Authentic Muay Thai Training Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Santai Muay Thai Gym sits in Sankamphaeng, on the quiet side of Chiang Mai. It's rural — rice fields, trees, no traffic noise — which is the point: you're there to train, eat, sleep and repeat. The gym runs two sessions a day Monday to Saturday: a morning session and an afternoon session, with Sunday completely off. A typical session starts with a warm-up and conditioning, moves into technique drills (punches, kicks, elbows, knees), then pad work and heavy bag rounds, clinch practice, sparring, and finishes with stretching.

The trainers are Thai and have fought professionally, several at well-known stadiums. They work with everyone in the group, from first-timers who've never thrown a kick to fighters preparing for bouts. Beginners get drilled on fundamentals — stance, footwork, the basic combinations, how to hold pads properly — while advanced students do harder sparring and tactical work. Because the trainers see you twice a day, six days a week, they adjust the programme as you go rather than sticking to a fixed class plan.

Fighting is a genuine option here, not a marketing line. If your trainers think you're ready, they'll help set up a match in a local Thai stadium. The page is explicit that the decision is made together once you're actually training at the gym, so nobody gets pushed into a fight they aren't prepared for.

What separates this from a Muay Thai holiday is the setup. It's a working gym with a shop on site selling Fairtex gear (gloves, wraps, shin guards, mouthguards, heavy bags), eight guesthouses within walking distance, scooters to rent, and pickup from anywhere in Chiang Mai including the airport. You can train for a week, a month, three months, six months or a year, and dates are flexible — you just contact them.

Prices start below $8 USD a day for training alone, and training-plus-accommodation packages start below 2 USD a day. Food is cheap and close: local restaurants and stalls serve meals for 30–50 baht, and there's a Tesco and a 7/11 in town. On rest days, people head to the Saturday Night Market, get traditional Thai massages, visit the hot springs, or explore Chiang Mai's temples and trails.

What's included

- Muay Thai training twice per day, Monday to Saturday - Access to all gym facilities (pads, heavy bags, ring) - Training adjusted to your skill level by Thai trainers - Accommodation in your chosen guesthouse (with training + accommodation packages) - Guidance from trainers experienced in professional Muay Thai - Assistance arranging stadium fights for those assessed as ready

What's not included

- Flights to and from Thailand - Travel insurance - Meals and drinks - Airport or city pickup service (available at extra cost) - Scooter rental - Muay Thai equipment (available in the on-site shop) - Laundry services - Visa costs - Personal expenses