Thailand blog - Day 2

 by Nathan Aripez
The second day in Thailand was bit slower paced. With Thai Fight 2011 taking place that afternoon and in addition it being a Sunday we did not visit any gyms. We spent the morning getting some Thai massages and afterwards we took a visit to the Grand Palace, it was something very interesting to see. It is not easy to explain, but it is magnificent to say the least. The architecture and the culture is great.

In the evening we headed to Thai Fight, when we arrived we picked up our passes and then found our spots. Scott immediately began to work on taking pictures. The stadium seated 4,500 people and I was wondering if they would be filled to capacity. I walked around the back talking to some of the fighters as well as other fighters that were there to support. Saiyok was there and he was a cool guy, I went back out to the arena for a few and then realized that the ring area was getting full so I went back to try and find Scott to tell him to get his spot, I couldn't spot him anywhere.

Thailand Blog - Day 1

by Nathan Aripez

After a 17 hour flight from Los Angeles, Scott Hirano and I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand at 6AM. We met our driver ,Eak, and our Thai Consulate escort, Noradee, around 6:30am and our first stop was Kiatpetch Gym to cover Sakkedao Petchpayathai. Sakkedao's training was some of the best training I have ever seen first hand. In addition to Sakkedao there were various other young fighters training and they were all equally impressive. Coming from America it is unusual to see a 16 year old with that skill level. After Sakkedao was done training we did an interview with him, but the best part was after the camera was off. Through the translator we talked about his first trip to America which would take place in October when he fights Kevin Ross and how Muay Thai is scored differently in the United States, as well as his four fights with Saenchai, but on a more relaxed and candid level.