If you’re in Bangkok, You’re going to have to make sure you pay pilgrimage to the two main stadiums of Muay Thai, The Ratchadamnern Stadium and the Lumpinee. Both stadiums have fight nights on either Tuesdays or Sundays and both will never put the top fights on at the same nights. On other nights they’ll put together a card of lesser known fighters, catering for the foreigners who have come to take a peek at what Thailand is famous for. Again, unfortunately, the Thais will be quick to try and make you part with your money, there will be officials outside in red blazers or waste coats trying to sell you tickets, ringside seats will cost 1000 Baht and they will say crap like “Lots of people today, Lots of gambling, lots of whiskey, we look after you!”. Kindly refuse, if anything you want to be part of the gambling and amongst the Thais and soak up the true atmosphere and, unless it’s a big fight night, it won’t be a sellout crowd like the ticket touts will suggest. The Thais who love to drink Thai Whiskey and gamble at the fights are harmless and in fact, Thais get very erm… affectionate when they get drunk. I remember at a festival we went to where some of our fighters were on the card, the drunk men would firstly challenge us to fights and then rub themselves in affection against us, repeatedly reminding us that “Chiang Mai Boxing, Number 1”
The excitement and atmosphere at packed out events is awesome and you’ll really enjoy it more if you get into the spirit and join in with all the rapturous cheers of “Oooh Ayeeeeee!!!!”
Traveling about is also cheap in Thailand and there are various modes of transportation:
Tuk Tuks - These are the three wheeled rickshaws that take people around, usually they operate to keep tourists happy. They are usually not the cheapest way to travel
Taxis – The taxis will either be cheap and the drivers good to you or they will try and rip you off left right and center! Make sure the meter is on before you go on a taxi, Especially in Bangkok! And don’t fall for their acts of ignorance when they pretend they can’t understand you!
Songteaus – These are converted pick up trucks, usually red, that wonder around on routes, you can hail one and share a ride with the people on the back, usually this is the cheapest way to travel, just make sure you don’t look like a complete, typical farang wearing your camera around your neck and hat with corks dangling by string or you’ll get your fare doubled or tripled!
Motorcycle – You can hire a motorcycle if you dare, these are the cheapest and best way to get out and about but most rental firms will insist you put your passport up as well as money for deposit
Motor Cycle taxis – Bangkok has motorcycle taxis. Whilst these are the best way to beat Bangkok traffic, they advise tourists not to take these as they can be very dangerous.
Taxi and Tuk Tuk drivers will have a tendancy to digress your journey especially if you are male and traveling alone at night, insisting you visit their beautiful thai lady friend, they’ll even hand you a menu! Which I had to laugh at! Just inist you’re tired and you want to go back to your hotel if you don’t want to indulge… they will take no for an answer… after the 5th time.
As with everything, make sure you don’t accept the first price! Haggle, bargain and try to speak some Thai if you can to keep costs to minimum.
Here’s a list of things you should do whilst you’re out and about
:
Go trekking
Visit the Elephant Nursery
Eat at an authentic Khantoke Dinner (it’s a traditional Thai buffet where you watch a thai dance show… it’s very cool!)
Visit the Lumpinee and/Or Ratchadamnern stadiums
Get a Thai Massage!
Visit the Grand Palace, Wot Po and Floating Market in BKK
Visit an Island (Koh Samui, Koh Phuket etc)
Get an STD (okay just kidding on that one
)
Oh and watch out for Katoeys!!!
Cost of training
The most expensive thing about training in Thailand will be your ticket to fly there, once you are in Thailand, living, eating and training are relatively cheap.
-Lanna Muay Thai’s costs for training are as follows:
250 baht / per day
7,000 baht / per month
Longer term discounts available.
Accommodation costs will vary depending on where you stay. The guest houses near the camp will charge between 250-350 baht per day, Hotels will cost from 600 baht in the quiet season but will cost from 900 baht in the peak season*
If you are planning to stay for more than 3 months, you would be advised to check out apartments and condominiums. The Lanna building is a 10 minute walk from the camp and is located next to all the amenities you will require, there is a Seven – Eleven, Internet Café and various restaurants about. Prices per room start from 250 baht per night for the cheaper rooms, rooms with Air Con, Television and Fridges will obviously cost more.
* This was the price I was quoted for the Chiang Mai Phucome Hotel, the closest hotel to the camp and very reasonable and nice.
Food is inexpensive in Thailand. The local street markets on the way to the camp will sell food for as little as 20 baht, 50 baht will be enough to buy you a decent meal and a drink however, if you are going to eat western food, the price can triple but it is still cheaper compared to the prices you will pay at your local McDonalds.
A list of camps in Thailand
Lanna Muay Thai (Kiat Busaba)
Chiangmai
http://www.lannamuaythai.com
The camp I trained at, featured in this article
So Vorapin Boxing camp
Manager:Surapol Rangsikulpipat
704/4 Sriyan Soi 1
Nakornchaisri Road, Dusit, BKK
Tel: +66 2 2433651
Sangmorakot Boxing Camp
Manager/Owner Thitipong Am-anun or Jar-Tui
87/102 Tedsabansongkrog road
Lad-Yaw, Chatuchat, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 2816468
Rompo-Gym
115 Rimtanroadfai Road,
Klongtay, Bangkok
Tel: +66 1 6479391
Mai Moungkorn Boxing Camp
Sorry no address...
Tel: +66 1 9156237
Sityodtong Boxing Camp
90 moo 6, Nongprue
Pattaya City
Chonburi
Tel: +66 38 730039
ISS Boxing Camp
Located in Pattaya on Sukhumvit Highway on the north side of Pattaya City, not far from the bus station to BKK.
WMC Boxing Camp
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui
Provides training and accommodation (bungalows)
http://www.wmcmuaythaicamp.com/
Jitty Gym (Ingram Gym) BKK
near Khao San Road in Bangkok
http://www.thailandroad.com/jittigym
Fairtex Gym, BKK
Fairtex is located in a suburban city of Bangplee. It is about 35 km or 35-45 minutes drive, depending of traffic, from central Bangkok.
http://www.fairtexbkk.com/
Of course there are other famous camps like Saengtien Noi's Gym where JWP trained.
Well folks, I hope you enjoyed the small details of my trip to Thailand, Hopefully I will be returning to Lanna later this year, who knows, I could write up a blog for irolife if anyone’s interested!
Hope you all found the information in this article of some use and if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
I would at this point like to thank the guys at Lanna camp, Andy, Tay Win, Den, Chun and the other instructors, fighters and friends I made, To Sandy Holt for introducing me to Muay Thai and to my family and friends for putting up with my obsession, not to mention God who gave me all this!
Remember to Keep your guard up and Chin Down!
Till next time, Chok Dee!!
MTG