I arrived at Fairtex in Pattaya City, Thailand this past Sunday. Nothing has changed much at Fairtex and I guess that is a good thing. However every year there is always someone new working at the check in desk.
Check in was relatively easy and seamless. I paid my $310 US for my week of training and pretty much just waited for the next day to arrive so that I can get some work in. When I got to my room is was pretty apparent why I am willing to always pay more at this gym. Most modern gyms in Thailand costs anywhere from 800 baht to 1000 baht per day. The price includes both morning and evening training sessions, food, and a room with A/C. That is pretty much all you need. However, Fairtex costs about 2400 baht per day for all the aforementioned things. But when I got into my "suite" with the balcony, my own bathroom, tv, fridge, and a bed that I can crash on I saw that the price was justified. Also, everything was within walking distance. In Bangkok you had to a pay the taxi at least $3 US one way to a destination just to go somewhere.
However, I was saddened that my trainer Teelek had moved to Hong Kong to be a trainer at a gym over there. I really did not know who to use but when it came time to training I decided to use my original trainer Chai. When I started my pad work Chai started really slowly as if he thought that I might have been out of shape for the work. However my training at Kaewsamrit had paid off, I went through the motions pretty effortlessly and the pad work was not as taxing as what I was used to. Despite Chai's attempts to push me I was able to finish my work out without taking a water break.
Noticing that I was in decent shape with technique to match, Chai decided that I should spar with him. Chai is an excellent sparring partner for my level or at least he went down a few notches to my level. I got technically picked apart but it felt good to get 3 good rounds of sparring in. Also, with Yodsenklai and Naruepol sparring, there was nobody watching me get my ass kicked.
The afternoon session went pretty much like the first. I did 5 rounds of pad work, hit the bag for about 3 rounds, and then sparred with Chai for 3. And the end of the training, Fairtex Mgr and good friend Ted Okuno took me through a conditioning circuit. The circuit was not too taxing but I was happy to see Fairtex put some variety in their training.
On that first day of training a new group from Australia came in to train for a few days. A group known as the Full Force Gym had come in to take in some authentic training. There were a couple of filipino guys that were really cool and the head of the group Reinhardt is a great guy. The problem I have is the name of the gym, 'Full Force', it sounds like a 90's Don "The Dragon" Wilson movie. Regardless, there were a great group of guys to train with.
My second day of training went a lot like the first. There were not any Muay Thai studs that were in the gym training this time around. If anything, most of the people training were right about my level and lower. Also, I kept getting annoyed by seeing people just halfheartedly do pad work and then call it day. Training for 30 minutes out of the whole 2 hours to me makes me wonder why even fly into Thailand.
The afternoon session was relatively empty for the first 45 minutes except for myself and 2 other guys that were diligent. The Full Force crew finally came in and trainers had a look of disbelief. Reinhardt could not find his gloves and I had an extra pair so I had him use it. Reinhardt was thankful and I must admit it felt good helping out a fellow pinoy. After a few rounds of sparring it was off to dinner and to rest up for the next day.
That brings us to today. I did not get a good nights rest last night and it showed in the ring this morning. I hit the wall physically and mentally. I also started using the stationary bike to limber up. I really had to push myself to get through the pad work and after 2 rounds of sparring I called it day. I then decided to get a Thai massage at the local massage parlor here at Fairtex. The massage was painful but worth it. It was so worth it that I really do not remember much during the last 20 to 30 minutes of my one hour session. If anybody is in Pattaya I highly recommend Rasayana.
Sadly, the Full Force crew had to depart today right before the afternoon session. They were just here for a few days before they head out to Koh Samui to train at the WMC gym. They were a great bunch and they invited me out to Walking Street and the Shooting Range. I politely declined as I do not drink and I prefer to spend my time alone these days. I really just want to train and everything else is secondary. Being at Kaewsamrit for 2 weeks really conditions you to just train and to train hard. I kind of adopted this attitude and I am looking to use this attitude in everything I do in the future.
My afternoon session was one of the better sessions that I've had here at Fairtex. After a few minutes on the stationary bike I went a full 5 hard rounds with Chai. I was also able to spar a few rounds as well. One of the trainers was kind of enough to take photos of the session. I could still see a few but costly mistakes and I'm going to have to work on those when I get back home.
So tomorrow is my last full day in Thailand. I'm looking forward to it and looking forward in finishing it up with a bang.
