Cockfighting in South Thailand

Considered part of Thai culture, cockfighting is tolerated by the government in particular in rural areas where raising the birds in local communities is seen as a form of “extra income”. In spite of the ban from the authorities, fight promoters are able to get an exemption to the gambling laws and a lot of money is wagered on the fights. In addition, unlike in the capital Bangkok and in other areas of Thailand, where roosters usually compete with the spurs wrapped in fabric, in the arenas I visited, roosters can be seen fighting with blades attached to their feet. In this way, fights are shorter and gambling opportunities are higher for the attendees.