COMBAT CAMP, THAILAND: ARMY COMBATIVES & MUAY THAI

Train in authentic Army Combatives methods and Thailand’s famous combat arts! Led by Australian Army Combatives Chief Master Trainer and holder of 8 Black-belts, Shihan Paul Cale, & legendary Muay Thai master Burklerk Pinsinchai.

Along with guest Muay Thai champions, Cale and Ajahn (Master) Burklerk will take participants through an exciting training and cultural program over six days. This includes an optional day of tactical pistol shooting on day six.

Creator of the Australian Army’s current hand-to-hand combat program (ACP), former Commando sergeant, combat veteran and MMA fighter Paul Cale has developed this camp to combine a unique and deep learning experience with a tropical escape that trainees of all levels can enjoy. 

To provide the most authentic experience of Thailand’s martial skills and history, the lessons will take place at the renowned Burklerk Muay Thai Gym in Lampang, northern Thailand. 

In addition to learning the Army Combatives skills and tactics that Cale teaches to Australia’s soldiers and selected members of the Thai military, you’ll get to train with true masters of muay Thai kickboxing. 

You’ll also practise Thailand’s ancient, indigenous form of close-combat — Muay Boran, the precursor to Muay Thai. This centuries-old warfighting method includes the use of weapons such as swords and sticks, along with a wide range of techniques, from strikes to throws and joint locks.

Beyond the training regimen, the camp itinerary allows plenty of time for participants to relax, see the sights and sample the local restaurants and night-life.

CAMP TICKET INCLUDES: 

•    Return International flights to Thailand
•    Domestic flights & transfers within Thailand
•    7 nights’ hotel accommodation (25/02–04/03)
•    Daily breakfasts
•    Daily lunch (traditional local food)
•    Two daily training sessions, in Army Combatives (Kinetic Fighting–Integrated Combat method) and Muay Thai/Muay Boran
•    A KEF training knife & KEF–IC Training T-shirt
•    Certificates of completion (or qualification, if eligible). 

FAQs:

Q: How long and how frequent are the training sessions?

A: Each morning after breakfast there will be a Muay Thai/Muay Boran training session of 2–2.5 hours’ duration. This will be followed by traditional Thai lunch with the group, and recovery/free time. Training then resumes in mid-afternoon with 2–2.5 hours of Army Combatives/Military Knife-fighting. This will be the program for 5 days, from 26 February to 2 March. The final day (3 March) will feature a full-day course, Introduction to Tactical Pistol Shooting, which is an option for an extra $300. Non-shooters can undertake further Muay Thai training on this day. All participants will depart on 4 March.

Q: How do I book in for the optional Introduction to Tactical Pistol Shooting course?

A: Simply confirm your intention to undertake the course on your camp registration form. The $300 (AUD) payment for the course can be made on 26 February after arriving at the camp. This payment covers the tuition, range fees, pistol hire and ammunition.

Q: Do I need a shooting licence or any firearms experience to undertake the tactical pistol course?

A: No, you do not need any type of firearms license or any shooting experience whatsoever to participate in the tactical shooting — just a willingness to learn and a sensible attitude. You will be trained according to your relative level of skill. 

Q: Will I get any skills certification from the course?

A: Every participant will receive a certificate acknowledging their completion of each stream of training (if they successfully complete the sessions): one for Muay Thai and another for Army Combatives/KEF–IC. Those with sufficient prior experience and skill level (as identified prior to, or during, the course) may be assessed for a certification in any or all of the following: ACP –Extreme Close Shooting; ACP – Clearing Knife; and ACP – Combat Muay Thai.

Q: Does the accommodation include my own room?

A: Yes. Each participant will have their own private room, in well-kept accommodation that is walking/jogging distance to the Muay Thai gym. You are welcome to have a non-training partner stay with you too — contact info@kefgroup.com to arrange this.

Q: How do I book and pay for the camp?

A: To secure your training and travel booking, you must pay an initial deposit of $1000 via the website booking page at www.kineticshop.com.au (select the ‘Full flight package initial deposit’ option). You must then pay the difference of $3500 (select ‘Full flight package final payment’ on the booking page) by 30 December. Alternatively, you can pay the full amount immediately via the booking page — or, if you wish to make your own travel arrangements and book the training camp only, see instructions below.

