In December 2022 I decided to head out to Thailand for a month of training Muay Thai.
For my first week training, I’d booked to stay at Samart Payakaroon’s gym. Anyone that has trained Muay Thai or enjoys the sport is more than likely to have heard the name Samart Payakaroon.
Samart Payakaroon, real name Samart Thipthamai, is one of the greatest Muay Thai boxers of all time with multiple Lumpinee stadium titles and a WBC world champion title under his belt. He is most well known for his exceptional techniques.
Without knowing, my first week in Thailand fell on Samart Payakaroon’s birthday, a surreal experience for any Muay Thai fan.
Towards the end of my first week training at Samart’s, it started to become more of a reality that I’d been training in the gym of one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters.
Training alongside local fighters, being taught by the amazing krus, it was only right to wind down and celebrate Mard Payak’s birthday in style.
If you're looking to visit Samart Payakaroon Muay Thai Camp 👈 get in touch via their website.
If you've already booked and forgot about transport, I'd highly recommend Tingtourvan.
Samart’s Birthday Ceremony
We started the day with a blessing from the Monks. As a westerner still adjusting to the culture I wasn’t sure of where to go or what to do. But I was put at ease by the friends I'd made at the camp.
As I’d made some really good friends at the camp, I had a knock at the door. “Come on it’s time… you have a white t shirt?”. In all honesty I didn’t know what was going on and I didn’t want to get in the way of any celebrations.
As I’ve mentioned in my previous blogs about Thailand, the Thais won’t leave you out and they’ll welcome you in as one of their own.
The monks carried out their blessings throughout the ceremony, celebrating Samart’s birthday.
More videos from Samart Payakroon's 60th Birthday:
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