[Nypbscao]

I have had some friends that have trained in Fairtex. They said the training was good but they felt isolated over there. Kind of like a prison. It's on the outskirts of Bkk right?

[VtLe67WR]

I've been to Fairtex. It's all right, although I had a different image about how a Muay Thai training camp would look like.

What the article does not say is that the actual training camp constitutes only a small part of the whole complex - most of the area is used as a poshy fitness-center with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. I guess it would take away from the macho image, the big fighters training side-by-side with high-school girls and mid-aged overweight housewives. But that's where the real money comes from; can't blame the owner for not wanting to go bankrupt for the second time.

It seemed that it paid off very well for him to trade principles for money - it's doubtful that the new Pattaya complex is built from the 40-member/month business.

As for Tyson, it's hardly surprising that his managers found the facility appropriate. Heck, even a buffalo-barn in Isaan would be deemed "appropriate" if there is a possiblity to squeeze more money out of this burned-out ex-champion.

The article also fails to address the question whether Tyson is appropriate for Thailand. Given his past record, I doubt it.

[Diondra]

BOOST FOR THAI BOXING
Bangkok Post, 19 June 2005

Fairtex training camp proving very popular abroad; even Mike Tyson is considering switching to Muay Thai

Story by SUTHIWIT CHAYUTWORAKAN

The name Fairtex Thai boxing camp may not ring any bells with the Thai public.

However the camp, in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli District, is proving very popular with foreigners for its intensive private training courses.

The camp's owner, Banchong Busarakumwong, said its rising popularity has led him to open another branch in Pattaya after setting up another such facility in Japan.

It was his love of Thai martial arts which made him decide to establish the camp about 20 years ago.

Before that, he ran a boxing camp in Soi Suan Phlu which turned out to be a flop. He once had a camp in the US when his son studied in that country. The business lasted three years.

But those failures did not stop his passion for Thai boxing. Ten years ago he began to offer free Thai boxing training, and then low-cost training, for foreigners.

``I want to promote Thai boxing among foreigners,'' he said.

Mr Banchong invested around 30 million baht in the camp in Bang Phli, which includes a fitness centre, and almost 400 million baht in the Pattaya camp. He also owns a boxing equipment factory, which produces all kinds of boxing gear. Apart from those kept for use within the camps, the products are for export only.

There are 20 rooms at the Bang Phli camp, which can accommodate 60 boxing students, while the Pattaya branch has 50 rooms.

The monthly tuition fees, which includes food and accommodation, ranges from 900 to 1,200 baht per person, depending on the room type.

Currently, there are 40 students at the Bang Phli camp. However, some 80 boxing enthusiasts have booked a place within the next two months.

``Some will have to train in our Pattaya camp,'' Mr Banchong said.

Most students are foreigners with different motives. Some want to improve their martial arts skills, while others aspire to become professional boxers. A few join the course because they want to lose weight.

Somboon Lilahasuwan, 50, Mr Banchong's younger brother and the boxing camp's manager, said the students are from several countries, including the USA, Holland, Finland, Italy, France and Australia. There is no time frame for the course.

Mr Somboon said Fairtex is set to become a brand and reach out to the international market. It has cooperated with the World Boxing Council (WBC) in making lists of foreign boxers who are good at Thai boxing in a bid to promote Thai boxing and Thai martial arts all over the world. Mr Somboon said he learned from the WBC that former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is considering switching to Thai boxing and coming for training at the Fairtex camp.

Tyson's manager was said to have visited the camp and expressed satisfaction with the facilities.

Thanes Honchaiyaphum, a trainer, said he practised Thai boxing here for 16 years before becoming a trainer four years ago. Better known as Fanta Fairtex, the 27-year-old trainer teaches students in different ways, depending on their shapes and interests.

He said it is easier to teach Thais as there is no language barrier. Training for students starts in the morning, restarts at 4pm and ends at 6pm.

The training includes practising, watching video footage of important boxing matches, and discussions.

There are about 20 trainers, mostly former boxers. The oldest trainer is the legendary Apidej Sithiran, 64, alias Bang Nok Khwaek Kicking Champion. The youngest one is only 19. The ages of the students range from 6 to 25.

Vivek Nakarmi, a boxing student from the US who has been learning Thai boxing for two months, said he chose the camp after hearing about its good private training from a friend who was a former student.

``I'll practise at Fairtex for one month and come back if there's a chance. When I learned Thai boxing in America, there was only one trainer and students had to practise by themselves,'' he said.

``A class lasts for only one hour, while at Fairtex students can have private training, practise on stage for four hours and with punchbags for three hours, and can continue practising themselves if they want.''

[TEFSADDERFISA]

I'd love to see Mike Tyson though. I used to go to the fitness everyday evening just exercising but not boxing. Oh man I just can't imagine.. Who's gonna be a poor trainer who is gonna train him Thai boxing. I mean look at his sizeee..

btw I have a buzz.. (bursting to tell you guys) the son of the owner's Fairtex is Tata Young's boyfriend..mann

[Kdgjhytiy]

Also see: http://www.fairtex.com/news/news_view.php?n_id=85

[Kdgjhytiy]

Tyson in Muay Thai is a joke and I don't think it will happen.

Quote[/b] (SiamJai @ June 19 2005,12:36)]I've been to Fairtex. It's all right, although I had a different image about how a Muay Thai training camp would look like.

I don't know what kind of image you had about how a Muay Thai training camp would look like, but both Fairtex and Lanna are geared towards training Farang and IMHO are not nearly as good as some others I know and have heard about.