This is a fairly old clip, but it’s nice to see Buakaw in a different setting. This is his 2004 appearance on a Thai variety/game show called Cha Cha Cha. Damn do you think they could have put anymore make up on our boy? I don’t think I need to translate; it’s pretty self-explanatory… it’s a Thai game show after all. Thanks to fan2shogun for the upload.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to do 6 & 7. I’d probably pull a hammy, I’d be writhing on the floor clutching my leg!
Watching this I kept thinking to myself Buakaw needs a new manager, or at least marketing support. It would really be nice to see him promoting a major brand, (couldn’t you see Buakaw doing a Thai Pepsi ad?) but then I remember oh yeah, his virtually unknown in Thailand! I bet he could walk around Siam Square for an hour and maybe only be recognized once or twice. It’s really pathetic. Maybe he needs to start doing commercials in Japan?
I’ve mentioned in previous posts, that Muay Thai doesn’t have a wide audience in Thailand. Thai’s are keener to watch the Premier League and FA CUP.
Masato’s is hugely popular because a large demographic of MAX is women. I find that absolutely astounding. Even if Thai promoters made a conscious effort to market Muay Thai to a wider audience, I couldn’t ever see Thai women being interested in Muay Thai. Maybe The Contender Thailand will change that?
July 10, 2007 at 6:14 am
One of my Kru has a big poster in his basement of Buakaw promoting a brand of ……get ready for this!………………….a brand of Flip Flop….yea…that’s right, needless to say that I was rolling on the floor the first time I have seen it and then I stopped when I realized that at least he is endorsing something…while I’m endorsing…….absolutely nothing. You go boy!
July 10, 2007 at 6:17 am
Ha! They make fun of his name. :P
July 10, 2007 at 6:18 am
SpydaMan, would you happen to know what brand of flip-flop? I want to get me some of those. You should take a picture! :)
July 10, 2007 at 7:34 am
Damn,, is that a live banana tree? It took him only 3 times? Damn…. Even if that was a younger tree it would still take more than three times.
My aunt used to have a few in her backyard and i broke one of them ( a young tree like that one), but it was nothing like that. It was probably 15- 20 kicks to break it. Goddamn!
July 10, 2007 at 8:27 am
I used to love watching that show, I always thought it was hilarious!
July 10, 2007 at 10:10 am
If I ever become a famous thai fighter here in the states I hope I get on the price is right, or wheel of fortune. Jepordary might be a little too difficut after the head blows.
July 10, 2007 at 10:31 am
I noticed that a lot of shows in SE Asia are cheesy like that- lot of hot asian chicks doing basically nothing, funny short, pudgy guys and a suave announcer along with some other cool looking celebrities. And yes, Buakaw is definitely marketable!
July 10, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Sad thing is the guys in the green shirts probably kick better than I do.
July 10, 2007 at 1:55 pm
That looks fun I wonder if i can Do that as fast as buakaw.
July 10, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Have you noticed that there’s alot of Japanese women who are Buakaw fans in the audience when he fights. What’s up with the media in Thailand? Here in the US if they started showing K-1 it would probably get popular. Even IFL has some fans.
July 10, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Cowpaste….I’ll find out for you what the name of those flip flops are. I’ll take a pic if I can remember to bring my digital camera.. But it’s quite funny because he actually throws a high kick with them on……and all I can think is “how the hell does he pivot his planted leg with them on???
July 10, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Hey guys,
New to this blog. Cool to find other muay thai fans. Anyways, back on the topic, i just read this travel journal of some guy from Toronto who went to thailand and trained at buakaws gym. Interesting read and he posted picks of the camp and pretty much described their training regiment. For anybody interested check out this linky:
http://www.travelpod.com/print-travel-blog/lannyc/thailand-2007/tpod.html
July 11, 2007 at 1:14 am
Slayer, I think that since Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, its pretty common to see an “average Joe” that kinda knows what a kick should look like. :P Have you ever dated a Thai girl? THEY CAN ROUNDHOUSE AND KNEE.
July 11, 2007 at 9:12 am
question, is the first guy in the green shirt that tried the course “dirty balls” from ong-bak / the cop in tom-yum-goong?
July 11, 2007 at 9:53 am
Answer, Yes. It’s him. It’s also his face on the T-shirt.
