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"for example see TBA or Master Chai's org"
An obvious statement of someone who speaks with only half an idea of what they are really talking about.
First, let me say that, yes, there are a lot of TBA MT instructors out there that have never fought a match in Muay Thai. However, there are alot that have and have won.
Furthermore, it's amazing that people disrespect Master Chai now that he's gotten older and has a different philosphy, yet, just a few years ago he was feared for his brutality in training. Let's also not forget that he also was the first to take a team of fighters in 1982 to Thailand to compete in Bangkok's World Free Fighting Championships, taking third place when each American fighter had less than two years of training.
Since then, many TBA fighters have competed at many different levels and many fighters have sought out Chai's training to help them in their game. He literally has fighters all around the world.
Ajarn Chai had spent many years developing his first generation of hardcore instructors and now leaves the hard training to them. Instead, he now seeks to simply spread the love of the Thai art, believing that anyone can and should be able to enjoy this art without having to be a fighter. If it were not for this desire, it is doubtful that many of us would be enjoying the art as we are now able to. It can not be argued that much of Muay Thai's popularity is not owed to the efforts of Ajarn Chai.
Sure, not all TBA instructors are fighters. They do, however, have to study and train for years before they are able to test for their BEGINNING instructor test, though. I know another very popular instructor with a large organization that will certify you in four days at his camp and know people that have done it. No one mentions him though and he has done far, far less for the art.
TBA instructors are certified as teachers and coaches in the art of Muay Thai and are certified at different levels depending on knowledge, experience and the students/fighters that they have produced. I know of very, very few TBA instructors that can't at least teach someone the basics and get them started in their training. Most times, that's all that is wanted and needed. People that would not have the benefit of Muay Thai training otherwise are very thankful to say the least. If they seek more later on, they are easily able to move on to a more advanced instructor.
All in all, Ajarn Chai has probably done more to promote and support this art and sport worldwide. There are far more positives than any negatives you can ever bring up. He sure doesn't deserve some of the negativity that people sometimes bring to him when they actually owe much of the popularity of this art to him in the first place.
