Are you a Muay Thai lover? Thinking about a holiday getaway? Ever been to Thailand? Then, THIS IS IT! It’s the Muay Thai vacation and retreat! This should be a travel objective for every Muay Thai lover and for those who don’t plan just to experience it.
It would be a great experience to wake up every morning, soak in the tropical sun’s energy, practice some Muay Thai, visit the best gyms, and eat a lot of good food. This should be on your bucket list. So, pack your things, and let us go on this journey together.
Table of Contents
What is a Muay Thai Vacation or Retreat?
I think the name pretty much tells us everything about what it means. To me, a Muay Thai vacation is a holiday getaway where you live a life of Muay Thai. You train like the Muay Thai fighters, eat whatever they eat, and live like them.
This vacation is usually for those who want to experience so much about the Thai boxing lifestyle. You can use the opportunity to shed some weight, train better, improve your Thai skills, or even become a beginner fighter.
However, that would not be the only thing to experience. You can also go sightseeing and visitation of the state’s tourist attractions. But, the primary thing about all this is to fit well into the city.
Thailand is a place known for its humid climate, and the Muay Thai gyms aren’t exactly cozy, so you have to come prepared. Nevertheless, the experience will surely be worth it.
When to Visit Thailand for the Vacation
‘When should I visit Thailand for a Muay Thai vacation?” – That is a frequently asked question among those who want to visit Thailand for a vacation. Well, here is my answer for you to study.
But before that, I would like to inform you (in case you don’t know already) that when Muay Thai is concerned, we talk about Bangkok city, which is the home of Muay Thai. This city has the most notable locations and studios to visit for tourists. With many fun-filled activities going on around there, you must know the right time to catch up with them. So, there comes timing.
Timing is super essential. You need to know when to go for a retreat, so here is a breakdown of the periods to visit Bangkok city, Thailand, for a Muay Thai vacation.
The Cool Season
This term relates to the temperature slightly below 30°C, which occurs from November to February.
This temperature is relatively conducive, and the country receives the most number of visitors and tourists during this period. This is because this is the most comfortable weather for training Muay Thai and also for sightseeing.
During this period, there are fewer chances of being caught up by rain, so moving around is free and easy. The most famous stadiums and attractions in Thailand receive the most vacationers during this time. Therefore, it is an excellent season to enjoy a Muay Thai vacation experience.
The Hot Season
Hot! Hot! Hot! Thailand experiences the hottest weather from March to May. By this time, the temperature can get to about 40°C, which is super-hot.
Training for Muay Thai is quite more stressful and uncomfortable during this period, but you would need to come prepared by staying consistently hydrated. If you can keep up with that, the option might be a good one for you.
Meanwhile, if you need to experience more of Thai culture and tradition, many festivals (including the water festival in Mid-April) are held during this season. So, for fun and relaxation, this would be a good time.
The Monsoon Season
This season comes immediately after the hot season, and it occurs between June to October. There are torrential rains during this time, which can slightly bring about retardation on traffic and visitation by foreigners.
It will rain more often from September to October, and getting around your daily activities may be a bit more challenging. This will lead to flooded roads, a slower flow of traffics, and a decrease in the number of street shows and festivals.
However, at gyms, you can receive a quieter and less crowded space where you can get trained exclusively. You can also obtain better deals at hotel accommodation due to a lack of rush.
Although vacationers prefer to travel during the hot and cold season, the monsoon season is still an excellent time to spend time exclusively training during your Muay Thai vacation.
So, dear friends, as you have read, my answer summarizes that there isn’t a wrong time to visit Thailand for a Muay Thai vacation. The best time is ANYTIME or whenever you find the most convenient.
Elements of a Good Muay Thai Retreat
In this section, I will share with you some elements that will make up a satisfying Muay Thai vacation and retreat. Afterward, I will be making some recommendations just for you. You can thank me later!
Let’s jump into the elements for now.
A Consistent Muay Thai Training
What makes up your eventful Muay Thai vacation is the Muay Thai training itself. For a holiday to be complete, you will need to be a part of the dedicated training by expert trainers.
Indeed, you might not be able to maximize the most out of the time you spend at the Muay Thai gym if you are not adequately trained. Therefore, the dedication of your trainer will play a significant role in how much you can get.
At these training gyms, there might be a large number of trainees. This is quite common as the flocks of people who have come on a Muay Thai vacation will also be registered at the gyms. And due to this, the number of trainers may not comfortably match up with the crowd; hence they merge people in groups. This might not be convenient; therefore, a dedicated trainer would be needed.
