An integral aspect of muay thai culture here in Thailand is reverence for those who teach you. Each fight commences with what is called the Wai Kru, a pre-fight ring ritual of respect. The Wai is a Thai gesture of veneration and Kru is the Thai word for teacher. A few days ago, my pre Lookchaomaesaitong Sit Namkabuan kru, Gai, a.k.a. Sataban Tor Ratonakiet called to let me know a fight of his was on YouTube. This was new as he neither owns any footage of his career as a nak muay, nor could we find footage anywhere, other than a K.O. highlight lifted from the standard entrance cd given out at Lumpinee stadium. The following is a fight between … [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...]
Beginnings: The Kru II
Sometimes I follow that which I can't explain and that which makes absolutely no sense to the people around me. Often, those are the moves that I benefit from the most. I'm not saying my life becomes easier, I just grow. Meeting Gai and deciding to train with him was one of those moves. The general protocol at a muay thai gym in Thailand is as follows: Mornings - a 10 km run followed by bag work and three to five, five minute rounds on pads Afternoons - a 5 - 10 km run (or 30 minutes skipping), bag work, five, five minute rounds on pads, clinching and/or sparring. An average day of training may be approximately five to six … [Read more...]