Run Keeper PRo Free & $9.99

I used the nike ipod foot sensor to keep track of miles… before that I used to where a clunky garmin.  There appears to be a few good apps for runners, utilizing the iphones built in GPS.

Runmeter gps stopwatch $4.99

This one is essentially the same app as the Run Keeper Pro, except it allows you to use the iphones headphones to stop and start your workout.  Pretty handy if you like to keep you’re iphone or ipod in you’re rucksack.

Round Timer $0.99

I’ve got a gymboss, that lives in my gym bag.  It does the job, but I’ve gone through a few of them… this looks like it’ll do the job, the set up looks a hell of a lot more intuitive then the gymboss setup.

Tabata Timer $0.99

Once again, if you’ve got a gym boss you should be covered.  Tabata workouts are one of my favorite ways to light a fire under my ass.  There are some days my motivation is a bit shit and I just don’t want to think…   This little tabata timer should idiot proof any of your tabata based workouts.

Ipump kettle bell $1.99

Where the hell did Kettle bells come from?  5 years ago I can’t recall ever seeing one, know you can’t walk into a gym without tripping over them.  My strength and conditioning guy comes up with some sick shit for me to do… I can never seem to remember most of them.  This app has 9 kettle bell workouts which should be plenty

Inflict training $1.99

This app was developed by Lance Armstrong’s conditioning coach.  Instead of pics, they utilize video to show you how you should be performing the exercise and movements.

“Exercises range from core to linear / body building, plyometric (jump) training, functional and combination movements, agility & balance, Pilates movements, even interval training. … Each 12-exercise workout is circuit style, moving you from exercise to exercise in 3 rounds with little recovery. ”

Pad Thai is street food. Its cheap and quick to make. Street side food stalls sell it everywhere in Bangkok. In the U.S the dish is considered a bit more classy. Its like having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a fine dining restaurant. All the same Eric Luna and I still ordered the Pad Thai when we sat down for an interview. Luna just represented the American Team in the IMFA amateur competitions held in Bangkok this past December. Luna came back with the gold and some good stories.

Lucas: How did you get into Muay Thai

Luna: I was always a fan of MMA. In 2006 my pop’s and I went to UFC 57, I think. Chuck Liddell was headlining and on the undercard was this guy Paul Buentello. He was on the UFC and he came back recently. He trains at AKA. I was always fans of the guys from there because they were from San Jose as well. Paul destroyed this guy. I told myself  when I got back home I would try out the gym. I went to the AKA and checked out the classes. I signed up right away. I started taking the group classes all the time. I knew I wanted to fight but I didn’t know if I wanted to do boxing or Muay Thai or MMA. I knew that I wanted to do something competitive. My instructor gave a recommendation to Derek Yuen. “Hey I got a guy who is really hungry and wants to be involved.”  That was it.

Lucas: There’s a big contingent of MMA guys at AKA correct?

Luna: Yeah, there is. There’s a lot of professional fighters down here. There was a pro boxer for a little while. His name was RicardoCortez. He was a top ranker in middleweight or supermiddleweight for a while. He had a couple kids so he’s not as involved. All the non-professional fighters are part of the amateur Muay Thai team. There was a lot of diversity when I first came to the gym. There were boxers, kickboxers, mma guys, but now its mostly mma guys.

Lucas: What appealed to you about doing Muay Thai versus MMA?

Luna: I like that Muay Thai is all stand up. You can punch, kick, knee, elbow, you don’t have to worry about going to the ground or submissions like in jiu jitsu. You can go toe to toe, which is more exciting.

Lucas: Do you cross train at all?

Luna: Not really. For a little while the amateur team was doing jiu jitsu once a week, just as a break from regular training for fun.

Lucas: What is your training like?

Luna: Everyone meets at the gym at 6:30 pm. You have to be ready and warmed up then. We do warm ups, shadow boxing, or working the bags. Derek will hold thai pads for the fighters, for about five rounds. People who have fights coming up will get priority. Everyone rotates through. We do drills as well.

I train about six days a week. We spar on Sundays. Mondays are the hardest days. Its the most difficult pad work day and has the most strenuous drills. On Tuesdays the training is more technical as we also do cross fit and or lift weights. Thursday is a cardio day. We all go running together. Friday is our day off. Derek wants us to have one full day off. He doesn’t want us to do even an easy jog.

We do hard sparring twice a  week. We do Muay Thai on sundays and boxing on wednesdays. All the other days we do really light drills. Its a lot like tag. When we do that we work on feinting and combinations. We knee spar about three days a week.

Lucas: How many people are on your amateur team?

Luna: Its pretty big. We have three or four new people. There is about a dozen of us. We have two girls that are about 110, another guy at about 125. There’s a couple guys about my size 135, and then there’s two guys at 155

Lucas: What do you do for a living?

Luna: I’m a medical courier. I drive around delivering blood samples, and medications to medical labs, doctor offices, and hospitals. Its a full time job. I actually got the job a month before I went to Thailand. I told them that I was going to be leaving for about three weeks. I thought they were going to say that I wouldn’t have a job when I got back but my boss was really cool about it. I hadn’t been at the job for that long. My boss just told me good luck and that I would be put to work when I got back.

Before that I worked at a body shop. I also did a stint at a moving company. I worked as a clerk at an auto parts center, when I first started at the gym.

Lucas: What made you want to start fighting?

Luna: I felt like it was good angry management for me. I have a really bad temper. Sometimes I would want to hit something but wouldn’t want to do it because I shouldn’t. I would instead break stuff that I could.

I love the sport and the competition. I don’t have a problem hitting someone. I don’t enjoy it but I don’t have that barrier that other people have. I don’t like fighting in the streets, I’ve been hurt really bad and hurt other people too. Its not really healthy. In the ring the fighters know what’s going to happen. Before and after the fight though its all respect. I try to be friendly with the guys at weigh in. After the fight I’ll tell him good fight and try to buy them a beer.

Lucas: That’s good sportsmanship.

Luna: Even though we’re amateurs I try to be professional.

Lucas: What is your record?

Luna: 7-0 before Thailand. Now its 11 and 0. I fight at 135lbs.

Lucas: How do you think fighting has impacted your life?

Luna: Its been really positive for me. Its given me a lot of discipline. When I was younger I used to mouth off a lot, now I have a lot of self discipline and control. I’ve learned about respect. I try to stay humble and to not have an ego.

Lucas: How did you get onto the USA amateur Muay Thai team?

Luna: I was invited on to it after my fight on the Fairtex War of the Heroes 4 which was in August of 2009. The fight was a qualifier to get on the team. It was funny Derek asked me if I had my passport. I told him no and he told me to get one.

“For what,” I asked.

“For Thailand,” he replied.

“Oh for next year,” I said. The amateur team had a plan to go over to fight and train for a little while.

