One Night in Bangkok, Part 3: The New Plan

Where were we?

We were at a market in Bang Saen.

If you recall, my wife wanted some goodies from the sea.

After getting her goodies, my father-in-law drove us back to Rangsit.

The ride was an especially entertaining one as I asked a pronunciation question related to a road sign that I had seen.

The question sparked two telephone calls – one by my father-in-law and one by my sister-in-law – and several heated debates before I had my answer.

The answer reinforced my belief that Thai is one of the more difficult languages to get a handle on.

Upon returning home, my wife and I took stock of our finances and decided to amend our initial plan.

The New Plan

The new plan involved one day to catch up with one of Piyanan’s best friends, one day to catch up with one of our friends, and as many Thai massage sessions as we could manage.

With just under a week remaining, the new plan renewed my hope that I might be able to squeeze in some Muay Thai training.

A Day with Piak

Since I had eaten earlier, I entertained Bodhi by letting him play at the children’s amusement area. When my change ran out, we walked around the mall.

When lunch concluded, we decided to head north to Ayutthaya.

My wife made an offering and prayed.

Next, she shook numbered sticks in a cup-like holder until one stick fell to the floor. She looked at the number before returning the stick to its holder. She passed the holder to me.

I shook the sticks and shook the sticks and shook the sticks until one finally fell to the floor. I looked at the number before returning the stick to the holder. I passed the holder to Neungthida, Piyanan’s sister.

Piyanan and I went to get our numbered “readings.”

We each read our own “reading” and then Piyanan read my “reading” and I read her “reading.”

The “readings” were pretty positive all the way around.

Whenever you visit a market in Thailand, there’s a good chance that you will see something that catches your interest. This statement held true for me as I strolled through the market.

I spotted a krabi.

A krabi is a type of single-edged, curved sword used in Thailand.

For some time now, I have wanted to commission a Thai sword smith to make me my own personal krabi.

I picked up the krabi to examine its beauty and to check its quality.

While the ornamentation on the blade was attractive, I couldn’t help but think it was a replica.

I then held the handle tightly in my right hand and briskly shook my hand from side-to-side. I could feel the blade shimmy in my hand.

This was clearly not the blade for me.

I returned the krabi to the table.

We finished walking through the remainder of the market.

While this particular elephant show was a far cry from the fantastic show I witnessed in Chiang Mai in 2004, it was still entertaining.

This was due to the fact that Bodhi had never before seen an elephant in the flesh.

As it turns out, he was scared. Many other children were too! Piyanan and I fed the elephants.

One of the elephants snatched an entire basket of food out of her hand.

We shared the remaining food, taking turns feeding the elephant that had come up to us. The feel of the trunk on my hand was indescribable.

It was an experience.

We arrived shortly before 4:00 PM and were informed that the compound closed at 4:00 PM so we were not permitted to enter.

We parked beside the compound and strolled through the small market located there.

Piyanan, her friend, and Neungthida (my sister-in-law) had some sort of Thai ice cream.

When they finished their snack, we headed back to the car. Piak then drove us back to Rangsit.

An Evening with Goh

We spent the first part of the evening catching up and eating.

We also presented the gifts that we had brought for Goh – two neckties.

The first necktie had baseballs all over. The second necktie had dollar bills all over.

Prior to us departing the restaurant, Goh excused himself in order to make a trip to the “restroom.”

The restroom must have doubled as a video store because upon his return, he presented me with two Thai movies – Ong Bak 2 and Chocolate.

He knows I’m a HUGE martial arts fan!

We indulged in the pleasureful tastes of ice cream.

We continued to talk throughout the ride home.

Upon arriving home, we said our goodbyes and expressed our wishes to catch up with him the next time we were in Thailand.

The Visit

Loong Satit was heading in the direction of the Muay Thai Institute that morning because he was dropping his daughter off for work at a nearby bank.

My wife, Piyanan, had made arrangements for me to accompany Loong Satit and his daughter.

We arrived at the Muay Thai Institute shortly after 10:00 AM.

I spoke with a woman, named Nang, who was working in the office that day. She provided me with information verbally and in writing.

As she explained the programs and the class schedule, I listened intently.

While I was very interested in what I heard about the programs, I knew that my upcoming departure from Thailand demanded another option.

So, I inquired about the possibility of hiring a teacher for a private session.

Nang informed me that this was possible, but that she would need advance notice if I wanted to do this because she would need to schedule a teacher for me.

As our conversation concluded, I asked if I could take a look around the facility.

I was granted permission to do so.

The new plan had given me this opportunity to tour the institute.

I then ventured into the stadium portion of the facility where there were two boxing rings, many Thai heavy bags, double-end bags, and other training-related equipment.

On my way into the stadium, I noticed a group of men meeting in an office. I later learned that the gathering was a World Muay Thai Council meeting.

I proceeded back into the lobby where I noticed a shop full of Muay Thai goodies.

The shop was locked.

I walked back across the lobby towards the office where Nang was working.

I, once again, knocked, removed my shoes and entered.

Upon entering, I asked Nang if it would be possible to look in the shop - she said it was.

I spent quite a bit of time looking around at all of the Muay Thai paraphernalia.

While I wanted to buy many things, I settled on a red tank top. With my selection in hand and my shopping concluded, Nang turned off the lights and locked the door.

We headed back to her office. Once there, I paid for my purchase and thanked her for the assistance and information.

While my visit was now over, I was completely stoked that the new plan had gotten me to the eve of realizing one of my dreams.

As we pulled up to the house, I realized that the Muay Thai Institute was not really that far from my wife’s parents’ home.

The Phone Call

While she, often times, does not understand my keen interest in martial arts she was supportive of my decision to train at the Muay Thai Institute this time because the new plan was meant to satisfy both of our desires.

I gave her Nang’s number at the Institute and my wife called to arrange for my private training session.

While there was some misunderstanding on my part (regarding the information that I had relayed to my wife) that caused some initial scheduling issues, in the end my wife arranged my private training session for 7:00 AM.

As you can see, the new plan was about to deliver.

Continue to Part 4

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