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In
every summers or late cool seasons when the wind delightfully
blows, Thai skies are always painted with colorful kites.
In the evening of the days, kites are wheeling and weaving
freely in the air over the cities of the kingdom.
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Kite
is popular in Thailand since Sukhothai period. Puk Pao and Chula
kites were created in Ayuthaya period and they were used as
a war trick. Later, kite flying became a famous sport and art.
King Rama V is one of skillful kite flyers who permitted Thai
people to use Sanam Luang Royal Ground for kite flying. |
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The
Kite Fighting Game |
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Pakpao
VS. Chula
Kite
fighting game is a fight between Pakpao & Chula kites, first
appeared in Ayutthaya period. It requires great skill and wily
tactics of the fliers. The
competitive kites are made of bamboo structure and 'Sa' paper. |
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The
Fighters |
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Pakpao
is a small diamond-shaped kite, made of 'Sa' paper. It requires
5 fliers per team.
Chula
is bigger (wide about 8 feet), made of 'Sa' paper and equipped
with 3 sets of bamboo barbs attached to the string. It has
distinctive five-pointed star shape, requires 20 fliers in
a team.
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The
rules |
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2
Pakpao teams : 1 Chula team
Divide
the field with a rope. The upwind territory belongs to Chula
team. The downwind territory belongs to Pakpao teams. Launch
Chula kite across the boundary into the downwind area of flutter
Pakpaos.
The
object of the game is to see how many Pakpaos that Chula can
bring down into its territory, or vice versa, in a 45 minutes
period.
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Kite
flying can be easily witnessed in front of the gilded spires
and soaring roofs of the Grand Palace at Sanam Luang, in February
and April.
Nowadays,
kites were designed in different styles and shapes, such as
snakes, cartoons, butterflies, birds, airplanes, and so on.
It is still popular for all families.
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