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...]