Our Team
View our Gym Bangarang team of qualified fitness professionals, Champion Muay Thai trainers and more.
Our staff will help you achieve all your fitness goals!
Directors
Nicky is on the Gym’s owners and lives on-site. She looks after all aspects of the gym, restaurant, transportation and translation. She can speak Thai, English and Cantonese.
Samantha (Sam) is considered a ‘jack’ of all trades. A qualified Graphic Designer, Aromatherapist, ESL Teacher and also one of the owners
She has 10+ years experience in marketing and sales, in printing, event management and education. Sam is our in house sales and marketing Manager and is the first point of contact for guests. She has completed 4 fitness bootcamp holidays and attended several Muay Thai camps. She has ‘real’ experience in knowing how it feels to be overweight after having 3 children and getting back into shape again.
U.S.M.C, Classified, NASM
Chris attended Portland Community College where he completed a diploma in Fitness and Nutrition. Chris has been involved in Thai Boxing and Fitness for over 20yrs and with this passion started Gym Bangarang. Chris spent many years in the marines in the US Marine Corps and was previously working for a well-known fitness and weightloss bootcamp
Chris attended Portland Community College where he completed a diploma in Fitness and Nutrition. Chris has been involved in Thai Boxing and Fitness for over 20yrs and with this passion started Gym Bangarang. Chris spent many years in the marines in the US Marine Corps and was previously working for a well-known fitness and weightloss bootcamp
Trainers
As our head bootcamp trainer, Boat was an ambassador for Kasetsart University’s traditional Muay Thai show where he earned a degree in physical education. Boat’s first love is football, as he played professionally for Chiang Mai and at the university. Second to football is his love of Muay Thai. Today he passes on his passion for Muay Thai to the guests at Gym Bangarang.
From a small farmland village in Isaan growing sugarcane and rice, Tommy developed a lifelong passion for Muay Thai. He began fighting at 12 years old and has over 300 fights. Tommy is well known throughout Chiang Mai for his “flying knee” technique. His signature Wai Khru dance he performs before each fight is in gratitude and respect to his trainer and mentor “Uncle”. While it is still difficult to bet against Tommy (the bookies know better!) because of his excellent technique and stellar record, he enjoys sharing with others his love for Muay Thai as a certified C- Licence trainer and original Gym Bangarang team member.
BELTS: Isaan Champion x 2 | Chiang Mai Champion x 2
Most know “Uncle” as Tommy’s mentor and trainer. But you may not know that Uncle used to work as a carpenter and started off as a streetfighter in Ratchaburi province. He is a trained champion channel 7 fighter Ong Chai Lung and Ban Sing and started one of Thailand’s only Women’s Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai. After over one hundred fights and an eye injury, Uncle retired from professional fighting. We celebrate Uncle every year on Thailand’s Father’s Day since he doesn’t know his birthdate and he is well respected at Gym Bangarang.
At only 27 years old, Ton has 20 years of Muay Thai experience. He began his professional career as a temple fighter doing Muay Thai displays. Ton holds a bachelor degree in physical education and works with bootcamp and Muay Thai guests at every skill level. His ability to teach with patience is one of the things our guest love about Ton. When not practicing Muay Thai, Ton enjoys spending time with his younger sister as well as playing football and tennis. He has even referred at the prestigious Chiang Mai University Football Festival.
Father Tom got his start from his school sports teacher when he was 11 years old. He quickly learned that Muay Thai offered decent income to help support his family. After many temple fights, he started a gym with the village leader. As an adult he relocate to Bangkok where he married and had three boys—all his sons have Muay Thai “in their blood.” His sons and “adopted son” Dejak S. Thammaphet have made a name for themselves as established fighters in Chiang Mai.
Champ began training at only 8 years old in his hometown of Kan Janaburi, which was no surprise since his dad was a well known fighter. Champ is a proud member of the Thai Airforce, has completed over 300 fights and was previously awarded “Strongman Fighter” and “Good Fighter” in Anthong province. Champ used his fight winnings to pay for his education and most recently, to purchase a washing machine for his beloved mum. He still fights professionally to this day, is a certified Muay Thai trainer at Gym Bangarang.
BELTS: Chiang Mai Champion 2017
BELTS: Chiang Mai Champion 2017
Dany was running his own martial arts gym in Israel before the love of Thailand brought him over, enabling him to master his Muay Thai techniques and specialise in intricate teaching methods.
He is a highly sought after instructor and is very well-liked by our students and staff.
Speaks Spanish, Hebrew and English
Just arrived to Gym Bangarang after overseas training experience in Singapore. Panfah – Rajadamnern Stadium Champion
Customer Service
Nita is talented in many areas; customer service, cooking, fruit carving amongst many things. Speaks three languages. Nita is also a trained nurse having studied in Belgium
Mon takes care of our villas with the utmost detail.
Enjoy home-cooked meals with Chef Pao. Pao takes extra care to source fresh ingredients from the local markets.