Farang Karate Club

[Bounder]

Does anyone know of a farang run karate club in Bangkok?

Bounder.

[Gaijin]

Hi Bounder,

I used to regularly practice Karate (Shotokan) in Julalonkorn University (you have to go to the Gymnasium where they play basketball).

I don't remember the exact time schedule but there is a daily training around 7PM. The professor is a retired japanese living there. Free of charge. Shotokan style. Many thais and several japanese. A few foreigners too.

I haven't been there for long (almost a year) but I am seriously thinking about practicing again.

On the downside, there is no tatami and without air conditioning it can sometimes be really hot in there. But hey it's free and the teacher is very good so how can we complain!

[Bounder]

Thank you Gaijin.

May I ask, what were the age ranges at the club?

[Gaijin]

pretty diverse....but globally rather young. Quite a number in their early-mid 20's (most of them Thai) but some midlle age men also (some japanese expatriates around 40-45).

As for the level, a lot of braun belts and several balck belts too.

I am braun belt myself, and despite my young age (27) and experience (20 years) I found the training to be challenging enough.

I really hope I can fight my laziness and put the kimono again soon!

Let me know if you decide to have a look there or if you find another place.

[Bounder]

I really hope I can fight my laziness and put the kimono again soon!

Yes, I'm hoping I can fight mine too. I haven't been for over 20, yes twenty, years and I really don't want to make an arse of myself but this is something I have missed a lot.

I'm as stiff as a board but avoiding it won't make it any better.

I have wondered about going back as a beginner but am also concerned that if I do I may become very bored....

I'll let you know what happens - thanks for your help.

[Gerry290]

we going to bre teaching Krav Maga self defence very soon, which is self defence of Israeli forces, in BKK and Pattaya very soon in a few months. not sure yet when and where will have classes, but this will be aimed at people who want to learn effective street self defence, and with realistic training.

[thai121]

Hi Bounder, don't know if this helps as you may already have seen the website ...... but there looks to be a very well organised Japanese run club in BKK http://www.karatethai.com/

I moved here to Pattaya 6 months ago and have been searching for a Shotokan Club to join again, but whilst that club looks great, it's just too far to travel to be practical. Still thinking about it though.

Many, many moons ago I got to 1st Dan back in UK, then after a 17year break and a relocation to Italy, I started up again ..... man, at first it hurts but it soon starts coming back to you. Not speaking any Italian at the time certainly didn't help me though!

Gerry290, how are things going with the Krav Maga course in Pattaya? You got that going yet? Is so, i'd be really interested in coming along.

[Gerry290]

Gerry290, how are things going with the Krav Maga course in Pattaya? You got that going yet? Is so, i'd be really interested in coming along.

Yes, we can now announce dates for Tactical Krav Maga weekend workshops in Pattaya and Bangkok in July.

This will be the first time (to my knowledge) Tactical Krav Maga has been intorduced to the public in Thailand.

First off Krav Maga is the hand 2 hand combat system developed by Israeli Defence Forces, to allow recruits to get a basic standard of self defence in a short time period. Special Units/Special Forces go into it in greater Detail.

Tactical Krav Maga, is a version of Krav Maga developed by a former special forces soldiers, who served 9 years in the Yamam, and then was the unarmed combat trainer for the Yamam called Itay Gil...it is a very simple, but effective version of Krav Maga. Simple, as we want you to remember it, if you are attacked...if it is complicated, you will never remember it if you have to use it under pressure. Yamam (there is lots on google about them) are an elite SWAT Counter Terroist Team, that work undercover, to their members have to know how to protect themselves, and defend against armed assault.

We are hosting 2 weekend workshops....

Bangkok 7 and 8 July which is a Sat and Sunday from 12 noon - 4pm each day.

Pattaya us 14th - 15th july Sat/Sun 12 noon - 4pm. (venues to be annouced).

