Beetle-fighting and betting thereon; is a traditional pastime among the Northern Thai; sections of the Shan in neighbouring Burma; and the Lao Tai of northern Laos. During the rainy season - between approximately July and October - when the rice is maturing in the paddies and farmers have some free time before the cool season harvest begins; the spectacular tua kuang; or rhinoceros beetles of the region begin their mating season in the forests and jungles of the northern borderlands.

There are at least five separate types of kuang living in north Thailand. As a group; they are distinguished by the male of the species; which sports a giant; armoured carapace surmounted by horn-like pincers; giving the creatures their common English name 'rhinoceros beetle'. By contrast; the female beetle seems an ordinary; even plain creature - though evidently; and reasonably enough; not to the male. During the mating season; deep in their natural habitat of bamboo groves or sugar cane clumps; the female emits a scent which stimulates the male and helps him find her.