Sinbi Muay Thai

Clockwise from top left: Oron Deachkalon, Ann, Saenchai, Sinbi Taewoong, Kimchi, Pot Bunpot, Wang, Det, Run Jarunthong, Bao V

With my window of opportunity fast approaching, all booking of travel and accommodations will have to be very 'last minute'. After a few recommendations from friends and a cursory glance at their website, I found myself impulsively reserving about a month's stay at Sinbi Muay Thai. Little did I know that soon after my booking, it was announced that the one and only Saenchai SinbiMuayThai (fka Saenchai Sor Kingstar) would now be representing the Sinbi camp as well as prepping for a title fight against Nong-O to be held in Lumpinee Stadium — and with help from Sing Taewoong and Lynne Miller (owners of Sinbi), I could potentially be shooting ringside! For my first training trip to Thailand, sometimes the planets just line-up for you.

That didn't quite pan out, but the planets did align for me in so many other ways during my stay. My mission was to take on a different level of training than I'm used to for an extended period of time, while giving myself an opportunity to 'clear my head' and plan for the coming new year. Basically, I was able to go above and beyond in both areas, as soon as I settled in.

Training went as most camps in Thailand do... 2-2.5 hour group sessions, twice a day, 6 days a week. Those consisted of stretching and shadowboxing, then padwork, heavybags, drills, clinch, and sparring — switching every 5 rounds or so. Each "station" you get to work 1-on-1 with one of the trainers, each bringing their own style of teaching and fighting strategy. Working with at least 3 trainers each group session and being overwhelmed with so much information, I found myself rushing to scribble everything down while I still remembered after training. Of course, 1-1.5 hour private sessions with trainers are available between and after group sessions. During my stay, the trainers were in such demand that you rarely heard silence from the training area while the sun was up, and it wasn't uncommon to hear training at dusk. Like anything else, you get out as much as you put in. Given the scope of students and fighters training at Sinbi, it was good to see that the trainers were able to accommodate all levels — be it your first experience with Muay Thai or you're gunning for a title or fight record.

Sinbi Fight Night

It was Sinbi's first event held at their gym. Technically it could be considered a 'smoker', but the high-level production delivered a much larger experience — comparable to what you might find at one of the local arenas. The profits were donated to the Rawai Municipality to help rebuild communications during emergency situations similar to the Tsunami of 2004. One of the two rings was disassembled to make room for additional seating and an elevated standing area for all the raucous gamblers – not only was the outdoor venue packed solid, you can see people spilling out into the parking and road areas jostling to get a peek at the action.

Aside from the training and the idyllic beaches, what really made the experience for me were the relationships created. I was fortunate to have crossed paths with people from all walks of life and across the globe, the love of Muay Thai being what brought us all together. Being in the moment in many adventures, I often ignored grabbing the camera. I learned so much in and out of the ring from the staff and other students, about them and more importantly about myself – to attempt to put it all into words would only diminish it.