It’s no secret that I’m the unlikeliest fan of Muay Thai boxing. Who would this that this former lazy-bum and current athletics-snubber would fall in fist over gloves for Thailand’s national sport?
I’ve written quite a bit about Muay Thai on Koh Tao — from the history and the lore of the fight nights I love to attend to the training sessions that taught me fitness could be fun. But no trip to Koh Tao, and therefore no blog coverage of said trip — would be complete without a visit to my favorite gym in the world.
When I walked into Island Muay Thai for the first time in almost eight months, I wasn’t sure the trainers would remember me — after all, they train dozens of farang every day. But a chorus of “Alek!” greetings rang out when I walked down into the valley, and the big mischievous smiles told me I hadn’t been forgotten. The trainers were fascinated by my weight loss, demanding to know how many kilos I had lost and repeatedly shrieking “so tiny!” — endearing themselves to me forever, of course. Too bad I don’t understand the metric system.
When I told them my sister was in town they asked why she hadn’t come to training but then answered the question for themselves — very lazy. I promised to bring her in the next time.
She loved it — and they certainly loved her. It was really wonderful to show her this little slice of my life.
Plus, I totally got to show off.
Training is only half the fun though. Sometimes you’ve got to go see how the pros do it! So we made our way back to the gym on fight night, where students get a nice 200 baht discount off admission. As soon as we walked in the owner of the stadium, Pi Toon, gave us a big smile, and insisted we take beers from his cooler. It was such a small gesture but a lovely show of hospitality that made me feel that my affection for everyone at the gym was really reciprocated.
This fight started off with a youth match. A lot of people don’t like seeing the kids fight but I don’t see how it’s any more violent than American football.
Muay Thai fights on Koh Tao are the most integrated activity between locals and foreigners that I have found. It’s pretty much a 50-50 split in the crowd.
While I sometimes find the violence hard to swallow, I think it is offset by respect, tradition and skill. Attending a fight is a cultural experience that I can’t imagine missing in Thailand. To learn more about Muay Thai and the fights on Koh Tao, read my previous post here.
Have you tried Muay Thai training or been to a fight? Would you?
I think the fact that my gloves are pink takes away from the tough look I was going for..
You know you wouldn’t have had it any other way…
I cannot believe I missed this part of Thai culture when I visited in 2010, and the ladyboys too!
Maybe it’s because I missed Koh Tao altogether due to time constraints… you are showing me the error of my ways!
Just another reason to come back Jade π
This is awesome. I started kick boxing in New York a few months ago and absolutely love it, this is just amazing!!! Something to put on my todo list for sure!
Also you and your sister look SO much alike!!
Haha, yeah…. I used to be in denial about it but in the past few years I’ve accepted we are basically twins!
Nice post…….and yea Liv, not so tough looking
But what about MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE dad?!?!
Just kidding π
Looks awesome. Women (and men) who know how to fight do better when they attacked because they fall back into fighting habits.
That’s a good point Rob, and I hadn’t even thought of it! This will definitely help me in self defense should I ever need it.
Years of TaeKwon-Do training and talking to people who’ve trained have convinced me of that. Lots of stories of muggers and the like being kicked into submission and kept that way until the police arrive.
absolutely loving the pink gloves! looks like so much fun!! and look at your kick- so bad@$$!
Thanks Jessica… keeps me motivated π
Awesome, I am SO looking forward to this. I currently train at a Muay Thai gym here at home but am looking forward to training on Koh Tao, and thanks to you it looks like my gym has already been picked out!
Do they have rental equipment or is it required that you buy your own?
Hey Frank! You should definitely check out both the gyms when you arrive here (did you see my “Staying Fit on Koh Tao” post?) You might want to do a bit of training with both. Not sure what you mean by rental equipment…. they have gloves and wraps and all that!
Great post Alex. Hard to wonder how it’s hard to work up such aggression when it’s so chilled there, maybe ‘channel’ a dodgy Passport official?! Looks like a great workout!
Think if I return, I may just stick with the seating and Chang beer waitress service!
Haha, funny enough they play some pretty irritating music (at least to Western ears!) throughout the fight… one of my friends describes it as “music that makes you want to punch people!”
Ha ha, you certainly kick some ass Alex. Would love to do a course like that. How much is a course or a training session?
Hey Tammy, all the pricing info is in this post!