While warming up in Mahasarkham Province, a seven-hour drive from Bangkok, a local gambler who frequented Rajadamnern quickly recognized my friend. He approached us, asking to get in on his side bet. News quickly spread and by the time my friend got in the ring, he was already favoured to win.
All Muay Thai fights in Thailand have ringside betting. It is a common joke in Thailand that no one actually goes to watch Muay Thai for fun; rather, they are just there to gamble. Ringside betting is the most complicated aspect of Muay Thai gambling. People who participate are professionals many of whom use gambling as a full-time job, travelling across the country to partake in this dicey lifestyle.
Although gambling is technically illegal in Thailand, permits are acquired beforehand, thus rendering gambling at the stadium or outdoor fights legal. Bets are placed both directly before and during the fights. It is common for gamblers to place multiple bets on a single fight as the odds are constantly changing. It is even possible for highly skilled gamblers to place multiple bets in such a way that they can come out ahead regardless of who the victor is.
Bets are arranged through a series of
hand signals. Thumbs-up means that you're betting for the red corner to win, whereas a pinky finger indicates you favour the blue. From there odds will be placed, three fingers up means that you want to take the favourite with 3-2 odds. In this situation you will bet 300 but will only win 200. If you show three fingers facing down, it indicates you want to bet on the underdog. Putting down 200 will get you 300 if your fighter can pull through. You can bet any amount. At the big stadia in Bangkok, gamblers will put down thousands of baht, whereas in the countryside, the bets are commonly smaller.
At large stadia in Bangkok, gamblers are blocked off in sections and the use of laser pointers or ladders is not permitted, thus they are limited to placing bets with those only in their immediate section. Outside the capital, gamblers often bring laser pointers and rent ladders at the venue. From there, they are able to places bets with anyone around the venue. If you see a laser pointer being shined at a fighter, it means he is being offered a tip to win the fight.
Odds are called by someone known as the “big legs.” These guys are known throughout the gambling communities, having earned their spot by being able to place very large bets. In extremely close fights, fighters who have the “biggest legs” in their corner will be awarded the win. This type of decision reflects one of the negative aspects of the sport, how power and money can influence the outcome of big match-ups.
