Summary
Thailand is the land of Muay Thai Kickboxing, and no adventure to this vibrant country would be complete without engaging in some training sessions.
After exploring a few different gyms, we decided to reach out to Rawai Muay Thai located in Phuket, Thailand. We are thrilled that we chose Rawai. The facility is excellent, featuring friendly staff situated in Thailand’s most sought-after beach destination.
We arrived a day prior to our training to get settled at Rawai Beach and familiarize ourselves with the surroundings. However, a large Muay Thai tournament was taking place on Phi Phi Island the day before, and the gym was quite empty with no one available to assist us until morning.
What It’s Like Muay Thai Training in Thailand
Mornings for Muay Thai training in Thailand kick off at 7:00 am with a refreshing 4 km run. I was apprehensive about the run, as I’m not the fastest runner. Running alongside experienced trainees who have been training for months, or even the entire year, was understandably intimidating.
We woke up at 6:30, but when 7:00 arrived, the surroundings were deserted. Spotting a couple of girls in the distance, we decided to jog towards them.
They were indeed fellow Muay Thai students, so we asked for directions for our run. Fortunately, they offered helpful guidance, and off we went.
I took a deep breath of relief; it turned out everyone could run at their own pace. The slow starters left earlier, while faster ones departed later, allowing us to run without the pressure of a group.
Despite the humid weather making the run challenging for an out-of-shape traveler like me, I pushed through, questioning how on earth I was going to manage this run and complete four more hours of training afterward.
Training in the Gym
We returned just in time, with 10 minutes to spare before the class commenced at 7:30. This gave us just enough time to get our hands wrapped, as we had no prior experience, and squeeze in a bit of skipping.
At 7:40, the whistle blew, heralding the start of our class, and we headed over for our stretching session.
Rawai Muay Thai is a premier destination in Thailand for tourists aspiring to train in kickboxing.
The gym can accommodate up to 80 students simultaneously. During our visit, we noticed an average of about 50 individuals training each day.
The groups are organized into beginners and those with prior experience.
We joined the beginner’s group led by our instructor Jang, who focused on teaching us the fundamentals including punches, jabs, uppercuts, elbows, knee kicks, and sidekicks.
The drill lasted for an hour as he provided guidance on improving our techniques. Strangely enough, shadow boxing can be surprisingly exhausting!
In between drills, we pumped out 10 push-ups before quenching our thirst, encouraging each other through the physical challenges. With a couple of weeks of this regimen, we were destined to be in great shape.
At 9:00 am, all students came together, including advanced trainees, for another round of stretching.
With a quick bow in a prayer position, we expressed gratitude to our instructors for the morning session and headed to our accommodations to relax until the afternoon training began.
About Rawai Muay Thai
Rawai Muay Thai holds the distinction of being the first Muay Thai training camp for foreign visitors in Thailand.
Run by Diana and her husband Tuk, the camp is well-organized and caters specifically to the western market. It is a preferred training hub for female athletes, having successfully coached several champions over the years.
Where to Stay when Muay Thai Training
The accommodation is clean and comfortable, equipped with free Wi-Fi, cable television, hot water, a refrigerator, kettle, cooking utensils, and English-speaking staff.
It’s an ideal retreat for travelers looking to get fit while enjoying an exotic environment. During our stay, our primary concern was waking up for training and pondering dinner options.
Even dinner is made easy for you.
The local Cashew Nut restaurant offers a meal plan of 1800 baht ($60 USD) per week, providing a multi-course dinner and breakfast. Their meals are both delicious and filling, complemented by options like protein shakes and brown rice!
Afternoon Training
We returned to the afternoon session excited and eager about the upcoming days. Admittedly, the training was tiring, but it felt rewarding to be regaining our fitness after a year on the road.
Let’s hope we can maintain this rigorous training schedule, as we face another day filled with challenges tomorrow.
Clinching – Muay Thai
The sweltering temperature, typically around 30 degrees Celsius, coupled with 100% humidity, means training at Rawai Muay Thai is an experience! The gym operates as an open-air facility topped with a hot tin roof.
The carpeted floors make it easy to accumulate blisters, while the mingling smells of sweat provide an added incentive to stay motivated.
As soon as we enter the training space, we begin to sweat profusely, even before warming up with bouncing or skipping. By the time sparring begins, I find myself completely drenched, launching punches and kicks at the trainer.
It’s an exhilarating experience!
Dave is thriving on the experience.
Dave is holding strong, reveling in the thrill of throwing punches and learning various kicks. Perhaps it’s a guy thing. He enjoys stepping into the ring, personifying a slightly less coordinated version of Muhammad Ali; “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” or as Dave would say, “Stumble around, flailing his arms, trying to connect.”
While I enjoy the drills targeting kicking and punching on the trainer’s pads, I find clinching fairly less enjoyable.
Clinching is often referred to as neck wrestling. Unlike western boxing, where opponents are separated during clinching, Muay Thai incorporates it entirely into the sport.
You place your hands around your opponent’s neck, aiming to take them down or whip them sideways. Without prior knowledge, it’s reasonably easy to strain muscles.
Our necks were sore for days.
Later on, I found out a few others opted out of the clinching and grappling sessions. One acquaintance chose to go for a 7k run instead during the latter half of the class, while others preferred to use machines or bags, allowing the rest of us to engage more directly within the ring.
