Cockfighting In His Rural Birthplace

The birds do not usually fight to the death, as in many parts of the world, but they can still inflict fatal damage to their opponents in the contests almost always accompanied by lucrative gambling.Late last Knitted Fabric Factory year Thailand introduced its first-ever animal welfare law after years of campaigning by animal rights groups.The legislation bans “torture and cruelty towards animals” but exempts activities deemed part of the country’s traditions such as bull and cock fighting.Unlike in the Philippines, where roosters can be seen fighting with blades attached to their feet, Thailand’s birds usually compete with their spurs wrapped in fabric.Back at the underground ring, men suck out blood pooled in the necks of their fowls in between bouts — a sign, the Loei electrician says, that shows how much they all care for birds they have painstakingly raised.

2 million baht ($618,000) for a record-breaking bet, venue manager Banjerd Janyai told AFP.While they risk up to two years in jail for gambling at an unregistered ring, authorities routinely turn a blind eye to such activities.The cocks are judged on their fighting prowess rather than their ability to kill, with proponents like Banjerd arguing such protections mean “there are not many injuries”.In this lucrative industry “good fighting birds” can sell for more than $85,000, he added, with Thailand exporting cocks to neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia and buyers arriving from as far afield as France and Bahrain. — AFPThe cry of roosters drowns out the roar of engines beneath a Bangkok flyover as all eyes are trained on two sparring birds, a bloody, high stakes battle in a country where cockfighting is big business.”end-of.His prize is on the lower end of a betting spectrum in a nation where most forms of gambling are outlawed.Champion birds attract a cult following like “muay thai” kickboxers, with entire magazines dedicated to the bloodsport.

“We suck out the blood from the neck so it feels refreshed and better,” he said.Like most of the working-class men priming their roosters, the pony-tailed and tattooed man — who withheld his name — began cockfighting in his rural birthplace before bringing the hobby to the heart of the Thai capital where he now lives.The official view supports cockfighting as an intrinsic part of Thai culture.But some Thais are fighting for an end to the practice in a country where the concept of animal welfare is only slowly emerging. Thailand is dotted with much larger, official cockfighting stadiums that draw vast, big-spending crowds.“The longer he can fight the stronger and more valuable he will be.“It’s a way to preserve ancient Thai culture and pass it on to our children,” said the 50-year-old. The country exports cocks to some neighbouring countries and buyers arrive from as far afield as France and Bahrain.A few weeks later the same stadium raked in 22. The country exports cocks to some neighbouring countries and buyers arrive from as far afield as France and Bahrain.For the few dozen men surrounding a technically illegal but tolerated underpass ring, cockfighting is as much a generations-old Thai tradition as it is commerce.