That trainer will be able to give equal attention to each trainee and ensure that you get a good training session each time. Well, that’s on the path of the trainer.
Now, on your part, you will need to give your best and be consistent. You will also need to be a fast learner. No skipping classes and no giving up. By doing this, you will have a good experience and a workout for your body and mind. That’s the most crucial element.
A Convenient Accommodation
What is a vacation without a comfortable place to lay your head? Nothing! If you plan to enjoy your Muay Thai vacation, reasonable accommodation is very paramount.
Because Thailand has become one of the world’s most visited countries in terms of tourism, the country has become one of those with the best tourist infrastructures (including hotels).
Although the Muay Thai gyms provide accommodation of various qualities (from bunks to resort beds), some tourists still prefer to lodge at luxurious hotels for a more comfortable and cozy environment.
The accommodation quality will need to be suitable. This is because, after the strenuous training sessions or long walks from sightseeing, you will need an excellent place to rest and recharge for another day. Otherwise, the experience might be tainted.
For this cause, I will make some recommendations on Agoda for hotels with great ambiance and beautifully decorated rooms. So, keep reading to find out. We’re almost there.
Extracurricular Events and Activities
Apart from Muay Thai training, there are a lot of other activities that can make your Muay Thai vacation more thrilling. This means that you are never going to be bored out of your mind. Here are some other awesome things you can do during your stay in Thailand.
- Jungle trekking in Chiang Mai
- Scuba diving on Koh Tao Island
- Rock climbing on mountains in Railey
- Visit the White Temple in Chiang Rai
- Go to the Ko Tarutao park
- Visit an ancient kingdom (Ayutthaya and Sukhotai)
- Join the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan
- Temple hop in Bangkok city
- Get a Thai massage
- Climb the Sathorn Unique Tower in Bangkok
- Visit the Koch Phi Phi Island in Krabi province
- Visit Wat Arun
- Attend the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai
- Visit the Duo Suthep
With all these I’ve mentioned, I might become your tour guide when you get to Thailand for your getaway. Yay!
Those are to mention but a few of the coolest things to do in Thailand. There is a lot more than that.
Despite the traffic jam and the hot climatic condition you might experience as you go on in these, the sight and experience you will get will make up for it. But if you’re so into Muay Thai, there are also stadiums where you can catch up with the most striking fights from famous professionals.
The Local Cuisine
Of course! The food! For me, food is the most essential element of any retreat. I mean, I can’t stay in a place where the food isn’t edible. What would that be? That would be an exile, not a retreat. But this is not the case in Thailand.
There are lots of exquisite dishes you can find at street vendors, pubs, and bars. There, you can get to eat a lot of their local cuisines, which are known for their lightweight and heavy flavors.
Some of these dishes include the Pad Thai, Khao Pad (fried rice), Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green chicken curry), Yam Nua (Beef salad), Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad), and lots of other spicy dishes.
To add to that, the dishes are very affordable and easy to get. But, here’s an expert tip from me; to get the best taste of Thai cuisine, you will need a street food tour. There, you will get samples of the dishes at the most affordable prices compared to those by restaurants.
This would be the best way to know more about different cuisines and how they all taste. You can also go around with a local guide.
That’s it! Those are what make up a good Muay Thai vacation. Don’t miss out on any, or you miss out on the whole thing. Okay?
Now let us move on to some recommendations for you as you go through your Muay Thai vacation and retreat. Take your time on this.
Some Recommendations for Your Vacation
A holiday in Thailand would be fun if you are in the right place, eat the right food, and visit the right places. So here are some tour recommendations based on different necessities.
Although the Muay Thai training centers offer suitable accommodations and rooms for vacationers, you might want to try out any of these for a more comfortable environment.
Hotel Clover Asoke
This is located in Bangkok and is a few minute’s walks away from the famous training center (YOKKAO). This means that you can choose that as your training location. It is a cheap option for you and is made of nice rooms at affordable prices.
For an excellent value to the money option, I recommend this hotel.
Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit
This is located in Sukhumvit and is very easy to access. The hotel is a premium lodging center situated in the heart of the city. There are a lot of malls and Muay Thai gyms to prick from very close to the hotel.
It is just a few minutes away from the GMM Grammy Studio, where the MX Muay Xtreme Fight Night is hosted. You’d love the rooms and the beautiful view you can get from the hotel.
However, the price is a bit higher than the Hotel Clover Asoke, but it still is a good option if you have a reasonable budget.
