Jet lag—or desynchronosis—is a physiological condition resulting from alterations to the body’s circadian rhythms caused by rapid long-distance transmeridian travel. Its symptoms include sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, poor performance on mental tasks, irritability, headaches…….and the inability to put words together into a coherent text.

I had assumed that my return to Bangkok would have immediately inspired me to reel off Muay Thai-related articles given that Muay Thai is so accessible here. However, I had not accounted for the detrimental effects of the long journey on my mental faculties. So this is not going to be a lengthy post.

Lumpini Boxing Stadium. According to the banner at the top of the building, construction of the new Lumpini Boxing Stadium will be complete in 453 days—after which the current stadium will be demolished.

Yes, I’m back in Bangkok after 5 months in England and it’s sweaty, grimy, chaotic and exactly as I remembered—I love it. In the short time I’ve been here my Muay Thai experiences have included strolling past the to be demolished Lumpini Boxing Stadium (a prospect that saddens me), catching 2 hours of live televised Muay Thai (the WPMF promotion in honour of the King’s Birthday), and completing my first session at Eminent Air Boxing Gym—my Muay Thai gym in Thailand for the past 5 years.

The gym was relatively quiet with Satanfaa, Rungubon and Bragaipetch all fighting in Trang province, and Jomhod competing in Prachuap, but it was great to see the remaining familiar faces.

Tapaothong Eminent Air—former Lumpini and Channel 7 champion—kicking pads.

After a short warm-up I huffed and puffed my way through three 5-minute rounds on the pads in temperatures in excess of 30°C, as sweat literally poured off my body. On my departure from England the thermometer reading was -1°C and I was wrapped in six layers. Thailand’s heat and humidity have been quite a shock to my system—looks like I am going to have to reacclimatise.

Victor (Australia) training for his upcoming fight with Bovy Sor Udomsorn.

My brief training session complete I was able to spend some time watching Victor Nagbe (Nugget’s Gym, Australia) prepare for his fight with Bovy Sor Udomsorn on the Muay Thai Warriors promotion in Macau on 9th December. Victor is looking in amazing shape and has relentless energy and enthusiasm for training—hopefully his efforts will pay off in the ring.

The card also features Saenchai PK Saenchai Muay Thai vs. Liam Harrison, Seeoui Sor Sunantachai vs. Stephen Meleady, and Lakhai ‘The Alien’ Or Bunchuay vs. Edu Lafuente, and will be televised on Sunday on Channel 11 (NBT) from 20.30 onwards.

And that brings me to the end of my slightly fuddled post. It’s 4.30am and sleep still evades me—time for some shuteye.