Things to do
Chiang Mai Muay Thai guide
09
Mar
Mar
Chiang Mai Muay Thai guide
You may have heard about Thailand’s unique fighting techniques or watched a movie featuring Thailand fighting skills. All you have heard or read is true.
This article will serve as a guide to introduce you to Chiang Mai Muay and get to know where you can go and watch the fights as well as training some of the Unique fighting techniques only found in Thailand.
- Muay Thai Chiang Mai beginners
- Chiang Mai boxing stadium schedule
- Lanna muay Thai Chiang Mai
- Santai muay Thai
- Chiang Mai muay Thai academy
- Footwork & Shadow Boxing
- Padwork
- Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium
- Thapae Boxing Stadium
Muay Thai is a hand-to-hand fighting sport that uses punches, elbows, knees, and shins to strike in conjunction with different clinching techniques. It is commonly considered one of the world’s most effective and valued martial arts.
For the intense training that professional fighters undergo in preparing despite their fights, it has earned some attention.
These Nak Muay and practitioners go through a training day of 4 to 6 hours, six days a week, relaxing only on Sundays The Muay Thai history can be traced back as far as the 16th century.
The famous warrior Nai Khanomtom was captured in the year 1767 during battles between the Burmese of the Konbaung Dynasty and Siam.
The Burmese knew about his hand-to-hand combat skills and allowed him to fight for his independence. He was released by his captors soon after winning the match and allowed to return to Siam.
He was remembered as a hero, and his style of fighting became known as boxing in the Siamese style, later to be known as Muay Thai.
Being Thailand’s official national sport, it spread globally in the 20th century, as practitioners beat notable practitioners of other martial arts including karate, boxing, and taekwondo.
The professional league is governed by Thailand’s Professional Boxing Association and is sanctioned by Thailand’s Sports Authority.
The Federation of World Muaythai does overseas as Muay Thai continues to grow and spread its influence worldwide; it as an Olympic Sport looks to gain respect. Provisional Olympic status has been given, which is 1 step closer to realizing the dream.
The counteracting act is violent. The fighters are faster and lighter than other fighting sports. To attack their rival, they use their fists, elbows, shins, and knees.
Don’t just stop watching; thousands of tourists participate in Muay Thai specialist training camps. You can even get a visa for it.
Normally you should expect to see about 5-7 separate fights as you go along into a night. There will be various styles and weight classes to see; the big battle of the night is usually over at the end.
Muay Thai Chiang Mai beginners
Due to the use of the shins, knees, fists, and elbows, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is known as the “art of eight limbs.” It is a serious combat power, and one of the key striking techniques used in mixed martial arts of the modern-day.
How did it start?
The Muay Thai is known for the conflicts between the Burmese and Siam (Thailand) going back to the 18th century. A warrior named Nai Khanomtom was captured and became a hand-to-hand fighting specialist and forced to fight for his freedom against professional Burmese fighters.
He won all the battles, and on his release, he was welcomed as a hero and returned to Siam. The Siamese adapted his fighting style and became known as boxing in the Siamese style. This later became Muay Thai.
The fighting style became famous as a sport to watch as well as being used in combat. Muay Thai was continued by daily Thai for physical fitness and self-defense during the time of peace, which followed these wars.
In the 20th century, many known practitioners of other martial arts were defeated by Muay Thai warriors, cementing its position worldwide as one of the greatest martial arts you can do.
Today, Muay Thai is practiced at different gyms, and they’re very modern and massive.
Locals are mostly run them. While it’s mainly students from abroad, some local people do come in.
The trainers are all Thailand’s ex-Muay Thai warriors and speak a decent level of English.
From my experience, the classes are never to big average of 5 students, and there are two trainers per class.
It is very helpful to beginners as they will take you away from any advanced students to train you on your own or with other beginners. The coaches are going to push you hard but are having fun with it.
The gyms in the old town are very easy and conveniently located. If you’re in Thailand and you want to know some Muay Thai, then do it while having the chance.
This is what you’ll do in the Chiang Mai gym in an average 2 hour Muay Thai lesson.
