THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Cock fighting might be as popular with some people as bull fighting is with others, but in Thailand, as throughout the rest of Asia, it has a tradition going back hundreds of years. The Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre in Chiang Mai attempts to explain cock fighting, as well as dispense some of the myths that surround the sport.

The newly opened Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre in Sanpisua, 10km (about 6 miles) north of the Chiang Mai Citadel heading towards Mae Rim, features experienced cock handlers, display boards with photos tracing the sports origin, video documentaries, and a cockpit where exhibition fights are held and cock fighting and training is explained.

Visitors to the centre learn that American Civil War generals had fighting cocks; that you’re not allowed to fit artificial spurs to cocks in Thailand; that fights do not necessarily end in the death of the cock; and that cocks from different countries behave differently.

The centre houses about 10 display cocks, to illustrate the differences between cocks from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Burma, and about 80 other cocks which are used for short demonstration fights and rotated regularly.

The Chiang Mai Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre is certified by the Department of Livestock, who perform cock inspections each month, and every cock is registered with its own photo ID passport.

Set amidst vegetable gardens, flower plots, and rice paddies, the Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre is built on a traditional Thai farming theme, following the traditions of the sport which have its roots in the rural community where farmers typically bring their cocks out after the rice harvest.

The centre has its own free guide to accompany people around the various displays, and who is able to explain in English or Thai the various herbs, plants and methods used in caring for and training fighting cocks.

Open between 10am and 5pm daily, the Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre is the latest Thai cultural attraction to open in Chiang Mai and still not widely known. With an entry fee of Bt200 (about $US6) for adults and Bt120 ($3.60) for those under 10 years, the Cockfighting Learning and Exhibition Centre in Chiang Mai is thought to be the only venue of its type in the world where people can gain such an insight into fighting cocks.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for January 6, 2010