Khongsittha Muay Thai is a recreational thai-boxing gym in Lat Phrao district, Bangkok. They’ve hosted the famous Nak Muay Nation camp this year. And, they’ll be hosting it once more in 2018.

Unlike recreational fitness-focused gyms, Khongsittha attracts serious practitioners of Muay Thai. The crowd that trains there consist of foreigners and middle/upper-class income locals. They also offer functional training, and have partnered with Spartan Race Thailand 2017.

Here’s the review scorecard of Khongsittha Muay Thai in Bangkok. For my full experience, continue reading.

About Khongsittha & Matthew Deane

Khongsittha Muay Thai (visit website) was founded in 2013 by Matthew Deane, an Australian Thai actor and singer. He was active in martial arts and has trained in both Muay Thai and Shoto-Kai Karate.

Deane has also been an MC in the Muay Thai scene for years. Among the broadcasts he has worked for are: Thai Fight, Kunlun, Super Muay Thai, and Petchyindee. As a result, he is well-connected to fighters, promoters, and organizers.

In an interview with Vice Sports, Deane talked about how the Thai public had “zero respect for Muay Thai”. It stemmed from it being seen as a brutal sport for poor people.

Khongsittha, thus, seems like his way to educate the public on the values that Muay Thai teaches. More importantly, it gives access to the middle and upper-class locals, who want to train but not necessarily do so in a traditional fighters camp.

Since Khongsittha’s business model doesn’t rely on sponsored fighters, I’d classify them as a recreational gym. Of course, one that is well-connected in the local Muay Thai fight scene.

How to Get There?

Khongsittha Muay Thai’s website and Facebook page.

There are three options to make your way to Khongsittha Muay Thai. Here are the instructions on their website.

Address: 23 ถนนสุคนธสวัสดิ์ ลาดพร้าว กรุงเทพฯ 10230
Note to taxi driver: “ค่ายมวย คงสิทธา” อยู่ถนนสุคนธสวัสดิ์ ใกล้แยกโรงไม้ ซอยนาคนิวาส 48 ข้างปั๊ม NGV และ Mini Big C (ขึ้นทางด่วน ลงเกษตรนวมินทร์ มาทางสตริวิทยา 2)
Phone: 02-932-9911

Option A: Taxi Only

Tell the taxi driver to take the highway towards Ramintra and take Kaset Nawamin Exit.

Option B: BTS Skytrain + Taxi

Take the BTS to On Nut Station, then take a taxi from Lotus Shopping Mall via highway towards Ramintra and taking Kaset Nawamin Exit.

Option C: MRT Subway + Taxi

Take the MRT to Ladphrao Station, then take a taxi or motorbike from the subway exit (no highway) towards Ladphrao Soi 71 – Nak Niwat 48.

Show this Note to the driver if taking this route: เข้าซอย รัชดา 36 ทะลุหลังลาดพร้าววังหิน และออกถนนสตรีวิทยา 2 จะเจอ ค่ายมวยคงสิทธา ติดมินิบิ๊กซี ใกล้แยกโรงไม้

(from Khongsittha’s FAQ page)

Do schedule your class in the early afternoon, as this gives you ample time to explore two night-markets that are relatively nearby – Hua Mun Night Market and Rot Fai Market 3 (Kaset Nawamin). You’ll also avoid traffic jams associated with rush hour.

From the conversation with my taxi driver, Bangkok’s evening traffic can begin as early as 4pm and last till 9pm. The most intense traffic is between 5.30pm and 8pm.

Fiasco of a Journey to Khongsittha… without a taxi (at first)

Wondering how I made my way to Khongsittha?

I was determined to get there without taking a taxi. One, I wanted to avoid the jam at downtown Bangkok. Two, I wanted to experience taking the khlong boat (canal boat) like a local, and then take bus 156 to Khongsittha.

It would have cost me less than a US dollar if things went according to plan. Find out what happened instead…

After I got off the khlong boat at Bangkapi Mall, I could barely hear the on-goings in my surroundings. I had been standing beside the boat’s roaring engine for the past hour, and that was all I could hear.

The time showed 5:45pm and I had 15 minutes to get to Khongsittha by bus. Sure that I was relatively close by, I called Keith from Khongsittha, whose accent was strangely Californian.

“Hello, this is Logen on the line. I’ve scheduled a class via Viator at 6pm but I may be slightly late. Is it possible to push the training session to later?”

“Sure. We’ll move it to 7pm.”

“7pm? Is Khongsittha that far from Bangkapi Mall?”

“Not really. But it’s peak hour now.”

Experiencing Bangkok’s Notorious Traffic

The moment I walked out of the mall, I was greeted by a moderate traffic jam. I cursed at my decision to be adventurous and totally forgo the easier route of taking a taxi.

Not wanting to be any later, I called for a taxi via my Grab app. I should have just taken the bus instead. It wouldn’t have made a difference in my journey time.

Due to the language barrier, the driver took 20 minutes to find me. I was then stuck in traffic for 1.5 hours. During the journey, I rang Keith twice to reschedule the class. He suggested that I moved the class to the next morning.

I politely rejected his suggestion… I was already en route to the place for the past 2.5 hours.

Ironically, I did manage to avoid the notorious traffic jam at downtown Bangkok, only to get into another one after I got off the canal boat.

3 hours. That’s how much time it took because of my convoluted route to get to Khongsittha.

I’d have reached there in 15 to 45 minutes if I just took a taxi from the start (at 4.30pm), or used the routes suggested by Khongsittha.

Training Experience at Khongsittha Muay Thai (Lat Phrao)

Reaching Khongsittha After Dark

When I finally reached Khongsittha it was already dark. After eyeing the huge golden statue of a nondescript Muay Thai fighter at the entrance, I walked to the front desk to sign in.

With some time to spare, I walked around the premises to take some pictures. Seeing the murals of nak muay demonstrating various thai-boxing techniques gave me chills. It reminded me of the Muay Thai Live performance.

At 8pm, it was clear that I was the only student. In hindsight, they must have opened a slot at that time just for me.

In any case, I got to train one-on-one with three different trainers.

Trainer 1 – Warm Up & Shadow Boxing

The session began with the typical Muay Thai warm-up – running and jump rope.

Then, the first trainer demonstrated various strikes and kicks. After each demonstration, I copied what he was doing.

His way of correcting my technique was through show-and-tell (in simply-worded phrases).

As someone whose base martial art was Aikido, my evasive footwork and stance were creeping in. I was standing in a way that was not conducive to kicking quickly.

Talking about Spartan Race with Trainer 1

The training was paced with minute-long breaks after a set time of training. This helped me retain the trainer’s feedback, while I caught my breath.

