gym  that you are fighting out of. It is essentially a crown. Fighters never own the Mongkon themselves, it is gym property. Also, fighters are not to touch the Mongkon. It is placed on their heads and removed by their Kru or trainer. It serves
to remind the fighter that he is in the ring representing his gym or camp, not himself. In the past, each gym had a distinct Mongkon, and one could identify what gym a fighter was from by the Mongkon worn.  

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.  

When the fighter is in the ring, he goes to the center to bow to each of the four
sides of the ring, paying his respects to the audience who has paid to see him fight.  

The fighter then returns to his corner and if he is wearing a robe, his trainer
removes it for him to begin the real pre-fight ceremony.