- They’ll have you racing around the full-size battle ring for the first 10 minutes. This is followed by stretching for several minutes to warm up.
- Then, the mirror faces three times 3 minutes of shadow-boxing with one-minute breaks in between.
- If you do something wrong, a teacher will observe you, and advise you.
- If you’re a complete novice, they’ll just teach you some basic techniques, no fighting in the dark.
- As of now that all the things you do are going to be 3 minutes of training three times with 1-minute breaks in between, then you are doing what you do.
- Next, they combine items according to the size of the class. You’ll be put on gym exercise, punching, jumping, kneeling, and elbowing the ball, too.
- Perhaps one of the coaches will have you competing against him techniques. For this, he uses punching pads.
- You’ll then turn to do the opposite of what you’ve done before. And if you’ve finished the last bag training, you’ll turn to the instructor and vice versa. You’ll then put shin guards on and do more leg work.
- You can feel the pain now if you’re a beginner. Also, if you’re fit, it’s a tough workout, and you’re going to be in the class for about an hour and 15 minutes.
- The ultimate finishing is part of real fun. This is where you get to spar against another like-minded student. Or if you’re the only one in the class, you’re going to go up to the instructor.
After that, it’s stretching for several minutes, and then over. You’re going to feel drained, but this is the best workout you’re going ever to do.
The next day you won’t feel pain, but your muscles will feel it after another class; over time, that will become simpler as you practice more.
Plus, Thai massage costs only around $8 in Thailand, so you can always soothe your muscles that way.
Chiang Mai boxing stadium schedule
Chiang Mai boxing stadium location
Witness authentic Muay Thai boxing matches at the first Muay Thai stadium ever held in Thailand. Get to see this fierce combat sports athletes battle it out in the Chiangmai Boxing Stadium’s square ring.
Evite the hassle of lining up for tickets and secure seats from Grandstand, Ringside, to VIP seats of your choice.
Watch boxing matches every night from Monday to Saturday, and get the opportunity to go to the ringside and take exclusive pictures during their fights with the fighters.
Have a favorite seat at a boxing stadium in Chiangmai. You’re going to be up close to the action when you watch Thai kickboxing’s centuries-old martial art — now called national sport.
Spend a night immersed in a live race, supported with traditional music. Your ticket includes round-trip hotel transport by coach and guided commentary plus complimentary water and cold towel.
Type of Ticket
- Grandstand.
- Ringside ( Free 1 soft drink or one beer, photo opportunity available )
- VIP ( Unlimited snacks as well as a soft drink or alcoholic all night)
Lanna muay Thai Chiang Mai
Lanna muay Thai Chiang Mai info
Lanna Muay Thai, also known as “Kiat Busaba,” operates in Chiang Mai for more than 20 years now. A Canadian named Andy Thompson owns and runs the fitness center. Andy previously used to work in the oil industry, following his passion and opening his gym.
Despite being owned by a foreigner, the gym has gained much respect over the years, and the name will be familiar to most Thai in the Muay Thai scene.
Andy describes how the camp came to fruition in this national geographic documentary, and the video also mentions that more than 10 of Andy’s boxers have made their way up the ranks to compete at the main stadiums in Bangkok.
The gym is located near Huay Kaew Road in Chiang Mai. The gym is not far from the shopping mall Kad Suan Khao and the Nimmanhemin road.
They have a couple of rooms available for rent right at the two-person gym per room for 3000 baht per month, and there are all sorts of apartments that can be rented nearby. Just go to the area and look around for a space that suits your needs and your budget.
The Lanna Muay Thai training routine follows the traditional format of 2 workouts per day.
The morning session runs from 6 am-10 am, which involves a long jog (10 km), shadow boxing, bag practice, pad work (2-5 rounds), clinching and sparring (alternating days), and then some stretches, shadow boxing and stretching to finish things off.
The afternoon session goes from 4 pm-7:30 pm and involves a jog (4km), followed by skipping, shadow-boxing, bag work, pad work (5 rounds), clinching, or sparring (alternating days) and then some drills and stretching to finish the workout.
