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

Nicky Director - Gym Manager

Nicky is Gym Bangarang’s – ‘Khaleesi’ She manages all areas of the gym, restaurant, transportation and translation. She can speak Thai, English and Cantonese.

Nicky’s love of Muay Thai started many years ago whilst co-owning a Bangkok Muay Thai gym and raising the young fighters to be champions. From there she spent time in Macau with the Thai Community before returning to Chiang Mai to open her own restaurant for a short period of time.

The beautiful gardens of Bangarang are due to Nicky’s love of nature and flowers.

Chris SmithFitness and Muay Thai Director / Co-Owner

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 many years and together with Nicky started Gym Bangarang. Chris spent some years in the US Marine Corps before relocating to Thailand.

SamanthaSales and Marketing Manager

Samantha (Sam) is considered a ‘jack’ of all trades. A qualified Graphic Designer, Aromatherapist and ESL Teacher.

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.

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.

TommyCertified Muay Thai Trainer - C 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 as a certified C- Licence trainer and original Gym Bangarang team member.

BELTS: Isaan Champion x 2 | Chiang Mai Champion x 2

ChampCertified Muay Thai Trainer | Chiang Mai Champion

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

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.

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.