New Launching of Tong-Il Moo-Do in Thailand

The International Tong-Il Moo-Do (TIMD) workshop in Thailand started on April 21 to May 2, 2003 and it was the 10th International TIMD workshop since August 2001. It was a longed journey to organized such a workshop. Dr. Joon Ho Seuk has been very instrumental in the realization of the said workshop in Thailand. I also perceived it providential because it was held again in the Southeast Asia and Thailand was the host. Dr. and Mrs. Byung Wooh Kim, the Continental Directors and Chairman and Co-Chairman of Tong-Il Moo-Do, respectively of WTMF in the same continent extended their best wishes and success for the scheduled workshop before my departure to Bangkok, Thailand.

There were about 21 total TIMD participants for the workshop. Among the total participants, 20 are Thai (16 brothers and 4 sisters) and one (1) Filipino brother. The location of the training was in Wangree, Thailand. The training hall was an empty warehouse owned by Mr. and Mrs. Camontip, a VIP supporter and President of Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) in Thailand. Another feature that every participant's enjoyed was the environment itself. The location was very close to the mountain. In fact, the moment we started the training and throughout, we always see the mountain right in front of us.

The training schedule started through Hondokhae from 6 o'clock until 7am and a 30 minute exercises thereafter, however, I and Master Hoshiko provided some insight about TIMD with a variety of topic from vision, purpose and its implication to God's providence. After breakfast, we started our TIMD workshop training at 9 o'clock until 12 noon with more emphasis on forms development. After lunch, every participant was given a time to nap and thereafter at exactly 3 o'clock all participants were again ready for the afternoon training session until 6 o'clock in the late afternoon and this time, more emphasis on one-step-sparring development. After dinner, the training started again at 8 o'clock until 10 o'clock. The evening schedule was focused on self-defense, review of the whole day session and during Sunday evening, a cultural program was held with each group presented their interesting show that everyone enjoyed the night all throughout.

The promotion was held on May 1, 2003. Every participant's truly showed their spirit and skills during the promotion. It was amazing that all participants' develops a lot, I and Master Hoshiko felt that the purpose of the workshop was realized, one contributory factor perhaps was that Thai culture influenced the way they respond to their teachers, parents and to their King. However, the primary reason was because all participants' were very sensitive, attentive, and objective to the whole course of the training. There are about 3 Thai participants who were promoted to 1st degree black belt and also 3 Thai participants who were elevated to 2nd degree black belt. Further, Master Wasan Yusuk, Vice-President of WCARP and National TIMD President and Head Instructor of Thailand was also elevated to 5th Degree Black Belt upon the official confirmation and approval from the International WTMF HQ.

The closing ceremony was the highlight of the 12 day TIMD training on May 2, 2003 at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. There were more than 50 Thai national leaders of the UM who witnessed the said TIMD demonstration. In this occasion, it was also a closing ceremony of the 3-day Thai national leadership meeting. During this event, Master Hoshiko represented Dr. Joon Ho Seuk in presenting a plaque of certificate of recognition to Dr. Lek Thaweetermsakul as the Chairman of Tong-Il Moo-Do in Thailand and to Mr. Wonchai and Mr. Somyot (the Senior Vice-President of the Thailand UM and WCARP President of Thailand, respectively) as the Co-Chairmen of Tong-Il Moo-Do in Thailand, respectively. However, before presenting their respective plaque of certificate of recognition, I and Master Hoshiko accorded a set of "TIMD Dobok" the 3 important national leaders of Thailand with an Honorary Black Belt Degree and witnessed by all the UM national leaders of Thailand.

Master Hoshiko extended Dr. Seuk's message to all the UM Thailand national leaders and testified how much the participants have grown a lot and further testify about their potential to become TIMD instructors. He also thanks Dr. Lek and all the leaders for their support in the TIMD workshop all throughout.

More importantly, during the keynote speech of Dr. Lek, he make a significant declaration of organizing Tong-Il Moo-Do nationwide as a one of the flagship in advancing youth movement in Thailand. In his special message during the closing program, he mentioned to have martial arts organized (TIMD, TKD, and other martial arts school) throughout Thailand. He further said that TIMD is a very good avenue or means to develop vertical traditions and relationship towards instructors and leaders.

Finally, at the end of the closing program, a group picture was taken for the TIMD workshop participants together with the 3 TIMD chairmen of Thailand. Later, another group picture also was taken together with all the UM national leaders of Thailand. We all felt that the 12-day TIMD worshop training and specifically the closing program was very successful that many of the UM national leaders express themselves to support the TIMD providence of Thailand.