By Mike LNg
Petpayu Pinsinchai putting the work in
A while ago Saul Khan helped lead us all on a tour of the famous Pinsinchai Muay Thai gym of Bangkok, Thailand. At the time of the original posting it was a very rare thing to get a look at Pinsinchai’s gym at all but it was announced then that there were plans for Pinsinchai to be open to all the public specifically including foreigners. It looks like they are indeed ramping up to meet the visitors and have launched an official site.
As expected the training is still going to continue in the old fashioned, hard work ethic which Saul describes as ‘sadistic training’. Though its now more tourist friendly its not going to be a soft experience at all. Also I cannot wait for some of the first time visitors reaction to the infamous goat of Pinsinchai.
The schedule is as follows:
- Training is held 7 days a week, with no afternoon sessions on Sundays only.
- 6 am – 9 am
- 6-7 Running, skipping, interval training
- 7-7.30 Shadow boxing, footwork
- 7.30 – 8.30 Pad training, heavy bag training
- 8.30 – 9 Body conditioning
- 3 pm – 6pm+
- 3 – 4 Running, skipping, interval training
- 4 – 4.30 Clinch training
- 4.30 – 5.30 Pad training, heavy bag training
- 5.30 – 6 body conditioning
- 6+ Advanced techniques
The gym is owned and managed by Police General Sawake Pinsinchai known for being a task master and probably one of the most decorated Police Generals Thailand has had in some time. It’s through Sawake’s supervision and operation of Pinsinchai’s camp that they have established a reputation of being hardcore even by Thai standards for Muay Thai training. Pinsinchai has been sought out by the most elite international Muay Thai fighters through the years. Pinsinchai has produced champions such as Thailand Pinsinchai and Burklerk who also operates a gym in Thailand under Pinsinchai’s banner and who could be correctly considered a legend himself.
Pinsinchai has also long been host to the Thaiboxing fights showcased on Thai TV’s Channel 9 broadcasts through Asawindum stadium. They often showcase the younger boxers who eventually will find their way into the bigger stadiums of Thailand. Pinsinchai’s fights are the proving ground for young Thaiboxers cutting their teeth and that hunger definitely is reflected in the fights. Many of those fights are right on this site.
There’s been attempts by outside interests to basically infiltrate Pinsinchai and turn General Sawake’s vision of Muay Thai into a more blatantly commercialized venture. But the General and his staff have recognized the importance of maintaining quality and their work ethic and have resisted such proposals. Pinsinchai may become more foreigner accessible but the work ethic is going to be a mainstay.
It will be interesting to see how the gym evolves now that foreigners are welcome to train with Pinsinchai. You can check out the Pinsinchai gym tour here. And an interview with Pinsinchai’s young gun Petpayu here.
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