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Hi everyone, After going to Thailand and learning privately with Yodkhunpon for many sessions, I have really improved a lot in the field of elbow and knee fighting, and have really dominated the close range fighting zone in my gym. (Thanks for Sylvie) But lately, there came a new fighter who has really good Boxing skills. His punches are so fast, hard and accurate, that even though he has little experience in inside fighting, I had really tough times just getting close enough to make use of my elbows and knees during our sparring. Turns out this guy was a professional Boxer and won WBC fights, no wonder lol. So I come here to ask, if there is any effective way to close the gap between myself (a Muay Sok/muay Khao) and a heavy puncher (a Muay Mat)? I'd appreciate it very much

@iiaks re Kongtoranee Gym, I may have been wrong about their status. We just went to a local Pattaya show and several of the young Thai fighters were said to be from Kongtoranee Gym...so maybe it is doing well on the young fighter local circuit?

@iiaks we contacted them on FB a bit back, and they did not speak English. Didn't get the feeling that they were very active (COVID wiped out a lot of smaller gyms in Pattaya). Kongtoranee himself though is at his brother Samart's gym in Bangkok.

Right now I think the difficult is, in this equation, "fight frequently" (which may depend on your size too). It may be that Chiang Mai (and Phuket) are the most likely places. Hongthong is very popular in Chaingmai. Kru Thailand's gym is more "authentic" in terms of it being more of a kaimuay. Kru Manop's gym will give you personal attention. And maybe the new Manasak gym would be eager to devote attention to a new longer timer? I would suggest going to all the gyms you have in mind before settling onto one. Feel the vibe. Not every gym is right for every person. @samelsby

Hi I wasn't quite sure where to post this but I thought this was the best place. I'm 18 and currently saving up to spend as long as possible in Thailand. last year I spent six weeks at Sinbi Muay Thai in Phuket and was super lucky to meet Sylvie and Kevin, watch her fight and have my first two fights. Ever since I got back from Thailand I've felt completely out of place but i know next time i go i want to spend a lot longer and fight/learn as much as possible. Even fighting here just isn't the same, some shows wont event let you seal the ring or do your ram Muay. I wish I knew more last time, Phuket was probably the wrong place to go but at least i know that now. I don't particularly care for the beaches and bars, I just want to train and fight. I have to say i loved sinbi it was amazing, all the trainers were great, everyone there was super friendly and it was super inspiring to meet Judy and Dani the two westerners fighting out of Sinbi. But, it's mainly a commercial gym and i know i probably could have gotten more out of my trip if i had gone somewhere cheaper with less farangs for a longer time. I am still young and naïve and probably could do with being at a friendlier gym with a little more instruction. I was looking at Rambaa m16 gym but i don't know much Thai, ive been told that Pattaya is more suited to "farang kee nok" and i want to train Thai not mma. I was also looking at the 6 month multi entry visa but don't want to limit myself to 6months if i can afford longer. So really I'm looking for a gym where I can get good quality/cheaper training and accommodation (with a good friendly atmosphere) and will have the opportunity to fight frequently? As you can tell im super confused and could really do with some advice so any would be very much appreciated. Cheers, Sam

It seems unrealistic to look for gyms like there were 30 years ago, and Jocky was pretty unique even in its day. Most likely it would be best to just find someone you would like to train with or under, and take privates from them. Samart has his own gym in Bangkok (in the north of it) and I believe he teaches privates there: https://web.facebook.com/samartpayakaroongym