“No for this year,” Derek said. “You got a spot on the US team. Anthony from Fairtex told me that you got a spot on the team.”

The way he said it was really understated. He has a reputation for doing things like that. He’ll be really nonchalant about really awesome news.

Lucas: Who did you fight for the spot on the team?

Luna: Rick Erlec, from Dan Black’s team. Our bout was a qualifier for the spot. Anthony Lin sent us an email telling us when they wanted us out there. Right when I got the information I got my passport expedited. It came just a little before I was due to leave. I hadn’t gotten my plane ticket though because I didn’t have any money. I had a fundraiser dinner which gave me just enough money for the plane ticket and a little spending money. It worked out. I was in Thailand for three and a half weeks.

When I first got out there I hung out with my sponsor. My girlfriend found this guy on facebook who has an energy drink company. He was interested in Muay Thai. My girlfriend marketed me out. He contacted me back and told me he wanted to help me out. My sponsor helped me with the training at Fairtex. I spent a couple days with him in Bangkok. He does an energy drink called 666. Its not out yet. It will be released in North America soon. He’s going to produce it in Thailand then sell it over here.  He wants to sell it in packets in the end. He’ll can it first though and sell that.

Lucas: How was staying at Fairtex?

Luna: It was really nice. It wasn’t a huge place but it had every thing you needed. It had 5 rings, bikes and treadmills and everything. I was at Fairtex in Bangplee for eleven or twelve days before the tournament.

I trained twice a day starting at 6:30 then I did whatever. I trained again around 4pm. There was no training on sundays.

Jongsanaan came out to the camp a few days before the fight. He was the coach for the team.

Lucas: What were the rules for the tournament?

Luna: It was full Muay Thai rules, so you could elbow, kick, knees to the face. We wore headgear, shin guards, a chest protector and elbow pads. The shin guards were thin, it was like wearing two pairs of socks. The elbow pads slipped around a lot too. They didn’t really do anything. In my first fight I walked right into a knee into the chest, it hurt. The chest protector didn’t do much. The gloves were 10 ounces I believe. The fights were four two minute rounds in the B class, which I participated in.

Lucas: How many fights did you have?

Luna: I had four fights over five days.

Lucas: Did you get banged up much from the fights?

Luna: One of my worst injuries, well I’m not sure I would call it an injury because I was able to continue, but the worst thing that happened to me was in my first fight. I fought a Korean who was a southpaw. It happened twice. We both decided to throw rear kicks at the same time and because he was southpaw we clashed knees both times. The first time didn’t hurt that much but the second time it nailed me right on the spot. I had a really deep bruise. It bugged me for a month and a half. I wasn’t able to knee at all with that leg. I felt the injury in almost every fight.

In my final fight for the gold medal. In the first round in the first minute. I hit the guy with some good punches. He was on the ropes and I turned to pivot to throw a hook and my knee popped. I pivoted so hard and fast. I thought I could knock him out. It was the last punch in the combination. I had to jab out. I was so disappointed because I thought I could have finished the fight early.

Lucas: Where were the fighters you fought from?

Luna: The preliminary fight was with a Korean. The second fighter was from Argentina. The winner of that went into the medal round. The third guy was from Spain and in the finals I fought a guy from Kazakhstan.

Anthony told us that there were powerhouses in the tournament and that Kazakhstan was one of them. The US team isn’t a powerhouse. We’re not at the bottom but are an upcoming team.

Lucas: I think the Kazakhstan gets a lot of funding.

Luna: Yeah, the government gives them money. I think its the same with the Ukrainians and Iraq. Its crazy.

Lucas: What were the fight results?

Luna: I won all the fights unanimously.

Lucas: Did you get a gold medal of some sort?

Luna: Yeah. I was excited because on the day of the finals we were doing the wai khru but they stopped us. Another weight class was going through the medals ceremony on a pedestal nearby. I was so excited to get on the pedestal and go through the ceremony. They stopped doing it. After the fight it was really anti climatic. I went up to the table and told them my name and the organizers gave me my gold medal. I was like “gee thanks.”

I left two days after the tournament.

Lucas: What was the rest of the U.S.A team like?

Luna: They were really nice. A lot guys were from here in the Bay Area. There was also Eric Utsch, who I’ve seen fight a couple of times. There were a couple people from Texas, at Saekson’s gym.

Lucas: Have you won any other medals, or titles?

Luna: I won a state title in December of 2008. It was against Sterling Seymour who is from Dan Black’s Team. It was for WCSC. I won the fight. I beat the guy up for five rounds. It was one of my best fights. I used all my tools. Performance wise I was really pleased.

After I won they put this belt on me for the photos but it was a loaner belt. The promoter didn’t have time to get the belts before the match. The belt he had on me was from a previous card that was all girls. I had a belt that said WCSC Female Fury Bantamweight champion. I have technically won a championship but don’t have the belt. I’ve seen the guy countless times and he always tells me that he has my belt in his office. He always says that he’s going to bring my belt down to me he still hasn’t given it to me and now I’ve given up on getting it.

Lucas: Sadly, I think promoters do that sort of thing all the time.

Luna: My stablemate Gabriel won a championship under the same promoter at kezar stadium. Gabe got his belt then. The promoter asked for the belt back so he could engrave it. Gabe gave the belt back and the promoter never got it engraved, he stole the belt from Gabe. Gabe was so pissed. Gabe is always like “Fuck that guy, he stole my belt.”

This guy, Danny Kelly, at AKA, had something similar happen to him. He won his first championship but the promoter didn’t give him his belt. So his dad called the promoter every day for six weeks. “Where’s Danny’s belt at? Where’s Danny’s belt at?” The promoter told Danny’s dad “You have a ringside magazine, go to the back page and pick something out.” Danny Kelly had to buy his own championship belt.

Lucas: What do you think is one of your strongest attributes as a fighter?

Luna: I’ve always had really good hands. I haven’t fought anyone that has better hands than me. If I had to pick one tool it would be my boxing although I think my best attribute is my ability to listen to my coach, Derek. I can do whatever it is that he tells me. My ability to follow directions is really good. Derek is always telling me before the fight and right up to it “Use all your tools, open up your toolbox. I can’t see anyone beating you if you use everything. If you punch, kick, and knee.” I think my best attribute is being able to listen to him. I can hear him and obey commands. I pay attention to the advice in my corner between rounds.

Lucas: That’s really important. I can’t always seem to achieve that. I can’t always hear my coaches during the fight.

Luna: Yeah it can be difficult. You have all the fans yelling, then the other corner screaming as well. I’ve always had an easy time hearing my own corner. Derek isn’t always loud but the other guys in the corner repeat what he says. I can always pick out my own corner.

Derek always tells me to really sit down and do some damage with the first combination in the first round of the fight that way my opponent means that I’m not going to fuck around. Then I try to gauge my opponent, I still try to win the round but I also try to figure him out.

