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/Owner

Chris SmithFitness and Muay Thai Director / Founder

U.S.M.C, Classified, NASM
Chris attended Portland Community College where he completed a diploma in Fitness and Nutrition. Chris has had an interest in Thai Boxing and Fitness for 20+years and founded Gym Bangarang in 2014.

Chris is also a US Marine and was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

– Certified Addiction Therapy Coach
– Certified Depression Awareness Coach
– Certified Anxiety Management Coach
– Certified Trauma Coach
– Certified Life Coach Practioner
– Yale Science of Well-Being Certificate

Nicky Gym Manager - Director

Nicky is Gym Bangarang’s General Manager and oversees the day to day operations of the gym. She can speak Thai, English and Cantonese.

Nicky’s love of Muay Thai started many years ago whilst managing a Bangkok Muay Thai gym. The beautiful gardens of Bangarang are due to Nicky’s love of nature and flowers.

– Degree Commerce

SamSales and Marketing - Customer Service

Samantha (Sam) joined Bangarang Gym in 2015..

Considered a ‘Jack of all trades’, Sam holds qualifications in Graphic Design, Aromatherapy and ESL Teaching. Sam is the first point of contact for guests.

– Diploma in Aromatherapy
– Diploma in Graphic Design
– Trinity CertTESOL Certificate
– Thai Massage Certification

Trainers

BoatBA Physical Fitness

As our 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.

– Degree Physical Eduction

TommyCertified Muay Thai Trainer - B Licence | Professional Fighter | Chiang Mai Champion | Isaan Champion

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. Tommy is a certified B- Licence trainer which very few trainers have attained such a level
BELTS: Isaan Champion x 2 | Chiang Mai Champion x 2

– B Licence Trainer
– Muay Thai Referee

TonBA Physical Education

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.

– Degree Physical Education

UncleSenior Trainer

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.

StobMuay Thai Trainer

Tob is 25 years old and started learning Muay Thai at 6 years old and became a fighter at 9 years old. He has had 180+ fights which includes Max Muay Thai, Channel 8 on TV and Bangla Stadium in Phuket. He has 10 years experience working in Bangkok Muay Thai gyms and recently retired to become a trainer.

He is the son of Taeng.

MateMuay Thai Trainer

Mate has extensive experience in Muay Thai starting at age 9 and fighting at the local stadiums in Bangkok.
He recently returned from teaching at international gyms in Singapore and China.