Welcome to the first installment of the Chuwattana Gym Fight 2009 - 2010 series that will showcase on MBSB. Bangkok's Chuwattana Gym is owned by Rajadamnern Stadium promoter Choocharoen Raweearamwong, who is also a part of the Suk Dawrung Choocharoen promotions team. Suk Dawrung Choocharoen sends talent to fight worldwide. As a result, there is a large and sometimes ever changing pool of proficient nak muays training at Chuwattana on any given day. Of all the fighters that trained at the gym while I was living there, Kayasith Chuwattana remains my favourite. His speed, the beauty and ferocity of his technique and his intellect silence me. For those … [Read more...]
MUAY THAI
Muay Thai training information, fight videos and fighter interviews with an emphasis on traditional Muay Thai. Read about Muay Thai in Thailand with a focus on Isaan and Bangkok. This is the real deal. Not kickboxing with elbows and knees. Don't know the difference? Read on.
Chuwattana Gym Fights 2009 to 2010
Sometime around end of February and beginning of March 2009, I stepped foot into Chuwattana Gym and didn't fully leave until, I believe May 2010 after a six week stay at a gym in Japan. The first four months of 2010 were spent between Chuwattana Gym and the defunct Tor Ratonakiet in Buriram. At the time, women weren't allowed to live on the Chuwattana premises, so I took a room directly, meaning a few metres across from it. Whenever I think of Bangkok, thoughts of Chuwattana Gym filter in. Most of my training, eating and socializing in Bangkok were conducted either there or with resident and / or visiting nak muays. In retrospect I realize I didn't take … [Read more...]
Rain Veins On My Window Panes
Generally I keep track of my training. I've got a little creme coloured imported Thai day planner I picked up at a Dollar Store in Canada I reference. I do this to keep tabs on the coin I owe the gym (I pay by the day) and to take note of my health. I'm sick often out here. Ninety percent of it is due to msg poisonings and other allergy and / or (dirty) food related issues. For example, when reviewing the last eight weeks of my life, I realized I was sick for five of the past eight Mondays. If I don't take this all down on paper, my brain efficiently washes it way. I don't see the patterns, I just live in the present and push forward. Keeping tabs on my … [Read more...]
A Moment Of Gratitude – Buakaw Por Pramuk vs Sataban Tor Ratonakiet
An integral aspect of muay thai culture here in Thailand is reverence for those who teach you. Each fight commences with what is called the Wai Kru, a pre-fight ring ritual of respect. The Wai is a Thai gesture of veneration and Kru is the Thai word for teacher. A few days ago, my pre Lookchaomaesaitong Sit Namkabuan kru, Gai, a.k.a. Sataban Tor Ratonakiet called to let me know a fight of his was on YouTube. This was new as he neither owns any footage of his career as a nak muay, nor could we find footage anywhere, other than a K.O. highlight lifted from the standard entrance cd given out at Lumpinee stadium. The following is a fight between … [Read more...]
Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym, Buriram, Thailand
Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym is a family run, traditional muay thai gym located in the city of Buriram, Isaan. Isaan is Thailand's Northeastern region and the birthplace of many muay thai champions, past and present. Buriram province has contributed greatly to those numbers. Foreigners are welcome to train at Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym. Details: TRAINING Morning - 5:40 am start 16 km run, bag work and fitness/weight training. Pads are available on request (at no additional cost). Evening - 4:00 pm start 4 km run, 20 - 30 minutes skipping rope, bag work, five, … [Read more...]
Train Muay Thai In Isan: Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym Deets
MBSB and Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym have recently come into a partnership. Details: MBSB will host Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym advertising that will lead to a page outlining the gym's details, training structure, and prices. The page will be created by me and hosted on MBSB. Should you be interested in training at Lookchaomaesaithong Sit Namkabuan Gym and go through this site, I will receive a commission of your training dues. This is at no cost to you and it assists me with my own training expenses. Prices are the same whether you go through the gym directly, or through me. I'm excited about this mutually … [Read more...]
Training Muay Thai in Thailand? Beware the Poser Kru
It was about 10:00 pm. I was standing on the street when he drove up on his bike. "Lolah! He says he knows you." Beer in hand, he silenced the ignition. I walked over to meet him and one of the ladymen I was hanging with. "You're a boxer, I've seen you at fights." A conversation ensued. The details, I currently forget prior to being told he was a trainer. This interested me, as I was still looking for one. The following is paraphrased, best to my recollection. "I'll train you. I train my son." He motioned with his hands as though he was holding pads. He then looked over my … [Read more...]
In The Wa
I was recently featured in The Wa Magazine. Thanks Tim McCready. Thanks The Wa. Here's the piece.... If you want to download the issue for free, do it here. And if you're feeling some space rock to accompany your read... … [Read more...]
Changes – Finding A New Muay Thai Gym
Finding the right trainer and/or muay thai gym in its homeland can be a difficult task, particularly for those here long term. If I had to generalize, I'd estimate that your average Foreigner who is on limited time and of limited knowledge has a fairly easy time finding the right fit. New is beautiful. Again, if I had to generalize, I'd estimate that those of us here long term generally tend to develop discerning tastes. We know what we want, we know what we don't, and oftentimes other elements influence our decisions. Among them, our financial situation. A number of us stepped away from our employment and saved considerably to follow our passion for muay … [Read more...]
Muay Thai Wire: SIT-O GYM, BURIRAM CLOSURE 2011
My search for a new trainer brought me to the now defunct and abandoned Sit-O Gym. Approximately one year ago, I submitted a post on My Muay Thai stating the gym was closed. This was based on the testimonies of a number of people. We were all incorrect, it had moved. (Although, speaking to others in the business today, I was told it has been closed for the past three years...?) I suspect some of the confusion may be based in what is considered 'closed'. Regardless, being accompanied by a past Sit-O nak muay coupled with visiting a now unemployed Sit-O kru, I believe it is safe to say, Sit-O Gym Buriram is no longer in operations under any capacity in the city of … [Read more...]
Understanding Isaan Weddings
Approximately one week after my post Muay Thai In Limbo, I found out that Gai, my trainer was getting married within two weeks. One of his oldest friends mentioned it to me and they had just found out that day. If what I've been told is correct, Gai had recently found out. Perhaps a few weeks prior, possibly a few months, no one I spoke to really knew. This, from what I've been told by a number of people is normal. Families and/or monks often deem that people are to marry and when, not the people dating. In addition, the people who are getting married aren't obligated to tell their friends. Many don't. I've learned to stop … [Read more...]
Muay Thai Training In Limbo
When I first started training with Gai a year ago, I called up one of my friends and shouted, 'He treats me like a chicken!'. This translates as - I was being taken care of. Chicken fights can be big business out here and I've seen men treat their fowl with more respect and care than I've seen nak muays receive at a gym. Nothing like looking at a bird and thinking, "Wow, one day I want what you've got" (minus having a feather shoved up my rectum then down my throat to make weight). That being said, Thailand is a random place where the majority of the population lives in the present. Great while vacationing, a bit to get used to when you're … [Read more...]