Snack Payback

It always amuses me when people ask 'Can you recommend a Muay Thai camp in Thailand?'. It is a big country, did you want to narrow your options down a bit? Being the capital and home of the main stadia, Bangkok has the highest number of gyms. It's a bit chaotic and traffic is terrible, so it's not everyone's cup of tea (personally I love the place), but you can get excellent training there and there's plenty to do. Or, do your daughters (and yourself and your wife of course) like the idea of going to the beach after training? Then look into training on one of the islands. Or, do you like the idea of being in a pretty big city, but a lot more laid back and less traffic than Bangkok plus some great nearby scenery? Then look into Chiang Mai Or, do you like the idea of training at a gym in an area of the country that few tourists visit? Then look into training at a gym in Isaan Or how about up in the mountains? Then look into a place like Pai. Most gyms that are open to foreigners will be used to training beginners, so that shouldn't be a worry. You'll see this posted elsewhere on this forum, but when you do decide on your location let your daughters try out a few different gyms first before committing to one.

Hello mate, Be careful if you're purchasing a one way ticket. It never used to be an issue, but in recent years they now ask you to show proof of onward travel when you check in for your flight. You could get around that by buying a refundable ticket and then cancelling it once you're there. As for visas, you get 30 days on arrival at an airport, or you can get a 60 day tourist visa in advance and then that can be extended by another 30 days at an immigration office. Once that runs out you'll have to leave. You're best getting up to date information on this next bit because they're always changing the rules. I think now you only get a 15 day stamp if you re-enter Thailand via a land crossing, or 30 days if you come in by air. So if you're planning on staying longer you'd be better off getting another 60 day tourist visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in a neighbouring country. Were you after recommendations for touristy stuff or do you want Muay Thai related info?

Great video! What a lovely guy. It never ceases to amaze me how humble all these legends are.

I made a gif

This song was huge back in 2004. Reminds me of Songkran in Bangkok. Great times!

Pai could be an option. It's a nice little town up in the mountains, north of Chiang Mai. I didn't train there (I stayed there way before I took up Muay Thai), but there are a few Muay Thai gyms in and around the town, which seem to get good reviews.

The only shop in the world that doesn't open on a weekend. If you do finally get to visit though, the girl in there is very friendly and helpful.

Great effort Tim (and Tyler!). Have a safe flight home

Nice work Tyler

Paruharlek Sittchunthong. 4x Lumpinee Champion. One of the only people to KO Samart. Also beat Hippy, Sangtiennoi and Wangchannoi. Siam fight mag reckons he’s a physical education officer in Mueang Pathum Thani and also works as a referee at different stadiums. Nungubon Sitlerchai. Fought and beat pretty much all the greats during the golden age, winning 3 Lumpinee belts. And then beat an in his prime Saenchai in 1999 to win his 4th Lumpinee belt. Runs a gym in Ubon Ratchathani: https://sitnungubon2002.wixsite.com/sitnungubongym The ones I’ve listed below might be getting on a bit now. But even if you couldn’t train with them, if you got the chance to do an interview with them, they would be nice additions to the library. The Golden Leg - Pupadnoi Warrawut. I was told he’s living in either Ayutthaya or Khon Kaen Vicharnnoi Porntawee. Lumpinee and Radja legend. Beat Pupadnoi and Dieselnoi (twice). Siam fight mag says he runs a business in Nonthaburi. Ajarn Peng. Senior coach at Sor Thanikul during the golden age. He was teaching at 96 Penang in Bangkok. Anyone know if he’s still there?

38 baht to the pound, that is awful! I started going to Thailand in 2003, and for years it was always around 72 baht to the pound. It got up to about 90 baht in 2004. It was a great time to go back packing! Pound dropped right off after the GFC though and has never got up anywhere near were it used to. Aussie dollar is weak as well now.

There's places to rent listed on here as well: https://www.bahtsold.com/ If you're after a cheaper room you're probably best off asking a local to point a place out to you once you're there, as a lot of places with cheap rooms won't advertise. When I was after a cheap place to stay a Thai translated my request to a taxi driver and he dropped me at an apartment block. I think I paid about 4K plus bills for a month for a basic room with cold shower. As has been suggested elsewhere, try a few gyms out first before committing. Once you've found your gym you can ask around about accommodation.

+1 for Boon and Super Export Shop here as well. The Top King store isn't too far from Super Export Shop either. They only open Monday to Friday, though. I really like the Twins shop in Suanluang Square (if you like Twins gear, definitely head there). There's a Fairtex store close by, haven't been in there though. Action Zone is pretty close to Suanluang Square as well, they offer pretty good discounts. There's a good guide to the different Muay Thai stores around Bangkok on Muay Thai Citizen: http://www.muaythaicitizen.com/where-to-buy-muay-thai-gear-in-bangkok/

There's a couple of good articles here about the early days of Muay Thai in the UK: http://fightland.vice.com/blog/when-manchester-was-mecca-for-muay-thai http://fightland.vice.com/blog/the-gym-above-the-restaurant-master-woody-the-other-thai-in-manchester

Veeraphol Sahaprom. According to Siam Fight Mag he has a restaurant in Chaiyaphum. If you could get Wangchannoi and Veeraphol in the library, that would be brilliant