More about Matt Lucas

Born to a working class family in rural New York I grew up working like a dog and drinking Natural light in the woods. After a brief stint attempting to escape the poverty of employment via university I gave up on escaping the grind and moved to sunny California where the burritos are as generous as the weather. I work in the service industry slinging booze and food.

I got into Muay Thai as a recreational activity. I saw an interclub fight and decided to try it out, everyone has to test their mettle somehow. A few fights and a year later I was in Thailand training, and fighting. I haven’t quit stepping into the ring since. I currently live in East Oakland and balance my time blocking punches with my head with attempting to prevent brain deterioration through writing, studying Thai; language, culture and history, and going to wild dance parties with my friends.

]]> http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/interview-with-eric-luna/feed/ 4 http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/siam-no-1-gym-sankampaeng-chiang-mai/ http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/siam-no-1-gym-sankampaeng-chiang-mai/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:22:06 +0000 ldf http://www.mymuaythai.com/?p=2621 Sankampaeng, a town situated approximately 10km east of Chiang Mai proper elicits a pretty mixed set of emotions for me.  It’s the place where I came close to inhaling my last breath a few years back.  It was here, in 2007 where I was t-boned by an illegal ten year old kamikaze from Myanmar on his way to work at a local factory.  It was a little messy.  He was on a motorbike, I was on cheap bicycle.   We were in a residential area, amongst rice fields, one eyed dogs, and freaked out locals.  It’s along this same stretch that Siam No. 1 is located.

Currently, I’ve been in Thailand, this round, for six months and decided skip to Mae Sai for my mandatory visa run.  Chiang Mai is along the route from Bangkok to the border, so I decided to pause and hunt down old friends.  This included the crew over at Siam No. 1.  I arrived with my gear, but rather than train, all I was motivated to do was hang and chase chickens with my camera.

The following is a breakdown of what I gathered from this visit and what I experienced in my six month stay with them in 2007.  From what I witnessed that day and what was confirmed by speaking with the promoter and the Farang that I met, other than physical improvements to the facilities, I believe little else has changed.

Accommodations

There are a number of guesthouses within walking distance to the gym.  Some enroute to the rice fields laying south, and one specifically within about a five minute walk in the opposite direction, which lies just off the main drag.  In most cases, for approximately 2,500 baht a month you get clean, spacious, fully furnished rooms with a fan, cold water, a Western toilet and nightly silence. If you sleep closer to the gym, expect to wake up to swaggering roosters, merry cows and the deep bass of chanting monks.  Siam No. 1 is located beside a wat.

If you want to cut additional costs, there are cheaper guesthouses in the area.  I can’t remember the exact price, but I believe you can cut approximately 1,000 baht a month to live like the migrant workers.  However, from what I’ve seen, expect less than Western standards of cleanliness, a Thai toilet and possibly no other furniture than a mattress on the floor.  In some cases, your washroom may be a separate building in the backyard, but on the plus side, you may have your own private yard.

Training

Siam No. 1 is a large, beautiful, outdoor gym with a handful of young Thai and Hilltribe nak muays and more often than not, less Farang.  There are two rings, a pull-up bar, a nautilus machine, free weights, tires to jump on and more than enough bags of varying weights and densities.  The air is clean.  And yes ladies, you are allowed in the ring.  Both of them.

For approximately 6,000 baht a month you get afternoon training sessions, six times a week.  Sparring is on Saturdays.  The Thais train twice daily, the morning 10 km run through the fields and onto the highway begins at 5 am.  There is another in the afternoon.  Watch out for the local thugs – aka mangy canine running in packs backed up by suburban fluffies.  I arrived in 2007 with a deep rooted fear of dogs, which quickly morphed into a new found appreciation for the cultures that eat them, and eventually, after literally being hunted and attacked by a crew of them, learned to coexist with them.  It’s cheaper than therapy.

Farang can run with the gym and use the facilities in the morning, however, you’ll only get your five rounds with a trainer in the afternoon.

I didn’t realize it until this year, but both trainers are ex-Chuwattana boys.  They’re technical, they’re patient and they’ll take the time to hand hold beginners.  I can’t stress this enough, if you’re new to muay thai and like the idea of training in the Chiang Mai area, I suggest checking this gym out to determine if it’s a good fit.  This isn’t a heavy paced gym that you may get lost in.  They will take the time to teach you proper technique outside your pad sessions.  They’ll correct you on the bags.  They’ll laugh at you and assist you the best way they can.  I believe they enjoy what they’re doing; they’ve been doing it for a long time.  Unlike a lot of gyms that will have you train with newbies, the two krus at Siam No. 1 are veterans.  They know how to work with Foreigners.

If you’re a more experienced fighter, Siam No. 1 is a great stop to hit enroute to wherever, if you’re looking to increase your conditioning and adapt to climate changes before going full force.  That being said, I’m not implying that experienced fighters shouldn’t check it out as a place to reside.  I’ve known a number of fighters who prefer Siam No. 1 because of the amount of attention they receive and the proficiency of the trainers.  Both of them, who I believe stopped fighting in the 80s are still in incredible physical shape.  I’ve seen them hold free style on the pads and spar with experienced Farang that couldn’t touch them.

If you’re interested in fighting, there are a few options in the area – bar fights, Kawilla stadium and my favourite, temple fights.  I’ve traveled with this crew to places as far as Fang – it’s a completely different experience than fights in the city, and something, should you get the opportunity to fight in or just run around and eat meat on sticks at, do it.

Environment

Really chill, gentle people other than the promoter who is loud, aggressive and everything travel guides will tell you Thais aren’t.  It’s a fun mix.

Siam No. 1 doesn’t provide food but there are number of options in the immediate area.   In 2007 there were two restaurants that offered English language menus amongst the many that lined the main strip.  If you’re sensitive to MSG or just don’t want to eat handfuls of poison, I suggest learning how to request that it not to be dumped into your food and to ask if it’s already tainted with it (i.e. at the market).  Learn those sentences well.  I’ve never been anywhere on the planet where it was used like five year old princesses use magic pixie dust.  It’s everywhere.

There is a nearby market and a 7-Eleven.  As much as I hate to write this, 7-Eleven, for me, has become a yardstick for urbanity in this country.  If there isn’t one, you’re in the sticks.  There are a number of internet cafes lining the main street.

As far as hanging out, Sankampaeng isn’t exactly diverse.  There are however songtaos into Chiang Mai.  You’ll have to give up 14 baht each way.  Service stops at 8pm and a tuk tuk back may cost you approximately the same as a night in a guesthouse in the core of the city.   Motorbikes are available for rent in Chiang Mai – I have no idea how much they’ll hit you up for.  I bought a motorbike in 2007 and sold it before I left for Canada.  I think for my six month stay, I lost no more than 6,000 baht going this route and that was more due to the fact that I bought the thing at a Farang price and sold it to a Thai.  Do your research.

