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 nearly enough photos (barely any at all), no training videos of anyone, and only filmed a handful of the Rajadamnern fights I went to. This is pretty typical of me. I can try to rationalize it a number of ways, but the reality is, it’s just the way I am.
Nonetheless, I do have a stash of fights, namely of those fighters that I either liked to hang out with or those who asked me for copies.
In the next while, expect to see fights of some of the lesser known Chuwattana crew in addition to some of whom you may expect. I was working with a camera I picked up for free via the Air Miles point redemption program – some of the footage is a little grainy and I like to film up close and tight when I can. I hope you guys feel it like I do.
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