Muay Thai

Recently I am asked to list three routines of my life. I listed learning Thai language, playing drum and play Muay Thai. Then I was asked which one is my favourite. I thought for a bit, and I chose Muay Thai.

My journey with Muay Thai is rather unexpected. If I put myself back three years or even earlier ago, I wouldn’t think I will be doing any sort of marital arts. Without holding any negative opinion against it, I just don’t see myself in it.

The first moment that Muay Thai actually went into my mind was not seeing those Muay Thai fight advertisements in the tourism spots of Thailand. In fact, I still haven’t watched any real Muay Thai fight till now. The first time I thought about doing Muay Thai was in our Thoughtworks Bangkok office. I was just looking at those introductions to the social clubs on the wall. Then I noticed a group of people lifting their arms together. At everyone’s hand, there was a boxing groove. I remember I thought about it for a second. That was the first time I imagined people around me doing Muay Thai.

Not so long later, I was invited by another friend to try it out. She wanted to do it but she couldn’t get any companion. That was also the time I understood the boxing club in our company had actually gone disbanded in practice because people moved their interest to other activities. This is actually a pattern in this office. New clubs come and go. Only a few can last for a very long time, and for the ones who last, they last forever.

I wouldn’t describe first experience with Muay Thai as great. As far as I could remember, I barely did what was supposed to be done, and I was tired as if I need to rest for a whole week, but my friend said she was gonna do it again the next day because she would like to make the most of our 7 day pass.

Later she brought me to another gym near Chulalongkorn university. That gym then becomes the one I am still going to. Initially it was just two of us, and we gradually got several people joining us. We thought we were able to revive the boxing club if we got just a bit more people, but we didn’t eventually make it. Now it has been an activity for myself for nearly a year.

I also went more and more often. From once a week to twice and now sometimes three time a week. This gym also witnessed my progress in Thai language. From charging me the farang price, now I am invited for secret discount. We have also formed a community with the familiar faces in the gym. It becomes a second place outside the company where I make friends.

My friend asked me why Muay Thai was listed as the best out of three routines I have been doing. I actually really couldn’t tell, until yesterday I went back to the gym once again after a one-week break from travelling. Before I went back to the gym, my whole two days were packed with work. For some reason I had a feeling of numbness. Just felt like I never fully woke up. Only after playing Muay Thai, I felt my body was activated again, and I could use my brain more effectively too. That was a very weird feeling, but it was kind of good too.

Clearly I also gained a lot from doing Muay Thai consistently. I wouldn’t rate myself professional, but I definitely have benefited from it a lot both physically and mentally. When I looked back my photos back in Covid times, I was amused how fat I had been. Those Muay Thai training helped me lose weight, build a stronger cardiovascular system and improve my physical and mental agility. I really don’t feel like quitting at all.

Some other friends said they were a little bored with the same same old old everyday. It actually hasn’t been a problem for me. I just come and do it, without thinking too much. I don’t think I couldn’t do it, or think to push my limit. The trainers are definitely the MVP to help me push it through. This is probably the best gift to me from life. I am loving it.