Short Film - Muay Thai and Thai Women Shown in a Completely Different Way

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

This short film is pretty incredible in how subtly Muay Thai and women are being put together in a VERY middle class way. I would have to think that this was unthinkable even 5-10 years ago. I love that there is not just one female story, but three. For those that don't know, Muay Thai has a rather low-class image in Thailand and in many ways is not only ultra-masculine, it is of older generations, and has an appeal to rural Thais. It is not "modern". Seems to be put together as a student thesis supported by Rajadamnern Stadium/Singha.

[Naiyana]

​ Thank you Kevin for sharing this brilliant and well done video. In the light of attracting more locals,targeting young students and corporate levels,the muay thai industry realises it can capture a bigger market and monetise on the concept. More gyms are now providing a female friendly atmosphere,as opposed to 5 years ago,where the gyms only had mostly farangs. For most gyms in central Krungthep, there are many ladies and young local men who come in daily to release stress and have a great time..its like an extension of a social network for them. I am just happy to see the younger generation appreciating muaythai. Even in Kuala Lumpur,most colleges have muay thai as part of the extra curricular activities. I think that its just wonderful. 

[emma]

This is great. It's really refreshing to see Muay Thai marketed this way in Thailand. It's rare to see it geared towards women at all, but when it is, beauty is the core of it. I loved that none of the women shown here were doing Muay Thai to be 'sexy'. They were on a deeper journey of inner strength - that's what it should be about. As Kevin said, it's quite subtle, too. They didn't shove the concept in our faces. Nicely done.

Funnily enough, I walked past this gym, Rajadamnern Singha Muay Thai Academy, while they were doing a training session on Friday evening. It's located in Thong Lor, a very 'hi-so'/upscale district of Bangkok (luxury cars are subject to a 300% import tariff in Thailand, so you don't generally see them much around the city, but you'll always spot some in this area. I've seen a couple of Bentleys and Rolls Royces down there - that's what kind of place it is). Not only is it in this district, it's in the middle of Seenspace, which is an outdoor hub of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants there. I happened to walk past as I was heading to one of the restaurants there at around 8:30pm, by which time a training session was in full swing. It's obviously a more fitness-orientated gym with late classes to suit the clientele who are likely to be coming after work. It seemed very busy, so they must be doing pretty well! 

Thanks for sharing this, Kevin!

[WaffleNinja]

This was very well done and Im glad it can help break the stigma of Muay Thai as a "redneck" sport and a male sport.

 

It was really touching when the texting girl got good marks at the end. I had a lot of concentration issues in school and got some terrible marks before I turned things around. 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

This is great. It's really refreshing to see Muay Thai marketed this way in Thailand. It's rare to see it geared towards women at all, but when it is, beauty is the core of it. I loved that none of the women shown here were doing Muay Thai to be 'sexy'. They were on a deeper journey of inner strength - that's what it should be about. As Kevin said, it's quite subtle, too. They didn't shove the concept in our faces. Nicely done.

Funnily enough, I walked past this gym, Rajadamnern Singha Muay Thai Academy, while they were doing a training session on Friday evening. It's located in Thong Lor, a very 'hi-so'/upscale district of Bangkok (luxury cars are subject to a 300% import tariff in Thailand, so you don't generally see them much around the city, but you'll always spot some in this area. I've seen a couple of Bentleys and Rolls Royces down there - that's what kind of place it is). Not only is it in this district, it's in the middle of Seenspace, which is an outdoor hub of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants there. I happened to walk past as I was heading to one of the restaurants there at around 8:30pm, by which time a training session was in full swing. It's obviously a more fitness-orientated gym with late classes to suit the clientele who are likely to be coming after work. It seemed very busy, so they must be doing pretty well! 

 

I'm pretty disconnected from hi-so/upscale distinctions Emma. Would you say that the area is "above" the class of women shown in the film? An office girl, a uni student, etc?

[Micc]

This is a sweet video, and for me it has also the aspect of learning more about Thailand - I'm so focused on the Muay Thai part of Thailand that I forgot there's the whole middle class/high class, and it's interesting for me to see this kind of Thailand, too :)

You could see this kind of movie in any European country for example, so it really shows there are not really big differences between the west and Thailand when it comes to the middle-class-level. And it shows that everywhere around the world we have similar problems and motivations :)

[emma]

I'm pretty disconnected from hi-so/upscale distinctions Emma. Would you say that the area is "above" the class of women shown in the film? An office girl, a uni student, etc?

Well, I imagine that it has to be a super-expensive place to live. However, it's on the BTS and therefore really easy to get to, so it would still be fine for people who live in more reasonably-priced areas. 

I only know of one fighter from that gym. Her name is Khadja Aiyada (Amanda) Verpoest and she's half Thai. She's only had 5 fights so far, but her second one was on the undercard of the last Muay Thai Angels show. 

[Kelly Creegan]

Ha that's the sitmonchai lot in that still.......don't watch my fight