Top Ten Muaythai Gyms in Bangkok

Top Ten Muaythai Gyms in Bangkok

IMAGE BY MARK PHILIP

There has been a somewhat magnanimous rise in the popularity of Thai boxing, or ‘Muaythai’ throughout the last couple of decades or so, particularly over the last few years. Due in part to the wider exposure that the national sport of Thailand has received through the internet and social media, this is also related to the ever-growing popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA), which utilizes Muaythai skills for the striking element of the sport.

It is not surprising these days then to find all-comers from the world over flocking to Thailand to train in the sport, for different reasons, with many of those involved in it back home on a quest to find the ‘best’ Muaythai gym and the training techniques that will provide them with the competitive ‘edge’.

However, if these ‘die-hards’ get the ‘wrong’ gym these days, they are likely to find themselves queuing to hit the heavy bag or attract the trainer’s attention, along with the droves of the now-standard ‘Muaythai tourists’—those who want to try the art for the first time in its native land in order to tick off another item on their ‘things to do before I die’ list, or perhaps get a more ‘grass-roots’ angle on their favourite hobby (and their Instagram account).

A point of note is that with the development of the sport both in viable commercial terms and from a leisure perspective, the type and a sheer number of facilities in Thailand trading now as ‘Muaythai gyms’ is extensive, although it is only in recent years that the sport has gained popularity as a leisure activity for Thais who are not fighters (with the fighters typically coming from ‘economically-challenged’ areas and backgrounds, meaning the sport was looked-down-on somewhat by the other facets of Thai society).

In life terms, it wasn’t that long ago when it was rather difficult to find gyms that would even show any (serious) interest in training non-fighters, non-Thais, or females, with only the ‘die-hards’ making the long trip to undergo the gruelling training regimes the like of which they had never experienced in their home countries.

The fact that the Thais were reticent to train foreigners was due to a number of factors— cultural, physical, and language differences being a few—along with the somewhat insular mindset of the Thais regarding ‘their’ prized art. But this has all changed.

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The days of backstreet ‘authentic’ gyms being the only option have long since passed. Now there are too many different types of the gym in Thailand to mention, from these traditional, professional fighter, backstreet options (with sometimes questionable hygiene, and even more questionable English skills), to all manner of modern, well-equipped commercial fitness enterprises. These incorporate the theme to cater for a new breed of affluent Thais who want to get fit (without fighting), following the trends set by ‘celebrities’ in the country, along with just about anyone who visits Thailand for a holiday and finds the idea of trying Muaythai a novel part of their trip.

The purpose of this particular article then is more to cater for those interested in ‘serious’ training rather than the ‘tourist’ option, and for those in the know, it is no secret that the best gyms for fighters and proper training are to be found in the nation’s capital.

The ‘best’ gym will depend on factors such as the current level of skill, fitness, commitment, and time that can be spent in the gym by the participant, as well as the background, pedigree and attitude of both the gym owner and the trainers. The techniques and the way their application is taught is also a huge factor, so anyone who finds themselves on the end of a trainer simply holding a pad and shouting ‘kick!’ should make for the exit in due course. Many people spend much time and expense in the belief that they will get top muaythai training just because they are in Thailand—which is simply not the case at all. In order to avoid wasting valuable time and money then, here is a selection of some of the best muaythai gyms in Bangkok.

1. Petchyindee Muay Thai Academy

Many of the modern takes on Muaythai gyms have, in recent years, taken to calling themselves ‘Academies’. This allows them more scope to run courses and classes for those doing this as a hobby, and separate the different levels of attendees whilst still focusing on developing their own fighters.

Petchyindee is one of the most modern-looking gyms in the capital, despite having a 40-odd year history, with state-of-the-art equipment housed in a bright, clean-looking facility. The gym does have high levels of pedigree and integrity, however, largely due to the fact that it houses top fighters and has links to the hugely-popular Asian version of the UFC, ‘ONE Championship’, with fighters who have been champions in both standard Muaythai and ONE (the legendary ‘Sam-A’) being an example.

With top-level professionals and aspiring amateurs preparing for fights here, the gym also runs ‘Muaythai fitness classes’ for non-fighters and offers group and private Muaythai classes at monthly and drop-in rates. Like most of the gyms in this article different packages, some including accommodation will be available according to requirements.

