Muay Thai or Thai boxing is both a sport and means of self defence. Contestants are allowed to use almost any part of their body: feet, elbows, legs, knees, and shoulders, are all weapons. The playing of traditional music during bouts makes for even greater excitement.

Boxing Stadiums

There are two venues in Bangkok for this type of sport.

Ratchadamnoen Stadium , Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, open every Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m., Thursday at 5 and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 4 and 8 p.m.

Lumphini Stadium , Rama IV Road, every Tuesday and Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. Tel: 0-2251-4303.

ZOOS / ANIMAL FARMS

Dusit Zoo Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in an ornamental garden.

Open: Daily from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: Adult 30 baht; Child 5 baht
Tel: 0-2281-2000, 0-2282-7111-3 www.zoothailand.org

Crocodile Farm This large farm with over 60,000 fresh and saltwater crocodiles is some 30 kilometres from Bangkok in Samut Prakan Province. Other creatures including trained elephants, gibbons, lions, and snakes are also found here. The exciting crocrodile wrestling show is performed every hour. There is also a Dinosaur Museum where various species of life-size dinosaurs and their skeletons are on display.

Open: Daily from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tel: 0-2703-4891-5, 0-2703-5144-8 www.crocodilefarm.com

Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (Snake Farm) Located near Chulalongkorn Hospital on the corner of Henri Dunant Road and Rama IV Road, this institute contains a collection of poisonous snakes which are “milked” daily for their venom in order to produce invaluable anti-snakebite serum.

Open: Mon–Fri from 8.30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 8.30 a.m.-12 noon)
Venom extraction: Mon-Fri at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.; holidays at 11.00 a.m.
Slide presentation in English: 30 minutes before venom extraction.

Safari World Bangkok’s greatest open zoo and leisure park is located in Min Buri, via Km. 9 on Raminthra Road. The 300-acre complex comprises a Safari Park populated by African and Asian mammals, a Marine Park with amusing performances of well-trained dolphins and seals, a Bird Park and a Games Corner.

Open: Daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
www.safariworld.com

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo Just only 1 kilometre before the Rose Garden, this 60-acre farm is another interesting attraction housing many different wild animals and thousands of crocodiles. Fascinating performances such as Crocodile Wrestling, Magic Show, and Elephant Theme Show commence everyday at 12.45 p.m. and 2.20 p.m. with additional shows on Sundays at 10.30 a.m.

Open: Daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m.
www.elephantshow.com