Best city in Thailand to go to fight for a big guy?

[Joseph Arthur De Gonzo]

I am not actually seeking for gym advice here, more like area, or city where to settle.

I am a pretty big 205lbs (92kg) guy. I could easily go down a bit, maybe even to 175lbs (80kg), but for Thailand, 80kg is basically heavyweight or even more since I believe none of major stadium even have belt at that weight. In any case, I am no belt material. 

So I am planning a six months trip where I would like to have as many fights as I physically can and I am wondering where to go. I am not an elite Nak Muay, but I am not interested in fighting only Tuk Tuk drivers has the cliché goes. 

So I guess there are 4 major circuits. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket. I believe that would be pretty much it, but please let me know if there is another place I forgot. Here are my thoughts on each. 

@Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu @Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu I would really appreciate your input on this!

Bangkok: Probably the worse place for me since Bangkok is focused on high level Thai guys competing for stadium etc. Maybe less of a small scene for lower lever nak muay.

• Pro: Great gyms, great training, nice city, central so can travel to other cities for fights. 
• Cons: Less lower level circuit, Bangkok is stressful, more expensive for everything, not much nature around, gyms focused on thai fighters.

Pattaya: I don't know much about the scene in Pattaya. I know there is Max Muay Thai and one or two bars where there are spectacle fights and real fights, but I can't say about other smaller places. 

• Pro: Very central, access to Hua Hin, to Bangkok if fights happens. Great gyms to train. Cheaper than Bangkok. Closer to nature and the beach. 
• Con: Not sure about the scene. Less gyms than Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Phuket: If that would happen to be the best place, I would go, but would not be my first choice. Not a beach guy, not a party guy. But I know, there is more than beach and parties there. 

• Pro: Probably more foreigners fighting there. Access to other Island where I could get fights. Cheaper than Bangkok, but probably more expensive than Pattaya. More foreigner focused gym so maybe more chance of finding a gym that would help in finding me fights. 
• Con: Phuket. Isolated. No easy access to other circuits beside the Islands. Les traditional gyms. More party oriented. 

Chiang Mai:  I know nothing of scene there besides knowing it's a good place for women to fight. 

• Pro: nice place, never been, good gym, more traditional, less touristic. More nature, mountainous. 
• Cons: Far, more isolated, no access to other circuits. 

 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

Honestly, I would ask Paul Banasiak - https://web.facebook.com/MuayThaiTechnicianOfficial/

I forget his weight, but he's a pretty big guy by Thai standards. He's lived and fought out of Koh Phangan, then in Chiang Mai and I think he's now in Phuket. Several years of trying to find fights at his weight, and also a life-style in a city that is enjoyable and sustainable. At the larger weight classes he probably has the most experience on the variety of opportunities that are available.

[Joseph Arthur De Gonzo]

19 minutes ago, Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu said:

Honestly, I would ask Paul Banasiak - https://web.facebook.com/MuayThaiTechnicianOfficial/

Good idea. I'll do this thanks. Yeah, he must be at least 160lbs, he's super tall. 

[DrunkenMaster]

I don’t understand why everyone thinks Bangkok is the most expensive ...

phuket is waaaay more expensive then Bangkok you can get a condo for the same price as a shitty 1 bedroom room in Phuket + Bangkok is way more easy to get around in Phuket you will need a scooter or car .

 

Bangkok has many smaller fights that gyms organise like Kru dam gym does every few months boxing / Muay Thai I’ve seen a fight there with big guys like 100kg+ .

 

its all about who you know to get fights too not only how good you are skill wise or you’re weight a good promoter can organise any weight class 

[Joseph Arthur De Gonzo]

7 minutes ago, DrunkenMaster said:

I don’t understand why everyone thinks Bangkok is the most expensive ...

its all about who you know to get fights too not only how good you are skill wise or you’re weight a good promoter can organise any weight class 

Actually, for Bangkok, I wrote that because everyone says it, but you're right, it is actually not my experience that everything is more expensive. My experience was that the Islands and Bangkok are similar priced depending on what, but Pattaya was cheaper than both, and from what I heard, so is Chang Mai. In any case, money is not my issue. It's more about opportunities and quality of life. 

Now, if I come for six months, I do not know anyone, so the "all about who you know" is basically only luck. From what I heard, there is not that many lower levels circuits in Bangkok (and I am def. lower level), your experience is different?

[DrunkenMaster]

On 3/6/2021 at 4:47 AM, Joseph Arthur De Gonzo said:

Actually, for Bangkok, I wrote that because everyone says it, but you're right, it is actually not my experience that everything is more expensive. My experience was that the Islands and Bangkok are similar priced depending on what, but Pattaya was cheaper than both, and from what I heard, so is Chang Mai. In any case, money is not my issue. It's more about opportunities and quality of life. 

Now, if I come for six months, I do not know anyone, so the "all about who you know" is basically only luck. From what I heard, there is not that many lower levels circuits in Bangkok (and I am def. lower level), your experience is different?

Yes many low level and amateur even starter fights so with shinpads etc both boxing and Muay Thai ...in Phuket I’ve seen new people Fight but they start with no protection at all depends on what you prefer l.

gyms are expensive anywhere in Bangkok you can find some for 4000-6000 ,Muay Thai academy is only 2000 a month even 

Chiangmai/ Phuket and most other places are 10000 a month for most gyms .

If you can get down to 78kg even only for the weight in that’s mostly a day prior you will be fine to get fights and to be honest it doesn’t come that close a few kg give or take is fine I’ve seen it a lot here .

ive had a lot of opportunities myself and I’m fighting around 78kg , it’s mostly about finding a trainer who cares and he will help you out I’m based in Bangkok myself but my trainer offered my fights everywhere , I think most of them are connected with promotors anyway from their past .

But if you are alone I would definitely choose Bangkok more contact with other foreigners / more Thai that speak English and easy public transport (cheaper grab and taxis too in other city’s they can be way more expensive ,Chiangmai and Bangkok are the cheapest , Phuket and Pattaya really expensive)

send me a pm if you want some specific info 

Edited March 11, 2021 by DrunkenMaster

[Richard Weston]

On 3/5/2021 at 9:47 PM, Joseph Arthur De Gonzo said:

Actually, for Bangkok, I wrote that because everyone says it, but you're right, it is actually not my experience that everything is more expensive. My experience was that the Islands and Bangkok are similar priced depending on what, but Pattaya was cheaper than both, and from what I heard, so is Chang Mai. In any case, money is not my issue. It's more about opportunities and quality of life. 

Now, if I come for six months, I do not know anyone, so the "all about who you know" is basically only luck. From what I heard, there is not that many lower levels circuits in Bangkok (and I am def. lower level), your experience is different?

Pattaya for me, nice environment, plenty of local gyms, and I have seen farang v farang in heavier weights in Best friends and sailor bar....you can fight very often there..I did