Aspira D’Andora Sukhumvit 16 Asoke
For those looking for an opportunity to stay close to the YOKKAO gym, you can choose this as your hotel. It is just less than 3 minutes away from that gym. The hotel has very lush rooms and excellent customer service. It is also strategically located and easy to access.
For trainees who also love to stroll around the area, there are lots of beautiful places to visit and many things to learn.
For the Muay Thai stadiums where you can visit during your Muay Thai vacation, there are many suitable ones from which you can make a selection. I would still recommend the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, Channel 7 Sports Stadium, Rangsit Boxing Stadium, and the GMM Grammy Studio where you can watch thrilling fights by top stars.
Also for the Muay Thai camps where you can train on your Muay Thai vacation, you can choose from the Tiger Muay Thai & Mixed Martial arts gym, Diamond Muay Thai gym, or the Battle Conquer Gym. There is so much more but that would be all for this article.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Muay Thai Retreat
Training at home and in a foreign land wouldn’t be the same. The techniques might be the same, but the weather, food, and teaching process will differ. So, for your training during your Muay Thai Vacation, here are some tips that will be useful.
- Improve Your Cardio
You will need to build up your working condition before going to Thailand. To be fit for strenuous training, you must be healthy. Going hiking, jumping ropes, and road walks might help build your cardio. Prepare yourself mentally and physically.
- Get the Best Muay Thai Gear
This is the key! Your gear and essentials must be on point. Your gloves, hand wraps, mouth guards, cup, shin guard, and shorts must be of good quality.
Not even one of those should be left out. If you don’t know how to pick the best, you can visit a store close to the camps and get the right ones.
- Stay Hydrated
Due to the harsh climatic condition in Thailand, you will need to stay hydrated always. Otherwise, you will get worn out often.
Always go around with a bottle of water. Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink water. This will keep your muscle active and functional.
- Don’t be Bothered About the Language
Being in a foreign land, the language can deter you. But don’t be discouraged by it. Learning and living in Thailand without knowing the language is very possible. But a big plus is that the Thai language is quite simple to learn!
You can learn by watching and imitating. You will need to be a smart learner with sharp instincts. You can also learn by simply following their body and sign languages. Before you know it, you might get to understand the language.
- Eat Right
Thailand is known to have a lot of flavorful cuisines. Their dishes are sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy. So, if you are not familiar with such food, you will need to choose wisely, so your stomach doesn’t ache and disrupt your practice.
Try to be selective about the food you eat. Opt for their rice dishes if you don’t like their spicy dishes. It would help if you also were careful about the street pubs you eat at.
- Increase Your Salt Intake
Because you will sweat more, you will need to consume more salt than usual. This is because the more you sweat, the more body salt you lose.
Well, Thai food has more salt than others, so getting salt in your food shouldn’t be a big problem. Choose the right food that will nourish you adequately.
- Wear Loose and Light Clothes
You should avoid wearing clothes that fit snugly. Also, avoid colors that absorb heat, such as black. Wear clothes made of cotton and linen instead of wool. This way, you sweat less and feel more comfortable even in the heat.
- Learn the Simple Act of Respect
Respect is a major part of Thailand’s culture. You will need to show respect to your trainers, partners, and anybody you might come across. This would earn you more points and you might get to be treated with better attention.
- Pick the Right Camp or Gym
There are so many gyms to choose from, which means that there will be terrible ones amongst the good. Picking a good gym would do you better than when you’re at the wrong training ground.
Go with those with more success stories than the others. This means that gully would need to survey the camps available. Ask people and compare the feedback. Okay?
- Don’t Spend all Your Money on Transportation
You might want to choose the expensive cabs over the local rides. That wouldn’t be a wise choice if I want to give you advice. It would be best if you choose the local TUK-TUK which is Thailand’s local bike and taxi. This is more affordable.
Otherwise, you can rent a scooter to help you get around the places faster and easier. However, taking walks and fitting into the flow of traffic would save you more money.
- Have a Training Schedule
Go easy on yourself. Take breaks in between sessions. Have some days where you don’t train and just have some fun around the city. Don’t overstress your muscles, or you might end up hurting yourself.
You can take some time off to watch the matches at stadiums instead of training so hard. Remember that it’s also a vacation.
And that’s a wrap! This should be able to guide you and inspire you as you go through your Muay Thai vacation.
Final Words
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner who wants to experience some fun on a Muay Thai vacation, you will need to be smart about your decisions. Ensure you have a reasonable expectation about the journey and plan a good trip.
Brace yourself for some beautiful and thrilling experience and, most importantly, learn a few things there. Have fun, friend! Thanks a lot for reading!
Last Updated on May 21, 2022 by Deni
