A Unifying Meeting of Phuket Muay Thai Gyms: Coordination for the Promotion Muay Thai Fighting and Tourism
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By Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu · Posted
You asked simple, so the answer is simple, but can be very effective. Just kick under it to the open side. You can even be late on this kick. There are probably a few reasons why there isn't a lot of jabbing in Thailand's Muay Thai, but this is one of them. A kick to the open side is a very significant score, one of the few strikes that doesn't even have to have effect. The jab is almost a non-score. So trading these is pure win. But, in same stance this would require you learning a quick, lead-side kick. It's a very good kick to have, so no loss there. Key though is to not rely on point-fighting. If you can develop this to have some pace (preferably with no "step" in the kick) it can become a serious deterrent, not only to the jab, but also to the straight. And, because you are tall, if you turned this also into a long knee, this could be a significant problem for opponents. These are very simple, high scoring, maybe a bit difficult to develop power in, (but you can do it), answers. -
By Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu · Posted
A very large difference between Japanese Ultranationalism and mid-century Thai dictatorship is that Japan's theorists placed supreme importance on the Emperor, who embodied The State, while Phibun's dictatorship, at least upon its rise, minimized the King of Thailand (who was very young). Thailand's Fascism was much more paternalistic, and perhaps (?) volkish, and perhaps lacked the same anchorage in religion that Shinto and ancestor worship did in Japan. Thailand seemed also to be positioning itself between world powers, especially in the decline of colonial influence on neighboring territory (and their claim), while all the same passing political mandates that aligned Thailand with "civilized" Western culture. Japanese Ultranationalism on the other hand was in answer and defiance of Western Culture and its seen-as morally corrosive Capitalist values. I don't know enough about Thailand's years of dictatorship to see if there were areas of overlap in theory and discussion, or if wholesale they were distinct in these ways. Or, if the growing Chinese Bangkok population (China an enemy of imperialist Japan) also steered Thailand away from closer alliance. Phibun, apparently, even explained his dress-code mandates in terms of insulating Thailand from too much Japanese influence of not outright cultural hegemony. This is to say that at the same time, roughly, Thailand and Japan were going through Fascist movement, but they were likely understood somewhat differently. Yet, the role of martial prowess, and even the fighting arts like Muay Thai &/or Karate, as a symbol of National strength, or volkish strength, may have had correspondence. As I've mentioned elsewhere, the rise of fighters like the convicted murderer, fearsome Suk in Thailand has been read as a volkish, anti-royal, or at least anti-urban, cultured elite, change in the sport early to mid-century. -
By Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu · Posted
This may seem out of place in a forum that is largely focused on Muay Thai, History and Philosophy, but there are two aspects that cause it to be posted here. The first is that I've long been a student of Spinoza, and intuitively felt that his Philosophy had something to say about Thailand's Muay Thai. I've also written on Spinoza and the Totalitarian State: Spinoza and State Torture and Other Unfeeling Things and Spinoza’s Logic of Affects and an Ontology of Torture, a line of thought I've never seen anyone explore. Spinoza is hailed as instead one of the earliest advocates for the democratic state, and even in some ways Liberal Democracy, and very often is depicted in terms of the immanence within his thought, a sort of liberal or radical becoming. The above Uesugi line of thought does not take my imitatio Dei argument, at least not directly. Instead he builds out of the very distinct dimension of Spinoza's thought, its denial of Free Will, putting that denial in the service of authoritarianism. This is an important aspect of Spinoza's metaphysics and I've never seen it argued from before. (There are corollaries to be made between Spinoza read as a proto-Cybernetic thinker, and Totalitarianism, of course. You can read on Spinoza as a Cybernetist here: Is Spinoza a Cyberneticist, or a Chaoplexicist?) Secondly though, I came to this study of Japanese Ultranationalism because Japanese Kickboxing in the 1970s, as it interfaced with Thailand's Muay Thai, was under strong Ultranationalist influence. Noguchi, a father of Japanese Kickboxing, was son to an Ultranationalist terrorist, (the famed boxer) Susumu Noguchi. The Yakuza who likely funded the rise of Japanese Kickboxing, had historical ties with Ultranationalism, enough to hypothesize that some of that era's ethos, behind Japanese fighting prowess was furthering this political view. And, Thailand itself had decades of totalitarian dictatorship, during which it aligned itself with Japanese Fascism, and the Fascism of Germany and Italy, not only becoming an Axis ally in WW2, but aligning itself culturally. Even Rajadamnern Stadium's architect was Italian around WW2, and it expresses some of that Neo-Classical European aesthetic. Thailand's Muay Thai, in its turn toward a volkish heroism in the 1940s-1950s, could be understood in this movement. It is enough to say that these interests and stretches of history, in Japan and Thailand, along with Spinoza, provide an interesting setting for speculative interpretation.
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In my experience, 1 pair of gloves is fine (14oz in my case, so I can spar safely), just air them out between training (bag gloves definitely not necessary). Shinguards are a good idea, though gyms will always have them and lend them out- just more hygienic to have your own. 2 pairs of wraps, 2 shorts (I like the lightweight Raja ones for the heat), 1 pair of good road running trainers. Good gumshield and groin-protector, naturally. Every time I finish training, I bring everything into the shower (not gloves or shinnies, obviously) with me to clean off the (bucketsfull in my case) of sweat, but things dry off quickly here outside of the monsoon season. One thing I have found I like is smallish, cotton briefs for training (less cloth, therefore sweaty wetness than boxers, etc.- bring underwear from home- decent, cotton stuff is strangely expensive here). Don't weigh yourself down too much. You might want to buy shorts or vests from the gym(s) as (useful) souvenirs. I recommend Action Zone and Keelapan, next door, in Bangkok (good selection and prices): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Action+Zone/@13.7474264,100.5206774,17z/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x30e29931ee397e41:0x4c8f06926c37408b!2sAction+Zone!8m2!3d13.7474212!4d100.5232523!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3_f5d2!3m5!1s0x30e29931ee397e41:0x4c8f06926c37408b!8m2!3d13.7474212!4d100.5232523!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3_f5d2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D -
Hey! I totally get what you mean about pushing through—it can sometimes backfire, especially with mood swings and fatigue. Regarding repeated head blows and depression, there’s research showing a link, especially with conditions like CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). More athletes are recognizing the importance of mental health alongside training. -
If you need a chill video editing app for Windows, check out Movavi Video Editor. It's super easy to use, perfect for beginners. You can cut, merge, and add effects without feeling lost. They’ve got loads of tutorials to help you out! I found some dope tips on clipping videos with Movavi. It lets you quickly cut parts of your video, so you can make your edits just how you want. Hit up their site to learn more about how to clip your screen on Windows and see how it all works. -
Hi all, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be traveling to Thailand soon for just over a month of traveling and training. I am a complete beginner and do not own any training gear. One of the first stops on my trip will be to explore Bangkok and purchase equipment. What should be on my list? Clearly, gloves, wraps, shorts and mouthguard are required. I would be grateful for some more insight e.g. should I buy bag gloves and sparring gloves, whether shin pads are worthwhile for a beginner, etc. I'm partiularly conscious of the heat and humidity, it would make sense to pack two pairs of running shoes, two sets of gloves, several handwraps and lots of shorts. Any nuggets of wisdom are most welcome. Thanks in advance for your contributions! -
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