Burton

We simply don't have time in our classes to add Thai pad drills. They are great conditioning, and help with power, although most of the round kicks are aimed above waist level. I prefer to use focus mitts, kicking shields, and a combination of the two when time is limited. The kicking shield is easier on the body than Thai pads, and is easier to hold at leg level. I don't care much for the long counts, as most students will be too busy thinking about the routine instead of relating to an opponent. The positives are that you make sure you use all your tools. But, I have never seen any Thai trainer do drills that are more than 4 counts. Usually, in actual Thai camps, the emphasis is on honing basic combos of 2, 3, and 4 movements. The long counts were devised as a way to keep students interested in the training, as there was a belief that most people had to be entertained in order to keep them. I don't think this is true to the extent that we need to create long, complicated memory exercises. As Armlok said, it is better to work on flowing.
The long counts aren't bad for you unless the drill is being done consciously, working on the memorization and coordination between feeder and striker. That can be a waste of time, and pulls the trainee out of the mind set that one would use in an actual fight.
With that said, I will let Jim and Armlok use the Thai pads everynight while everyone else practices knife fighting!

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"If you want to learn how to fight, you must practice fighting against someone who is fighting back!" Burton Richardson