Monday, October 3, 2011

Thailand blog - Day 3


by Nathan Aripez
Our third day in Thailand started by taking a visit to the Maeklong market, what makes this market so famous is that a train runs through the middle of the market every few hours. The train actually passed through while we were there and it was an interesting site to see everyone selling goods casually get up and move their everything out of the way so that the train can pass.

After the Maeklong market we took a trip to a floating market. It was definitely interesting cruising through a river and shopping at the same time. What was more amazing was the people steering the boats, elderly ladies pushed many of these boats with ease. After about an hour on the river we then set way to Pattaya to visit the Fairtex gym.

Upon arriving at the Fairtex in Pattaya the first thing you notice is that it isn't like many of the other camps, it is part of a resort. Muay Thai is one of the many things this Fairtex resort offers, in addition there is swimming, tennis, yoga, a state of the art gym and more. Despite being more luxurious than other camps, the Fairtex in Pattaya is home to some of the best fighter including Yodsanklai and Naurepol Fairtex. If comfortable accommodations are a must when you are away from home then training this place should be at the top of your list. Nice is an understatement when describing the Fairtex in Pattaya. When we arrived we met with our friend Ted who is the manager of the Muay Thai fighters and the Muay Thai operation at the Fairtex in Pattaya. Ted is one of the coolest people you will probably meet, really down to earth, straight shooter and most of all just nice guy all around.

Naurepol Fairtex was warming up with a light jog for his second workout of the day, we chatted with Ted and watched a few of the guest train before Naurepol came in and began to work on the pads. After wards he headed over to the bags to continue his work out. Probably the most popular of the Fairtex fighters, Yodsanklai was no where in site. As Naurepol ended his work out Yodsanklai showed up and didn't plan on working out, we had previously met Yodsanklai when he was in Los Angeles for the Muaythai Premier League. He then treated us to some light pad work and afterward we chatted a little then talked to Ted some more before making our way back to Bangkok. It was about a two hour drive back, but the trip to Pattaya was worth it.

Upon arriving back in Bangkok we stopped by Rajadamnern Stadium to catch some fights. We walked in and Scott immediately went to work on snapping pics and once again we ran into someone we had previously met. Kronpet (Gornpet) DeJrat was previously set to fight Ky Hollenbeck in Pomona, CA before the fight fell through at the last minute this July. He had made the trip out to California and had a brief encounter with him at the weigh-ins and the day of the fights. He was cornering a young fighter by the name of Chatchai DeJrat, we decided to focus on Chatchai and his fight.

After four fights Chatchai's fight was up, he came out and fought a technical battle in the clinch for five rounds in which he was victorious. The fights at Rajadamnern were great, the atmosphere was ridiculous as the crowd was buzzing. Once again it was something completely different, something all fans of Muay Thai should experience at least once.

After we left the fights we ate some delicious chicken at a restaurant that was next to the stadium before we headed back to the hotel. We had to be up at 6 am to head over to Kaewsamrit gym the next morning.
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