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...]
Broken Bones And Losing Face: The Breaking Of My Hand In A Bangkok Muay Thai Gym
I try to force normal range of motion of the pinky finger of my left hand and so visits the memory of how it was lost. The reasoning behind the incident which led to the permanence of my injury is but speculation, an attempt to understand why a teacher should feel the need to assault a student, why a man of significant size, strength and martial skill should feel the need to fracture the bone of a woman. The situation in question was born on a weekday morning in the heart of Bangkok. It was 2009 and I was training at one of the country's prestigious muay thai gyms. I had completed my morning run and as I entered the gym, the shirtless trainer immediately informed me he … [Read more...]
Introducing Thailand’s Spanky
XO Everyone! Check out Spanky's MySpace page here. … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: Bangkok
Transcript Hello! The last day of my travel adventure fun lands in Bangkok. I'll stay nineteen hours in total til I leave for Buriram. It's 9:53 pm and I'm enjoying the luxury of my hotel room: a kitchen (I'm not going ot use it, but who cares), soft lighting and a couch/loveseat. Three and a half years in Thailand (total) and I don't remember staying anywhere with a kitchen and/or couch (Correction. My friend's old apartment in BKK...twice? Three times?). I've been living mostly as the Thais (or rather, many Thais) do, I cook and eat on my floor (rice cooker and sukiyaki hook up) and for the first two plus years I … [Read more...]
Notes From The Road: From Buriram To Bangkok To Chiang Mai
Above: The Notebook Cover / Where This Entry Begins Transcript Buriram to Bangkok 5.5 hours via bus to meet up with a friend flying in from Toronto. First impression of BKK post floods - there was a lot of debris left on the side of the streets. Second impression of BKK post floods - everyone on average was incredibly friendly (I had forgotten). 4 days/3 nights of shopping, Japanese ice cream, a movie … [Read more...]
Muay Thai Fight: Jomthong Chuwattana, Rajadamnern Stadium, June 1, 2009
Ah, I filmed this back when I thought who Jomthong was fighting was of little importance...just details..if anyone knows the name of his opponent, please dial me in. Jomthong Chuwattana (BLUE) Rajadamnern Stadium, June 1, 2009 … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: A-One Inn, Bangkok, Thailand
A-One Inn has been my main spot to stay in Bangkok for a number of reasons: The location is ideal and straight in Siam-Ratchadamri, the main shopping district of the city a.k.a. within walking distance of Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Square, Siam Center, Central World, Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam (wholesale district), MBK and a large Tesco Lotus. It is also a short walk from National Stadium BTS (public transit stop). The rooms are economically priced for the area. The rooms are clean. The staff are always incredibly friendly, helpful and in short, just really cool people. … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: THE REGENT SUVARNABHUMI, BANGKOK, THAILAND
Arriving at The Regent Svarnabhumi in Latkrabang, Bangkok after a three week roaming tour of Thailand was an immense treat. Unlike most rooms in Thailand, The Regent Svarnabhumi offered a couch, workstation and a kitchen (with an electric kettle and refrigerator) in addition to: Aircon Hot shower Airport shuttle to and from the airport Free WiFi, computer stations and books Large screen television English speaking staff. The Room Clean and beautiful with absolutely no trace of the smell of mould (the latter is something one often gets used to at this … [Read more...]
Ngaoprajan Chuwattana
His name means 'shadow of the moon' or 'moon's shadow' (NGAO - shadow; PRAJAN - moon). Standing at approximately 148 cm / 4' 10.5" and at thirty four years of age (born 1977), Ngaoprajan is not your average Rajadamnern fighter. There is a Thai term gae leaw, which means old (already). In Thailand, this term is generally used to describe anyone over the age of thirty. In the Thai sphere of muay thai, you can drop about five years off the age and use it to describe someone who is considered on the downslide of one's career. During my approximate one year stay at Chuwattana, I remember Ngaoprajan fighting regularly. This meant, roughly every four to six weeks, less an extended break after an … [Read more...]
Kayasith Chuwattana VS Petmahachon Kiatsorranan – Rajadamnern Stadium April 2, 2009
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...]
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...]