TRADITIONAL THAILAND MUAY THAI CAMPS

                                                   Traditional Thailand Muay Thai Camps

In Thailand a person wishing to become a professional Muay Thai boxer will join one of the many thousands of Muay Thai training camps that can be found in every corner of the country.

Muay Thai camps are sometimes connected with the temple; the military also plays an important role in Thai boxing in Thailand.

Muay Thai practitioners will enter these training camps at a very young age, perhaps even as young as six or seven. It surprises some visitors to discover that almost all members of provincial Thai boxing camps are young children, and most of the competitors at fight nights away from tourist areas are children too. Sometimes orphaned children, or children from families with financial problems, may be taken into a Muay Thai camp.

The instructors become more than just Muay Thai teachers; they are mentors for their students.

Members of a Muay Thai camp consider the other boxers to be family, the ties between boxers being the same as kinship. Instructors will often take on a fatherly role, assuming full responsibility for their student's life and education.

Equipment is fairly standardised at Muay Thai training camps across Thailand, but many are poorly equipped by Western standards of perfection.

Conditions at these camps may appear rustic.

Many Muay Thai camps are reluctant to take on foreign trainees unless they are willing to conform completely to the lifestyle of the camp, not least by demonstrating an ability to speak Thai. And not all training camps will accept female fighters. Increasing numbers of foreigners are taking an interest in the sport, and a number of Muay Thai camp owners in Thailand have taken the initiative to exploit this new form of potential income.

Many Muay Thai camps in Thailand now welcome foreign students

and provide special services (such as private bungalows and English-speaking instructors) to accommodate them. If you plan to join a Muay Thai training camp in Thailand you are very welcome to come and train with us at Horizon Thai Boxing Camp on Koh Phangan Island, in southern Thailand. Everyone is welcome.


Muay Thai Camps in Thailand

Below is a list of Muay Thai camps and gyms in Thailand that are willing to take on foreign trainees. The list is provided for your information and does not neccessarily constitute a recommendation. This list is not exhaustive. Please send us details via the enquiry form if you know of any other Muay Thai camps in Thailand that cater to foreigners and that you would reccommend to others.


Horizon Muay Thai Boxing Camp


Location: Haad Tien Bay, Koh Phangan island, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Tel: 077 238374 Mobile: 095881241
Owner: Aphiwat Sriwatcharaporn
Description: Muay Thai training camp in a tropical island paradise which accepts foreigners. All levels of boxer and women welcome.
How to get there: Take a bus or train from Bangkok or fly to neighbouring island Koh Samui.


Sasiprapa Muay Thai Gym

Location: 401 Soi Laprao 130 Klongchan, Bangkok 10240, Thailand
Tel. 662-379-0270 Mobile 661-856-6684hakoonp@hotmail.com
Manager: Thakoon Pongsupha
Description: This is a well-organized Muay Thai training camp located in the Bangkapi area in Bangkok. Accommodations are available at the camp or there are hotels close by. Women fighters are accepted.

 
Pundit Mangphimai Camp

Location: 284/3 M.14 Pimea, Naconrachasima 30110, Thailand
Mobile phone: 661-071-6963
Description: This is a very small rural training Camp near the ancient Khmer Ruins in Pimia The Manager is a professional Muay Thai fighter. There are no accommodations at the camp but there are guest houses nearby.
How to get there: By Bus from Bangkok. It's about a five-hour trip.


Nongkee Pahuyuth Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) School (Sit-o Camp)

Location: 24 Seepetch Road, Amphur Muang, 159/9 Nongkee Pahuyuth,Nongkee 31210, Buriram
Tel: 044-641185 Mobile 09-844-2601 nk_pahuyuth@hotmail.com
Manager: Master Pramote Hoimook
Description: This is a beautiful camp. Master Promote is one of the famous Trainers of Muay Thai. There is also a Sit-O Camp in the USA and Mexico. And soon there will be a camp in Australia. Female fighters are not allowed.
How to get there: Fly or Bus to Korat where you can be met. Otherwise local bus to Nongkee. Ask for directions at the Police kiosk and it is about one kilometer further.


Sityodtong Boxing Camp
 
Location: 90M.6 Nongprue, Pattaya City,Chonburi 20260Thailand
Tel/Fax: 6638-730079 Mobile: 661-983-7175
Owner: Yodtong Senanan
Chief Trainer: Khun Angkarn Sriwaralak (Khun Toy )
Description: This is a big camp. Sityodtong also has a branch in the United States and Mexico. And is affiliated with Camps in Switzerland, Italy, Holland, and Australia. The Owner of the Camp is a legendary Muay Thai Champion and is usually present. Master Yodtong is one of the Famous Trainers in Thailand and has taken Muay Thai Teams to compete internationally. Female Fighters are allowed. There are three rings plus an adjacent boxing stadium. An amazing amount of equipment is present.


The life of a Muay Thai Fighter

The daily routine at a Muay Thai camp varies from place to place. Some camps are open only in the afternoon as many of the fighters are still students. Other camps have the younger fighters run only and then go to school in the morning. Muay Thai Gym with only professional fighters usually train from 6:30 am till 10:30 am and then again from 3:30 pm until 6:30 pm. The fighters rise very early in the morning and start running at 6:30 am. Upon finishing their run they start shadow boxing. After that they start bouncing on rubber tires to develop their legs and build stamina. Some start working on the body bags while others work sparring with trainers. Some other fighters will be in the ring practicing grappling. During this time the junior fighters clean the training area. Everything is timed by a bell usually at five-minute intervals.

 
The fighters fight three-minute rounds, but train five-minute rounds for conditioning.

Some of the fighters are directed to work with weights, do sit-ups and pull-ups to develop their strength. After the morning session the fighters shower, eat communally, wash clothes, some play guitar or watch TV. In the afternoon the same training routine is followed again but with greater intensity. The intensity is varied from day to day depending on the fighter's fight schedule and other factors. After the acceptance of a fighter into a camp he becomes a member of the Manager's extended family and is given a fighting name. In past days this was complied by a ceremony called the Wai Kru (showing respect for one's teachers) and was done at a Buddhist Temple (Wat)