Santai Muay Thai
SANTAI MUAY THAI GYM CHIANG MAI
Santai, who was previously known as “Siam Number 1” before taking over the new management, has seen growth in a short time. Such production means they do something good, and they keep their customers happy. Most of the trainers here are from Bangkok’s popular Pinsinchai camp, and they deliver very authentic Muay Thai workouts.
They practice Muay Thai at Santai Gym 2 times a day (morning & afternoon), six days a week from Monday to Saturday, with Sunday as a day of rest. They focus on teaching traditional Muay Thai combat techniques or “Stadium Muay Thai” as the trainers call it. Santai welcomes students and warriors of all levels here to study Muay Thai.
They believe that each student and fighter has their weaknesses and strengths, which is why at Santai, they adjust their training to help you with your personal needs and objectives. Muay Thai training consists of advanced training, endurance training, and strength training, and we concentrate on a style on these core principals!
The Santai Muay Thai gym is in San Kamphaeng, a district in Chiang Mai province. I would say the gym is about 25 minutes or so from the center of town. The gym offers 250 baht airport pickup service, which is very reasonable.
Santai has Northern Thailand’s top stable of Muay Thai trainers, many of whom come from Bangkok’s famous Pinsinchai Camp headed by General Pinsinchai.
The trainers certainly have a clean and beautiful technique and style of Muay Thai, which they pass directly on to their students-Thai and international.
On a personal level, they get to know students, and they pay equal attention to everyone during training. Santai limits the number of students to ensure everyone gets the attention.
Chiang Mai Muay Thai academy
The Muay Thai academy camp
In Thailand, there are several Muaythai Gyms. There are more than 20 Muaythai gyms, even at Chiang Mai.
The Camp Muaythai Resort and Academy respects the sense of beauty. However, all of these are of different quality. The Camp Muaythai Resort and Academy focus decently on the quality of training.
Their teacher is always paying attention to each of you and never allowing students to be alone in front of heavy bags, which are sadly often seen at many other gyms.
They assume that the client who comes and practices with us wants to know more about the technique of Muay Thai, not just for doing physical training.
Some of the techniques you will train at Chiang Mai Muay Thai Academy include;
FOOTWORK & SHADOW BOXING
Many gyms take shadow boxing less seriously. Shadowboxing is one of the most effective exercises for students at all levels. At the academy, they spend 3-4 rounds to test your posture, your body strength, your footwork, your pace, and precision. Students will strive as much as possible to fluid movement with light steps.
PADWORK
It is another of our signature training with 100 percent professional attention. Occasionally watch other gyms give just a few rounds of pad work 3minx and not a lot of technique emphasis but just keep the pads.
They let kicks and punches of students as they wish and make them exhausted and then leave the students alone in front of heavy bags.
Training aim should not be to make you exhausted but to help build your base and work out the drill together.
The trainer should spend enough time with you to identify and correct your bad habits. Normally we offer at least 4minx 6-8 rounds of pad work, and we can do more as needed or as the trainer feels if it is appropriate for you.
Kickboxing Chiang Mai
Muay Thai Boxing is among Thailand’s most popular sports. A sport that started as a natural extension of the muay boran, an ancient fighting tactic used by Siamese soldiers when their weapons had been lost or destroyed in the war, has been evolved over several hundred years to what you see in modern-day Thailand.
Kawila Boxing Stadium — this is the Chiang Mai Muay Thai kickboxing stadium frequented by Thais. Here, the more ‘authentic’ Thai kickboxing fights take place among fighters who hope to become known nationally and whose main goal is not to entertain foreigners.
Kawila Boxing Stadium is near to the San Pa Koy Market. Tickets are about the same price as at the boxing stadium in Thapae. Incidentally, the front row isn’t always the chosen place to sit. Personally, sitting in the middle or even further back is more fun as you get to see a lot more crowd that way.
Muay Thai Kickboxing stadiums are easy to get to in Chiang Mai.
Just hop into a tuk-tuk, then ask the driver where you want to go, or wave down a songtaew (red pickup trucks) and politely ask if he’s heading in that direction.
As for the days and times, ask the reception desk at your hotel or guesthouse as they know when the next battles are going to take place.