WHERE: 36/36 CHARANSANITWONG, SOI 34, BANGKOK
WHEN: 10AM-10PM
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/petchyindeekingdom/
PRICES: 350BAHT UP(GROUP), 500BAHT UP (PRIVATE)

2. Sor Sommai Gym

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This gym is a stark contrast to Petchyindee, just by way of contrast, and is owned and run by influential Thai promoter Sor Sammai Sakulmetta. It is housed on the outskirts of Central Bangkok in the Bankapi district and is traditional, ‘grass-roots’ fighter gym—the variety that hosts live-in fighters who train twice daily, six days per week.

The gym has history and pedigree, yet is hardly what might be called commercial, being pretty much ‘Thai style’ in terms of approach, facilities and modernity. The gym doesn’t even appear to have a website or make available much information online, with the best option of finding out more information or making contact being through Facebook.

Although they do accept foreigners, a more ‘Thai’ experience is to be expected here along with hardcore, tried-and-tested training methods that have produced many Thai champions. Anyone looking for authentic training (without the glitz) who is willing to do the work and adapt to the environment of a ‘working gym’ will find this a suitable establishment.

WHERE: SOI 119, LADPRAO, BANGKAPI, BANGKOK
WHEN: TWICE DAILY
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/pages/category/Sports-Team/Gym-Sor-Sommai
PRICES: Message for details

3. Kaewsamrit Gym

This top Muaythai gym was established around 30 years ago by owner and former fighter Anan Chantip, who fought and taught abroad during and after his career. The gym has won ‘Muaythai gym of the year’ on several previous occasions and is more than familiar with Westerners due to Ajarn Chantip’s travels abroad, and also more recently due to the fact that it is one of the places that will train and enter foreigners into the commercial TV program ‘Maxmuaythai’.

One of the gym’s more famous fighters of recent years is the power-puncher Anuwat. The location is in a residential area not that far from Ratchadamnoen stadium near the old town area of Bangkok.

WHERE: Moobann Boorapa Villa, 3 Soi 5 Toongmangkorn 22 Rd, Shimpree, Talingchan,
WHEN: 7-11AM AND 3-6PM DAILY
CONTACT: https://www.kaewsamritgym.com/
PRICES: 400-700baht per day (1 or 2 sessions), 800baht for private sessions, and monthly rates from 15,000baht up depending on length of stay.

4. Eminent Air

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Eminent Air is another famous, well-established gym owned by Mr Somboon Nirutimettee. This top Muaythai gym is well-known for producing champions, including a few foreigners. Some of the trainers at Eminent Air have worked abroad in countries such as Australia and Korea, giving the gym an ‘international’ feel, although the environment and training are still very Thai.

Located in a residential area accessible by public transportation (BTS Punnawitthi), this gym is also one of the more expensive ones in Thai terms. As with all of the ‘professional’ gyms that house fighters, there are 2 daily sessions (early morning and mid-afternoon) that usually last around 3 hours each, and therefore if anyone is serious about training in this or any other real Thai gym it would be an idea for them to turn up in good shape.

WHERE: Soi Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10260
WHEN: Morning and afternoon
CONTACT: eminentairboxinggym@gmail.com; www.eminentgym.com
PRICES: 12,000 17,000 baht (1/2 times daily), exclusive of accommodation (3 types of accommodation are available—check prices on website)

5. 13 coins Gym

Thirteen Coins is yet another long-established gym that has, at various points in time, boasted some of the best Thai champions. Owned and run by Mr Coke, this establishment is not too far from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and is located in the 13 Coins Airport Grand Re-sort, hence the name.

The gym’s own website describes the place as ‘stylish and contemporary’.
The training here might seem somewhat more relaxed than some of the other professional gyms, in that the ‘fitness’ part is left a little more to the participant, although the pad work and ringwork is still intensive. The standard 2 sessions per day are run, and the ‘drop-in’ rates are based on the regularity of training.

Accommodation is available and prices (like everything in Thailand) are likely to be negotiable depending on the length of stay. The gym has also branched out into MMA in recent years and so has installed a cage, along with grappling and groundwork sessions done separately from the standard Muaythai training.

