Its seems we have different points of view in some areas and similar ones also. :)
Such is life.:)


Thai culture has that to a degree... well at least depending on the person offering a different view point. It would be disrespectful for someone who is not as high up in the class system to suggest to the boss of gym owner or head trainer another possibility. The Poo yai (yai means big and fittingly big shit would translate ok) or top dog in the gym (not necessarily the most experienced or skilled in MuayThai) says how it is done.

I have had a few old fighters (young trainers) etc suggest to me not to train too intensely and spend more time 'playing' (Thai style sparring). Former big names at Sor Tanikul... Now of course I interpret their words and maybe they could be heard differently...

I also find it interesting how young Thais are when they are past it when in the West ones prime is often later... In the West we over train even more in some ways because we are adding training on top of work, family and hectic life styles (all take stress and energy) We do often start much later. I use to chalk it up to Thais starting early.. My studies on health fitness, exercise etc lead me to now believe they are simply over doing it.

Some of the top gyms don't let their fighters fight too much or train to intensely all the time. Keep in mind the Thais fight for money and the gyms that own them make them fight and dictate training because of money. The fighters best interests and long term health are not very important when the pool of fighters is so high - similar to US football players... the pool is so big how they train or take care of their health isn't very important... the few that last longer in the game train and take care of themselves and don't do what the rest do, at least this is my understanding... its limited though a good friend of mine works with a pro US football team as well as many elite athletes... Look at how many seasons the average player plays...

Most Thais run and the Thais dominate in their weight classes... I for one feel as a fighter (former) I must always strive to improve in any way I can and if there is good evidence that something else might be be better I can not settle for good enough cause it ain't broke... But that is just me.