I’ve been working it casually into my recent conversations – “so, what are you doing on the July 28th?”. They’ll respond with the usual “I don’t know, probably just work, why? What are you doing?”. That’s when I hit them with the “Oh, you’re just working? That’s cool, that’s cool. Me? Oh, I’ll be rockin’ out in Thailand. Training some Muay Thai, getting a massage or two”. At this point, I have a hard time holding back my smile and the people I’m talking too usually respond with a “Ohhh.. very funny! Yea, shut up!”
I know, I know – it’s an asshole move on my part. I just can’t help it. My flight’s booked, I got my 1 year visa, I quit my job – it’s just a matter of days until I’m back in paradise (7 to be exact). I leave Ottawa on the 26th, fly to Chicago, then from Chicago, I’m off to Tokyo, then from Tokyo, it’s right to Bangkok. The flight is actually pretty brutal – that’s one thing I’m not looking forward too.
Once I arrive, I’ll probably kick it in Bangkok for a while. I’ll hit the mall and get myself a new wardrobe since I’m packing nothing but my laptop, camera, couple pairs of socks and boxer shorts, my mouth-guard and my cup (it’s Thailand, I’ll be needing my “boys” to be intact).
Once I settle in, I really don’t have any set plans. I sort of like it that way. I might check out Fairtex Bangplee or maybe I’ll hit up Kaewsamrit – I just don’t really know yet. There’s also a gym called “Ingram” that nobody really seems to know about. They’re produced a few lumpinee champions and they’re also the ones that first brought Baukaw to K1.
I doubt I’ll be able to tolerate Bangkok for too long so once I get sick of it, my next stop will likely be Pattaya. Pattaya is a crazy place from what I hear but it also has some world class Muay Thai. In Pattaya, I’ll probably check out Sityodtong. You’ve probably heard the Sityodtong name being tossed around by Joe Rogan during the UFC broadcasts – particulary during the Kenny Florian fights as he trains under Mark Delegratte at the Boston Sityodtong branch (there’s another in LA).
From there, I’ll be heading down to Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. Tiger Muay Thai has both Muay Thai and MMA training and at the moment, they have all sorts of accomplished grapplers training there. I’ll get owned for sure but you know what? The more sore I am, the better those post-workout massages are going to feel : ) While I’m on the topic, I should also mention that the camp owner (Will) has been very pleasant to deal with. He even provided me with the invitation letter I needed to get my visa. It seems as though they do everything in their power to make everything go smoothly for their guests. So far so good!
Anyway, that’s about it for now. Keep checking back and I apologize for the delayed update. Once I arrive and start training, I’ll be updating this journal about 3-4 times a week. I’ll also be recording everything from camp tours and training to the rowdy nightlife of Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya.
What are YOU doing on July 28th?
Haha.. just messin’ with ya!
THINKING OF GOING TO THAILAND TO TRAIN?
I’ve developed a 70 page guide that profiles everything you need to know about training in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. In the manual, I discuss the visa issues, the Muay Thai camps, the different areas, the transportation, the food, the culture and customs, the girls, the scams, the safety issues and most importantly, how to save a ton of cash along the way!
That is sooo awesome. I hope to do the same thing when I’m done with school!
Hey I was just curious, how difficult is it to get an invitation letter from one of the gyms to get your visa? I believe I can only get a 1-3 months visa as it is. I’d really like to stay much longer. How can I get in contact with one of these gyms?
buddy im stoked for you i was down there last year for 4 months and trained at various gyms and stayed with the fighters including nam sak noi a champion in thailand who now trains down on ko phangnan at charenrit boxing stadium in thong sala so hit it up when your on the islands and say hi for me and if you can give me an email i can send a couple photos to you i would apprecite it if you could have them printed and give them to the gym if you happen to go there .
Brandon,
I didn’t have much trouble obtaining the 1 year visa but I think it all depends which country you’re from. What you need to do is contact the camp you want to train at, let them know you’re coming and ask them to send the letter of invitation.
You then simply print it off and take it to the embassy with you. I think I lucked out as my hometown is Ottawa, Ontario and I have the Thai embassy about a 20 minute drive from my home.
Solon,
If I’m in that region, I would have no problem with printing and giving your photos to the guys at the gym.
(mai-ba-lai) NO PROBLEM! 🙂