194 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
Kite making is also local wisdom inherited over a long period of
time, especially for the shape of unique Thai kites which makes them
different from that of other countries. Kites have different styles and
are called differently such as I-lum kite, Dui-dui kite, Chula kite, Pakpao
kite. Only Chula and Pakpao kite are popular among Thai people and
brought to competitions. There are also other types of kite-making, such
as kites made for beauty purposes, including animal-shaped kites like
snake-shaped kites and the butterfly-shaped kites.
Kite fighting is considered a Thai folk sport required skills and
expertise as a group to control kites to win over other competitors by
using experiences and tactics to attack and dodge the attack. Most of
the kites used for the fight are Chula kite (star-shaped kite) and Pakpao
kite (diamond-shaped kite), which have different characteristics and
advantages. Chula kite has its shape like a five-pointed star and a
weapon called “Champa”, a set of 8 small arch sticks (arrows). 2-5 of
them attached to the neck will be used to trap the Pakpao kite’s lines.
The Pakpao kite has a shape like a vertical rhombus, with “Niang”
(loop) as a weapon. It is made of long sharp loop string in order to
catch the Chula kite and drive it out of balance.
Kite flying is a local game that provides players enjoyment and
pleasure, as well as exercising their brains to outsmart and skills to
control the kite in harmony with the wind direction. The creation of
kites is Thai wisdom in bringing easy-to-find local materials to build an
entertaining game. Such unique forms of kites clearly demonstrate the
creativity of the makers.