July 12, 2007 at 8:48 am
“couldn’t you see Buakaw doing a Thai Pepsi ad?”
hell NO! he wouldn’t be my idol if he did.
how could you of all people, nopstar, equate corporate endorsements to athletic achievement?
doing an endorsement for a local flip-flop company and making cute appearances like in this TV programme is one thing. pepsi, coke are another! i don’t want to see buakaw endorsing stupid consumerism like that. i’m sure even if he did, it wouldn’t change his lifestyle or game one bit… he’s a little above that, i’d like to think. buakaw, to me, is a symbol of where people can get with single minded focus and dedication to be whatever it is they choose to be. pepsi, coke etc is the antithesis to that and a grim reminder of the consumerism willing to catch us if we let go of our dreams.
July 12, 2007 at 9:11 am
Damn Souvik!
I’ll be sure to board up my windows the next time your in town to protest the WTO! hahahah. I’m just bustin your balls.
Seriously though I hear what you’re saying, pepsi might not be a good example, but I’d like to see Buakaw get paid. Sure he’s making some money, but I’d like to see him rewarded for what he’s done for our sport and art of Muay Thai.
I’m sure he’s getting rewarded handsomely for fighting but it would be nice if he got some loot for not fighting. I train with Lumpini and Radjadomnern champions, people who’ve dedicated their entire life to their craft… they could use a pepsi endorsement.
July 12, 2007 at 12:24 pm
“I’m sure he’s getting rewarded handsomely for fighting but it would be nice if he got some loot for not fighting.”
Why, he needs more money? He gave some to UNICEF, so I think he’s fine just like his smile.
“people who’ve dedicated their entire life to their craft… they could use a pepsi endorsement.”
Not to turn this into a forum, but I think sometimes dedicating oneself to an art and contributing to it is the prize in itself. Making an honest living out of one’s successes is one thing. Getting paid separately for just the dedication and contribution to the art is missing the point. It’d feel like getting paid for love.
July 12, 2007 at 4:03 pm
“Not to turn this into a forum, but I think sometimes dedicating oneself to an art and contributing to it is the prize in itself.” Maybe the bills still need to be paid, and they rarely pay themselves.
“Getting paid separately for just the dedication and contribution to the art is missing the point” Thailand is far from the richest country and families more often than not have to depends on their youth to provide for their families….and a lotta those youth turn to Muay Thai. So living in the U.S it’s easy to see Muay Thai as a luxury, but living in Thailand Muay Thai is a way outta poverty. I totally disagree with your way of thinking (thought I respect it). If Buakaw is lucky enough to land a Pepsi endorsement, I’ll be happy for him, his lil sister, his gym and everyone who will benefit from it. Including us!
July 12, 2007 at 9:38 pm
+1 If he can make money for his family then all the better. He is putting his sister through school and I’m sure his family is living on his prize money. That’s one of the reasons I think he is so good. His whole families life depends on it, literally.
July 13, 2007 at 6:36 am
alright spydaman and joe, i agree with you that the bills need to be paid. i understand that very well (i grew up not very far from thailand and in a not very well-to-do family). read what i said — making an honest living from one’s earnings in the sport is perfectly fine by me. that *is* professionalism. that is earning one’s bread.
but getting paid extra just for being a star of the sport is commercialism and i don’t care much for it. that, to me, isn’t honest income.
i’m just happy that buakaw is sticking to his game with complete focus and in the process providing for himself, his little sister’s education and his family.
ok. case closed. on with the ugly belt!
July 13, 2007 at 8:08 am
ok sir! Case closed!
July 13, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Hi
Has anyone trained at Por Pramuk gym before? Just looking for any info relating to gym. I visited the website already.
Thanks
July 14, 2007 at 9:53 am
Mr Bak:
Check out the link i gave it has pics and one guy tells his experience of training their and meeting Mr. Pramuk and his fighters:
http://www.travelpod.com/print-travel-blog/lannyc/thailand-2007/tpod.html
July 14, 2007 at 11:17 am
omg, thanks man!
July 14, 2007 at 11:53 pm
You’re welcome!
October 19, 2007 at 5:52 am
Does anyone recognize the short the guy kickin the bag and makin the bell ring from Ong Bak