A typical day has two training blocks. The first is in the morning on the beach at Khao Lak, a cardio and/or strength session done on the sand before the heat really builds. The second is the main event: a two-hour Muay Thai class in the evening. That leaves the middle of the day free to eat, sleep by the pool, ride the motorbike up the coast or just recover.

The Muay Thai side is the reason to come. The trainers have more than 200 fights of experience behind them, and Kru Irwin works out your learning goals at the start. A complete beginner will spend time on stance, footwork, the basic kicks and pad work; someone with a few years in a gym can focus on clinch, combinations or conditioning. Two hours a night for two weeks is a lot of mat time, and most people notice real progress by the second week.

What sets this one apart from a standard Thai training camp is how much is organised around the training. You're not dropped at a gym and left to figure out the rest: there's a group, scheduled trips and a motorcycle included for the whole stay. That makes it a good fit for people travelling alone who want structure and company, without being locked into a camp dormitory.

The retreat is run by Vivas Gym. Kru Irwin leads the programme and tailors the coaching, and if an instructor is ever unavailable through illness, Vivas Gym brings in a comparable replacement so training continues.

Khao Lak itself is much quieter than Phuket or Patong. It's long, uncrowded beaches backed by jungle-covered hills, with national park land a short ride away. The Similan Islands, one of Thailand's best-known spots for snorkelling and clear water, are reached by boat from here, and Small Sandy Beach in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is a small cove that's worth the walk.

The practical side is simple: the hotel has a pool, rooms have air conditioning, breakfast is included, and you can pay in one go or across four monthly instalments. Flights and trip entry fees are on you.

What's included

- 14 days / two weeks in Khao Lak, Thailand - Hotel accommodation in an air-conditioned private or shared room - Hotel with swimming pool - Daily breakfast - Daily 2-hour Muay Thai sessions - Individual learning goals set by Kru Irwin - Daily cardio and/or strength training on the beach - Own motorcycle for the full two weeks - Group transport by car or tuk-tuk to training and trips - Organised group trips in the area

What's not included

- Flights - Entry fees for trips and excursions - Lunch and dinner - Travel insurance (mandatory) - Cancellation insurance - Visa costs - Vaccinations - Personal expenses