It was during these breaks that my first trainer noticed my Spartan Race shirt. He was enthusiastic in telling me how he and his Khongsittha colleagues will be joining their first Spartan Sprint in July.

Trainer 2 – Pad work & Sandbag

As we moved on to pad work and sandbag training, I was corrected many times on my stance.

Especially after kicking, I withdrew my kicking leg behind the front leg (the typical Aikido defensive stance). And so, my challenge was to rewire my stance to make it optimal for offensive strikes.

That said, my second trainer articulated his feedback to my mistakes the best. After all, he had lived in Perth for some time and spoke English fluently.

He had observed that my jabs were not aligned optimally, which could result in wrist injuries. He also noticed that my jabs weren’t retracted swiftly enough. It was as though I was doing straight punches at Aikido as an uke – a lot of conscious body weight channelled through the punch. In his words, my punch felt more like a physical push.

Other than that, he helped me realize that I had been tensing up whenever I struck. What I needed to do was to relax and keep the body loose.

So, I was deeply grateful for his series of feedback. This was the trainer who had the least fights under his belt (17 fights). But, he was only eighteen-years-old.

Trainer 3 – Padwork Combos

The third trainer was pretty cool. It was with him that I got a more intensive pad work session.

Actually, I did combo pad work with all three trainers, with them shouting the various strikes and me executing. Having very little experience with striking, my coordination was honestly shit. But, I’m getting better.

Back to the Trainer 1 – Conditioning Exercises

Finally, after the pad work, I returned to the first trainer.

We ended off with conditioning exercises with push-ups, kettlebell swings and squats. It may be because I was the only student there, but he made sure to go at my pace.

After my injury, I had toned down my training intensity and consequently lowered my stamina. So, I took the trainer’s change in intensity as a positive sign.

Vibe, Facilities & Trainers – Summary of Assessment

Vibe

• Welcoming and friendly for beginners and all levels
• Feels like an actual fighters gym, though it’s recreational

Facilities

• Not air-conditioned
• Display timer that times activity and breaks
• Clean gym mats, sandbags and pads
• Toilets: Clean with shower facilities
• Lockers with locks provided for your gym duffels

Cost

Khongsittha Muay Thai distinguish their Muay Thai sessions into two types: Muay Thai for Fitness, and regular Muay Thai

Only regular Muay Thai sessions include advanced technical instruction and clinching. It also costs more.

If you’re serious about training, I’d recommend training there for a week in regular Muay Thai.

• 2-hour Muay Thai fitness session + phad thai meal from a beautiful cafe nearby (via Viator): US$53
• Muay Thai Training 7-day package (with private accommodations): US$317

Trainer 1

• Speaks some English
• No problems with communication and teaching
• Adjusts intensity to cater to each student
• Friendly; happy to talk about Spartan Race
• Corrects stance, coordination and technique issues; corrected me on the aim of my side kicks to prevent injury from kicking the sandbag.

Trainer 2 – Boss

• Fluent in English
• No problems with communication and teaching
• Adjusts intensity to cater to each student
• Friendly; makes conversation but I don’t remember owing to the intensity
• Corrects stance, coordination and technique with greater detail; corrected me significantly on jabs.

Trainer 3

• Able to speak some English
• No problems with communication and teaching
• Adjusts intensity to cater to each student
• Friendly and professional
• Corrects stance, coordination and technique, and was accommodating towards combo pad work

Opening Hours

• Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:00

Pros & Cons – What I Liked

Pros of training at Khongsittha

So, here are some things I liked about Khongsittha Muay Thai…

The training pace was just right, and the conduct of it was smooth

Khongsittha Muay Thai timed the session for activity and rest breaks. This helped to pace the training and gave time for the trainee to reflect on the feedback.

The training also felt less haphazard, unlike other gyms. There was a sense of direction in the training structure.

Awesome trainers who actively corrected mistakes & adapted to the trainee’s learning style

The trainers were friendly and make an effort to correct you. They also allow you the time to adjust to the feedback.

This is not true for all Muay Thai schools. Due to the language barrier, some trainers find it hard to correct foreign students (and may not do so).

What’s more, with Muay Thai becoming popularized as a fitness activity, some trainers don’t correct foreign students on the wrong form. The reason is simply because most of these students prioritize fitness over fighting technique.

Khongsittha trainers aren’t like that. They care if you are executing the techniques right, and they are able to communicate in English.

Different Trainer for Each Segment of Training

Different segments of the training were conducted by different trainers. This exposes you to different styles of combo pad work.

Not only that. When you have three trainers giving the same feedback in their own way, you retain the message better. It reinforces important training concepts.

Welcoming to People of all Levels & Friendly Training Environment

Many gyms proclaim to welcome people of all levels. However, the quality and enthusiasm of training often vary among an advanced nak muay and a complete beginner at some gyms.

At Khongsittha Muay Thai though, They really do mean it when they say they welcome people of all levels. My experiences there as a beginner was awesome. Farang nak muay (Foreign fighters) like Aaron Jahn have also rated it rather positively.

Well-connected to the Local Muay Thai Scene (including fighters, fight promoters, broadcasts and more)

Through their founder and trainers, Khongsittha is well-connected in the Muay Thai scene. This is an advantage for freelance fighters and people who want to train in special camps with notable people in the scene.

Cons of the place

Regular Muay Thai Training Includes Accommodation as a Package

There are two types of Muay Thai training offered at Khongsittha:

• Regular Muay Thai (includes running, clinching, sparring, and technical drills)
• Muay Thai Fitness (NO running, clinching, sparring and technical drills)

The price for training in regular Muay Thai comes with accommodations, and is thus priced higher. After deducting for private room costs, it seems the cost of training is reasonable. My only issue with it is not being able to get a non-accommodation regular Muay Thai option.

If you want training without accommodations, only Muay Thai for fitness is available for 450 baht (US$14.56). Alternatively, pay by the hour for private training at 1000 baht (US$30.13).

Not located in Downtown Bangkok

As mentioned, Khongsittha is not located near the Skytrain or Metro network. To get there, you’ll need to take a 15 to 30-minute taxi ride.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Train at Khongsittha?

If you’re visiting Bangkok primarily for Muay Thai, consider training at Khongsittha.

Their trainers, really, are excellent and on point with their feedback and patient. The place is friendly to all.

And, the gym is well-connected within Thailand’s Muay Thai and fitness scene.

So, if you want to pursue Muay Thai seriously for a few days, weeks, or months, while not going completely hardcore, this is a great place to do it.

Complete Beginners

If you’re a complete beginner, Khongsittha is the place to train at.