There are a number of options for massage in the area, my favourite, ever, and I really mean EVER and ANYWHERE, is the blind massage on the south side of the main street enroute to Bo Sang (leading towards Chiang Mai).  Nothing is in English so you’ll have to ask the gym where it is.  Be prepared to walk into someone’s dark living quarters that doubles as their place of work.  No one speaks English and you may have to wait awhile.  It’s worth it.

If you travel further west on the main road, towards the city, there is a lone wooden house surrounded by trees, on the south side that advertises massages in English and Thai.  In 2007 I checked it out a few times on the recommendation of a friend.  She had been a number of times, liked it and never had a sketchy moment.  At the time, it was a lone guy working out of his home.  Sometimes his female friends would come hang out.  Massages were administered on a raised wooden deck, surrounded by cheerful little birds and the delicate scent of flowers growing all around.  If you’re like my friend, it can be relaxing and beautiful, if you’re like me, he can try to give you a happy ending and really piss you off.  Ladies, be warned.  Unless you want that happy ending.  He doesn’t charge extra for it.

The following is a small piece a Canadian filmmaker shot when I first hit Siam No. 1. in 2007.   It’ll give you a peep at the facilities as well as what a few of us had to say about muay thai and the gym itself.

Has anyone else trained at Siam No. 1?  Anyone been there more recently?  Please update if you see any holes…

More about Laura

I’m a Canadian who decided to quit my job, sell most of what I own, pack a suitcase, and skip continents to pursue a martial art I’m not particularly efficient in.  A minimalist.  A modern nomad.   A kid who just likes having a good time.

My attraction to muay thai is that it’s an art with no wasted motion.  It has been the greatest vehicle for my continual education.  It’s incredibly challenging to me – both the physical and the mental game.  The latter probably more so than the former.

Currently I’m in Bangkok training muay thai fulltime.  The plan is to be here for a few years, but realistically, I have no idea where this path is leading, or what the timeline is.  I like change and pushing my comfort zone.  A lot.  Nevertheless, muay thai will be the constant among the variables.

Be prepared for updates, rambling, video content and anything I’ve learned that I think may of use to you.

This hasn’t been easy, but so far, its been a pretty sick ride.

I hope you all had a good holiday and New Years.  Per my usual MO I was back in Bangkok catching up with friends and family.  It’s always great to get back, my mom passed away a couple of years ago and she was the preverbal glue of our family.  It’s strange to come home and not to have a program of events lined up for you.

My visits have always somehow revolved around family commitments.  Recently I’m finding myself with a little more free time…  I decided this time around I was going to try to get around and check out more camps.

Dii Mak’s article “Drive by MuayThai” talks about people who are interested in getting some training in while in Bangkok, but don’t necessarily want it to be the sole focus of their time in Thailand.  I fall solidly into that demographic.

When I’m in Thailand, I’m going to train that goes without saying, but I’m not really interested in doing 2 sessions or going to bed at 10 so I can make the 6am run…

A few months ago I had the opportunity to Meet Khun Thakoon, the GM of the Sasiprapa Camp in Bangkok.  He had brought some fighters to the MSA show in Bolton.    I decided Sasiprapa would be a nice jumping off point.

It’s Christmas morning about 8 am when I roll into Sasiprapa… the camp is located around Lad Phrao 130.  There isn’t MRT or Skytrain access so you’ll have to cab it.  Fortunately at 7am it’s a reverse commute and should only take you about 10 mins from the Lad Phrao MRT stop.

Here is a map of the Thai directions… if I were you I would print them off and hand them to the cabby.  It isn’t that easy to find…

The camp is a semi-enclosed space in the heart of a residential neighborhood.  The gym is decorated with flags and pictures of students who’ve all honed their skills under the Sasiprapa banner.

Chao

I roll into the camp and it’s quiet, nearly all the fighters (Thai and foreign) are back home with family.  I’ve got the place to myself…

I’m met by Kru Sit, the senior (instructor/trainer) of the Camp, who greets me with a warm smile and a jump rope…  “Jump”

It turns out Kru Sit is about 54 and has been teaching and training fighters for about 26 years.  He fought back in the day and immediately starting training after his retirement from the ring.  He trained Malaipetch and Malaidang (Malaipetch’s brother)

Kru Sit

I don’t think Kru Sit get’s to communicate much with the foreign fighters, as he had a lot of questions about why MuayThai was so popular with foreigners, what training was like abroad, if there were many Thai owned gyms abroad etc.

He’s got a very easy going and warm way about him, he reminds me of my uncles…

He’s explains that’s he’s 54 but he’s still quite active, to prove his point he drops and pumps out about a dozen push ups…

only in Thailand would you have a no smoking sign next to the bags!

We do 5 solid rounds with loads of details and tips; it’s really quite an honor to receive knowledge from someone who’s been involved in our sport/art for so long.

I do realize that the day I dropped in was probably the quietest day they’ve had all year.  I realize I didn’t get to see the camp in full swing… but based on what I could see and my short time with Kru Sit, I would recommend Sasiprapa to you without hesitation.

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t usually stay at the camps… so I didn’t get a look at their accommodations.  I’m sure they are adequate.

I would recommend dropping khun Thakoon and email, go in for a visit, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

———————-

Email : thakoonp@hotmail.com
Website : www.muaythaisasiprapa.com
Address : 401 Soi Ladprao 130 Klongchan Bangkapi Bangkok 10240 Thailand

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]]> http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/sasiprapa/feed/ 24 http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/drive-by-muay-thai-part-ii/ http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/drive-by-muay-thai-part-ii/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:30:42 +0000 diimak http://www.mymuaythai.com/?p=2717 This is the second post regarding what I consider to be more foreigner-friendly gyms in Thailand.  Again, I think the main difference is the ability to drop in any time during training hours and getting solid pad holding and tips from the trainers without living at or near the camp.  Part 1 had us smack in the middle of Sukhumvit at Chakrit Muay Thai.  And now.. moving along to Silom Road to Fighting Spirt Muay Thai…

Location:

If coming via BTS, get off at Chong Nongsi, walk toward Silom Road and take a left.  Continue about 1.5 blocks up.

Stay on the path..  Stay on the path..  Don’t let the ghosts get ya…  (creepy thai Granny voice)

After Nopstar translated the kind warning from the thai local as we cut through the small cemetery (yes, you read that correctly), to get to Aussie Dan’s Fighting Spirit Gym, it was all good vibes from there.  Granny was quite nice by the way, not like the Crypt Keeper or anything.

Seriously though, walk down Silom Rd. and between soi (street) 9 and 11 you will see a pretty large sign hung on the outer fencing to what appears to be .. umm… “living quarters” that sit in front of a small cemetery (looks a bit like a squatters camp.. but.. well.. this is Thailand).

