Combat Article 3

To The Point

Training in Thailand

Having trained in at least six different camps in Thailand over the last 2 years I believe I can now help with some tips on what to look out for when visiting training camps in Thailand.

Obviously it will depend on your budget, length of stay and of course what level of fitness you are when you arrive. At least three months before you set sail your fitness should be your number one concern, and as we all know the heat is a major factor to acclimatise yourself to. Most camps train twice per day normally 6.30 am to 9.00 am and then again in the afternoon 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. All morning sessions start with a 3-5km run so if you arrive in Thailand as fit as you can possibly be you will start learning Muay Thai from day one, not two or three weeks later when you can retain information you are being taught rather than throwing up due to exhaustion. It is also a good idea to buy all your mosquito repellent and bite cream in Thailand, as they seem to work much better against the local pests. Water supplied at most camps is normally chilled and in my experience is normally safe to drink. There is also no real need to cram your training gear into your suitcase as equipment is at least half price to buy. By the way a camcorder is a fantastic investment if you can afford it, as while you are taking time out either at the camp or at fight nights at the stadium you will always have that reference to watch when you get back to the UK. A small rucksack is great for carrying your personals around, and I might add that belongings are safe if left around the camp whilst you are training, mainly because the Thai people are very honest. Just remember not to rub their noses in it as most workers only earn 2000 Baht per week, about £28.00.

As for accommodation, once again depending on your budget all Thai camps either have their own hostels on camp or nearby. The average price for these rooms are around 5000-8000 Baht per month. Obviously it will all depend on the length of your stay; the longer you stay the cheaper it is, sounds like heaven to me. One of the good points about these camps is it gives you the chance of meeting some really interesting travellers from all over the world and you are guaranteed never to run out of things to say. Training costs vary from camp to camp but in general costs are about 2200 Baht per week. Food brought at the camp, providing you don’t go mad, averages out at about 3000 Baht per month. I won’t comment on the beer as martial artists don’t drink, I am sure we all agree.

Then of course there is the training and the main reason why we came to Thailand. The Thai’s welcome you with open arms and then you have the foreigners who are a different kettle of fish entirely. In general 75% are just as welcoming as the Thai’s and then there are the others, the ones that fancy themselves, ego’s in their pants and always reminding you that there is good and bad all over the world. Funny how you don’t notice them when you are training, just as well.

Skipping, shadow boxing and running etc. is the Thai way of warming up, why waste time with front splits, box splits etc when you are warming up every muscle you will need to do their routine. In Thailand they use skipping ropes that are so thick you could probably tie up a battleship with them, apart from that everything else is the norm for anyone with some experience. Then on to bag work, always look out for the bag no one is using, as this is a bag of all bags, for the life of me you would think their was metal in it, experts only I think. Tuition is mainly reserved for pad work and if you are lucky enough to train at a camp with a high number of instructors then you will receive a different punishment, I mean routines to contend with. By the way English speaking Thai’s are a must especially if you are only there for a short period. Overall pad work is fantastic, mainly because they believe that they are actually fighting you and not just holding the pads. Find a gym that has a clock that works otherwise you are going to be carried out of the ring. As for sparring the phrase ‘size doesn’t matter’ comes to mind. Those little guys run on Duracell’s and the moment they see you slacking you are in deep trouble, in the nicest possible way.

Having trained far and wide to learn Martial Arts, I can honestly say, you will have a job to beat the Lanna Muay Thai camp run by Andy Thomson in Chiang Mai

Before I finish this month I would like to thank young Dale Singh for his enthusiasm, friendship and last but not least his support when at the tender age of 47 my brain wanted to carry on, only my legs were not interested. Thanks mate.

Keith pictured here with Apple, an ex Buddhist monk turned fighter, what a star.