The course is being taught by International Training Director from Australia Carl Halley, who is Chief Instructor in Australia/Asia for Tactical Krav Maga see www.tacticalkravmaga.com.au

I will be helping out too. My new site will be ready mid May but I got a temporary site on www.selfdefencethailand.com so you can email me from there, if you want more details.

On this weekend course which will give you a basis on the fundamentals you will learn basic strikes, how to defend against attacks, avoid attacks, escapes from basic grabs and chokes that are common to street attacks. also simple stratagies to deal with threats from knife, stick/baton attack and gun.

The course is aimed at regular civilians who want to learn the basic of self defence/self protection in case they get mugged, robbed or attacked on the street and have no other option (if avoidence or talking your way out of it does not work), to use a physical response to defend yourself from a criminal attack and make good your escape.

You will even get to test your skills, in a simulation of a street attack, through our Bullet Man attacker, which is special protective gear the instructor will wear, which will allow you to defend youself, and hit the Bullet Man full force. This is an excellent training drill and people love it....I have seen young and old, male and female, really excel and amaze themselves at what they can do against a potential attacker, with simple instruction.

The workshops are for adults, and again, are aimed at normal everyday people, who want to learn some basic self defence...you DO NOT have to be an athlete, a Muay Thai boxer, or a special forces soldier to attend.

In fact having taught Krav Maga in Ireland (all be in a different version of Krava Maga, as opposed to Tactical Krav Maga), for over 3 years.... I we have seen many regular people (office workers for example) use what we taught to avoid attack, or even physical respond to an attack, stun the attacker, and escape to safety...also quite a few people who were attacked in the past, and lost confidence, came to use for training, and regained confidence in themselves, and got over their fears, through learning some simple proven self defence technqiues.

If you want more information, or have any questions, please PM me, or email me from www.selfdefencethailand.com

After the workshops, if all goes well, and people are interested we will be runnning regular weekly classes in Bangkok and Pattaya, with group and private lessons available. There will be more details on this, after we complere the workshops.

[Bounder]

thai121,

Thanks for that, yes it's a great web site. May I ask, when you returned to training, did you start again and if not, how did you get on?

I honestly feel that I should begin again, but also feel that in 6 months or so, once the old frame has loosened up, I'll be bored witless. Then again, you can never do too many basics!

Also, you don't happen to know where I can get my kit here? Sports shops are all muay thai or taekwondo as far as I can see.

[thai121]

May I ask, when you returned to training, did you start again and if not, how did you get on?

I honestly feel that I should begin again, but also feel that in 6 months or so, once the old frame has loosened up, I'll be bored witless. Then again, you can never do too many basics!

Also, you don't happen to know where I can get my kit here? Sports shops are all muay thai or taekwondo as far as I can see.

Hi Bounder,

Yes, it was agreed that i'd start again from white belt ..... though I think if i'd 'pushed it' staying at black wouldn't have been a real problem. It was my choice though, I just didn't want the lower grades wondering how someone so 'unfit' could be a black belt!

Progression-wise though, it really doesn't take long for things to come back to you and in my case it was just the fitness that I struggled with. For example, I tore a hamstring when I was first asked to demonstrate an Ushiru Mawashi Geri ..... everybody heard it 'pop' in the Dojo

Definately a case of 'running before I could walk'!

Anyway, it's generally accepted that if you do start at a lower grade, then the Instructor can 'fast-track' you back to Brown and White belt, assuming you achieve the grade. I had several gradings in 6 months and managed to get back to this level.

Then though, I had to wait for the Italian Master to hold the annual Black Belt gradings, which fortunately only took another 3 months.

So, I'm pleased to say that I made 1st Dan, for the second time, after 9 months training. Which I was pleased with and, more importantly, felt like I deserved.

That said, a break for the 'Italian Summer' and then 6 months of 'bodily abuse' in Pattaya have left their mark and i'll be struggling again when I start!

As for purchasing your Gi ...... i'd probably say find a club first then buy through them, or alternatively, if you are confident of your mail arriving here in Thailand, buy through one of the Online Martial Arts Stores.