It is really not that creepy and once you walk past all the free roaming roosters, you will see the very large open-air gym.  It can be missed though, so if you cannot find the place, look across Silom Road and you should see a Sofitel Hotel.  Also, if you happen to be working in Bangkok and drive a car, you can drive through on this path right up to the gym and there is plenty of parking.

As soon as we walked up, the owner Dan greeted us and gave us a nice rundown of the gym.  Dan is also the Head Trainer at California Fitness in Bangkok and used to be (perhaps still is) sponsored by Fairtex.  He has fought professionally in boxing and also MMA in Japan.

Training:

What can I say about the training here?  Eff’ing great is all I can say.  First, Dan has 3 thai trainers there full time, every day and guarantees 5 rounds with them (4 minute rounds by the way).  The open-air makes a huge difference over Chakrit during training.  There is head trainer Khun Sun, Attachai Fairtex’s older brother Khun It, and young gun Khun Sing (who at 80 KG apparently can grapple your head off your shoulders).

These guys are fit, motivated, and take their time with people on the pads.  This is seriously some of the best pad holding and tips I have gotten in Bangkok.  Khun It even showed me sneaky little tricks like parry / elbows and sweeps.  Now, this may not be new to people living at a camp, but its a bit rare for this kind of drop-in scene.  Also, anyone needing a tune-up for a fight and no gym to train out of, this place is legit.  Oh.. and only 300 baht per drop in session.

Dan also has 2 guest rooms and does offering monthly packages for room, board and training.   Last time I was there, there were a few people doing long term stays with plans to fight.

Other Notes:

Ok, again I have to give this gym props for something that is obviously HUGELY important to the owner.  This is the cleanest gym I have trained at in Bangkok, and with the newest equipment.  He even has a few treadmills and weight machines to round the place out.  No, its not a 5 star hotel but when compared to other gyms (hell, even my old gym in the US… sorry guys) it is as good as it gets.

So wait.. you just got done training and you are in Silom.. You aren’t going to stop at TAPAS (soi 4) for some nice house beats and the hip hi-so scene??  After all, Mr. Fat is not grilling for a few more hours…

———————————————

Phone:
+66 867787740 (Dan)

http://www.fightingspiritgym.com/

Mon – Sun:
7:00 – 9:30 AM  and 3:00 – 7:00  PM.  Sundays included but only the evening session.

Cost:
300 baht per session, have packages plans and monthly fees as well.

For the next installment I am going to drag myself over RCA (Royal City Avenue), and no people, not to party down with the thai youngsters at Route 66 or SLIM.  Seems a well known franchise just opened up a new gym there….

We have seen tons of great info here on My Muay Thai regarding training in various parts of Thailand and how to survive at fighter camps.  There is nothing quite like the experience of waking up and training in the early AM, surrounded by great fighters, and to do it again later in the day, for days on end.  Obviously, doing this for months is going to drastically improve your technique and overall level.

For some people though, this is not really an option any time soon.  Maybe you are here on holiday and want to explore well… the rest of Thailand.  Maybe you only have 2 weeks to see and do everything and your friends, family, significant other are just not down with staying at a gym for a month.  Maybe you are working here and need training that fits your schedule better.

Going to some fighter camps for only a session or two while on holiday etc.., can be quite a let-down.  Not always, a lot of camps are great.  But in some gyms you might not really know what is going on, the trainers may seem a bit unconcerned with you etc.. It might not fulfill the Van-Damme like scenario you played out in your head about training in Thailand.

It makes sense though.. maybe you are not here that long and you do not have a chance to build up a rapport with a trainer, maybe they just don’t care because you are not going to actually fight in a ring.  Or perhaps it’s just the language barrier if you do not speak thai, and they have a hard time giving you tips in a day or two.  All training in Thailand is a unique experience, but you don’t necessarily have to go to a “named” camp like Chuwattana or Sasiprapa to get really good training.  The street-cred of saying you trained at these places only goes so far if you did not really learn anything.

There are alternatives to going all-in while in Thailand.  I have heard these types of gyms called foreigner/farang gyms as they do not really house current fighters.   I think the main difference to some of these new-style gyms popping up around Bangkok are that they cater more to western schedules (drop-ins welcome) and to be honest, cleanliness ( newer pads, training on mats rather than concrete).  Some of the bigger gyms have and are continuing to cater more to foreigners as well such as Fairtex, Tiger, Sityodtong etc..

Again, I am not saying these gyms are better or worse, just catering to a different market.  There are obviously pro’s and con’s to every gym, I just want to let people know these different gyms exist.  If you are pressed for time, dropping in is a great way to get good training, bang the pads to work off the moo ping, and pick up solid technique as well.  Several of these gyms are popping up, so this will be a multi-part series, with a short profile on each gym.

Let’s start with Chakrit Muay Thai.

Location:

Chakrit’s Gym has to get props for simply getting the word out.  Not sure who helped with their marketing, but they are all over Facebook, Wikipedia, all kinds of places online etc..  A lot of foreigners working in Bangkok have at least tried Chakrit’s Gym simply because he is super easy to find.  The gym is conveniently located right on Sukhumvit at Washington Square ( Prom Pong BTS ) near the Emporium Mall.  You can’t get much more centrally located.  If you are traveling with non-nak muay friends, you can easily dump them into a foot massage joint while you bang pads for the next 2 hrs.

Training:

You can jump in and work with a padholder any time between 9 AM and 8 PM.  Quality of training here can vary.  I have seen good and bad (bad being just lazy pad holding) but I have had decent workouts here.  You basically do the standard jump rope, shadowbox, hit the heavy bags if you want, then anywhere between 3-5 rounds on pads.  If you do not feel like you have gotten enough, tell the padholder you want another round or two.

After it’s back to the bags.  Here it’s basically up to you to do what you want.  The trainers may give you a few tips but not much.  You can pester them and ask any technique questions you want.  A bit limited english but not bad.  Also, push-ups, sit-ups etc.. up to you.  They are not really pushing you and i have never seen any sparring or clinching here, but have only been a few times.

But again.. if you drop friends or family at the Emporium you can get a good workout with a thai pad holder.  Now enjoy a pint at the Dubliner across the parking lot or the various street food at the park next door.

Other Notes:

Fairly clean, indoor gym.  Shower and changing room a bit dank, but you are not dumping a bucket of water over your head either.
Location:

Washington Square,near corner of Sukhumvit Soi 22/Sukhumvit Road

Phone:
+6622605816

Mon – Sat:
9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Cost:
500 baht per session, have packages plans and monthly fees as well.

Next post we will head to the Silom area.  No.. not for more of Mr. Fat’s moo ping, but to get into the spirit at Aussie Dan’s Fighting Spirit Gym.

Laura, Dii Mak and I decided to head down to Rajadomnern to catch some action.  Lots of the Chuwattana guys were on the bill.

