Yesterday I happened to stumble upon the local Muay Thai training camp in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Its housed at the back of the football stadium in the town and I was unaware it existed.
Muay Thai is often referred to as Thai boxing or kick boxing although the hands, feet, shins and elbows may be used in the sport when fighting a opponent. Muay Thai, the art of eight limbs, is also big business in Thailand and yesterday I was lucky enough to watch two local fighters training for a while.
Each fighter took in in turn to enter the ring with the trainer, a huge guy by Thai standards, who was wearing body armour that would not have looked out of place in a SWAT locker room. He certainly needed the protection as both fighters didn't do things by half measures delivering kicks and punches as full impact blows.
I have actually watched Muay Thai bouts before, but in all honesty I fancy they were more exhibition stuff laid on for tourists than the full bloodied affair. I couldn't help but admire the athleticism of the two young men and the trainer as they went through their routines.
With a strong smell of the local embrocation(Namman Muay) wafting up my nostrils I was briefly reminded of the sweaty backstreet establishments in the East End of London that spawned the likes of Henry Cooper. But this was no back street sweat shop, no broken nosed, punch drunk has-been hanging around, no cigar smoking manager flashing expensive jewellery. Instead the bodies of the two highly toned fighters glistened in the afternoon sunshine in a ring constructed under a large Thai sala (shelter) and open to the air on all four sides.
A lovely setting for a very tough sport.
Reluctant to interfere with their routines I only managed a few photographs, I was ill prepared and the action shots are abysmal! However I got chatting to one of the fighters as he took a brief break and ascertained he is the local champion who regularly fights in Bangkok. His next TV appearance is on November 11th so I shall tune in to see how he fairs.
I was also invited to return whenever I liked, so next time I shall plan my photographic mission a bit better. After we had watched the Muay Thai training for a while Doy became bored so we headed to the park where I also found an interesting surprise -but more of that tomorrow.
If you enjoyed this post why not subscribe to my RSS feed
6 comments:
Mike, That is very cool that you have a training facility that close to go and watch. I like to watch a match here and there but I've only really seen them in the more touristy environments and that gets old as between every fight the fighter come around asking for money.
Talen-yes I just happened on it by chance but will be going back. Pity the photos didn't work!!
Mike, I'd like to find out if there is one of these facilities near me also.... As you say they are quite easy to miss. I enjoy watching MT and the serious fighters have to go through painful and punishing training schedules. I saw a couple of guys stretching at a gym I go to now and again, I'm always astounded at how flexible they train their bodies to be.
Ben, I noticed a couple of AdSense ads for Muay Thai gyms in BKK on the post. But I reckon as with many things in Thailand you just have to stumble around.
Perhaps some of your customers at the coffee shop can help?
It was great watching them train and I have nothing but respect for the fitness levels and their body condition. Not folk you would like to meet on a dark night!
That said they were very friendly and seemed genuinely pleased that I was interested and wanted to take some photos. They even invited me into the ring-I am sure you can guess what I said!
Hey Mike - I came to this post hoping to see shots of you in action!
I've seen a couple of fights in Chiang Mai - the training certainly looks intense and the guys, as you point out, are tough boys.
Great post.
Jon-sorry to disappoint. The only way you would get me in there is as the ring cleaner!
I recommend you seek out your local place-might be near the local MT arena, like in Prachuap.
A very friendly bunch who were keen to show off their skills.
Post a Comment