Let me know if you join that club in Bangkok ........ I'm still thinking if the travelling would be worth it ..... my age (42) and the heat is putting me off

[thai121]

Thanks for the info Gerry, I've seen the site and i'm still working out if the course would be 'right' for me. Thanks again, Tony

[wineman]

Gerry290, how are things going with the Krav Maga course in Pattaya? You got that going yet? Is so, i'd be really interested in coming along.

Yes, we can now announce dates for Tactical Krav Maga weekend workshops in Pattaya and Bangkok in July.

This will be the first time (to my knowledge) Tactical Krav Maga has been intorduced to the public in Thailand.

First off Krav Maga is the hand 2 hand combat system developed by Israeli Defence Forces, to allow recruits to get a basic standard of self defence in a short time period. Special Units/Special Forces go into it in greater Detail.

Tactical Krav Maga, is a version of Krav Maga developed by a former special forces soldiers, who served 9 years in the Yamam, and then was the unarmed combat trainer for the Yamam called Itay Gil...it is a very simple, but effective version of Krav Maga. Simple, as we want you to remember it, if you are attacked...if it is complicated, you will never remember it if you have to use it under pressure. Yamam (there is lots on google about them) are an elite SWAT Counter Terroist Team, that work undercover, to their members have to know how to protect themselves, and defend against armed assault.

We are hosting 2 weekend workshops....

Bangkok 7 and 8 July which is a Sat and Sunday from 12 noon - 4pm each day.

Pattaya us 14th - 15th july Sat/Sun 12 noon - 4pm. (venues to be annouced).

The course is being taught by International Training Director from Australia Carl Halley, who is Chief Instructor in Australia/Asia for Tactical Krav Maga see www.tacticalkravmaga.com.au

I will be helping out too. My new site will be ready mid May but I got a temporary site on www.selfdefencethailand.com so you can email me from there, if you want more details.

On this weekend course which will give you a basis on the fundamentals you will learn basic strikes, how to defend against attacks, avoid attacks, escapes from basic grabs and chokes that are common to street attacks. also simple stratagies to deal with threats from knife, stick/baton attack and gun.

The course is aimed at regular civilians who want to learn the basic of self defence/self protection in case they get mugged, robbed or attacked on the street and have no other option (if avoidence or talking your way out of it does not work), to use a physical response to defend yourself from a criminal attack and make good your escape.

You will even get to test your skills, in a simulation of a street attack, through our Bullet Man attacker, which is special protective gear the instructor will wear, which will allow you to defend youself, and hit the Bullet Man full force. This is an excellent training drill and people love it....I have seen young and old, male and female, really excel and amaze themselves at what they can do against a potential attacker, with simple instruction.

The workshops are for adults, and again, are aimed at normal everyday people, who want to learn some basic self defence...you DO NOT have to be an athlete, a Muay Thai boxer, or a special forces soldier to attend.

In fact having taught Krav Maga in Ireland (all be in a different version of Krava Maga, as opposed to Tactical Krav Maga), for over 3 years.... I we have seen many regular people (office workers for example) use what we taught to avoid attack, or even physical respond to an attack, stun the attacker, and escape to safety...also quite a few people who were attacked in the past, and lost confidence, came to use for training, and regained confidence in themselves, and got over their fears, through learning some simple proven self defence technqiues.

If you want more information, or have any questions, please PM me, or email me from www.selfdefencethailand.com

After the workshops, if all goes well, and people are interested we will be runnning regular weekly classes in Bangkok and Pattaya, with group and private lessons available. There will be more details on this, after we complere the workshops.

Very interested Gerry290, but I'm 69y.o. Could I do this?

[wineman]

Gerry290, how are things going with the Krav Maga course in Pattaya? You got that going yet? Is so, i'd be really interested in coming along.

Yes, we can now announce dates for Tactical Krav Maga weekend workshops in Pattaya and Bangkok in July.

This will be the first time (to my knowledge) Tactical Krav Maga has been intorduced to the public in Thailand.

