Wuttithep O-Thavorn, known by staff and students alike as Khun Dee, has worked as part of ISB’s Athletics Department for two years and spends most of his time at the new fitness center, which he supervises. 

Khun Dee, 42, has spent most of his life in Bangkok and, like many of the ISB students he helps, became interested in sports at a young age. Many students and teachers might have heard that Khun Dee is an excellent basketball player, carrying the teacher team last year during Spirit Week when they played against the students. He enjoys playing soccer with other keen adult players at ISB and has also taught basketball at Flow House Bangkok, teaching skills to children interested in the game. He also has experience teaching students and PE classes at Singapore International School and Bluefin Swiming School. Even though he does not consider himself a great basketball player, Khun Dee believes that in every sport, focusing on the basics is crucial. Fundamental skills can’t be skipped, and no matter how hard an athlete tries, leveling up is not possible without mastering the basics of the game.

But his favorite sport from childhood is a far cry from hoops. When he was 16, his friends introduced him to the Korean martial art Taekwondo. “It captivated me,” he says. “I wanted to do the same thing as them.” He found it very interesting and started to mimic what they were doing. After watching one of his friends compete in a real Taekwondo competition, he fully immersed himself in martial arts, he says.

Dee started attending tournaments from high school and into college and credits Korean martial arts with helping to improve his fighting skills. He believes that it has also made him a better problem solver. “The sport keeps me active and ready to face different situations, helping me make quick decisions instead of panicking,” he says. This sport has also helped him become more successful generally. Before becoming interested in it, he was a poor student who did not adapt well to new situations. But after starting to practice Taekwondo, he became more confident.

Khun Dee loves his job and relishes his working experience at the ISB campus. He enjoys being part of the ISB family and athletic teams and welcoming students and staff to the renovated, state-of-the-art fitness center. He wants community members to realize that there are workouts for anyone and everyone. 

“Remember, no matter what your age is, the journey to strength and health begins with a single step,” he says. “Embrace it, enjoy it, and let the gym be your home on this journey.”