Hmmmm... ok I'm a TKD instructor and I run my own school so when I tell you this its with some experience sparring TKD and Muay Thai style. I was even Canadian national champ one year for my division and federation in TKD. Sparring in Muay Thai is like starting all over from the beginning, even after 12 years of sparring TKD style. I'm seriously a begginer in Muay Thai.... my defence for thier style of fighting is really bad compared to the level of defence I have in TKD....its completely 2 different worlds.
The reason I'm tellling you this is because I feel that if you are sparring TKD and karate style to get ready for the ring your not preparing yourself for the realities of what a Thai fighter is going to do to you. The timing and reflexes I mentioned before were in regards to someone trying to take your leg out full contact and you knowing when to shield (with your shin) and kick back instantly or when they are grabbing you for the clinch to pummel you with knees and you knowing how and when to neck wrestle out of it. Anyway.... I'm sure you know all this already.
As for fighting outside your club that is usually set up by your Kru and involves travelling to another city and fighting a complete stranger. I'm not sure how else you could get a fight set up as I think you need a Kru to vouch for you... someone would definately have to have the connections to find the fights too....
Damian Mavis
Honour TKD