First off Krav Maga is the hand 2 hand combat system developed by Israeli Defence Forces, to allow recruits to get a basic standard of self defence in a short time period. Special Units/Special Forces go into it in greater Detail.

Tactical Krav Maga, is a version of Krav Maga developed by a former special forces soldiers, who served 9 years in the Yamam, and then was the unarmed combat trainer for the Yamam called Itay Gil...it is a very simple, but effective version of Krav Maga. Simple, as we want you to remember it, if you are attacked...if it is complicated, you will never remember it if you have to use it under pressure. Yamam (there is lots on google about them) are an elite SWAT Counter Terroist Team, that work undercover, to their members have to know how to protect themselves, and defend against armed assault.

We are hosting 2 weekend workshops....

Bangkok 7 and 8 July which is a Sat and Sunday from 12 noon - 4pm each day.

Pattaya us 14th - 15th july Sat/Sun 12 noon - 4pm. (venues to be annouced).

The course is being taught by International Training Director from Australia Carl Halley, who is Chief Instructor in Australia/Asia for Tactical Krav Maga see www.tacticalkravmaga.com.au

I will be helping out too. My new site will be ready mid May but I got a temporary site on www.selfdefencethailand.com so you can email me from there, if you want more details.

On this weekend course which will give you a basis on the fundamentals you will learn basic strikes, how to defend against attacks, avoid attacks, escapes from basic grabs and chokes that are common to street attacks. also simple stratagies to deal with threats from knife, stick/baton attack and gun.

The course is aimed at regular civilians who want to learn the basic of self defence/self protection in case they get mugged, robbed or attacked on the street and have no other option (if avoidence or talking your way out of it does not work), to use a physical response to defend yourself from a criminal attack and make good your escape.

You will even get to test your skills, in a simulation of a street attack, through our Bullet Man attacker, which is special protective gear the instructor will wear, which will allow you to defend youself, and hit the Bullet Man full force. This is an excellent training drill and people love it....I have seen young and old, male and female, really excel and amaze themselves at what they can do against a potential attacker, with simple instruction.

The workshops are for adults, and again, are aimed at normal everyday people, who want to learn some basic self defence...you DO NOT have to be an athlete, a Muay Thai boxer, or a special forces soldier to attend.

In fact having taught Krav Maga in Ireland (all be in a different version of Krava Maga, as opposed to Tactical Krav Maga), for over 3 years.... I we have seen many regular people (office workers for example) use what we taught to avoid attack, or even physical respond to an attack, stun the attacker, and escape to safety...also quite a few people who were attacked in the past, and lost confidence, came to use for training, and regained confidence in themselves, and got over their fears, through learning some simple proven self defence technqiues.

If you want more information, or have any questions, please PM me, or email me from www.selfdefencethailand.com

After the workshops, if all goes well, and people are interested we will be runnning regular weekly classes in Bangkok and Pattaya, with group and private lessons available. There will be more details on this, after we complere the workshops.

Very interested Gerry290, but I'm 69y.o. Could I do this?

[Gerry290]

Gerry290, how are things going with the Krav Maga course in Pattaya? You got that going yet? Is so, i'd be really interested in coming along.

Yes, we can now announce dates for Tactical Krav Maga weekend workshops in Pattaya and Bangkok in July.

This will be the first time (to my knowledge) Tactical Krav Maga has been intorduced to the public in Thailand.

First off Krav Maga is the hand 2 hand combat system developed by Israeli Defence Forces, to allow recruits to get a basic standard of self defence in a short time period. Special Units/Special Forces go into it in greater Detail.

Tactical Krav Maga, is a version of Krav Maga developed by a former special forces soldiers, who served 9 years in the Yamam, and then was the unarmed combat trainer for the Yamam called Itay Gil...it is a very simple, but effective version of Krav Maga. Simple, as we want you to remember it, if you are attacked...if it is complicated, you will never remember it if you have to use it under pressure. Yamam (there is lots on google about them) are an elite SWAT Counter Terroist Team, that work undercover, to their members have to know how to protect themselves, and defend against armed assault.

