The combat sport of Muay Thai is present throughout Thailand, with training gyms and arenas throughout the country and touristy t-shirts and replica Muay Thai gear being sold at just about every market. It is the national sport and cultural martial art of Thailand, which can be traced as far back to the 16th Century.
Know as the art of eight limbs because of the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins. These eight points of contact mimic weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms are hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to crush opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees become the axe and staff. The body operates as one unit. A fighter's knees and elbows are constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the knockout.
Although Muay Thai has progressed over the last 100 years with international influences, more standardized rules and match structures, traditions remain. As seen in the performance of the Wai Khru before each fight - see photo below . Wai Khru can can be translated as "war-dance saluting the teacher", as the dance shows respect and gratitude to the boxer's teacher, their parents, and to their ancestors.
The Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium is a newly built, modern stadium (with A/C) offering fights three times a week. Each night there are anywhere from five to seven fights from youth fights (a little more on the mellow side), and both men and women. We took the opportunity to get ringside seats so we could be close to the action. We were rewarded with three knock outs!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.