If I were to create a list of quintessentially Thai items/traditions in the Thai school system, Sports Week/Day would most likely be number one on the list. Thai sports day is something like the homecoming football game mixed with the dance and a parade. (My school in the U.S. didn't have a football team, so I’m guessing this is a decent estimate.) There are people in gowns, all dolled up, sporting events with cheerleaders, stands full of people, and a parade that travels through the city.
Thai schools are split up into colors (which become teams for Sports Day). Throughout the entire week, there are preliminary games between the colors for many different sports, volleyball, basketball, etc. This all accumulates to a day full of sports competitions: races and games. Thai Sports day starts with a giant parade that the students have worked for hours and hours to put together. My host cousin, Far, was in charge of the blue team’s part of the parade, and she spent hours putting it together. In going over final preparation, she did not sleep the night before the parade.
I didn't get much sleep the night before the parade either because I was up at 4:30 AM, so I could dress up in Thai traditional clothing to walk in the parade. After much fake hair, black hairspray, and makeup, I was ready. My head felt like it weighed 100 lbs and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay balanced, but it all worked out and the parade went off with a bang. We walked 3 km through the city and ended up on the Sports day field (the track), surrounded by bleachers decorated lavishly for every color with giant creative painted backdrops. Although slightly uncomfortable, the experience was totally worth it. It was so fun to dress up in the Thai style of dress for a day to be part of the celebration. Our Light Blue team ended up winning the parade which thrilled Far because of all the hard work she put into it. Sports day is not something I would’ve wanted to miss. All of the energy in the air made a textbook Thai event into a memory I’ll have forever.
Sam
Thai schools are split up into colors (which become teams for Sports Day). Throughout the entire week, there are preliminary games between the colors for many different sports, volleyball, basketball, etc. This all accumulates to a day full of sports competitions: races and games. Thai Sports day starts with a giant parade that the students have worked for hours and hours to put together. My host cousin, Far, was in charge of the blue team’s part of the parade, and she spent hours putting it together. In going over final preparation, she did not sleep the night before the parade.
I didn't get much sleep the night before the parade either because I was up at 4:30 AM, so I could dress up in Thai traditional clothing to walk in the parade. After much fake hair, black hairspray, and makeup, I was ready. My head felt like it weighed 100 lbs and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay balanced, but it all worked out and the parade went off with a bang. We walked 3 km through the city and ended up on the Sports day field (the track), surrounded by bleachers decorated lavishly for every color with giant creative painted backdrops. Although slightly uncomfortable, the experience was totally worth it. It was so fun to dress up in the Thai style of dress for a day to be part of the celebration. Our Light Blue team ended up winning the parade which thrilled Far because of all the hard work she put into it. Sports day is not something I would’ve wanted to miss. All of the energy in the air made a textbook Thai event into a memory I’ll have forever.
Sam