We are hosting 2 weekend workshops....

Bangkok 7 and 8 July which is a Sat and Sunday from 12 noon - 4pm each day.

Pattaya us 14th - 15th july Sat/Sun 12 noon - 4pm. (venues to be annouced).

The course is being taught by International Training Director from Australia Carl Halley, who is Chief Instructor in Australia/Asia for Tactical Krav Maga see www.tacticalkravmaga.com.au

I will be helping out too. My new site will be ready mid May but I got a temporary site on www.selfdefencethailand.com so you can email me from there, if you want more details.

On this weekend course which will give you a basis on the fundamentals you will learn basic strikes, how to defend against attacks, avoid attacks, escapes from basic grabs and chokes that are common to street attacks. also simple stratagies to deal with threats from knife, stick/baton attack and gun.

The course is aimed at regular civilians who want to learn the basic of self defence/self protection in case they get mugged, robbed or attacked on the street and have no other option (if avoidence or talking your way out of it does not work), to use a physical response to defend yourself from a criminal attack and make good your escape.

You will even get to test your skills, in a simulation of a street attack, through our Bullet Man attacker, which is special protective gear the instructor will wear, which will allow you to defend youself, and hit the Bullet Man full force. This is an excellent training drill and people love it....I have seen young and old, male and female, really excel and amaze themselves at what they can do against a potential attacker, with simple instruction.

The workshops are for adults, and again, are aimed at normal everyday people, who want to learn some basic self defence...you DO NOT have to be an athlete, a Muay Thai boxer, or a special forces soldier to attend.

In fact having taught Krav Maga in Ireland (all be in a different version of Krava Maga, as opposed to Tactical Krav Maga), for over 3 years.... I we have seen many regular people (office workers for example) use what we taught to avoid attack, or even physical respond to an attack, stun the attacker, and escape to safety...also quite a few people who were attacked in the past, and lost confidence, came to use for training, and regained confidence in themselves, and got over their fears, through learning some simple proven self defence technqiues.

If you want more information, or have any questions, please PM me, or email me from www.selfdefencethailand.com

After the workshops, if all goes well, and people are interested we will be runnning regular weekly classes in Bangkok and Pattaya, with group and private lessons available. There will be more details on this, after we complere the workshops.

Very interested Gerry290, but I'm 69y.o. Could I do this?

Yes, you sure could, as long as your in good health. A Medical Check up and tell Dr. your plan would be a good idea before your start.

Its not like martial arts with high kicks, its basic stuff..

Being 69, you may take it at a slower pace, (or maybe your very fit too! my kickboxing teacher in ireland is 70 and can still do the splits, and still spars with the lads, and can kick head high).

see www.worldmugendouniversity.com and there he is on the home page..

anyway thats off topic...

Yes you can do it, you stick with the moves you can do.

My oldest student was in his late 70s in ireland, and he came to me, as he wore a Wig and young punks on his street were teasting him in an aggressive manner over his wig. so he did a 3 month 2 hours a week course with me, to learn some basic self defence skills, as while he was not the most agile, he gave 110% and I was amazed by him. (I would not let him wear the wig to train though LOL!....so I am sure his confidence on that front improved too!!),

check out www.kravmagathailand.com for more info... email me then..if you like

[chris21]

Does anyone know of a farang run karate club in Bangkok?

Bounder.

Hi there did you ever find a Karake Club in Pattaya my style is SHOTOKAN and LOVE to get back into it.

[Bounder]

Does anyone know of a farang run karate club in Bangkok?

Bounder.

Hi there did you ever find a Karake Club in Pattaya my style is SHOTOKAN and LOVE to get back into it.

hi chris

i don't know about pattaya, i did join the shotokan club here in bkk tho' at chulalongkorn weekdays and soi phrom phong on sunday mornings. excellent!

as an idea - try www.karatethai.com and ask if they know of a pattaya club... they can only say no, but i think you will find them most helpful

good luck finding your club - and have fun

bounder