Among all other gyms, Khongsittha is the only one that corrected me multiple times. The trainers all articulated and demonstrated what I was doing and explained what I could do to improve.

Not once did any of them get frustrated.

I can’t emphasize how much I learnt when training at Khongsittha, despite it being the Muay Thai for fitness package.

Here are their regular Muay Thai packages; it covers advanced techniques, clinching, and includes a private room for you to stay at. Without getting a package, you’ll only be able to join Muay Thai for fitness.

Muay Thai Practitioners interested in Techniques

Recreational gyms tend to attract locals and tourists who only train for fitness and fun. But, not at Khongsittha.

The place attracts a crowd that seems committed to actual Muay Thai; not the fitness variant.

So, if you’re travelling to Bangkok just for Muay Thai, train there twice daily, for at least a week, with this 7-day training and accommodation package.

Prospective Freelance Fighters

Because of Khongsittha’s connections and their superb trainers, check them out before making a decision. I can’t make a solid recommendation here because I’m not an independent fighter.

But, they do have an active team of fighters training at Khongsittha!

Who Should Train Elsewhere?

If you’re a tourist who’s unwilling to get out of downtown Bangkok, consider other gyms within the city centre. Also, assuming you’re an independent fighter on a budget, there are fighter gyms that are cheaper to train at.

Bottomline & Conclusion

Although Khongsittha’s regular Muay Thai training sessions can only be bought with accommodation packages, their quality of instruction makes it worth it.

Check out their Muay Thai packages. It combines twice-a-day sessions with private accommodations at Kiatthada House & Resort (located beside Khongsittha). This saves you the hassle of travelling for training daily. Also, with the package pricing, the cost per training session is significantly lower.

Definitely consider training there for a couple of days.

• Twice-daily Regular Muay Thai + Private Room [7-day package]
• Twice-daily Regular Muay Thai + Private Room [29-day package]
• One session of Muay Thai Fitness + Phad Thai at Reverie Cafe (via Viator)

If you’d like just one session of training, I recommend walking in for their Muay Thai Fitness class. It’s cheaper than the Viator package, which includes a delicious phad thai meal from a mid-scale cafe beside Khongsittha.

If you’d like some insight into their lengthier training programs, watch this space for Owen Cooper’s interview. Unlike me, he has trained longer and participated in Nak Muay Nation.

Khongsittha Muay Thai Class + Accommodations

Book your Muay Thai + Private Room package with Khongsittha right now.

Pick either 7 or 29 days…

Book Your 7-Day Training Here!

(I wanna train for 29 days instead!)

The post Khongsittha Muay Thai in Bangkok – Experience & Review appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

After the usher walked me to the premium seats, I realized how close to the action I was going to be. There I was at Asiatique Riverfront for the award-winning stage production – Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives.

After training at Boxing King earlier that day, I wanted a crash course on Muay Thai’s past. What better way than to let the Thai paint a picture of the martial sport’s history?

Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives

Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives is a show, directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham, that features Muay Thai’s evolution from the past to the present. Through five acts, it retells three ancient legends and then takes the audience back into present-day Bangkok.

While the stories were narrated in Thai, subtitles in three languages appeared on the backdrop – English, Chinese and Japanese. No one was allowed to take photos and videos when the show started.

Act 1: The Tiger King

The first act retold the legend of the Tiger King (Phra Chao Seu), who reigned during the Ayutthaya era. He was said to love Muay Thai so much that he disguised himself as a commoner to compete in boxing matches.

What caught me off-guard…

The act began with “hecklers” in the audience yelling and laughing. Before I got annoyed, Ayutthayan men in loincloths ran on stage. The actors had hidden among the audience and were portraying rowdy warrior lads jesting around.

At this point, I appreciated being seated in the second-row (premium tickets via Klook). Due to the proximity to the stage, and the actors occasionally moving into the audience, it felt as though I was in the middle of the action.

You’ll have to watch the show for yourself to experience the show’s version of this legend.

Act 2: The Prisoner with Eight Limbs

The next act was the legend of Nai Khanom Tom, a warrior captured by the Burmese forces after Ayutthaya fell.

One day, the Burmese king decided to hold a boxing contest, in which Nai Khanom Tom fought as a prisoner. He defeated ten elite Burmese boxers with ease in back-to-back matches and received praised from the king.

The fight scenes and realistic stunts…

The fight scenes and stunts were especially spectacular at my distance. Even though I knew it was choreographed, the stunts and dramatic flips got my heart pumping.

I can still remember when Nai Khanom Tom leapt off the ground and landed on an opponent’s thigh. Almost immediately, his elbow came crashing down on the Burmese boxer’s head, collapsing the man to the ground. The speed of the choreographed fight was amazing.

Yet, I thought I heard the sound of whiplash when Nai Khanom Tom punched and kicked his opponents. I hadn’t imagined it. I clearly heard it over the dramatic music and sound effects. With the staged fight at that speed, there was bound to be actual strikes that connected.

Act 3: The Warrior with Broken Swords

The third act follows the story of Phraya Pichai Dap Hak (Phraya Pichai of the shattered sword), a lesser-known legend than the earlier two. The tale features a warrior who fought in battle with two swords. This is supposedly a form of weaponized Thai boxing.

In a battle against the Burmese, this swordsman fought until his swords shattered. He then had no choice but to fight unarmed against the enemy.

If I recall correctly, the stage production took artistic license with this tale and embedded a heart-wrenching love story within. There was a star-crossed lovers twist involving a female warrior counterpart. I’m not going to give away the ending.

Beautiful weapon choreography…

The weapon fight sequences were extremely well-choreographed. The number of hours that went into training must have been immense for everything to look so fluid.

With the end of this legend, the show moved towards present-day Muay Thai.

Act 4: The Lethal Art of Muay Thai

The fourth act took the audience to the present day. It showcased the culture, tradition, and values of Muay Thai that was passed on for generations. The fact that it lives on till today, combined with dramatic music, gave me goosebumps. Muay Thai was clearly more than a martial sport, adopted by MMA, that seemed devoid of tradition.

What moved me was when the Muay Thai men demonstrated each form in unison when the name of each technique flashed on the screen. Concurrently, two people fought each other to show how that specific technique worked in real time.

The naming convention of martial techniques was uniquely Asian

It was then that I realized that the Thai were like other cultures when it came to naming their forms and techniques. Consider the following names (translated into English):

• Mountain overturns earth
• Elephant thrusting its tusks
• Hanuman the Monkey King presents the ring

All of these names have cultural significance to Thai culture, geography, religion, and history. The same can be said about how the Chinese and Japanese name their forms and techniques.

Act 5: The Passionate Fighter

Not only were there fight scenes, this act included Parkour and tricking stunts.

