It will be a huge mistake to leave Thailand without learning some basic Muay Thai moves or just being an audience in a live Muay Thai match. Huge mistake. Huge. Humongous. Okie you got the drift.
What is Muay Thai?
Apart from being the national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai is a combat sport similar to boxing and kickboxing. However, Muay Thai uses the entire body, incorporating punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes.
If you want to learn from the best, I have two Muay Thai gyms in mind:
1) Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket
So, if Koh Tao is a diver’s paradise, than Phuket is home to the prestigious Tiger Muay Thai. I’m not going to be long-winded. So just imagine Tiger Muay Thai as EVOLVE. When you think of MMA, you will most probably think of EVOLVE. Same goes for Muay Thai. Tiger Muay Thai is the place to be if you want to be trained by the best and if you want to challenge yourself to your limit.
2) Master Toddy’s Muay Thai Academy in Bangkok
Well, Grandmaster Toddy. What else is there to say. If you don’t know who he is, well Google him. He is the trainer and mentor of one of my favourite female MMA fighter, Gina Carano. I would recommend you to YOUTUBE Gina Carano and watch how powerful her kicks are. Geez, I really think she could chop down a tree with those kicks. Okie maybe not. hah.
Island Muay Thai, Koh Tao
While these two Muay Thai gyms are the talk of the town, I have no doubt that there are indeed many gyms around Thailand which are just as commendable, namely Island Muay Thai located in Koh Tao.
I have the privilege of training in Koh Tao for a month and it was paradise. It is a small outdoor gym and may not have state-of-the art facilities, etc etc etc, but it is ALL I need. I need someone to teach me proper techniques of Muay Thai. I need someone to teach me Muay Thai in Thai. I need to be drenched in my own sweat while doing those push kicks and jabs. I need to feel the authenticity of rustic Thailand around me. I want to be surrounded by Thai fighters. I want to watch Muay Thai match LIVE without having to pay exorbitant prices and being able to sit close enough to the ring, to smell the fighter’s sweat. I can only get all these from Island Muay Thai.
Fight Nights at Island Muay Thai, Koh Tao
Island Muay Thai arranges fight nights at their own boxing stadium, twice a month with up to 8 fights each night.
If the trainers deem that you are ready to have your very first fight and if you’re willing, they’ll pair you up with a matching fighter from neighbouring islands like Koh Samui or Koh Phangan. Imagine your maiden Muay Thai fight with a Thai fighter in Thailand! That’ll be something you can brag about to your friends. But first, you need to train.
Fees
Training lasts for about an hour from either the 8am-10am session or the 4pm – 7pm.
1 session – 300 baht (USD 9)
4 sessions per week – 1000 baht (USD 30)
7 sessions per week – 1,600 baht (USD 49)
12 sessions per month – 2,500 baht (USD 76)
16 sessions per month – 3,600 baht (USD 110)
20 sessions per month – 4,500 baht (USD 138)
Address: Haad Sairee, Road to Hin Wong Bay / Tel. 086 271 2212
Eudaimoniacs Singapore 
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