My time behind the lens documenting muaythai has been a vast education experience. Not only specifically in learning how to properly use the feature of a camera but also those performing the martial art known as muaythai. Below is write up I did some time ago for a publication that relays my experience with the industry. Attached are images that I have taken while spending time in Thailand. Enjoy...
Muay Thai: Join the health kick
By Jim Welch
Muay Thai, otherwise known as “The Art of Eight Limbs”, is Thailand’s form of boxing that makes lethal use of eight contact points of the body, including hands, shins, forearms, knees, and feet. It has become one of the primary reasons for martial arts devotees—from the serious practitioner training for the next fight to the casual tourist looking for a little physical conditioning between the beach and the ring while visit the country. The popularity of the sport has seen tremendous growth over the few decades that local economies have actually been built on and are thriving off of Muay Thai’s new vogue status, making it a booming, year-round part of Thai tourism. And now, the brand has been successfully packaged and exported for worldwide consumption.
I recently decided to take a closer look at this fast-rising industry to get a better sense of what kind of people are attracted to the sport and to find out if this relatively new craze is here to stay. I chose to make my first acquaintance with Muay Thai in the province of Phang Nga along Thailand’s southern Andaman coast. There, I found a modest but attractive training camp nestled within a quiet rural community.
Underneath a high roofline of steel girders and metal roofing to guard against the midday tropical sun, an ethnic mix of sweat-drenched apprentices were enthusiastically learning their potent trade. A quick glance revealed what appeared to be a chaotic blur of flying limbs accompanied by demanding commands from seasoned instructors within the confines of four separate boxing rings. I quickly retreated behind the relative safety of my viewfinder, where I could observe exhausted vacationing tourists and motivated expats dressed in flamboyant shorts obediently executing pad strikes to the synchronized bellowing of their Thai trainers.
Standing alone as he tested his hand wraps, Darren from Canada was getting ready for a training session in preparation for his third professional fight. I began a conversation with him, tentatively asking how he had decided to choose this particular camp and what he looks for when considering a place to train.
“I prefer training somewhat off the beaten path as I find that too many people sometimes equals less quality or not enough coaching time.”
Pressing him further, I asked if he could elaborate on the different qualities of Thai gyms.
“Usually, if you are a dedicated fighter, you’ll be given the attention needed. But I have witnessed occasions where the trainers have not taken their craft too seriously, or there are just too few trainers for the amount of students in class. I’m worried that all the success of Muay Thai is changing the spirit of the sport. I guess when you go global, a bit of the soul gets kicked out of it.” With a wry smile, Darren adjusted his hand wraps and climbed back into the ring.
Later, he went on to mention that while the training itself is fundamentally the same and consists of routine small-pad combined with heavy-bag workout, each gym can vary the training process. The mushrooming variety of gyms in Thailand can be as diverse as their clientele, from posh resorts for the wealthy to the gritty, to street roped gyms for those with less disposable incomes. He explained that geographic location tends to be a big factor and options are many throughout Thailand, from cities to mountains and near the sea. “These days, the bigger, well-named camps have actually diversified into a broad spectrum of other forms of health and fitness opportunities like yoga, cross-fitness, and Brazilian jujitsu. I chose this camp because it’s focused only on Muay Thai.”
Situated a few hours south, on the island of Phuket, is the high-octane nightlife of Patong Beach, where I visited another superb ocean view gym whose clientele appeared to be an entirely different crowd. As the evening class ended, an attractive, slender girl sat gazing at the distant waves, crashing along the glowing red beach sunset. Tammy, a 20-year-old from Australia, was visiting Thailand for a month. I asked her why, of all the places where one could train for Muay Thai, she had decided on this active—and often distractive—beach town?
“I am here for a few days and just wanted to give it try. And yes, this town is busy, but it also offers up a good party when you need it.”
Although it seemed Muay Thai was just another activity to explore for this young traveler, I went on to ask Tammy why she thought this particular martial art was having so much success here in Thailand? “I think it’s a great complement to an exotic destination and it gives so much to the traveler, but as far as the experience itself, it’s inexpensive, fun, and within a few days, you’re able to be in the ring and enjoy a great cardio workout.”
For a few nights a week, a boxing stadium in the heart of Patong town fills with both tourists and Thai people. I decided to be a part of “fight night” and sat ringside next to a local Thai trainer who was there in support of his club’s young fighters.
“Many people come to watch the fighting tonight,” he said, flashing a wide smile of pride as the first boys entered the ring to perform the pre-fight ritual. The mystical high-pitched whine of the Thai boxing music called sarama permeated the stadium as a uniquely historic event was displayed for a riveted audience of mostly holiday-goers. The Muay Thai dance known as wai khru ram muay is a pre-fight tribute performed not only in honor of the local club and its trainer, but also a tradition dating back to a 16th-century fighting style that was born from the battles fought between Burma and the ancient kingdom of Siam. The Siamese warriors soon developed one of the fiercest reputations throughout South East Asia in this extremely effective “Eight Limb,” offensive-based combat discipline.
The first round commenced with two boys of eight and ten years facing off. I learned both were veterans of previous fights and were beginning what was hoped would be promising careers. “This is if they continue with a strong heart and with few injuries,” the trainer added. There was no doubt the fighting was violently real: I witnessed several bloody knockouts from fists and head-kicks that emphasized the risk involved in full contact Muay Thai combat. As if reading my thoughts, the trainer turned to me and said, “There’s a big difference between ‘fight night’ and padded training in the gym. And I make sure each one of my students watches this before I allow them to step in the ring.”
The night wound down with two skilled opponents trading powerful blows in the final fight. Around the ring, an impressive drama was reaching its own crescendo as the Thai villagers passionately cheered in cadence for their local fighter. This was time-honored, vintage Siamese culture in action, reflecting the strength, beauty, and traditions of the Muay Thai legacy, that is generously shared by its people for all those who wish to discover the treasures of Thailand.
