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Training in Thailand
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, it is the heart and soul of the nation and this is embodied in the history and tradition of the art. Training in the art of Muay Thai in the country of its origin is perhaps the best way to experience Thailand. Just popping in for a quick half hearted workout simply won’t do as the Thais take their national fighting art very seriously both as a business and a way of life. If you decide to live and train on the camp for more than a standard two week break then you should expect to train hard and become a part of the family. Should you decide to fight then you will be expected to give 20%– 30% of your winnings to the owner. Quality training in Muay Thai can be found pretty much anywhere in the World due to its immense popularity internationally. However this is the sport and art of the Thais and its status is held very high. Admittedly you can find state of the art gyms and training camps in the West that offer every facility and more, however nothing will compare to the training and the ambience when you train at the home of Muay Thai, at its origin. The Thais train twice a day 6 days a week and fight professional so the standard is bar none. However not all camps and training will be the same, as a tourist you will be treated as such and will get a great pad work out but you will learn very little else. So it is important to choose a reputable camp and a camp where the instructors are open enough to actually teach you the techniques. Dependant upon what your aims are will also depend on how the trainers will teach you. If you just want fitness training then the instructors will give you skipping, shadow boxing and pad work. However if you want to fight in Thailand then the training will be more comprehensive and intensive.
A typical days training can consist of the following: Morning 0600 - Warm up/Stretch 0610 - 10 km. Run 0710 - Drills (Knees, Kicks Teeps and Punches on the bag) 0730 - Shadow Box (5 to 6 rounds) 0800 - Bag Work (4 to 5 rounds) 0825 - Pad Work (2 to 5 rounds) 0850 - Clinching/Sparring (alternate days up to 5 rounds) 0915 - Drills (as before) 0935 - Exercises (sit ups push ups chin ups) 0950 - Shadow Box (2 to 3 rounds) 1005 - Cool Down Stretch Afternoon 1600 - Warm Up/Stretch 1610 - 3 km to 5 km. Run 1635 - Skip (4 rounds) 1655 - Shadow Box (5 to 6 rounds) 1725 - Bag Work (6 to 8 rounds) 1805 - Pad Work (5 to 6 rounds) 1835 - Clinching/Sparring (alternate days, 5 to 6 rounds) 1905 - Drills (as morning) 1925 - Shadow Box (3 to 4 rounds) 1940 - Cool Down Stretch Each camp has their own syllabus but all camps in Thailand train twice a day morning and afternoon. Training is for 6 days a week all year round. So as you can see this is not for the faint hearted. However the Thais will tailor the training to suit you, so if you just want an afternoon session then this will be catered for, it’s up to you.
I have trained in Thailand for the last 7 years now. My first camp was at the Sitpholek Muay Thai camp in Pattaya where I was taught basic pad work in addition to being taught the Wai Kru & Ram Muay by Kru Tee. I trained 2 years running at this camp which is owned and run by Frank Sitpholek from Holland. 
 Kru Shaun training in the Ram Muay with Kru Tee at Sitpholek camp in Pattaya, Thailand 2001
I have also trained and qualified at the WMF HQ (World Muay Thai Federation) at the National stadium in Bangkok. It was here that I qualified in my WMF coaching licence and was presented my 12th Khan AIMTA Kru grade by Bramarjarn Chinawut Sirisompan (Grandmaster Woody).  Kru Shaun receiving award from Bramarjarn Chinawut Sirisompan at WMF HQ  Course training at the WMF HQ  Instructors & students at the WMF training course
Most camps here in the UK ‘adopt’ their own camps to train at when visiting Thailand. Kru Richard Smith’s Bad Company camp train at Jitti Gym in Bangkok, Minotaurs train at the WMC training camp in Koh Samui. The main camp that Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy train at is the Lanna camp in Chiang Mai. This is internationally renowned and is run by Kru Andy Thomson and his ‘battalion’ of Thai trainers.  Kru Shaun warming up on the heavy bag at Lanna Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand 2007  Kru Shaun training on the pads at Lanna camp with Kru Somnuk Khunmuang, Thailand 2007
Kru Andy also runs the Lanna Doi Modt hill camp, where you can train more intensively and back to basics without any distractions such as telephones, TV, electric etc. The camp is situated two hours north of Chiang Mai in Mae Khachan district, the Camp sits high up on the eastern face of Doi Modt (Ant Mountain) overlooking a picturesque valley, the home of several Muser/Black Lahu villages. It is a beautiful and peaceful place where the water is clean, the air fresh and offers the perfect environment for focused and dedicated training in Muay Thai.  Kru Andy Thompson & Kru Shaun head to the hill camp  The boxing ring hut at Lanna Doi Modt hill camp  Communal eating at the Hill camp  Warming up  Kru Shaun on the heavy bag  Traditional training  Training on the truck tyre  One to one training 
 Kru Shaun pad training with Kru Andy Thomson  Leaving the hill camp One of the great advantages of training in Thailand is that you get to meet like minded students, fighters & Kru from all around the world. Training at Lanna camp is no exception to this with students from Australia, Europe, Canada, Japan and the USA to name a few.  Lanna camp Chiang Mai – Thailand  Pad training with Kru Daeng at Lanna camp  Kru Andy Thompson with his trainers and instructors Should you wish to fight in Thailand then this can also be arranged. Generally you may get to fight on a local show sometimes against a Thai or against a ‘Falang’ (foreigner) from another camp. Remember that when fighting in Thailand it will be 5 x 3 minute rounds with 2 minute breaks and full rules which include elbows and knees. One of the first things that will hit you when training in Thailand is the heat and if you go out their unfit it may take you as long as two weeks to get acclimatised. I suggest getting your fitness up to a high degree before travelling out there to train so that you can ‘hit the road running’. If you show that you are serious about your training then the Thais will treat this as such and the pad - man will start to ‘beat down ‘on you during the rounds. This will toughen you up and help develop your ‘Thai spirit’. Always remember that this is the pad - man’s domain and that he is the boss of the ring when you climb into it.
I have put together the following list of Muay Thai training camps in Thailand for your reference. This is just a quick overview selection as there are literally hundreds of camps throughout Thailand. Web-site searches, referrals and generally word of mouth are usually the best ways to find a good camp.
 ".... I watched him as he entered the circle, his body glistening in the morning sun. He began to strap on his equipment, and with each movement of his body his muscles rippled under the hot sunlight. With a shake of his head, he turned to face me, and as he strode towards the center of the circle, I could see the defiant and confident look in his piercing eyes, I could see the smile on his lips, that echoed, over and over again, ' this is my domain and I will not let you leave, until I am finished with you'. My legs felt weak and my heart beat faster. My father turned to me and whispered, my son, "This man is the trainer of warriors, in this circle it is he who is king and you who are vassal", if you are prepared to become a warrior, then you must enter his kingdom?..." Samingdam 2536 |
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