I was introduced to the “Big Boss” of Chuwattana, Anmo… He had just returned from taking a group of fighters to fight in China. (More on that later)  He joked about how shady the judging was but didn’t seem that worked up about it.

Anmo explained he had just got back from taking a bunch of fighters to France.  (You may have seen the vid of Lidon vs. Lamsongkram ) He was pretty burnt up… he explained to me how he had been screwed over by the promoter of the event.

Anmo said that in his 20+ years of fight promotion he hadn’t run into anything like this and wanted to get the word out.   According to Anmoo the promoter of the event (Kader Marouf) promised to pay Anmo a total of €14,000 ($20,000) for his 5 fighters, but in the end was only paid €5,000.

I was forwarded the original email and response… by the looks of the addresses on this email, it seems like Anmo had sent this to some of the most respected peeps in MuayThai ( gym owners and promoters).  I’ll paste the original email if you want to get into the details.

According to Marouf he spent €9K on airfare and accommodations for the Chuwattana fighters and is only on the hook for €5K which he paid.

I spoke to a few people who are in fight promotion and they all concur that you don’t deduct flight and accommodations from the purse.

Was it a simple misunderstanding or was it shady promotion?  I personally find it hard to believe that Marouf thought he would be able to get top Thai talent to travel and fight for €1K after expenses/per fighter…  sounds like BS to me.  I guess the moral of this story, is get that shit in writing before you send any fighters… business is business.

Anmo explained normally he would ask for the money up front, but was willing to overlook that because he wanted the fighters to fight abroad.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know shit about fight promotion.  I know its risky business and it’s often the promoter who’s left holding the bag, but this stinks…

On a side note, the event looked pretty stacked… it’s such a shame that with all that talent they headline event is Bob Sapp… really? Bob Sapp? Oh and why do they both have scars on them?  Do they have wild Lions running around Lyon?

MAINEVENT – Patrice QUARTERON vs Bob SAPP

Yohan LIDON vs LAMSONGKRAM CHUWATTANA

Fabio PINCA vs SINGMANEE SOR-SEESOMPONG

Albert CHEY vs JOMTHONG CHUWATTANA

Karim BENNOUI vs LAIMANGKORN CHUWATTANA

Michael PISCITELLO vs Rachid KABBOURI

Hocine BENNOUI vs SAMSAMUT KIATCHONGKAO

Abdallah MABEL vs SINGHYOK SOR-SEESAN

Thoughts, Opinions Ramblings?

I’ve copied the email chain… you be the judge.

Original Email from Annmo

“To whom it may concern

I’m Choocharoen Raveearamwong. Everybody calls me Anmo. I’m the official promoter in the Rajadamnern stadium and the owner of the Chuwattana gym. I took my 6 Thai fighters to Lyon in France with my gym’s coach and Takashi Aoshima, who is my Japanese friend. My 6 Thai fighters participated in the Muay Thai show, A1 World Combat Cup, on 28 November 2009 in Lyon, France. The promoter of the show is Kader Marouf.. I agreed with him that the purse for 6 fighters was EUR14,200, that he pays me 50% of the money when I arrive in Lyon, and that he pays me the rest of the money after weigh-in. But he didn’t give us the 50% before weigh-in. But he paid me only EUR5,000 after weigh-in. Then he said to me that he wish to pay me the rest of the money, EUR9,200, after the fight. But I said to him that I want the rest of the money before the fight. Then he said to me that he surely pay me the rest of the money after the fight. I trusted him, so my 6 Thai fighters had fought. After the show, he said to me that he would pay me the rest of the money at 2:00AM in my hotel. After 2:00AM, I met him with my Japanese friend. He said to me that he had to go to the stadium to meet the TV staff and that he would come back to my room after 20minutes and pay me the rest of the money, but he didn’t come back to the hotel. My Japanese friend is the witness. I left the hotel at 9:30 to go to the airport in Paris. Finally he didn’t pay me the rest of the money.. I lost EUR9,200. My fighters received only small money. I feel sorry for my fighters. I can’t forgive him for his not paying the money. I must protect fighters. I think that the person like him will do this again. Please everybody cooperate with each other to protect ourselves from money problems like this.

Best Regards

Choocharoen Raveearamwong”

Response from the Promoter

I’m agree with Mr Takashi that i’ll pay 14,000€ for everything and i pay the airlines tickets it’s 897.00€ by person and i pay 9 tickets for everybody after i get an email that Singmanee can’t come cause is in JAIL i dont know why anyway Mr Takashi told me he can bring an another fighter “DANTHAI” and he change other fighters too but i have to pay an another ticket or they can not come so i pay 10 tickets in TOTAL 8970€ plus i have to give 200€ for visas i said ok in weight in i pay 5000€ to Mr ANMO alone so can u explain me Mr ANMO what’is the total for everything please and i didnt ask the money for the taxe government wish i pay after they ask me they want a 5 stars hotel for a fighters cause i want take care of Mr ANMO in good hotel i have all prove i did everything right and now he want i became the black sheep i paid everybody i’m tired with all this shit if i was u and i dont get pay i’ll never go until i get paid and why u fight if i dont pay u ? i respect everybody i never fuck some one until if he want.

I pay french federation, WBC Mr Cusick, Supervisor Mr Hadj and all fighters before the fight so please stop talking shit about me i’m fighter before so i’ll paid fighters first trust me is not my first show and is not my last everybody know i pay fighters before they fight OK i pay u now bye bye

Response from a Promoter on the Email Chain

“Now, I am talking from my experience and what is commonly done in the USA, I can not speak for either Kader or Anmo.

1.  As a promoter, usually, I would see my budget and calculate all expenses (I am sure we all do this when we want to get into a business).  In this case, it would be air/ground transportation + room + food + advance money for visa + medical examinations + miscellaneous (such as vaseline, hand wraps, extra taxi trips or even good time after the fight, etc.) + money to pay ring officials + money to pay fighters.

The words in red(bold) are the one that Kader said were included together, but I don’t. I see them as separate expense items.

I am not saying that my method is correct, I am saying that this is how I and many promoters are doing.  So, that is why Anmo expected you to follow this method as well.

As for being the manager of fighters, as I am, I would negotiate the money to be paid to the fighters separate from other expenses that may incur (after all, regardless of how much profit the promoter makes, my fighters get pay the same anyway).  I may ask for the visa fee up front, and have it deducted form the total amount after the fight, or negotiate to have the promoter pay for it. But other expenses beyond this will be the responsibility of the promoter.

In closing, the emails are cc to many people, including some highly respectable persons, it is wise to refrain from using to harsh a language.

The email Anmo sent was to discredit the promoter, if the promoter can explain himself well, this same email will go back to haunt Anmo.

But all in all, it is best to face each other and start talking reason, with a mediator presiding over the meeting.  Looking at the list of names this email goes to, I can see a few respectable names in the Muay Thai community who can act as the mediator.”