Anusarn boxing stadium
Anusarn boxing stadium location
As its name suggests, Anusarn Boxing Stadium is situated within the busy Anusarn Night Market. It is a market with hundreds of stalls and plenty of bars and places to eat around it. The Muay Thai fight is a small setup for the audience surrounding the ring, with plastic chairs.
Fights take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as from 9 am to midnight and from 8 pm to midnight on Friday. No wars at weekends and on Thursdays. Ticket prices are only 500 Baht and can be purchased at the gate.
To get to Anusarn Boxing Stadium, go to Anusarn Night Market, just a stone’s throw away from the Night Bazaar.
The area is probably the busiest nightspot in the entire town of Chiang Mai (except on Sunday). There is a good selection of street food stalls outside the stadium when the show is over, or if you get tired of watching too many games.
CHIANG MAI BOXING STADIUM
Fights take place every day except Sunday at Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium, from 9.00 pm till midnight. There will usually be six-match bouts every night, generally starting with the youth/beginner matches and then increasingly heavier-weight fights.
The services here are more professional compared to the other Muay Thai stadium in Chiang Mai and hence the higher ticket price.
Tickets are available at the entrance. There are three different advertised ticket prices i.e.
• 600 Baht for the regular seat (grandstand seatings),
• 1000 Baht ringside-seat that comes with a free drink (beer or soft drink),
• 1500 Baht VIP seats with unlimited drinks and free snacks, including the chance to take photos with the boxers inside the ring.
Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium is located in the Santitham area, approximately 1 km north of Chang Phueak Gate in the Old City. It’s easy to come and take a songthaew or Take.
There are several nearby mookata (Thai steamboat) restaurants, a good place to dine before entering the stadium.
THAPHAE BOXING STADIUM
The location!
Thapae Boxing Stadium provides a more relaxed and entertaining atmosphere. Every day, bar Sunday, Thapae Boxing Stadium hosts Muay Thai fights from 9.00 pm till midnight.
Typically there will be five or six matches a day, typically start with lower-skill fights and then slowly become more vicious seeing more blood and KOs.
The ticket is available for purchase at the entrance. There are three types of advertised ticket prices, i.e., 500 Baht for the regular seat, 800 Baht for a ringside seat, and 1500 Baht VIP seat in a private AC room with complimentary drinks throughout the night. The regular seat is only available for sale at 400 Baht each if you buy online.
Thapae Boxing Stadium is the most famous amongst all Chiang Mai Muay Thai stadiums among foreign tourists.
The main reason is its location at Thapae Gate, one of Chiang Mai’s most bustling regions. If you’re staying in or near the old city, the stadium can be easily reached on walking.
LOI KROH BOXING STADIUM
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium location
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium is a fighting arena tucked between dozens of vibrant bars along Loi Kroh Street, also known as the red-light district of Chiang Mai.
The atmosphere here is slightly different from the other stadiums in Muay Thai, but it is an excellent place for beer and games. It is the place where you’ll enjoy local food and drink while watching the acts of Muay Thai happen in the ring.
Tentatively, Tuesday to Saturday (unconstant) fights to take place at Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium, from 8.45 pm till midnight. Ticket price varies from regular seat 400 Baht to VIP seat 600 Baht. Tickets can be bought at the entrance.
Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium is not just a Muay Thai Stadium but a Muay Thai enthusiast training camp as well. If you’re interested in learning Muay Thai, you can walk in during the daytime to inquire about their training programs. They are located near the famous Night Bazaar, on Loi Kroh Road.
Is Muay Thai in Chiang Mai Good for beginners?
Yes, Muay Thai in Chiang Mai is ideal for beginners because the trainers will take you through the training as well as teach you the basics. However, as a beginner, you should not spar until you develop proper fundamental techniques.
How much does it cost to train Muay Thai in Chiang Mai?
Training is not as expensive as you might think in Thailand. A single Fighting Spirit gym training session costs roughly 300 baht, which is about £ 6 or $8 for an intense 2-hour session. You can also start training at an affordable price at one of the Muay Thai camps.
