Sexism, Muay Thai Rings, Taboos, Capitalism in Thailand | Sylvie Run Cast #17

Come run with me in Pattaya.
This is a new short podcast series, just sharing thoughts on Muay Thai as I get my work in.
Study what I study, in the Muay Thai Library: / muay-thai-uncut-7058199

[@ryenschimerman2127]

Excellent talk Sylvie, what's funny is things actually didn't change around sex and gender in the West much differently - it's just the gloss of myth we've put on it. Profit seeking has driven some positive change, but it has just as often spread out economic suffering under the guise of equity. Love how your mind works. If for some reason the professional fighter thing changes, becoming an anthropologist might be a good second choice.

[@SG-MT]

Very informative! Thanks Sylvie. I've been wondering about most of these issues since I srarted training. I wanted to inform myself because I still have a goal to go train in Thailand. My preference would be Pattaya so that hopefully it is at your gym so I can meet you and Karuhat as well. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insights. 🙏🏼

[@SuperCosmicSpaceMagnet]

All I could really think on the sexism subject is: "Same shit, different coat of paint." The exact same oppressive rules get implemented by institutions all around the world, and yet we are supposed to excuse/accept many cases because someone has claimed mysticism - which is somehow supposed to render their judgement infallible. It's the same rules that kept women away from the right to vote, and the same rules that even in 2022 demanded my godmother (at her Cambridge reunion where she studied Law) use the servant's entry rather than main doors. The self control you have to simultaneously want to challenge rules without crashing through them is remarkable. Thank you for the cast!

[@yangli1332]

Sylvie, any chance you can do a talk about how to translate techniques in to sparring? Cos when i shadow or do pad work i can execute the techniques quite well. But everything gone out of windows when i spar. Thanks sylive

[@8limbsUs]

It's literally just a matter of sparring more. The more you expose yourself to that pressure, the calmer and more aware you'll be, more like shadow and pads.

[@heysmilebomb]

pretty lame that Thai organizations feel they have to “lower” themselves as a legitimate entity in order to allow women. One thing I hope entertainment Muay Thai brings in is more women into the sport, meaning more women in Thailand competing, which then makes the society rethink this archaic tradition

[@8limbsUs]

I don't want what I'm saying here to be misconstrued, and I think it's important to not see this change and correlation as a conscious plan/effort. It was a reduction in formalities, and while Lumpinee changed an incredible number of things that simultaneously granted women access (along with MMA, Entertainment Muay Thai, a plan to use the stadium as a "venue" for events outside of Muay Thai), Rajadamnern has done some remarkable things that do, in fact, raise the inclusion of women. I can't tell you how meaningful and inspiring it is to see Somratsamee's portrait on a banner, hanging up from the rafters, as a champion there. She is also the first female champion of Rajadamnern itself, which Lumpinee hasn't introduced a possibility for yet and, as they no longer really host 5 round fights regularly, won't be for a long while.

[@heysmilebomb]

@@8limbsUsthank you for presenting this distinction. This knowledge gives me less of a sour taste in my mouth about the whole thing. By the way Sylvie, would you ever consider doing a “Casual’s Intro to Muay Thai” ? I’ve recently been getting into boxing recently through documentaries like The Four Kings and going through notable fighters boxrec pages, but how would a newcomer to the sport like me start out? Just golden age?

[@8limbsUs]

@heysmilebomb411 you can watch playlist of OneSongchai "best of" Golden Age stuff. Kevin and I put it on ad a background and get sucked into it all the time. When Karuhat stays with us he happily watches and gives us all kinds of peripheral info, which is just cool rather than necessary. I think the Iyaran folks sometimes have the commentary translated, which can be really instructive for how to watch/understand what you're seeing, but I understand Thai so I've not clocked the details of where those videos are. Maybe just check their Instagram or KZbin. Levin and I have some "watch with me" videos on this channel, which is my own commentary over a few Golden Age fights. And my commentary on my own fights seems to help a lot of folks understand scoring and strategy.

[@heysmilebomb]

thank you so much Sylvie! hope you're having a good day !@@8limbsUs

[@TomFooleryTheAustere]

I find this contrast interesting, given the large demographic of males who wish to either dress as or become females in Thailand (mind you, my only knowledge on this subject is what I’ve heard from what other people have heard, etc). What are the views on these individuals where the old school way of thinking is concerned? Are the lady boys treated with the same level of exclusion?

[@8limbsUs]

Trans folks here are legally considered whatever sex they were assigned at birth. So the few Trans Female fighters that have been able to fight at these rings, prior to cis women gaining access, were able to do so because the government legally considers them men. And they fight cis men in those fights. I do think that Nong Toom, Nong Rose, and Angie fighting at Lumpinee and Rajdamnern were an important factor in eventually granting cis women access, but in all these cases it is a Capitalist push for the inclusion, not a moral or ethical one.

[@xentys0]

Very interesting

[@kenm677]

Actually it's called gaijin smash 外人(foreigner)スマシッシュ(smash) where you pretend to not know the local Japanese customs. 😂

[@breadgarlichouse2265]

In the past, were women not allowed to train in the same ring in gyms as the guys? When did this begin to change? Why can’t women go over the top rope, is it totally due to menstruation or are there other beliefs behind it as well? What is it about menstruation that is such an issue according to their beliefs?

[@8limbsUs]

8limbsus.com/muay-thai-thailand/stories-the-bottom-rope-thailand-women