WHERE: 39 Rama 9 Road, Soi 57, Suanluang, Bangkok
WHEN: Morning/Afternoon
CONTACT: reservations13coins@yahoo.com
PRICES: Email for prices

6. Sasiprapa Gym

This is another traditional-style Thai gym that operates a roster of professional fighters. Established over 40 years ago and run by Mr Thakoon Phongsupha, Sasiprapa Gym has produced its share of Thai champions. Intensive, twice-daily sessions are the norm, and for foreigners wishing to train here, the gym offers both drop-in and monthly rates. Like most gyms entertaining non-Thais they have all-inclusive packages that cover training, accommodation and meals, and the gym is in a relatively foreigner-friendly area in terms of shopping malls, cinemas and choices of food.

WHERE: 130 Khlong Chan, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok 10240
WHEN: 10AM-10PM
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/sasiprapamuaythai
PRICES: 400-700baht daily; 6000-12000 baht monthly, depending on number of sessions per day

IMAGE BY MARK PHILIP

7. Sitsongpeenong Gym

If you are still reading you may already have got the picture that the traditional, established, professional Muaythai gyms in Bangkok all have their share of top fighters and champions, and Sitsongpeenong is no exception. Another previous ‘gym of the year’ winner, this gym is also situated in the reasonably quiet, residential region of Bangkok known as ‘Suang Luang’.

Despite also being on the expensive side, one of the gym’s selling points is the fact that it is also near to a park (Rama 9), which is a much better option for the morning run than pounding the traffic-laden streets. The training here is notoriously tough, although well-structured compared to some other gyms, and they are quite well-equipped as a fitness facility.

WHERE: 83 Soi 34 Chaloem Phrakiat Ratchakan Thi 9 Road, Nong Bon Prawet, Bangkok 10250
WHEN: Twice daily
CONTACT: http://sitsongpeenong.com/muay-thai/bangkok/
PRICES: Check website—prices vary according to requirements

8. F.A. Group Gym

IMAGE SOURCED FROM CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG

FA Group is a Thai Muaythai gym that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly with overseas practitioners of the sport, due in no small part to its highly-regarded champion fighter Petchboonchu. The gym relocated to Bangkok from the Northeastern region under the patronage of the FA group food company, hence the name. It is known to nurture fighters with strong clinch work skills, which are usually prioritized in a training session.

The gym is in an excellent location from the perspective of visitors, very close to three huge parks (Chatuchak, Train, and Sirikit) and is behind the Channel 7 Boxing Stadium. The Chatuchak area is a hub for both the BTS and MRT systems and within walking distance of the famous Chatuchak weekend market.

WHERE: 70 Vibhavadi Rangsit 5 Alley, Lane 8, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
WHEN: Twice daily
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/pages/FA-Group-Muay-Thai-Gym
PRICES: Contact for details

9. Lukbaanyai Gym

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Lukbanyai has a long history and respectable pedigree in the sport of Muaythai. Yet another winner of the prestigious ‘gym of the year’ award on several occasions, this establishment has unsurprisingly produced its fair share of well-regarded champions over the decades.

Lukbanyai Muaythai gym is situated within reach of both the Sutthisan and Huay Kwang MRT stations, not too far out from what might be regarded as the city centre areas, and although accommodation is available it is probably better for visitors to find lodging around the gym’s neighbourhood due to the stagnant canal that runs nearby.

WHERE: Ratchada 17, Huai Khwang, Bangkok
WHEN: Twice daily
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/lukbanyai
PRICES: Contact for details

10. Meenayothin Gym

Meenayothin houses many high-level fighters, including Wanheng Meenayothin (who now focuses on Western boxing and holds WBC titles). It is based in the Phahonyothin area just down the road from Chatuchak, rife with shopping malls, restaurants and a huge cineplex, not too far from a University (Kasetsart). It is easily accessible via the BTS Skytrain line (which now goes right past it) and, just a little bit further away is the MRT subway line.

Intense training is the norm here, although in recent years they have started catering to beginners who are mainly local Thais looking to get fit, as is the trend. Foreigners are few and far between but do surface occasionally, and the gym will happily accommodate anyone willing to train there.

WHERE: Soi Phaholyothin 45, Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatujak, Bangkok, 10900
WHEN: twice daily
CONTACT: https://web.facebook.com/meenayothingym
PRICES: 300-500baht per day for drop-in sessions – contact for details

IMAGE BY MARK PHILIP