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Gallery|Arts and Culture

Winning big in Thailand’s rhinoceros beetle matches

Gamblers place bets as beetles fight over a female. Loser beetles are released, victors continue fighting.

Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Most of the fighting beetles are caught in the jungles of northern Thailand, but breeders have recently begun operations as well. Beetles fights are organised during beetle mating season between September and early December each year. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
By Taylor Weidman
Published On 29 Dec 201629 Dec 2016
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Chiang Mai, Thailand– Every year in northern Thailand, groups of men gather to take part in a unique activity: beetle fighting. Some men come to fight beetles and gamble, while others come simply to meet and socialise with friends. The fights are organised once a year and offer a break from the daily routine in small, agrarian villages.

Participants are typically low-income farmers, but there are also wealthy competitors.

Locals capture the rhinoceros beetles in the jungle during the beetle mating season in September. An average beetle can be sold for about 50 baht ($1.40), but a champion-caliber insect can go for as much as 3,000 baht ($84).

The owners bring their beetles to the small arenas where the fighting takes place. They match the beetles by size and character and when two similar beetles are found, bets are placed and the competitors will head onto the fighting stage – a log of wood, crafted with holes wherein a female, pheromone-secreting beetle is trapped. The two male beetles are thus motivated to fight over the female beetle.

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They lift and push their opponents with their huge horns; the victorious beetle will break its opponent’s horn or cause it to flee.

Matches are broken up into rounds each time the beetles lock horns. If a match continues for 12 rounds, the contest is declared a draw. Bets, which can range from 100 baht ($3) to as much as 50,000 baht ($1,400), add drama to the occasion.

The losing beetle is typically returned to the jungle, while winners are kept on pieces of sugar cane to fight again.


READ MORE: The animal smugglers


Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Many beetle tournaments have two competitions: beetle fighting and a 'beetle beauty contest.' Only beetles of the same size are allowed to fight each other. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
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Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Rhinoceros beetles are sold at a roadside stand in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Most beetles are sold for some 50 Baht ($1.40), although champions can go for 2,000-3,000 baht ($50 - 80). [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Trainers compare two rhinoceros beetles in preparation for a fight. According to trainers at this arena, a good beetle should have a dark-coloured long body, red area under the wing and a large upper horn. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
A trainer shows off his rhinoceros beetle. Mr Jom, 55, likes beetle fighting because it's exciting and, since it only happens once a year, helps to break up the year in small farming communities. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Beetles fight on a log with a hollowed out area inside containing a pheromone-secreting female beetle. Losers are generally released into the trees, while the victors are kept to continue fighting in future matches. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Two rhinoceros beetles fight. Lifts like this are acrobatic, but do not help the beetle win. At this arena, the only way to attain victory is to break the opponents horn or to have your opponent run away. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
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Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Mr Buem, 40, and his friends cheer during a rhinoceros beetle fight. The sport is popular with Thai men. Women rarely participate. 'I wanted my beetle to win, but the opponent was a fighter, as well. I wanted to win money!', said Buem after the fight ended in a draw. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Although gamblers examine the beetles before placing bets, many say that there is no way to know beforehand which beetle will fight better. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
The beetles fight on a raised platform so spectators can watch. The two beetle owners usually place a bet among themselves, then place additional bets with spectators. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Mr Sak, 54, trains and gambles on beetle fights. 'I bet with my heart, believing wins will follow.' [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Ten percent of gambling winnings go to the house. The lowest bet allowed is 110 baht ($3), while the highest competitors here have heard of a bet going up to as much as 55,000 baht ($1,400) on a fight in Chiang Rai. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]
Beetle Fighting/Please Do Not Use
Mr Joker, 38, a rhinoceros beetle breeder displays pictures of his beetles. He says that beetle breeding is becoming big business. He travels all over northern Thailand selling his beetles. [Taylor Weidman/Al Jazeera]


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