Although gambling is illegal in Thailand, there are cases where special licenses can be granted. A sport like cockfighting, considered ‘traditional’ and in which animals are neither killed or tortured. 

Roosters fight in 22 minute rounds, with the number of rounds per bout decided by both teams, but never exceeding 8. The birds run and fight in mid-air striking at each other with both feet and beak until one clearly concedes defeat or is knocked down 3 times. 

As the fight progresses both teams and spectators alike up their bets. According to the Association for the Preservation of Thai Cock Fighting, a fight at the biggest pit, can generate up to 10 million THB in bets.

Fighting birds in Thailand can inflict damage with their beaks and front claws, however regulations stipulate that they must have their back spur (claw) gloved to prevent serious injuries to their opponents, unlike illegal cockfighting in other countries where oftentimes blades or knives are attached to the claws resulting almost always in the death of a bird.