Set in present-day Bangkok, the son of the police chief witness the abduction of his fiancee. Having no choice, he summons his training in Muay Thai to rescue the love of his life.

From thugs rappelling down from the ceiling to fights in mid-air, the action sequences were spectacular. This modern tale cleanly ties Muay Thai’s past and present together.

Great storytelling, traumatic scene…

When one of the thugs got thrown and flipped, I couldn’t help but cringe and retract my shoulder. It reminded me too much of how I injured my right shoulder.

Muay Thai Live Boxing: Warriors Rising (actual match)

After the show ended, the stage was set up with a makeshift ring for two boxing matches. Nonetheless, the Chinese couple seated next to me left. I don’t think they understood the announcement made in English.

During the interim, most of the audience headed for the restroom before returning to our seats. Because the actors’ movements were unpredictable during the show, no one in my section got up to use the restroom earlier.

As you can see, the nak muay (fighters) are rather young at 17-years-old. There are, of course, younger fighters at rural fairs.

Anyway, I’ve cut the interim breaks between the boxing bouts from the video.

Also, there was a small group of Thai spectators cheering on the fighters insanely. They were either related to the fighters or had a gambling stake in the outcome of the fight. When I left the theatre after the fight, the poor kid who lost was being yelled at by his manager.

Thoughts about the Show & Whether it’s Worth Watching

I loved experiencing Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives. It was an eye-opening experience for me to watch live-action fights and stunts, amidst awesome storytelling.

But, having read the original accounts of the legends, I don’t think the show’s renditions are completely accurate. An example of it was the love story.

This isn’t an issue though. It is understandable for theatre and films to embellish and exaggerate old stories. How else will you get to see a fight scene when the original version doesn’t give a blow-by-blow account of what happened? The core legend is still there.

Again, the action-packed storytelling was superb. It made me oddly happy.

What’s more, the Thai boxing matches after the show hits the point home on competitive Muay Thai today.

For all that, I was happy to spend the money.

Was it worth it to pay more for the premium seat?

Yes! By being in the front, I felt as though I was part of the action. I could see and hear everything up close.

Unfortunately, that included the sickening thuds on the actors’ bodies whenever they got kicked, punched, or thrown against the stage floor.

Also, I got the ticket at a discount via Klook. So, that may be why I’m not complaining about the price. I’ve listed a few online agents below and compared their prices.

How to Get to Muay Thai Live at Asiatique Riverfront?

1. To get to Asiatique Riverfront, take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, which is on the Silom line (only a few stations from Siam interchange).

2. Get out of the station from exit 2. Follow the sheltered walkway to Sathorn Pier, which is less than 150m away. Turn left at the huge column with the blue signboard. Refer to my photo below.

3. Once you reach the pier, ignore the touts and keep walking to the end. Look out for one of these signs below. That’s the queue for the free shuttle ferry to Asiatique.

4. To get to the Muay Thai Live theatre from Asiatique’s pier, walk to the STAGE Theatre located at Chareonkrung Soi 74-76 within Asiatique.

Take the same shuttle ferry back to Saphan Taksin for free. The ferry operates from 4 to 11.30pm.

Comparing Ticket Prices & Reliability from Various Agents

Prices may fluctuate based on the season. For accurate prices, click on the respective buttons to check them.

*Prices with the asterisk were calculated with the original price quoted (in non-asterisk), using the exchange rate on 21 Sept 2017.

Should you get tickets that include transportation?

No. Don’t waste your money unless you’re too far from the nearest BTS Skytrain or MRT Metro station. Even then, taking a metered taxi (or Grab car) would be much cheaper.

In most cases, getting there via BTS Skytrain and the free shuttle ferry will cost you less than 50baht (US$1.50). If you are switching from the MRT metro to BTS Skytrain, it may cost you an additional 30baht at most. Go to this section for instructions on how to get there.

There is little reason for you to get a ticket that includes car transfer, especially when central Bangkok is notorious for its traffic.

So, if you decide to watch Muay Thai Live, I recommend getting the premium ticket via Klook. They’ve saved me money on a few experiences during my trip in May/June and been a service I could count on.

The post Muay Thai Live in Bangkok – Live-action Show with Fights & Stunts appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

Boxing King is a Muay Thai gym that caters to recreational practitioners – people who train to keep fit. They are not a fighters gym. In fact, they have Crossfit as well.

What’s great about them is their commitment to making the place friendly to women, as well as beginners. Moreover, their convenient location draws in professionals, uni students, and local celebs.

Here’s a summarized scorecard of Boxing King at Siam. The detailed review can be found after that and is divided into sections.

Continue on for the full review… or book a class at Boxing King.

Brief History of Boxing King

Boxing King Muay Thai was established in 2014 by Chutima Pruangmethangkul.

The founder, a famous female entrepreneur, wanted to create a gym where women felt comfortable learning Muay Thai. After all, many women felt intimidated by the traditional male-dominated Thai boxing gyms.

Hence, to make Boxing King feel welcoming, she insisted that the trainers wear pink Muay Thai gear. They reluctantly complied.

They later warmed up to the idea when they saw how well it worked. The colour had a psychological effect on its patrons.

How to Get There?

When you leave the station, pick the exit that leads you to Siam Square One shopping mall. Do not enter the mall. Instead, take the escalator to the ground level.

Once you reach ground level, face the mall, and turn to your right.

Walk straight down for roughly 150 metres toward Siam Square soi 1 (i.e. Siam Square lane 1). At the opening of Siam Square soi 1, you’ll see Siam Discovery shopping mall across the road on your right.

Turn left into the lane and continue straight down for 50 metres.

If you see Scala Theatre on your right, you are going the correct way. You will see a few signs that indicate the way to Boxing King.

Take the stairs up to reach there.

Use Google maps with GPS for better direction. Here’s Boxing King’s Facebook page; their website isn’t working. For class bookings, I recommend doing it via Klook (just like I did). Here’s Boxing King’s listing on Klook.

Training Experience at Boxing King at Siam

After informing the counter of my booking (via Klook), I plopped down the bench and tried to ease my anxiety.

This was my first attempt at Muay Thai, and I was about to train in an unfamiliar environment abroad. Moreover, it was the first time since my injury that I’d be doing martial arts.

That said, I didn’t have to do much about the anxiety due to what happened in the restroom…

Someone fell bare-ass onto me when pulling up his shorts. It was awkward enough that it got rid of my anxious state of mind. And, that guy looked suspiciously familiar – like I’ve seen him in some magazine or poster in Thailand.

When it was 10 am, I made my way up to the fourth floor. Since I was the only person there, the trainer began what was supposed to be a group class.

