THAILAND

Feb. 20, 2023 Coach Stone of the Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour has been in Chiang Mai Thailand for about four months, checking out the Wushu Kung Fu, Muay Thai schools and stadiums, Archeological and other Historical locations, Museums, Traditional Medicine Centers, Food (oh yeah), and remarkably happy people in this ancient Silk Road center.

Two Articles for Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine are 99% ready as of this date, however there is one more interview/video that must be done, 1st, out of pleasure and curiosity, 2nd, out of politeness to local culture in this exceptionally beautiful, peaceful, relaxed town. But, what exactly that is, must remain TOP SECRET, for now.

Below are some video glimpses into Panyathai Traditional and Alternative Medical Clinic,a Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) Center in Chiang Mai, including parts of an interview with Master Sombat Traisri Silp (called “Ar Jarn,”), who is primarily a specialist in Thai Massage therapy and Thai Herbal medicines (root, bark, berry, branches, leaves, whole plants, mushrooms, mosses and so on) has an interesting story about how at the age of 44 he discovered Thai massage for two hours a day for five days provided healing for a debilitating injury better than three other therapies he tried. He is now 70, and a master of several branches of TTM. Coach stone visited several times over the period of 10 days or so, and got to observe a small conference with doctors and other researchers from Mae Fah Luang University.

Looking to get certified as a licensed massage therapist? Ar Jarn’s assistant “Tu” said a 60-hour certificate for “Relaxation Massage” is one option, but so is a multi-year Thai Traditional Medical Degree.

Above is Thai Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Sunday, February 12, 2023 https://www.med.cmu.ac.th/en/service/excellence-center/ttcm/ It offers Thai, Western and Chinese medicine in an integrated clinic, and is closely associated with Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine, with whom they cooperate on several research studies.

A friend said his friend was fighting that night and asked if I’d like to meet up. I went and was very impressed at the high skill levels of the contestants, and their efforts to win. The crowd was a show by itself, 50/50 foreign, with lots of cheering and happiness all around, it appeared though I have heard of betting going on in most sports games, since games were invented maybe? A curious hobby best avoided I have heard from the wise, or saw on a movie, probably both.

The following Part 1 video shares some of the background behind the Silk Road Martial Arts Friendship Tour going back 12,000 years, picking up in the 1960s until 2010 when Coach Stone first met Shaolin Monks at North Shaolin monastery on Panshan, and then 2011 when Coach Stone went to meet the Kung Fu Masters at Song Shan Shaolin, Xi’an, and Wudangshan. It accelerated again in 2015 starting in Kabul Afghanistan and 16 countries later just keeps getting better.

Coach Stone with Wushu Kung Fu Master in Lhasa, Tibet (2012, July 24)

Khu Praphachai Temple in Thailand

In Thailand naturally, they have their own methods of promoting harmonies of different people, cultures, and religions also with ancient roots. The following video is about King Jayavarman VII, Khu Praphachai Archeological site and a kindly Abbot at a special ancient temple complex in Isan region of northeast Thailand. It was King Jayavarman VII that transitioned this part of Thailand from Hinduism/animism, to Buddhism, while building roads, temples and hospitals. Listening to the video, one might notice Khu Praphachai has some of the loveliest bird song in the world. At the temple the kindly (Buddhist) Abbot Sawat had a silent message of Peace for the world via holding the hand of the large stone depiction of Hindu Lord Ganesha, the Elephant God. Ya gotta see it to believe it. King Jayavarman VII probably would have smiled.

Cover image by Suzan Black – Jayavarman VII head, Bayon style, Musée Guimet-Paris CC BY 3.0

Below is Part 2 – the MAIN EVENT Muay Thai contest the night of January 6, 2023 at Thaphae Boxing Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Below is Bout 2:

Below is a short video from two visits to a unique Muay Thai school in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The “Kru,” (master, coach, teacher) is Taywin with an awesome history of Muay Thai competition and travel, in addition to a complete CV qualifying him as a master coach, and additional university background in animal sciences. Besides all that, his school combines 1970s Reggae and Old School Chiang Mai charm. Visits in late December, video produced Jan. 2-3, 2023.

Above visit was April 16, 2022 – Video production and post Dec. 23, 2022.

2022 年 12 月 21 日参观清迈 (Kru) Dang Muay Thai Chiang Mai Dec. 21, 2022

2022 年 12 月 7 日参观“清迈太极和气功”一所带庭院的传统学校和第 7 代康复和武术从业者。非常感谢 Julia 大师和学生 Klaus Forster 以及他可爱的妻子 Komang 允许丝绸之路功夫友谊之旅录制视频并分享他们的部分课程。

Dec. 7, 2022 visit to “Tai Chi & Qi Gong Chiang Mai” A traditional school with a courtyard and 7th Generation practitioners of the healing and martial arts. Many thanks to Master Julia and students Klaus Forster and his lovely wife Komang for permitting the Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour to video and share part of their class.

Above is “Tai Chi & Chi Gong Chiang Mai” School – Traditional Healing and Martial Arts in the Heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand

2022 年 12 月 5 日以下是泰国清迈的太极/气功清晨练习视频。这些免费练习课程由 Di Sana Da 女士主持。非常感谢狄女士和她的优秀追随者。她的技巧超凡脱俗，令人身心放松，非常非常健康和美妙。

Dec. 5, 2022 Below is video of Tai Qi / Qi Gong early morning practice in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These free practice sessions are led by Ms. Di Sana Da. Many thanks to Ms. Di and her excellent followers. Her skill is transcendent, and the class profoundly relaxing, fun, and very, very healthy.

Ms. Di Sana Da leading Tai Qi, Qi Gong practice in the Nong Buak Haad Public Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Dec. 5, 2022. Classes start at 6:00 am which is before sunrise during the “winter” months here. One can see lovely sunrises in the southeast during class. In the above video I spliced two shorter videos together and added different background music. Below is another video, except unedited.

A person has to try one of these classes to believe it. You will feel wonderful all day. The word “Qi” (Chi) in the video above means “inhale,” the word “Go” means exhale.

For larger collections of Coach Stone’s Silk Road Martial Arts Friendship Tour videos, see his YouTube channel: @silkroadmartialartsfriends7329

And/or TikTok: @Silk Road Martial Art Nomad

And always read Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine of course, to stay in touch with the newest revelations in the world of Wushu.