Ma Kan Kluai, the Traditional Thai Hobby-Horse

Similar to a hobby-horse (or stick horse) Ma Kan Kluai is a tradition toy that Thai children have played with since ancient times. Easy to make, it is a favorite among young boys and girls. Boys, in particular, have lots of fun with this toy, which is in the form of a horse's head mounted on a large banana stem allowing children to pretend they are riding a real horse.

Children of the same village often stage Ma Kan Kluai races, “galloping” as fast as they can, while cheering each other on. Some get the idea to arrange armies of horses, as if they were on the battlefield defending their country. They make weapons from whatever is at hand in their vicinity; for example swords from bamboo and shields from banana leaves. These items come from the imagination of children and can be seen in all corners of the country.

The major item of material to make a Ma Kan Kluai is a large banana leaf, especially the stem. Size depends on the size of the child. Leaves are trimmed off at one end to be fashioned into a horse's tail. The head is made of the other end of the stem with the outer edges turned in the horse's ears.

To complete Ma Kan Kluai a small bamboo stick is placed between the horse's lower chin and neck and then a banana string tied from the horse's head to the tail to use as a shoulder strap for carrying purposes. Another long banana stem, without leaves, is used as a whip. When children play this game they ride the Ma Kan Kluai whipping it and neighing like a horse.