Warm-Up & Hand Wrap

“Okay. Run.”

My trainer in hot pink pointed at a small area of space. I stared at it dumbfounded.

He wanted me to run in circles in an area that couldn’t be more than 10 by 20 metres (11 by 21 yards). And, I did.

I would come to realize that this was the norm at other gyms. It didn’t matter that the space was tiny. The running was just to raise your heart rate.

After that, the trainer helped me with my hand wraps. That was when three girls joined the class. Together, we continued the rest of the warm-up.

Technique Demonstration & Padwork Combos

Standing in front of the mirrors, the trainer demonstrated various strikes and kicks. With barely any English, he gestured for us to mirror him.

Communicating with him was no problem though. After all, we were training in Muay Thai; not trying to learn Calculus in Thai.

Shortly after drilling us on basics (and shadow boxing), we did a few rounds of pad work. It was during this time that things got a little strange.

Where the girls had to do 20 sit-ups before striking the pads, I was told to do fifty. And, instead of taking a break between combos, I was the only one that had to do more sit-ups.

Why?

It soon hit me that the trainer was varying the intensity for each of us. Since the girls had lower stamina, they didn’t have to do sit-ups during their breaks.

Ending with Conditioning, Stretching and Cool Down

The 1.5-hour session ended after some conditioning drills, a cooldown, and stretches. While the session wasn’t as intense as my other experiences, the girls were exhausted.

That’s why the intensity may be just right for complete beginners who aren’t as active in their daily life.

Vibe, Facilities & Trainers – Summary of Assessment

Vibe:

• Welcoming and friendly to people of all levels
• Child-friendly
• Less intimidating for beginners

Facilities:

• Fully air-conditioned
• Three storeys (two floors of training area)
• Clean gym mats, sandbags, and pads
• Clean toilets with showers
• Brightly-lit locker area within the restroom

Trainer:

• Able to speak a little English
• No problems with communication and teaching
• Adjusts intensity to cater to each student
• Corrects stance, coordination and technique issues

Opening Hours & Class Timings

• Opening hours: 10:00 to 22:00
• Class timings: 9:00am, 10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 6:00pm, 7:30pm

Cost:

• Group class (up to 6 people) for beginners: 575THB (via Klook)
• Group class (up to 3 people) for beginners: 875THB (via Klook)
• Private one-on-one for beginners: 1375THB (via Klook)

Note: It is slightly cheaper to book a class via Klook. You are allowed to cancel your booking without penalty if you give at least 24 hours notice. Also, pick the 6-person class option.

Pros & Cons – What I Liked

Pros of Training at Boxing King

So, here are some things I liked about the trainer. class, and facilities.

Attention to Each Individual’s Stamina and physique

Among the three sixteen-year-old girls, one had great technique and coordination. The trainer intensified her pad work sessions. And, he made her combos slightly complex.

Furthermore, the trainer was attentive to each person’s stamina. He stopped my sit-ups in one of the breaks when I was visibly exhausted.

Correcting Errors in Strikes and Kicks

During my pad work session, I was terribly uncoordinated. Perhaps… this was due to my inexperience in striking (save for my poor experience with Taekwondo when I was seven).

Yet, the trainer corrected my jabs, hooks and side kicks. He made sure that I created more torsion with my hips when performing a side kick.

This is unlike many fitness-focused gyms outside of Thailand. The trainer corrected us whenever we performed the strikes, kicks, and blocks incorrectly.

Class Limit on Number of Students

Unlike many gyms, Boxing King restricts the number of people per group class to a maximum of six. This allows the trainer to give you more attention. This is definitely a plus for beginners.

Clean & Hygienic

The training area, restroom, and lockers are kept clean and brightly lit. This is a contrast from many rural fighters gyms.

Welcoming vibe

The place is especially welcoming to beginners and anyone intimidated by a traditional Muay Thai gym. The founder has made it especially women-friendly as well.

One reason I chose this as my first Muay Thai gym was its friendliness to anxious beginners.

Cons of Training at Boxing King

Not a Fighters Gym

Why this obsession with fighters gyms?

Muay Thai is a contact sport that is widely watched throughout the kingdom. To experience how actual fighters train (or at least witness it), you have to go to a fighters gym. Recreational gyms that have a great fighter’s program would also be good for independent fighters.

However, Boxing King’s key focus is on people who do Muay Thai for fitness and recreation.

Marketed for fitness rather than skill

As mentioned, Boxing King markets itself to people who are into fitness. So, I’m unsure if they train intermediate students in sparring. Sparring develops distance, rhythm, and clinch application. Without it, you won’t properly know how to fight or defend effectively.

This, of course, is not an issue for recreational fitness practitioners. Even beginners can get away with just pad work and shadow boxing. But, at a later stage, you will have to spar and practice clinching.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Train at Boxing King?

There are two compelling reasons to train at Boxing King (Siam Square soi 1):

• Location: It’s near Siam BTS Skytrain station, within Bangkok’s city centre. You can avoid peak hour traffic by taking the train.
• Training environment: The environment is a plus for people who get anxious when trying a new sport.

So, if you’re on a tight schedule or on a short trip to Bangkok, consider training at Boxing King. The commuting time is negligible.

Nevertheless, Boxing King caters to recreational practitioners of Muay Thai. Fighters should look elsewhere to train.

Location aside, these are some specific groups of people who would find this gym suitable:

Complete Beginners

If you’re a complete beginner in Muay Thai (and want a taste of how it’s like) Boxing King is perfect for you. Likewise, if you’re working in Bangkok’s city centre and want to do Muay Thai for recreation.

However, if you’re looking for long-term serious training, you should train elsewhere.

People with Training Anxiety

Do you easily get anxious (or intimidated) in a new training environment?

Boxing King and its trainers are very approachable. The training environment makes your learning a lot more conducive.

One of the reasons I chose this as my first gym to visit was training anxiety. I needed to know what to expect from a typical class in Thailand.

Leisure Travellers

Boxing King is suitable for travellers who want a side activity in their itinerary. It’s certainly not a gym I’d fly all the way to Bangkok for as a martial artist.

But, for leisure travellers, this is a great option.

People travelling with Family and Friends

Having travelled with family and friends, I know how hard it is to convince them to do physical activity. It’s especially tough if they’re all sedentary in their daily lives.

That’s why you’d have a much greater chance of getting them to do Muay Thai if you pick Boxing King.

Location-wise, it is convenient to get to. This eliminates complaints about the time needed to get there. Program-wise, Boxing King’s beginner class is good enough to keep everyone engaged.

And, if you have kids in your group, this gym is awesome for them.

Now, what about you (if you’re a serious practitioner)?

