+Pong Malai

are the floral wreaths worn around a fighter’s neck when he enters the
ring. Pong Malai literally translates to "Group of Flowers". It is almost identical in
purpose to a Hawaiian Lei. Pong Malai are given to a fighter by friends and fans as
a good luck gesture. Pong Malai are also commonplace in Thai culture outside of
the boxing ring. Again, much like a Hawaiian Lei.
When the fighter steps into the ring, they always go over the top rope. They
NEVER duck under or between the ropes to enter or exit the ring. This is a
symbolic gesture that is closely related to Thai culture. In Thai culture, a person’s
head is considered to be the most important part of the body, practically a holy
object. The feet, by contrast, are considered lowly and dirty. A fighter should
ALWAYS enter the ring over the top rope so as not to allow his head to go beneath
anything.