Electric, rowdy and action-packed there is nothing quite as exciting as watching live Muay Thai fights in Bangkok. These legally sanctioned fights will give you an adrenaline rush and a wild, hair-raising experience you won’t forget anytime soon. While Muay Thai is a popular sport, it is also rooted in Thailand’s history and an essential part of the country’s culture. In our previous guide to watching Muay Thai in Chiang Mai, we covered some of the local gyms as well as some wild areas to explore. This time we’d like to check out some of the stadium venues in the Thai capital and how you can watch Muay Thai like a local. Many tourists who come to Thailand make it a point to … [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...]
Introducing Femii Thai
Femi Akinade, aka Femii Thai, is a singer/songwriter/thai boxer hailing from London, England. I met Femi in Bangkok in early 2009 while training at Chuwattana Gym. As that was over two years ago, my mind scrambles when I try to recall how long we trained together, I can't remember if it was for a few weeks, or over a month. Nonetheless, what I do remember is Femi's dedication to the art and the respect he extended to everyone around him. Femi also brought home a win from Rajadamnern Stadium that year. Since skipping back to England, Femi continues to train but has switched his focus to music, his most recent single being released without a … [Read more...]