Thai traditional games
The Sukhothai period marked the earliest known traditional games in Thailand, as recorded in the stone inscription of King Ramkhamhaeng.
[2] These games were originally designed to foster good relationships between adults and young people, as well as to provide entertainment, relaxation, and exercise.
[3] Moreover, many traditional Thai games incorporate natural items such as sand, bamboo, rattan, mud balls, or banana tree stems, etc.
The game is played with two teams of equal number of participants, who pull on opposite ends of a rope.
The game starts with players setting up a small area on the ground or on a table, usually with a circle drawn using chalk or a marker.
Players use two cleaned coconut shells with a hole drilled in the middle for stringing a rope, about 1 meter long.
The game helps to train balance and develop body strength, while also providing fun for players.
[8] Jam Jee (Thai: จ้ำจี้) is a finger guessing game played by sitting in a circle with both hands overturned on the floor.
[9] Ka Fak Khai (Thai: กาฟักไข่) is a game where players gather materials to make eggs and place them in the center of a circle.
[10] Khee Ma Kan Kluay (Thai: ขี่ม้าก้านกล้วย) is a game where children play with a toy horse made out of banana stalks.
Today, efforts are being made to preserve this folk game, with performances at traditional events and festivals for future generations to experience.
'One-legged rabbit') is a traditional Thai children's game that involves 6-10 players in a square-shaped playing area.
To adapt the game for larger groups, the number of rabbits can be increased and the play area adjusted.
The rules are simple: one person is chosen to be the "Seeker" or "Hider", and they close their eyes and count while the other players hide.
Evidence suggests that kites have been popular in Thailand for centuries, with historical records from Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods.
At the bottom, a spigot emerges, which initially had a simple form but was later invented, created, and developed in different varieties, some of which produce a sound when turning.
'Pebbles tossing and picking') is a traditional Thai children's game that involves collecting small objects in a specific sequence.
The Mon people have a cultural taboo against playing with dolls or wrapping them in ghost cloth, which has been ordered down through generations.
It is not commonly associated with Mon culture, but has been passed down through generations in various parts of Thailand and is often played during the Songkran festival, which marks the Thai New Year.
The game requires quick reflexes and teamwork, making it a fun activity for children to play together.
The game involves hopping on one foot through the different squares, while avoiding stepping on the lines and keeping balance.
The aim of the game is to reach the end of the grid, and then return to the starting point, without making any mistakes.
In recent years, efforts have been made to promote Makruk as a national sport, and it has gained popularity both domestically and internationally.
The race is typically held during the rainy season, between July and October, and is often accompanied by traditional music and dancing.
The race is a display of strength, endurance, and teamwork as the boats compete to be the first to cross the finish line.
Long-boat racing is not only a sport but also an important cultural event that brings communities together to celebrate their heritage and traditions.
Len Saba (Thai: เล่นสะบ้า) is a game played with a unique ball made from the seeds of the Entada rheedii plant.
Initially played without a net, it involved passing a rattan ball to another person using only the feet, knees, chest, and head, without letting it touch the ground.
In the 1940s, the introduction of the net gave rise to a new form of the game that is now widely played in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries.
