Part 1 Oh man I'm starting to get excited. The plane landed about forty minutes ago and here I am already taking my luggage from the conveyor belt. Forty minutes to walk to Immigration, queue up, get my passport stamped up and pick up my luggage; that must be some kind of record here in Suvarnabhumi. I think I struck a slow day, or maybe not being swamped by one of the many Chinese tours nowadays makes all the difference; whatever the reason, I'm back! After customs, I emerge on the ground floor of the four level airport. I know where I'm going, I need a taxi, but I'm not going to wait in that taxi queue just outside. No sir! I took it once a couple of years ago and … [Read more...]
The Hidden Costs of Traveling Bangkok for a Day
Life in Isaan is okay. It’s this awkward balance of farm life and Western habits that my family must navigate through on a daily basis. What makes things a little more complicated is that everything is in Bangkok. Yes, in recent years there has been some great progress in Isaan, like more immigration check points and a passport centre in both Khorat and Khon Kaen, but for the most part, we must still make our way down to Bangkok at least three to four times a year for various reasons. During each visit to the capital, I am continually surprised at how much money my family and I are able to spend doing next to nothing. This last particular visit was on our … [Read more...]
Capturing The Root And Soul Of Muay Thai With Jacob Klensin
I realized that I was seeing things that should be shared, and when I found myself learning how to do that properly, and feeling like I was good at it, I never stopped. -Jacob Klensin Through his detailed and emotive work, Jacob Klensin allows us all a deeper peak into the world of Muay Thai and MMA. The photographer, filmmaker and writer took time out of his busy schedule in Philadelphia to let us in on his work and his world. You're a photographer, a filmmaker and a writer...what drives you? I studied history in college and was always fascinated by the creation of the material that will one day define how the future remembers the … [Read more...]
The Life Of A Bangkok Fighter Cut Short
We always trained late at Bor. Breechaa Gym. The trainers all had day jobs unrelated to Muay Thai, a situation rare in Bangkok gyms but a reflection of the surroundings: a working-poor neighbourhood in Sukhumvit 93, within walking distance of the legendary Sor. Thanikul Gym. The young fighters lived with their families at the apartment complex. Parents came to watch training, cook for the fighters, and bring rice from their relatives up-country. There was one kid, though, who always came alone. His name was Rambo. His parents had abandoned him. He lived a few streets away from the gym with his aunt, who did the … [Read more...]
The Boxer’s Soliloquy – An Interview With Author Matt Lucas
Matt has hit the nail squarely on the head with his depictions of the life of a foreign fighter in Thailand, writing with an authenticity that could only come from someone that has experienced it first hand. It makes for a very engaging and entertaining read! -Rob Cox, Muay Thai Focus American author and nak muay Matt Lucas' first release, The Boxer's Soliloquy is a collection of fifteen interconnected short stories that follows the lives of muay thai boxers in Bangkok. Matt has made a considerable amount of trips to train muay thai in Thailand. He's fought at the esteemed Rajadamern Stadium in Bangkok, in addition to other locations across Thailand and … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Fighting Muay Thai Or The Relationship?
PART 5 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. FEBRUARY "You don't care enough," Gong continues. "All you want to do during training is play cartwheel kicks with Glai. You train Muay Thai but you're the worst one at the gym!" "Okay Gong, maybe I'm the worst at our gym, but do you really think I couldn't win against someone in Phuket?" "Cut! Cut! Cut! Face!" he says in English, and slashes at the air with his elbows. He points to his brow and continues in Thai, "You want scars here, like what I have? I'm worried you'll get your face messed up. I don't want an ugly … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Don’t Fight Please
PART 4 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. FEBRUARY It's Saturday night, just a week before my planned trip to Phuket. Gong, my nak muay boyfriend of the last six months, is at the wheel of his beloved Toyota Vios and I'm gazing out the window at the passing lights of Bangkok. We're cruising down the main drag on the way home from the local supermarket, groceries in the trunk. Gong calls it a "date." I call it "running errands." I still haven't told him I emailed a gym in Phuket about fighting. Now's a convenient time to tell him the good news. I interrupt his quiet singing … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Entering A Romantic Relationship
PART 3 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. SEPTEMBER It's been exactly two weeks since Gong and I kissed in his room. Much to my utter relief, he has continued to train me well as before. In fact, he's been so normal and non-flirtatious with me the last two weeks that I'm starting to think what happened between us was a one-time mix-up. Tonight, Gong is over in my room studying English and Thai, as has been our Sunday evening custom the last couple months. We keep the door open and Camp Grandma walks by, smiling at the sight of us sitting on the floor with our … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Romance or Rejection
PART 2 Note: This is a work of fiction based on the author's experiences training muay thai in Thailand. August 2013 I mention to Gong the prospect of taking my first fight. He laughs at me, seems surprised I want to fight, and says he doesn't think I'm ready yet. "Maybe three months, Linsee. Maybe. If you train really hard." A few days later, something in me snaps during training. I'm paired up in sparring with a lanky 15-year-old named Boom. Normally I enjoy sparring with him but today I'm being pushed to my limits emotionally. Every strike he levels at me feels like he's trying to knock me out. Boom is one of my favorite Thai boys at … [Read more...]
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer: Training Fulltime In Bangkok
The Perils Of Dating Your Trainer is a fictional series by Lindsey Newhall, based on her experiences training muay thai in Thailand. PART 1 JUNE Another afternoon session training Muay Thai in Bangkok. I've been here four months now. The sun is shining brighter than usual and everything is glowing. During the water break in between pad rounds, I dip the metal cup in the communal cooler and revel in the relief of ice water. My trainer Gong calls me over for another round on pads. I hurry back to him and put my guard up. I'm falling in love with him. But it's not what you're thinking, not a romantic love. He doesn't speak English and I … [Read more...]
Romaneenart Park, Bangkok, Thailand
When I first arrived in Bangkok to train Muay Thai, I wasn’t physically prepared to train twice daily. I had prepped myself for Chiang Mai, not Bangkok, which meant, I needed a few weeks to build stamina. Luckily I found Romaneenart Park, a lush chunk of green space on Siriphat Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok approximately two kilometers south of Khao San Road and near Little India and Chinatown. Park Facilities Soccer/football Basketball half court Skate park Track Weight area with a nominal admission fee Fitness installations/circuit Cardio machines Jungle gym Bocce ball area Tai chi, yoga, cheerleading, swords, dancing being practiced independently … [Read more...]
From Bangkok To LA To Detroit To Windsor
This was my original brain blast show up in my head and write it quick post that popped brilliant when I decided it was time to jet West: I know it's a country/city comparison, but who cares. I'm speaking in terms of where I am and where I'm going to be, population size is but a detail: Thailand - You can be close friends with someone for years before you find out they have two kids. Detroit - The guy standing behind you in line at White Castle will tell you about is ex-wife's nipple piercings. Windsor, Ontario, Canada, my final destination is a more subtle version of the latter. I'm looking forward to dipping in for awhile. Post … [Read more...]