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Buffalo Fighting

This is a sport specific to the south of Thailand, and on Samui it generates a great deal of excitement. There are about a half dozen rough " stadiums" around the island, most being no more than a cleared area under the palms with a wall of bamboo matting or coconut leaves to hinder the view of those who haven't paid for a seat. Great crowds gather when a fight is on, and while men pay about 100 Baht, women enter free. Usually, the more aggressive the buffalo, the greater the crowd's delight. The fight ends when one animal turns and runs, usually well before either animal gets hurt.

A pair of male water buffaloes are pitted against one another in what amounts to a fairly harmless head wrestling contest. This widely loved spectacle still takes place at selected venues around the island, where banners are displayed days in advance.

Like sumo, the elaborate and theatrical preparations are an important part of the show, after which the animals are set loose to glower and paw the ground. Finally they lock horns and the crowd goes wild. The show at the edge of the ring is just as entertaining as the one within. The first beast to turn and run away is the loser, and so are some punters in the crowd.

Buffalo Fighting

Buffalo Fighting
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