Talk to the trainer and give him/her some information about your training background. These trainers are/were fighters. They can definitely up the intensity and technicality for you.

Who should train elsewhere?

If you’re visiting Bangkok primarily for Muay Thai, give Boxing King a miss.

Assuming you’re experienced, go to a fighters gym instead. Or, pick a recreational gym that’s known for its fighters program.

Serious beginners who can devote at least a week to training should also train elsewhere. This includes martial artists who don’t practice Muay Thai and want to train for the skill (not fitness).

Nonetheless, independent fighters can drop in if they need training facilities in Bangkok’s city centre.

Bottomline

Boxing King Muay Thai is a great place to train due to its location and welcoming environment. The gym is clean, and the trainer adjusts training to your capabilities.

Because it’s in the shopping district (and near a university), you’ll encounter Thai celebs and uni students there. Not to forget… working professionals as well.

Again, I recommend this gym for recreational beginners and people who can’t travel far out of the city.

Visit Muay Thai Gyms & Fights in Thailand

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While I was in Bangkok trying out Muay Thai, I assumed that all gyms were similar. Maybe there’d be obvious differences between rural and city gyms, but everything else would be the same… yes?

This simplistic view couldn’t be further from the truth.

As the Thais would say, “Same-same, but different.”. And, damn different they were. I had realized this after training at various places.

But, what was different?

For one, there were noticeable contrasts in target market and vibe. Likewise, the modus operandi of each Muay Thai gym varied.

Where the gym at home targets recreational practitioners (and the occasional fighter), Thailand has a huge training scene for fighters. Not to mention, it being the birthplace of Muay Thai, has opened up tourism for the combat sport.

Clearly, these give you a lot more training options in Thailand. Your only problem is to pick the right type of gym for you. Here’s a guide that breaks it down.

Why Muay Thai Gyms Differ in Operations & Clientele? (in Thailand)

How a gym/school gets its revenue determines how it operates, and the kind of people it attracts. So, income model is a major factor that influences the differences in each gym/school.

Here’s what I mean…

Traditional fighter gyms get a cut of their fighters’ winnings, and ring-appearance fees. This is only fair because they’ve sponsored the fighter’s training. So, the traditional nak muay gym regards a sponsored fighter as an investment.

Conversely, Muay Thai schools gets its revenue from teaching the art. They also get their income from offering trainer certifications.

Hence, when you look beneath the surface, it becomes clear why many gyms open up to tourists and wealthy locals. They need to survive and profit.

Differing Attributes of Muay Thai Schools/Gyms/Camps

With income underpinning the differences, here are some attributes that gyms differ in.

1. [Purpose] – Recreational practice (with a focus on fitness) vs Professional fights
2. [Level in Skill] – Beginner vs Intermediate/Advanced
3. [Tourism] – Locals vs Foreigners
4. [Class & Income] – Poor, Middle-class or Upper-class
5. [Cultural] – Preserving the old art vs advancing the sport internationally

As you can see, these attributes are not exclusive. They often overlap. That’s why it took weeks to categorize the types of gyms/schools into neatly-defined boxes (unsuccessfully).

I realized that the best way to group them, is to examine their focus, and acknowledge their overlap.

And so, here are the six types of gyms/schools in Thailand. Pick the right one for yourself.

Recreational Practice – Muay Thai Training Options

#1 – Muay Thai School

Muay Thai schools focus on teaching Muay Thai, rather than training fighters. Their syllabus caters to students of all levels. And, they offer certificates for different grades.

This makes Muay Thai schools better suited for beginners, and anyone who wants to be graded.

Muay Thai schools also certify trainers, instructors and referees. Some certificates are more reputable than others – the government-backed MTI (Muay Thai Institute). As such, any fighter that seeks instructor certification should do it there.

This serves to promote Muay Thai as a sport globally.

Despite being a place that teaches Muay Thai, most schools do train fighters.

Don’t forget that Muay Thai – in its long history – has always been a pugilistic sport. Hence, it’d be uncharacteristic for any place that claims to teach Muay Thai not to train fighters.

Moreover, in the MTI, you need to fight professionally in 3 to 5 fights once you reach level 4 certification.

TL/DR: Great for beginners, and people looking for trainer/instructor certification.

#2 – Recreational Muay Thai Gyms

Recreational Muay Thai gyms are similar to gyms you can find at home. They cater to recreational practitioners, and a small number of pro fighters.

Their target clientele are middle/upper class locals and foreigners, who do Muay Thai to keep fit. That’s why it’s not uncommon to see these gyms offer other training programs like CrossFit or BJJ.

Does this mean you should avoid training in recreational Muay Thai gyms?

No. These gyms often offer specialized programs for fighters. Their trainers tend to also be top notch. Of course, this varies among recreational gym.

In fact, there are some gyms (in this category) that have superb programs for fighters. And, they also have the connections to fight promoters and organizers.

One such example is Khongsittha Muay Thai – reviewed positively by fighters despite not being a fighters gym. As a beginner, I liked how they focused on technique (and not assume I’m yet another person who does it to lose calories).

TL/DR: Great for beginners and recreational practitioners. Depending on the gym (and its trainers), independent professional fighters can consider training here.

Note: What’s the difference between a sponsored and independent fighter? Read this account of a foreign sponsored fighter (who then switched to being an independent fighter).

#3 – Muay Boran Preservation School

Muay Boran is the ancient form of Muay Thai. It’s stances are lower, and syllabus contains many forbidden techniques in ring fights.

Many schools that offer Muay Boran do it to preserve the art (and provide a primer to curious tourists). Often, Muay Boran is taught alongside Muay Thai.

Most schools welcome both locals and foreigners. And, they’ll teach you a lot about Thai culture and history.

One great place to learn Muay Boran at is Be Muay (located conveniently in Bangkok’s city centre). Kru Suphan is an amazing master.

TL/DR: Suitable for anyone seeking instruction in Muay Boran, and an understanding of Muay Thai’s historical underpinnings.

Professional Fights – Muay Thai Training Options

#4 – Traditional Nak Muay Gyms/Camps

Traditional Nak muay (or Fighters) gyms focus on preparing professional fighters for fights. They do not teach recreational beginners.

Trainers there would assess a fighter’s opponent in an upcoming fight. Then, they’d train their fighter to counter his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Most traditional fighters gyms have a higher proportion of sponsored fighters. After all, these gyms make money from the winnings and resulting bets on their fighter’s fight.

Rural Thai families send their sons to these gyms to become fighters (often due to poverty). At times, it could also be because the child has an interest in the sport.

Depending on the child’s potential (and passion), the gym may arrange to sponsor him. They then teach Muay Thai to the nak muay (professional fighter), who can be as young as ten years old.