Q: Can I attend the camp if I’m not from Australia?

A: Yes. You will pay $3000, which does not include airfares. You will need to arrange your own travel to the accommodation in Lampang, Thailand. To secure your spot, pay an initial deposit of $1000 via the booking page at www.kineticshop.com.au (select ‘Full course without flights, initial deposit’). You will then need to pay the remaining $2000 (select ‘Full course without flights final payment’ on the booking page) by 30 December.

Q: When & where does the course start?

A: Participants who have selected the full package will be met at Lampang Airport on 25 February and transported to the Kokhaburi Hotel. All participants will need to check in on 25 Feb. prior to meeting at the hotel for breakfast at 7.30 am on 26 Feb. before the group heads to the Burklerk Muay Thai Academy for the first session.

MORE ABOUT YOUR COMBATIVES INSTRUCTOR:
Former Special Forces Sergeant Paul Cale has been involved in martial arts for 45 years. He holds black belts in 8 different fighting systems, with a total of 14 dan (degree) grades. In addition to Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and Kyokushin full-contact karate, Paul has attained black-belt ranks in the two Olympic sports of judo and taekwondo; the competitive form of aikido, Tomiki; the traditional aikido/aiki-budo methods of Yoshinkan and Gyokushin Ryu; and the multi-discipline Japanese combat sport of Kudo Daido Juku. 

A veteran of multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq with the 2nd Commando Regiment, Paul applied this extensive combat and martial arts experience to redevelop the Close-Quarter Fighting (CQF) program for Australia’s Special Operations Command from 2007.

After his ADF service, he founded Kinetic Fighting, a company that provides tactical and skill-enhancement training to the ADF since 2013. During that time, Paul developed the Australian Army Combatives Program (ACP), which is now the ADF’s official close-combat training system. Since 2022 he has also instructed members of Thailand’s military close-protection teams and police as head instructor for Trojan International Defense – Australia.

Paul’s experience in combat sports is also broad: after many years of full-contact karate, he became one of Australia’s earliest adopters of BJJ. then competed in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition in its pioneering days. 

Post-army service, he co-founded the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) Combat Centre in 2013 and was part of its leadership team for several years. There he worked with Australia’s elite combat sports athletes as well as cyclists, basketballers and others, introducing Special Forces selection and leadership principles to the AIS. He was later named Head Coach for the Australian Defence Force Martial Arts Association (ADFMAA).

MORE ABOUT YOUR MUAY THAI INSTRUCTOR:
Ajahn (Master) Burklerk Pinsinchai is a Muay Thai legend: a former Thailand/Lumpinee champion, he won 162 of his 170 fights. An exceptional teacher and technician, he has 50 years’ experience and now trains fighters from across the globe at his own gym in Lampang.

Burklerk was born in 1966 in the Buriram Province where his father initiated him to Muay Thai at the age of 9. In 1977 Burklerk moved to Bangkok to join the Pinsinchai camp owned by Lieutenant Savek Pinsinchai. He was initially too small to compete in Bangkok and fought mostly in Rangsit, Samrong and Chaophraya.[1]

Burklerk emerged as a high level fighter in 1983 when he won his first Thailand title. By 1987 he was considered one of the best fighter in the country having won two Thailand titles and being the reigning Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs champion. For his performance he was elected Lumpinee Fighter of the Year and received the "Yod Muay Fighter of the year" award.[2]

After losing his Lumpinee Stadium 112 lbs belt in 1987 Burklerk took a break of over 3 years in order to heal a chronic stomach disease.[3]

Burklerk made his comeback in 1991 and quickly regained his elite fighter status, he reached the final of the annual Isuzu Cup where he lost to Lakhin Wassandasit. He fought more sporadically during this second career but always with a high level of success against top opposition.[4]

Following his retirement Burklerk became a trainer and in 2008 he opened his gym in Lampang.[5] Burklerk gives seminars in various countries and was awarded "Muay Thai Ambassador of the Year" in 2010. His most successful student is Thepsutin Pumpanmuang (Thailand and Channel 7 champion).