For Muay Thai enthusiasts, training in a Kai Muay (boxing camp) in Thailand is the ultimate training experience. Having heard the stories about the intensity of the training, and the great trainers and fighters, this is something I’ve wanted to do ever since my introduction to Muay Thai in 1985. I finally got the opportunity to do so during our recent trip to Thailand. It was one of the best experiences of my martial arts career.

I wanted to make sure that I went to a good camp so I talked to Ajarn Chai Srirsute (my Muay Thai instructor) about the best places to go. Ajarn Chai suggested that while in Thailand that I visit his Mother at her home and bring her flowers. He also introduced me to his sister Toy and her husband Khun Pone and said they would direct me to the best places to train. Upon arrival in Bangkok I was eager to train so I called Toy right away. She invited us to her mother’s home so I bought a nice bouquet of flowers and took a taxi there.

Toy, Khun Pone and Ajarn Chai’s mother greeted us with the warmest welcome, invited us in and made us feel just like part of the family. They took us out to lunch at a local Thai restaurant and insisted on paying. Then Khun Pone drove us all the way to the SaSiPraPa boxing camp (about an hour and a half drive) and introduced me to Ajarn Thakoon Pongsupha the manager at SaSiPraPa Gym who welcomed us in.

We arrived at approximately 3:00 but afternoon training doesn’t normally begin until 4:00. Even so, Ajarn Thakoon had me get dressed and start training right away. It was like a private lesson as Ajarn Thakoon worked with me on the finer points of shadow boxing for two or three rounds while all the other trainers watched. Then one of the trainers put some boxing gloves on me and had me get into the ring with another trainer who was ready to go with Thai pads, shin guards and a belly pad on. The trainer held Thai pads for me for three grueling rounds and focus mitts for two rounds.

Then Ajarn Thakoon directed me to a heavy bag. By this time all of the fighters and students had begun to show up for the 4:00 training session. Ajarn Thakoon gave me some tips and combinations to work on the heavy bag. I did a lot of rounds on the heavy bag as I watched the fighters work with different trainers. I picked up a couple of new techniques by watching the trainers. Some of the fighters had fights coming up at Lumpini Stadium. Finally, Ajarn Thakoon came over and held the mitts for me as he had me work on my western boxing skills for a couple of rounds. By that time, I was drenched with sweat and the training session was complete. Afterward, Ajarn Thakoon gave me a lot of compliments on my technique, my conditioning and my power and collected his 400 Thai Baht (about $12 US) for the days training.

The next night was Saturday night and we went to Lumpini Stadium (the most famous Muay Thai stadium in Thailand) to see one of Ajarn Thakoon’s student’s (a twelve year old boy) fight. The only problem was that there were two shows going on that night, an early show and a late show. We didn’t know whether Ajarn Thakoon’s student would be fighting in the early or late show so we went to the early show and ended up getting front row ringside seats. There were some great fights but the show ended and the fight we wanted to see didn’t happen. Then we ran into Ajarn Thakoon and the whole crew and found out the boy’s fight would be the first one during the late show. We didn’t want to have to pay again, so we missed the fight unfortunately. It would have been great to see that fight but even though we missed it, the whole Muay Thai experience in Thailand was amazing! My only regret is that I didn’t have more days to train. I’m planning to go back soon and will make sure I have more time to train the next time.

For more information visit: SaSiPraPa Muay Thai Gym

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Jitti Gym in Bangkok is one of the first Muay Thai Gym’s in Thailand to begin to cater to international Muay Thai enthusiasts. Jitti Damriram (the Founder and Head Coach) opened the original Jitti Gym near Khao San Road in 1991. With over 80 fights, Jitti was was a top 5 Rajadamnern fighter from 1978-1981. The new Jitti Gym opened in 2003 and features Jitti as well as many other trainers who are esteemed former stadium and champion fighters.

I trained at Jitti Gym in August of 2009. Although the facility is very modest (a house converted to a gym) with one boxing ring, two open training areas some weights and a few bags, the training was second to none in my opinion. I was greeted by Kru Jitti at the front door. He seemed like a really nice person. I told him I was interested in private lessons. He asked me if I could come back later so I could train with him personally. Because I was under kind of a tight schedule, he said his brother would train me. I trained privately with Serm (Jitti’s brother) and two other trainers.

I enjoyed the training as much or more than any other Muay Thai gym I have ever trained at. The personal attention they gave me was incredible. Even though all I did was walk in off the street, they treated me like I was one of their prize fighters. The warm up and stretching routine was great. In fact, I wish I could remember the entire routine because I’d like to incorporate it into some of my classes.