Lucas:How did you get into Muay Thai?

Cook: I was surrounded by people doing Muay Thai in the late 80s, early 90s. At the time I was going to the Minnapolis Martial arts academy. I was professionally fighting out of there for a while. In 1996 I was involved in the Prince’s cup. I did well, beating a couple of Thai guys. I was the only American to win.

Lucas: You’ve expanded and done some boxing as well as MMA how did you get involved in that?

Cook: I’d had a bunch of amateur boxing fights, about 20, and when I became a professional Muay Thai fighter I started doing professional boxing. I did all my pro boxing bouts under Golden Boy productions. I’ve had 5 or 6 boxing fights. I started doing MMA later on as the money was better. There is more stuff to do in MMA. There is more opportunity to be creative and to develop. The sport is still in its infancy.

Lucas: How did you get involved with Fairtex?

Cook:I had been a professional Muay Thai fighter for some time and met Alex Gong on a card we fought on together. In 1998 he and Ganyao asked me to fight for them. In 1999 or 2000 I moved to San Francisco as I got a job out here. Fairtex didn’t have that many fighters at the time, and they wanted more. Coincidentally I was scheduled to fight George Testsui of Fairtex at one point, but we didn’t end up fighting.

Lucas: How many Muay Thai bouts have you had?

Cook: I’ve had in the mid 50s, which is a fair amount for an American.

Lucas: Where do you feel Muay Thai is at in the states?

Cook: Muay Thai to me is a little outdated. Americans aren’t that good at Muay Thai. Europeans are better. That’s why I’ve mainly fought overseas. Here in the states there aren’t many opportunities to fight, so when the fights do happen they suck. Of course there are a lot of things that go into it. There are more sponsorships in Europe, there are more fans… For pro fighters like me, the fights are few and far between. Europe doesn’t match up to the states.

Lucas: Why do you think that Muay Thai hasn’t caught on more here in the states?

Cook: I think that the people that are into Muay Thai are already inclined towards it. They are into the Muay Thai music that plays already, that gross music that sounds like cats dying. There isn’t enough of a show here in the states. You can’t create the same stadium effect of Lumpini, with its live band, here in the states. Americans aren’t very good at the Wai Khru either, its ugly. Every camp in Thailand has a different wai khru so its interesting. I also think that Muay Thai has sexist overtones. Lumpini, one of the biggest Muay Thai stadiums, bans women from its rings. MMA has more female fighters. Muay Thai is pretty esoteric. Its okay if you’re already into it though.

Lucas: What has traveling internationally to fight been like?

Cook: I’m spoiled, I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve seen a lot of fights in Europe and Asia. I know what good solid Muay Thai is. I’ve seen great styles develop like Dekkers’, or Rob Kaman’s. Dekkers’ style is effective is great against Thais. Americans haven’t come up with an effective style of Muay Thai. We just brawl. Our fights are so ugly.

Lucas: What do you think of K-1?

Cook:K-1 is not violent enough. You can’t elbow, or clinch, and no knees to the head. The big guys are too oafy.

Lucas: What do you feel you got out of your boxing?

Cook: I got better hands. Boxing is a completely different sport. I learned that I liked to fight. I hate fighting outside of rings, in clubs. Yet I like fighting sports and to compete. Its fun.

Lucas: Jongsanaan is your main trainer now, what is he like as a trainer?

Cook: He treats me a little different. He wants shit to be perfect all the time because I’m fighting at a high level and he’s going to make some money every time I fight

Lucas: What was your training like for this fight with Malapet?

Cook: I did the same routines as usual. This time I’m working with Ganyao. I do a lot of conditioning. I know how Malapet fights. Our last fight was close. A lot of people came up to me and said, “Oh you won man,” but I thought he won fair and square.

Lucas: When did you last fight Malapet?

Cook: It was a few years ago. Actually it was a week or week and a half after Alex passed away.

Lucas: How did this fight with Malapet go?

Cook: I lost. The fight was stopped in 4th round. I got broken ribs in the first round when I caught a kick. They tried to stop it in the 2nd and 3rd. By the 4th my rib was sticking out too far. Fun fight though.

Lucas: What did you learn from boxing?

Lucas: How do you prepare yourself mentally for a fight?

Cook: I watch Survivor (laughs). Actually its all in the training.

Lucas: You’ve fought at Lumpini what was that experience like

Cook: I got a standing ovation. I lost a close fight. The Thai judges look for something different than American judges. The Thai judges look for more substance. They want a guy that looks clean, that has really good technique. I saw a lot of fights. A couple of guys from Fairtex were there, they ended up helping corner me, Ryan Roy and Mike Regnier.

Lucas:What is your strongest attribute in your fights?

Cook:It depends on the fight. Usually though conditioning is my thing. I’m always in good shape.

Lucas: What characteristic do you think a great fighter needs?

Cook: You gotta like to fight. You have fun with it. Sometimes people freak out about fighting while others do it and make it look easy. I’m 40 I’m still fighting, and at a high level. If you’re going to fight as long as me, you have to have discipline in other parts of your life. You can’t drink. Your body has to be used to the training.

Lucas: Where would you like your career to go?

Cook: I’ll take any Muay Thai fights. I’d like to keep fighting until I’m 45, so still fight for a while. I want to do a lot more MMA. I think its a great sport. MMA puts on a show. Its more accessible. I like it that women are included. I’d like to coach. I’d like my kids to fight. I’d like to stay involved.

Before we get into it, I want to say a very big thank you Milton Felter and Maikel Polanen for taking the time to sort me out.

This event nearly didn’t happen for me… I rolled in with my camera kit and the security immediately told me I wasn’t going to be able to bring my kit in.  I’ve got a fair bit of kit and leaving it in a coat check wasn’t going to happen.

Just as this was going on Milton rolled by and I explained my situation.  I told him I was from MMT, and could he hook a brother up?  Needless to say he did.

Anyway, if you guys purchased the PPV, you’re probably speechless.  I was sandwiched in between the guys from yougoodfighter.be the Mixfight.nl and we all pretty stunned.

Try to keep the spoilers off this post, as I plan on posting all the fights all this week.

I was able to speak to the fighters briefly, and they were all in very good spirits. Anuwat was quiet and said he was looking forward to his rematch with Liam.

I was amazed to see how chill Yod was, while the others paced, or shadow boxed Yod spent most of the time paging through a magazine. We chatted a bit about his Yants, the one’s on his hands are apparently so his hands will fly true.  Maybe that’s all we need to throw down like Yod?

I didn’t get a whole lot out of Bovy but to be honest, I wasn’t really going to try.  He’s seriously intimidating… really intimidating.  There is something about him, you feel like any second he could snap on anyone in the room. In the dressing room he just paced back in forth, waiting to be unleashed.

At the end of the event I had opportunity to meet and have a quick chat with Andy Souwer.  He said the only thing he was currently focused on was his New Years fight against Masato.

