Carl’s travelogue

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (11)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (11)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

A timekeeper from a tall perch watches the bout. If it lasts too long, he beats a drum to separate the contestants, They would then be pulled apart.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (10)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (10)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

Food vendors wait at their serving tables for the bouts to finish, and gamblers break up and buy food. Each Baht is usually saved for wagers.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (9)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (9)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

At a corner of the arena, those that lost their wagers hang out.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (8)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (8)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

A different angle of the bout shows spectators and handlers in the background. The most stubborn bulls persist until both are exhausted.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (7)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (7)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

A combatant is dragged out of the ring after a bout. He would be examined for injuries.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (6)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (6)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

The combatants first make gentle probes to gauge their strength before going all out.
Especially if they're done it before.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (5)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (5)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

Like prized athletes, the bulls are pampered, fed, and washed to cool them off. Here, we see one regally accept their ministrations.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (4)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (4)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

Fans include women as can be seen among spectators in this shot.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (3)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (3)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

The venue looks makeshift and decrepit, but attendance affirms its permanence. People come not only to wager, but to watch a "sport." Although there were admission fees, they would not take money from me. They believed I would not wager.

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (2)

Bullfights at Ratta Phum (2)

Ratta Phum, Thailand.

Spectators take their place on
crude backcless benches to
watch the event. They come from many different professions.,

Carl Kuntze

Carl Kuntze has been a member since 5 April 2008 and goes by Kuntze.

I'm a craggy 76 year old traveler photographer whose contributions has been published in Asian English language periodicals, very few the past two years because I was passed over by digital technology. I have since obtained a Canon EOS XTi digital camera, which I am still learning to use. As soon as I memorize all the buttons in the controls,
I expect to get reoriented.