The pad training was intense and they didn’t hold back at all even though I was new there. He already had me doing flying elbows in the second or third round. In between rounds, they would pour cold water on me, give me drinking water and massage my arms and legs as if I were fighting at Lumpinee! All in all, the training at Jitti Gym was awesome. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Bangkok who wants to train in Muay Thai.

Address:
Jitti Gym | The International Muay Thai Training Gym
12 Soi Chokchairuammit yak 29
Viphavadee Rangsit, Ratchadapisek Rd. Dindang
Bangkok 10320, Thailand
Tel: (66) 2691-4238
Mobile: (66) 9069-5026

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Fairtex Bangplee in the Bangkok area of Thailand is a Muay Thai training camp that offers live-in training to Muay Thai enthusiasts from all over the world. Having heard about the training there for years, I finally got the chance to train there in August of 2009. The world famous Muay Thai Champion, Apideh, teaches at Fairtex and I’ve always wanted to train with him. Unfortunately, Apideh wasn’t there when I was, but it was still great to train with the other world-class Muay Thai trainers and pad holders at Fairtex Bangplee.

The facility is spectacular. It offers four full-size boxing rings, a bag area with every type of heavy bag imaginable, weights, lockers, showers and even a swimming pool. It is located away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok, but not too far. It took about 40 minutes to get there by taxi from my hotel in Silom.

Fairtex offers Muay Thai training in the morning from 6:00 to 9:15 AM, in the afternoon from 2:30 to 5:15 and in the evening. (The evening training is not mentioned on the web site and I don’t recall exactly what time it is but they did offer to train me at night while I was there).

I did the afternoon session while I was there. The training consisted of running, then a warm up and shadow boxing followed by pad work, bag work and light sparring. The pad holders were great. Although the guys I worked with didn’t have the best English speaking skills, they definitely knew how to get their points across.
The training at Fairtex definitely lived up to all the hype and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience Muay Thai training in Thailand.

Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness
99/8 Moo 3 , Soi Boonthamarnusorn, Theparak, Bangpleeyai, Samutprakarn 10540, Thailand.
Bangplee Camp Tel: (662)755-3329,3429

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Baan Muay Thai (a new gym on the outskirts Bangkok) boasts the famous Sangtiennoi a former Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Champion and trainer of many Thai and foreign Muay Thai champions. I trained there in August of 2009. My Muay Thai instructor, Ajarn Chai Sirisute recommended that I train there and Ajarn Chai’s sister Toy and brother-in-law Khun Pone were kind enough to take me there and introduce me to everyone. Unfortunately, while I was there I did not have the opportunity to meet or train with Sangtiennoi but did meet his wife and several of the other trainers at Baan Muay Thai.

The facility is amazing and is more of a Muay Thai resort than your average Muay Thai gym. It is totally open air with lush gardens surrounding the entire training area. There is one main training structure that has two large boxing rings, an open training area, men’s and women’s restrooms and lockers. There are two secondary structures for heavy bags but only one was set up with bags while I was there. There is a really nice swimming pool on the grounds and it felt great to go swimming after a hard day of Muay Thai training. The Hotel itself looks very nice although I did not go inside one of the rooms while there. There is another large building where the Thai staff stay and I did check out the inside of one of those units.

Although the facility there was brand new and very high end, the training was pretty hardcore. The heavy bags there were literally as hard as a rock and must have come from Sangtiennoi’s old gym. They were training several Thai and foreign fighters for upcoming fights. The pad holders and trainers were very good. I worked with two different trainers while there. I did about 20 minutes of skipping rope, several rounds on the Thai pads, several rounds doing drills on a boxing glove hanging from a very high ceiling, a few rounds on the hard-as-a-rock heavy bags and got personal instruction from one of the trainers on my technique.

After training, Sangtiennoi’s wife invited me to have dinner at her house on the grounds. Then I actually went with the team to see one of their fighters, a young boy, fight at Rajadamnern Stadium. It was an amazing experience. I can’t wait to go back and actually train with the Muay Thai legend, Sangtiennoi !

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July 11 & 12, 2009

Ajarn Chai Sirisute, considered by many to be the Father of Muay Thai in America, headed the annual Muay Thai Camp at OC Kickboxing & MMA last weekend. Ajarn Chai is the Founder and Head instructor of the Thai Boxing Association USA, the first Muay Thai Association in the USA and the biggest in the World.

It was a huge success with about 100 people turning out to watch or be a part of the action. Ajarn Chai taught the fundamental and advanced techniques of Muay Thai and boxing to a receptive group of Muay Thai enthusiasts on both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Also in attendance were Ajarn Rex and Kru Bryan Dobler of Dobler’s Muay Thai Kickboxing. It is a pleasure to be one of the only gyms to have the honor of continuing to host Muay Thai workshops with Ajarn Chai, a true Master in the art of Muay Thai.

 

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