Once the clinching and grappling began, I realized a professional Muay Thai fighter was not in my future. While the idea initially seemed enticing, the reality of stepping into the ring for some harsh exchanges simply didn’t appeal to me.
Careful during training
Injuries can start occurring if you don’t maintain a cautious mindset. Adrenaline can easily lead to pushing oneself beyond limits. I witnessed one girl endure a severe injury during a heavy bag training session, unable to put weight on her leg. She mentioned her kneecap was loose and dislocated.
It was unfortunate, as she was remarkably strong and capable. I recollected grappling with her once, and she consistently tossed me to the floor! Another participant suffered a torn calf muscle and has been limping around. Others sport minor cuts, bruises, and raw knuckles from training.
The ambiance resembles that of Rocky’s training gym. I only wished for Micky to provide some motivational words: “Suck it up, Debra, and get yourself back in the ring!”
Today, I was fortunate enough to partner with Dave during our Clinching and Grappling session. It was the most comfortable experience so far since we both struck a balance of knowing each other’s limits.
Furthermore, I wasn’t too concerned about smelling terrible and dripping with sweat. Note: Dave wasn’t exactly fresh either!
Though we may have appeared awkward with minimal experience, as soon as the whistle blew, we unleashed our efforts.
Despite stepping the wrong way and fumbling over each other, our instructor Ling Lom found it all amusing and couldn’t stop laughing, prompting us to join in the laughter too.
Rawai Muay Thai Gives Back
A key factor that attracted us to Rawai Muay Thai in Phuket was their commitment to community service.
Owner and operator Tuk, an ex-boxer, has an inspiring success story. Starting from humble beginnings, he advanced through the ranks of Thai Boxing, providing for his family through prize money.
After meeting his wife, Diana, she encouraged him to establish a gym, reflecting their supportive partnership.
What differentiates Rawai Muay Thai from other gyms is its local ownership by Tuk, who employs Thai boxers and trainers directly, establishing a connection with the community.
Training with Local Experts
Why train with foreigners when you can learn from a local? Tuk is not just a proficient teacher; he understands the challenges specific children face in Thailand and provides free training opportunities for underprivileged kids.
For dedicated students, he and Diana even rent housing from their own funds for promising fighters.
These students receive free accommodations, meals, and lessons at the gym, allowing them to save prize money to support their families.
For numerous disadvantaged children in Thailand, Muay Thai is often the best way to stay out of trouble, providing discipline, focus, and hope for a bright future.
A portion of all fees collected from students helps support Thai boxers who struggle financially.
Orphanage
Diana, the co-owner of Rawai Muay Thai, graciously escorted us to an orphanage they support.
In addition to housing orphans and training underprivileged children, Rawai Muay Thai actively engages in community initiatives.
In January, they plan to host a major boxing match at Nahairn Beach in Phuket, with proceeds earmarked for charity.
The orphanage we visited is known as Child Watch Phuket.
The Orphanage’s Programs
- The Holland House – A program dedicated to underprivileged children in the local area.
- The Baan Lung Pitak Prison Program – A center assisting children of prison inmates, located next to Phuket Prison.
- Safe House – An emergency shelter open 24/7 for abused children or those in urgent need of assistance.
- Case Follow Up Program – Legal assistance for families navigating the legal system.
- Mobile Teaching Program – Offers education to disadvantaged children who lack access to traditional schooling.
These initiatives significantly support families and children facing desperate situations.
Diana regularly brings Muay Thai students to the school, offering the children opportunities for play, companionship, and even toys and hygiene essentials through donations.
Child Watch Phuket
Child Watch Phuket primarily relies on donations collected from various boxes set up in the area, and Diana is improving resources by introducing new donation boxes at the school.
To learn more about how you can contribute or assist, please visit www.phuket.com/childwatch or email info@childwatchphuket.org.
If you are considering Muay Thai training in Thailand, think about enrolling in a school that prioritizes community giving.
Choosing a gym owned by a local boxer like Tuk ensures that a significant portion of your fees will benefit the community where he originated. He vividly understands the challenges faced by children in Thailand.
His experiences mirror those of many disadvantaged youths, illustrating the transformative power of Muay Thai to inspire hope and ambition.
Costs of Muay Thai Training in Thailand:
Bungalows At Rawai Muay Thai on the Premises
Deluxe room with Air conditioning:
- Weekly Rate: 5000 Baht ($166 Can/US) – only $23 per day
- Daily Rate: 1000 Baht ($33 Can/US)
Shared Twin Rooms – Fan Only
- Weekly Rate: 1500 Baht ($50 Can/US) per person – $7 per day
- Daily Rate: 300 Baht ($10 Can/US) per person
Training
- 3000 Baht ($100 US/Can) per week – $14 per day.
- 500 Baht ($16 US/Can) per day.
Training includes:
- Up to 3 group classes each day.
- Each class lasts two hours.
- Unlimited access to weights and training machines.
- 1 USD and CAD = 30 Baht
Note: Transportation costs in Phuket can be high due to minimum fare policies for Tuk Tuk drivers. A ride to Rawai from Phuket typically costs 400-500 baht ($13-$15). Alternatively, you can use the cheaper songthaew method to traverse the island for 20 baht per person (under $1). While possibly taking longer, it enables an opportunity to connect with locals!
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