TL/DR: These camps are not suitable for recreational practitioners. Likewise, complete beginners should look elsewhere for training. However, amateur and professional fighters can benefit from training with the local fighters there.

Note: It’s hard to find nak muay gyms that solely train sponsored fighters nowadays. Most traditional gyms welcome foreigners and independent fighters to help defer their expenses.

#5 – Foreigner-focused Muay Thai Camps

Foreigner-focused Muay Thai camps operate primarily for tourists. You’d be hard pushed to see another Thai fighter there.

Due to the size of the camp, and quick tourist turnover, you’ll likely get less attention from trainers. This generally means your training won’t be adapted towards your strengths and weaknesses.

TL/DR: I’d avoid purely tourist camps. For recreational beginners it may be okay though.

#6 – Hybrid/Modern Fighters Gyms/Camps

Modern/Hybrid fighters gyms prepare fighters for fights, like traditional ones. They sometimes overlap in categorization. As I’ve mentioned, many traditional gyms open up to foreigners for survival.

So, how do you make a distinction?

Look at how they primarily fund the camp.

Modern/Hybrid fighters gyms rely on independent fighters for income and profit. These fighters, be it local or foreign, pay training fees.

Traditional nak muay gyms rely on sponsored fighters. They pay for the fighters expenses, and pocket a cut of the fighter’s winnings. That’s how they make money. While many welcome foreigners and independent fighters, the training fee is used to defer expenses (not profit).

For Fighters

That said, there is little difference in the quality of training between the two. Both have produced top fighters.

However, you may want to train at a modern fighter gym because of the local-foreigner ratio.

According to Aaron Jahn’s standards, a good mix of foreign and local fighters in a gym is desirable. Training with Thai fighters help you progress in your clinching technique.

Yet, without foreign fighters, you may find that you outweigh all local fighters.

For Beginners

What about complete beginners to Muay Thai?

Unlike traditional nak muay gyms, most hybrid gyms run a beginner’s program. If they do, go ahead and train there. And, try to train for at least a week if you do. It increases your chances of jostling with fighters there.

TL/DR: Great for fighters due to the Thai-foreign fighter ratio. You get the best of clinching progress and sparring style. Also good for beginners who can commit at least a week there.

#7 – Muay Thai Retreats/Seminars

Muay Thai retreats are events where fighters and enthusiasts gather to train together. You get to learn from each other. Seminars, on the other hand, are events where one or more kru instructs.

While most of these events welcome people of all levels, I don’t think beginners will be able to get much out of it. After all, most seminars do not cover the basics, and jump right into technical explanations.

Nonetheless, you can keep an eye out for beginner retreats and seminars.

TL/DR: Mostly for experienced fighters and practitioners, unless the event specifies otherwise.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Unfortunately, when you get to train in Thailand, you’ll find that the different gyms cannot fit into perfect categories. There are definite overlaps in many. Just be aware of these factors, and pick out a training facility that matches.

Having defined the types of gyms in this article, I’ll post the reviews for the gyms I’ve visited back in June.

P.S. I’ll be updating this page with a list of Muay Thai places to try out. In the mean time, check out these listing for martial arts packages that include both training and accommodations.

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Going to Thailand for the first time? You have some romanticized expectations of Muay Thai training there, don’t you?

Sorry to burst your bubble… but your experience is unlikely to match your expectations.

Why? There are  a number of factors that will affect your training experience.

For example, if you’re new to Thailand and don’t speak the language, you’ll only be able to access Muay Thai gyms that use English to instruct. You may also fall for common scams in the kingdom.

How about we get more specific…

Factors that affect your Muay Thai Training Experience

These are some factors that will affect the kind of training experience you’ll get. Counting down from the least to most important, here they are…

5 – Familiarity with Thailand

If you’re totally new to Thailand and the culture, you’re in for a culture shock.

You have to get used to the food, traffic, and weather. These are potential issues that can interfere with your training. The last thing you want is to get diarrhea from the spicy salad you ate, or faint from the heat when training.

Other than that, you need to be wary of the common scams there. One that comes to mind (that Mami of Be Muay mentioned) was about taxi drivers pretending to misunderstand the address of your desired Muay Thai gym. They would take you to another gym that pays them a commission.

If you’re serious about training there, I urge you to get the Thailand Training Guide. It talks about finding the right Muay Thai gyms, avoiding scams, and finding cheap accommodations.

4 – Level of Muay Thai Skill & Experience (Beginner vs Fighter)

If you have a good level of skill and experience in Muay Thai, you’ll gain from the technical and tactical guidance of trainers (and fighters). Other fighters are also more likely to train with you. This, in effect, helps you refine your clinches and discover tactics that work to your advantage.

But what if you’re a beginner?

Without a solid foundation in Muay Thai basics, forget about special advanced techniques and tactics (when in Thailand). Your skill level, ability and experience determines if you can absorb minute technical guidance.

As a novice, you’ll need sweeping adjustments to your basic techniques.

Moreover, no fighter is going to clinch or spar with a beginner at a traditional fighters camp. It simply isn’t worth their time. A beginner simply doesn’t have the skill to benefit from such an interaction.

Think this is harsh?

Fighters at traditional fighters gyms are competing in fights. That’s how they earn their living, and survive. They aren’t paid to teach beginners the basics. Anything other than improving their chances of winning is a distraction. So, they really have no incentive to partner up with someone who’s new to the sport.

Instead, focus on the Muay Thai gyms and schools that have good programs for beginners. There are many that will build that solid foundation. And, you’ll eventually be able to move on to amateur fights, if that’s what you want.

3 – Ability to Communicate in Thai

Being able to communicate in Thai, opens the door to culture and connection. Although there are many gyms that train foreigners, the rural ones are harder to get to (if you don’t speak the language).

Also, a local trainer would find it hard to explain the nuances in a technique in English, as opposed to Thai.

Even finding obscure camps would be a lot easier. You’d have a better chance of accessing truly traditional camps if you have language on your side.

2 – Your Itinerary, Length of Stay, and Location

Your purpose of travel, length of stay, and address in Thailand will determine the Muay Thai gym you can go to… obviously.

Purpose of Travel (and Length of Stay)

Are you on a short vacation with family, or on a business trip? Either way, you have little opportunity to train due to time constraints and clashes in itinerary. You’d be lucky to get a few days of training in. And, this amount of time is not enough to ingrain the basics into a beginner.

But, if you’re there for months, or even years, you get the time to progress into the higher khans (grades) of Muay Thai training. You may even get involved in amateur ring fights.

Regardless, having a tiny taste of Muay Thai in Thailand is better than nothing.