I said it before and I’ll say it again.  I think the guys at slamm really set the bar when it comes to world class MuayThai shows.  They’ve got the talent, and the production down.  They keep all their shows moving and the whole event is just really slick and well run.

Next year, I’d like to put together a MMT roadtrip to slamm, a couple of days in Amsterdam + Fights? Who’s in?

I got my first tattoo back in ’95 and I always knew that I wanted something else.  I just could find anything that called to me…  The years passed and I sort of stopped searching.

I had always admired the Sak Yants, but didn’t really know how I was going to go about getting one. It’s isn’t like you can roll into your neighborhood tattoo artist and get one.

My buddy DiiMak committed and got a very nice Sak Yant by Ajarn Lao, of Bangkapong. Diimak initially found out about Ajarn Lao through Soren Mongkongtong and the Nugget’s NTG crew.

I went back on a very short trip a few weeks ago intent on getting one.  I’ve put together a 10 min clip of my experience.

Sak Yan or Yantra tattooing is a form of sacred tattooing practiced predominantly in SouthEast Asia.  Sak Yant are typically done by Monks and Brahmin Priests.  Devotees of Yantra believe that the Yantra are imbued with powers for protection.

The yantras are made up of a melange of sacred geometry, Pali , Khmer text and various elements of the Ramakien.  While being tattooed you are asked to clear your mind, and to recite a mantra used to “open the channels” allowing you to be charged with powers.

video seems to be falling over quite a bit, if it’s failing to load… you can watch it here

I tried explaining this on camera, but I was quite nervous… the anticipation of being jabbed by a giant needle was beginning to unravel me.

In the west, Tattoos are a form of adornment, and self expression.  The point of the tattoo is to get something you like.  With Yantra, it’s almost the opposite.  You figure out what form of protection you need or want and then you get the corresponding Yantra regardless of size and shape.

I had gone with the intention of getting one Yantra on my chest, when consulting with Ajarn Lao, he said no.  That it was going to be a waste of canvas… that he was going to give me two and they would be on my arms…  there you go.

The Yantras took about 10 min. or less per arm… which was good because I find the hand work more painful than a traditional electric needle.

To end the ritual Ajarn closes off the ritual by sealing in the power.  He traces and writes on your back with a sharp (didn’t get the name) object.  You can see from the gallery pics it leaves a temporary welt on your back.

Payment for his work comes in a form of Donation.  The donation should be just painful enough.   So it should be so inexpensive as to be easy, and shouldn’t be so expensive that would cause you to much of a financial burden.

If you guys are interested, I would suggest you contact Khun Suriya and tell him I sent you.  He’ll drive you out to Ajarn Lao’s which is considerably off the beaten path.  It’s a little over an hour to reach Bangkapong which is on the way to Chonburi.

Khun Suriya can speak English and can help you with communicating with Ajarn Lao doesn’t speak a lick of English.

Khun Suriya will pick you up from your hotel take you out Ajarn Lao’s wait for you and bring you back.   I can’t guarantee prices but it should be around 2,500-3000 baht for his time.

You can reach him by dialing +66 0866115973.

A Sak Yant isn’t for everyone… but if this is something that calls to you, be my guest.  I’m hooked and I’m already thinking about getting another one on my trip back in December.  Ajarn Lao expressed interest in coming out to London to do some work.  I’d be happy to arrange it if there was some interest.

Special Thanks:  Special thanks goes out to my boy DiiMak for helping to arrange this trip, and for being the impromptu MyMuayThai camera man and post production company!

You can read about Ajarn Lao here:

www.arjahnlao.com

49/2 moo 2 Banpee-Noi, Bangbor, Samutprakan

arjahnlao@thailmail.com

I think things are looking up… Honestly I don’t think there has ever been a period where there has been so much interest in MuayThai or people training MuayThai.  Take a look at what’s happening in Phuket and that should be evidence enough.

Internationally (outside of Thailand) lots of people are putting on high caliber shows.  Nowhere near the budget or draw of the big MMA promotions, but that’s fine with me.

The other day I was invited to the Inaugural MSA Premier League show at the Reebok Arena in Bolton UK.

I had a chance to meet with Dr. Swee Lip Quek the man behind the MSA Premier League.

Dr. Quek is a serial entrepreneur who’s invested in and exited several successful companies.  Within moments of speaking with him it became very apparent that he had a very definite plan, direction and grand goals for his organization.

Coming primarily from a business and investing standpoint, Dr. Quek is big advocate of business process and planning.  He was quick to point out that this inaugural show was going to be the smallest show planned, as they wanted to make all their big mistakes in this initial show.

I was curious how long it was going to be until an MMA bout was going to work its way onto the programme.  Dr. Quek said the goal of the organization was to stay purely focused on Muaythai.  He’s a strong advocate of the martial way and MuayThai.

He admitted you could definitely sell more tickets if he had two knuckle dragging fighters talking shit at the press conference, but they would be directly contradicting the message of their organization.

Our conversation turned to the medium and long-term goals of the organization.  Dr. Quek was quick to point out they were very interested in expanding their franchise, reality shows and becoming the preeminent muaythai promotions company.

Being the cynical American, I quickly jumped on the whole franchise idea.  I was asked if he was concerned about the perception of being the Starbucks of MuayThai?

He began talking about the overall lack of positive roles models in a lot of the lives of children.  He see’s the franchise as an effective vehicle to affect change in the lives of at risk youths.  Not a bad idea in my book…

Their next show is going to be held at the much larger Manchester Arena (MEN).  So far the only fight I’m aware of is the Liam Harrison, Anuwat Kaewsamrit re-match.  Very curious to see who else is slated for the show.

I was impressed with last nights show, and thought it was very well run. (in front and in back) They’ve got big goals, and I hope they can stick to their guns.  It looks as if they’ve put together a solid team with the right expertise.

I have every confidence that with Dr. Quek at the helm they’re going to be successful at raising the profile of MuayThai in the UK and Europe.

]]> http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/msa-muaythai-premier-league/feed/ 6 http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/andy-souwer-vs-buakaw-por-pramuk-2009-k1-max/ http://www.mymuaythai.com/archives/andy-souwer-vs-buakaw-por-pramuk-2009-k1-max/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:04:16 +0000 nopstar http://www.mymuaythai.com/?p=2523 If you’re reading this message, I’m on a plane to Bangkok and the videos for the max finals are still not out.

So this is where you guys are going to have to drive a bit.  Feel free to post links to the fights in the comments.

No spoilers!  -  If you do, I’m sure you will get abused by the community.

I’ll try to get the clips up as soon as I’m in front of a computer with internet.

Ok, looks like you guys pulled through.   And special thanks to Colargol, Splatjay (k1-fans) and  KimJudas.blogspot.com for the upload!

Part II

Part III

vids via supermuay