corner. Roosters are differentiated by physical characteristics (color, tail length, crest) and by their camp affiliation.
Many of Thailand’s great Muay Thai champions are passionate about cockfighting and share a deep interest in the culture. They often have large breeding operations near their training camps and, alongside their fighting careers, manage this business with dedication and care. Some of the most famous champions who share this passion include:
- Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj for the 1990s
- Pornsanae Sitmonchai for the 2000s
- Tuan Pae Sor Sommai and Kongsak Sitbonmee for the 2010s
- Kulapdam Sor Jor Piak Uthai and Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai Gym for the 2020s
A great fan of cockfighting, he devoted part of his free time to this activity, which he considered a precious tradition.
This legendary champion had a breeding ground in his camp with about 100 fighting cocks. One day, he was lucky enough to sell a cock for an impressive 1,000,000 baht.
After hanging up his gloves at the age of 33, Sangtiennoi devoted himself for several years to running his camp, which he had founded near his home.
In 2005, he moved to a larger camp in a peaceful location in the middle of the countryside, along a rice paddy. However, the infrastructure was somewhat dilapidated, and the camp was sometimes not very clean because of the many chickens roaming the site.
A great fan of cockfighting, Sangtiennoi frequently organized competitions in his area, where his best roosters often won.
This great champion sadly left us in 2021…
Known for his explosive style in the ring and spectacular knockouts, Pornsanae was also a huge fan of cockfighting.
Pornsanae had a breeding farm of about 100 roosters near his home and even kept a dozen fighting cocks at the famous Sitmonchai Gym in Kanchanaburi, where he trained.
Pornsanae’s fighting cock breeding is one of the largest in its region. Known for the quality and performance of its birds, this breeding is a testament to the former champion’s know-how
Pornsanae had a real passion for this activity and won many trophies with his cocks. Some of his specimens were of great value, reaching exorbitant prices.
Sadly, the end of this great champion’s career was tragic. Pornsanae is now incarcerated, serving a very long prison sentence. He was convicted of the murder of Mr. Sawang Charoenmak, a local figure renowned in the cockfighting world. The incident took place in a bar, where Pornsanae shot the victim six times. The causes of this dispute may be related to financial issues related to cockfighting…
This great champion is also known for his love of cockfighting.
This former ring star has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 situation. To adapt to this difficult period, he has converted to breeding fighting cocks in Ubon Ratchathani province, with the intention of training them for competitive fights. He has partnered with the famous Sia Tam, one of the largest breeders in the region who has nearly 600 chickens on his farm.
Today, Tuan Pae manages his boxing camp while devoting himself to breeding these animals that are emblematic of Thai culture.
Kongsak has found a new passion alongside his sports career. He is devoting himself to a project close to his heart: breeding fighting cocks. This activity, which he has been carrying out in his native province of Buriram for several years, could make him a renowned breeder in the future.
Kongsak didn’t like chickens as a child. However, as he grew up and started raising the birds, he gradually changed his mind. It was when he received a fighting rooster from his family that he developed a real affection for these animals.
“Cockfighting is like boxing. These animals are born to fight, and they fight to the death,” he explains with admiration.
From the age of 8 months, roosters can begin their training. Kongsak points out that their fighting instincts and technique improve with practice, much like boxers hone their skills through training.
Kongsak Farm focuses exclusively on breeding Thai fighting cocks, known for their offensive style and ability to strike the back and body of their opponents. Currently, he has ten fighting-ready cocks, all raised naturally, without chemicals or stimulants.
“The price of fighting cocks depends on their talent. A winning cock with a good record can sell for tens of thousands of baht, just like a famous boxer. Reaching these levels, however, requires a lot of work.”
“It is crucial to monitor the condition of the roosters during a fight. If a rooster is too tired or injured, it is better to give up to preserve his health and morale. A demoralized rooster will lose confidence and will never be able to fight again.”
Among his roosters, Kongsak has a favorite that he affectionately nicknamed Kongsak Lek (Little Kongsak)!
Kulapdam has managed to turn his passion for fighting cocks into a source of additional income.
Kulappam grew up in a modest farming family, living off livestock and crops.
Passionate about boxing since childhood, he began to save the money earned in the ring to invest in an activity he particularly loved: breeding fighting cocks.
Today, Kulapdam runs two fighting cock farms: one at his parents’ house and the other at his wife’s house. He raises about 60 baby fighting cocks there, ready to be sold. These farms, called “Somboon Farm,” allow him to generate additional income, which is particularly useful during periods when boxing events are less frequent.
Kulapdam sees deep similarities between boxing and cockfighting. For him, both disciplines require courage, endurance and strategy.
“Fighting cocks and boxers share the same spirit: they are born to fight. Each fight is a test that forges their character.”
Considered one of the greatest talents of the new generation, ONE Championship star Tawanchai is not only admirable in the ring. Aside from his sporting exploits, he is also an avid cockfighting fan.
For Tawanchai, this activity allows him to develop valuable qualities such as patience and concentration, assets that he finds both in his personal life and in his boxing career.
Outside the ring, Tawanchai leads a life that reflects Thai traditions. He dedicates part of his time to breeding fighting cocks, a passion he shares with his family. His home is also home to a small farm dedicated to breeding and selling these cocks.