Who You’re Travelling With

Are you travelling with a group of Muay Thai friends, or are you with family who are less active (but want to try out Muay Thai)?

If you’re going to organize a group visit, you need to consider the overall ability of the group before picking a facility to train at. And, if you have kids with you, you need to check if the gym you’re going to has a good program for kids.

Distance from your lodgings to your desired gym

Staying in Bangkok’s city center limits you to training at mostly recreational gyms (for wealthier locals or tourists). Unless you’re able to contend with the insane traffic, stay close to the Muay Thai gym you’re training at.

While it’s not that bad if you’re only going for a one-time visit, imagine being stuck in traffic daily if you’re training for weeks. The traffic peak times lasts especially long in Bangkok.

Trust me. You’re going to curse at the traffic if you have to get to your Muay Thai camp twice each day for training.

So, make sure your travel arrangements considers these factors. If you can’t change your arrangements, lower your training expectations.

1 – Goals in Muay Thai – Knowing What You Want

How your trip pans out ultimately depends on your goals in Muay Thai. This has nothing to do with your skill level. Instead, it’s about what you want out of Thai boxing.

For example, are you training for recreation and fitness, or do you want to become a professional fighter? Do you want to focus on Muay Boran in one year? Or are you happy to jostle with a few experienced champions to learn new tactics and combos?

Know what you seek, and then go to the appropriate place to train. There are countless Muay Thai gyms, schools and camps within Thailand.

Conclusion – Be realistic

Make sure you are realistic with what you want, and consider the four factors when seeking to train in Thailand. Like I’ve mentioned, don’t seek out exclusively fighters gyms if you’re a beginner. If you’re on a vacation with a group of people, consider their ability and expectations as well.

I’ll go over the types of Muay Thai facilities in the next article, and talk about the type of Muay Thai practitioner each gym, camp or school caters to.

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Everyone has their own reasons for martial arts wanderlust. Some of us seek Muay Thai in Thailand to soak in the culture, while others believe learning the art at its birthplace is far more authentic.

Regardless of the reason, one thing is clear…

Muay Thai camps in Thailand must have something that you can’t find in your own country.

And, here are some reasons that may just compel you to take that flight to Bangkok (or wherever in Thailand) to train.

1

Immersion into Muay Thai & its Cultural Roots

When you do Muay Thai at its birthplace, you immerse yourself in the culture. Seemingly strange rituals and techniques begin to make sense.

However, culture immersion is not limited to training at the Muay Thai camp. Culture goes beyond hearing the trainer yell: “Jab!”, “Sok!”, and “Te!” (Jab, elbow strike and kick). It goes beyond donning a mong kon for the ram muay ceremony before a ring fight.

Those are small samples of Thai culture.

Your cultural immersion begins the moment you step out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. When you stroll along the uneven pavements of Bangkok and watch locals going about their day:

• Students in dapper uniforms waii-ing their lecturer when you pass Chulalongkorn University.
• A young man getting the waitress’s attention by calling out “P’sao!” (older sister). And, she responds back with “nong” (younger brother).
• You ordering a plate of khao pad gai (fried rice with chicken) and beer at a roadside eatery.
• Locals spending their Saturday afternoon at Chatuchak Park

That’s culture in its rawest form – the behaviour, language and social hierarchy (that sometimes hints at warm affection, and at other times, ice-cold indifference).

2

Learning Complete Muay Thai at the 'Source'

Outside of Thailand, training often revolves around common techniques. You don’t really get round to them. Trainers also tend to neglect the philosophy and values that underpin Muay Thai.

There are three possible reasons why.

1. Teaching obscure techniques and ingraining students with values is unprofitable and seemingly impractical.
2. The gym focuses on the fitness aspect of Thai boxing, and not the martial aspect of it.
3. The trainer has an incomplete knowledge of Muay Thai techniques and tactics.

No matter the reason, the fact remains that you aren’t getting Muay Thai in its entirety. There are gaps.

Therein lies the appeal in learning Thai boxing from the source.

Many Muay Thai camps instruct students in the complete syllabus from start to end. Some camps are backed by the Royal Thai Ministry of Education, World Muay Thai Council and Muay Thai Institute.

Even better… if you’ve ever watched Ong Bak, you would have seen Muay Boran (Muay Thai’s ancestor art) in action.

In Thailand, you’re well placed to train with a number of Muay Boran khrus (masters). Among the many, I’ve personally observed Khru Suphan Chaibaram’s class at Be Muay (in Bangkok).

3

Competent & Experienced Trainers

Until the 1990s, no Thai government organisation existed to regulate Muay Thai. There was neither a recognized curriculum nor certification standard. This changed when the Muay Thai Institute (MTI), founded in 1997, established both.

Despite that change, trainer certificates were not widely sought after by local Thais.

After all, trainers within the kingdom were former fighters. They had already proven their skills in numerous bouts in the ring.

Furthermore, any respectable camp could easily identify competent trainers. This made any certification a mere formality.

In contrast, Muay Thai gyms outside of Thailand – generally – don’t possess an expert eye for good trainers. A trainer may get hired without an MTI certificate, and with no recommendation by a respectable khru (master). All they may need is some fight experience on their resume.

Therefore, trainers in Thailand are more likely to be qualified for the job. Because Muay Thai is such a serious sport, no respectable camp is going to hire an incompetent trainer.

4

Higher-caliber Training Partners

Needless to say, Muay Thai is a national obsession in Thailand. Fights are organised even beyond the prestigious venues of Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadiums. It’s not uncommon to witness makeshift rings at temple fairs, festivals, and even high-profile funerals.

As a result, Muay Thai athletes there have many avenues to refine their skills. The likelihood of finding a high-calibre training partner is much higher. So, knock yourself out and test out your clinching.

Note: Don’t expect to jostle with top-tier fighters at your gym if you’re a novice.

5

Dispelling Your Romanticized Notion of Muay Thai & Seeing the Dark Side

Countless people have romanticized what it’d be like to do Muay Thai in Thailand. They see the culture through rose-tinted glasses and shut their eyes to uncomfortable truths.

Reality has nuances, and no martial art is completely good or bad.

When you travel to train, you gradually dismantle Muay Thai’s exotic facade. Where all was perfect, cracks start to form.

You begin to wonder if most people watch fights for tradition or just because they’ve placed bets on a fight. You get a hint at how profit-driven the entire industry is, sometimes at the detriment of the nak muay (professional Muay Thai fighter).

So, really, what lies beneath your romanticized notion of Muay Thai?

Go there, train in Muay Thai and experience the culture for yourself. Be it a short vacation or long-term immersion, you will stand to gain from your experiences there.

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