Muay Thai - Kick Boxing!

After a week of incredible adventures in Chiang Mai, Tricia, Charles, and I finally came to our last night in Thailand before returning to Japan.

We ate schwarma for dinner at an Arabic restaurant and then headed to a coffee shop for dessert. We had Thai iced teas and delicious handmade desserts. While we were sitting in the coffee shop, there were a couple gentlemen playing the piano. The younger one turned around asked us for a request, something he could play and we could all sing together. After some hurried fumbling to think of a good song we all knew we settled on "Hey, Jude." The young man began to play and the entire cafe- the piano player, the three of us, another customer, and the two ladies working there- joined in to sing the song together. It was a very refreshing moment and is an example of the joys of traveling and having moments of connection with people you meet- even if only for an hour. Tricia, Charles, and I were content to stay at the cafe for a couple hours, just enjoying reliving our adventures from the week, chatting and laughing in each other's company. Finally we were ready for a change of pace and headed out to see Muay Thai, Thai style boxing!

Schwarma dinner

And dessert!

We left the cafe to find a cab to take us to the place where the fight was to be held. And for some reason Sunday night was extremely busy in Chiang Mai, and there were no cabs to be found! We walked to two or three different spots we knew that cabs usually congregate and found nothing. Defeated by the lack of tuk tuks, we decided to start walking in the direction of the fight, and we would just hail a cab along the way if one appeared.

While walking by the busy main street we finally saw an empty cab drive by. We tried to call after it, and the driver barely noticed us. A kind Thai man took pity on our plight and called after the tuk tuk, getting it to stop, but the driver said he had to go someplace so it was no good. A few minutes later we saw another empty tuk tuk, so Charles yelled for it and we dashed across the street through oncoming traffic where it stopped (this is pretty normal though, in Thailand if you ever want to cross the street you just have to learn to be comfortable walking out into oncoming traffic- otherwise you will never get anywhere). We jumped in, and the driver made a u-turn (although he was in a one way turning lane) and sped off down the road. This was our favorite tuk tuk ride of the trip, the driver was hilarious and kept speeding, swerving, and giving us the most exciting ride on our way to the fight. We were all three able to hang on until we arrived at our destination and bounded out of the cab with exhilarated smiles on our faces.

Upon turning and looking at the place we were about to enter, we found ourselves in the seemingly seedy area of the touristy part of Chiang Mai. Of course, a Muay Thai fight that advertises gambling would be in a seedier area. The fight was inside a complex made of the fighting ring in the center, surrounded by different bars. We paid our tickets and got great seats! With a few minutes to wait we settled into our seats and excitedly chatted until the start.

Muay Thai is a famous style of boxing because it employs kicking rather than solely punches. And it is certainly is something to see! The match started with young, female fighters that looked like they could be high schoolers! Of course the girls were very strong and aggressive in the ring. Another famous part of Muay Thai is their warm up dance. Before each fight, the players warm up in the ring and do a traditional dance, and do something like prayer. Also, part of their warm-up dance extends their desire for support from and gratitude to all of the people around the ring that will watch the fight. It was very interesting to watch.

The international fight that night was between an American and a Thai guy. It was not that great to watch though because the American guy won within just two or three rounds rather than going all five. Also, he did not use any kicks at all- just punches. I am guessing he was a boxer in America and did not do well so he decided to go to Thailand to fight. But I found it rather unimpressive that he did not adopt Thai style fighting since he is in Thailand boxing. After much discussion we decided perhaps he is new to it and was nervous. But anyway, overall the fight was crazy and exciting to watch!