Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone!

Does anyone on here have experiences with the FA group muay thai camp?
All are welcome; own expierinces, heard something, read something, ...
I planned to train there during my second stay in Thailand (30 May - 5 July).

The things I could find on the internet are the following;
https://www.facebook.com/muaythaifagroup (a FB page to contact them, wich I already did)
https://www.facebook.com/f.a.group.muaythai
http://www.muaythaischolar.com/f-a-group-muay-thai-camp-review (a review from Muay Thai Scholar who rates FA group as the number one gym in BKK for what it matters)

Info that I got from chatting with them: (click on the image)
post-104-0-16095200-1431885404_thumb.jpg
Morning workout starts with a ±9km run at 6am the evening workout starts with a ±6km run at 3pm.
The camp don't provide on-camp-housing for their guests.

 

Thanks for the answers and sorry for the ba English :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't personally know anybody who has trained there, but they do have some very good fighters. It's hard to know whether that's because they have the finances to purchase talent or whether it's from their own training because their top-name fighters are at an age where they probably didn't start at that gym. Great clinchers though!

Not having housing available at the gym isn't unusual. Just make sure you can find something within a reasonable distance so you're not having trouble making it to training every day. And I recommend this for any gym: do not pay in advance. Pay for a couple days or a week, then decide after that if you want to stay for a long time and you can pay for a longer stay then.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I don't personally know anybody who has trained there, but they do have some very good fighters. It's hard to know whether that's because they have the finances to purchase talent or whether it's from their own training because their top-name fighters are at an age where they probably didn't start at that gym. Great clinchers though!

Yes, I can't find much about it. But heard that they are good clinchers also (they put time in it!).
I will update this topic with my expierences there to inform others.
 
 

Not having housing available at the gym isn't unusual. Just make sure you can find something within a reasonable distance so you're not having trouble making it to training every day.

They gave me some link to an apartment that is close to them. But maybe it's better to do live-research when I arrive. To see what I can find, unfortunalty I don't speak Thai but I will try to find the best one.

Opinions on their link are also welcome;
https://www.facebook.com/slresidence54
http://www.slresidence.com/contactus-1.html

 

And I recommend this for any gym: do not pay in advance. Pay for a couple days or a week, then decide after that if you want to stay for a long time and you can pay for a longer stay then.

Yes I read (and heard) this before and will follow these rule to not bond me to a gym to soon. Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Actually I'm pretty sure the gym didn't buy all the fighters, if I understand, one of the owners or trainers had a gym with very good fighters such as Petchboonchu and he basically ran out of money. He went to Bangkok, someone financed for a gym for him and he took his old fighters with him.

Or something like that, I think it's on Siamfightmag, pretty interesting though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually I'm pretty sure the gym didn't buy all the fighters, if I understand, one of the owners or trainers had a gym with very good fighters such as Petchboonchu and he basically ran out of money. He went to Bangkok, someone financed for a gym for him and he took his old fighters with him.

Or something like that, I think it's on Siamfightmag, pretty interesting though.

 

Thanks for your answer now you posted it I searched it and remind i read it once before (long time ago) yes!

For who's interested here's the link to it:

http://www.siamfightmag.com/en/muaythai-en/reports-en/camps-muaythai-en/bangkok-region-en/722-the-camp-f-a-group-gym

Maybe also fine to read;

An interview with Petchboonchu Benz.

A piece about Panom, I'm not sure that he still fights or only is a trainer at FA Group Muay Thai Gym now.

 

I hope to write more about my training at this camp when I can go back to training.

Edited by 515
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
 

I know people from England (singdayt muaythai) that had some fighters there, perhaps it is a good idea to ask them:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Singdayt-Muay-Thai-Fight-Fitness/182307588457455

Thanks for your post.

I hope to write more about my training at this camp when I can go back to training.

Look forward to it, always interesting to see peoples experiences at different gyms. Good luck.  :smile:

I lost this thread a bit, since I'm back in Belgium already a long time.

 

I'm not a good writer (and for sure not in English) but I will do my best.

Gym:
In my eyes FA Group is a really good gym.

A place where woman are also welcomed to train, also in the ring! They also provide a beginners class (wich mostly are woman I think I've seen).
The environment is really good and friendly. Two of the trainers speaks good English and two others can speak a bit basic English but they can make you understand what they mean so that's no problem.
The fighters at the gym are very open and friendly but they don't speak English but you can still make fun and have basic communications. The owner speaks English as well and is very friendly."

They have a matted floor (upgraded to the whole floor when I was there) and a big ring to train in, 5 bags, a wall mounted uppercut pad, a mirrored wall, pull up bar, weights, sit up benches, a stationary bike, ... Not the most clean gym they say but clean enough for sure!! You can bring your own drinks or share the water cups at the gym.

Training:
Training hours: Morning training 6h-10h and afternoon training 15h-18h.

The training starts of with a run always you can choose to join it or not. I would recommend to just do it. They take the van to go to Chatuchak park wich is a really big park in Bangkok with beautiful nature, and a lot of active people from young to old. The park is opened at 4:30 in the morning and closes at 21h and really worth a visit besides training. They have a shop at the entrance where you can get water for 8 baht or a sportdrink. There are is a sort of security at the park and a lot of workers who keep the park really clean.

They run something from 2,5-10 km in the morning and 2,5-8 km in the evening. the good thing is you can rest a bit in the van and can give 100% again when you are back at the gym.
After the running they skip ropes for 15 minutes, than they start clinching for I think 20-40minutes in the morning and 30-60 minutes in the evening.
After the clinching the pad work starts and if you aren't busy on the pads you can work on the bag the same like after your padwork. The rounds on the pads are 3-5 minutes and mostly you get 3 rounds.

After that you are a bit free on your own to do what you like, not like in some other gyms where they order you to do this or that followed by that. So if you want to waste time you can do that or just work on the bag or go for some shadowboxing. The people from the gym will help you with correcting your technique or tell you what to do.
Sometimes you can just follow the Thai's and join in with there training.

If you want to fight and you train good, they can arrange that for you also.

Accommodation:
The people from the gym also can help you to get a room at a residence on walking distance from the gym (SL Residence, 1-2 minutes walking) or a hotel room close by since they have no on-camp accommodation. If you go on your own to SL they will say they are full and there are no rooms available anymore that's because we are farang... If someone of the gym goes with you they have rooms left haha

I would say go for the residence; it is 6000 baht a month excluded from energy- and water-usage.
You get a room with A/C, a balcony, double bed,shower, toilet, desk, one big closet and a small one (TV table thing, without TV).
They also can provide you with bed sheets and pillows for like 300 baht, WiFi for 300 baht and a huge fridge for 500 baht all for a month.

The hotel room is 950-1000 baht a night!! And is not much better then the residence you only have free water on the hallway, clean towels everyday, clean bed sheets and housekeeping (and WiFi and a TV).


Another fun thing is that the gym is located on street away from the studio's of Channel 7, so every Sunday you can go watch the muay thai fights there for free. And another thing is that farang gets the best (reserved) seats right in the view of the camera. Probably because they won't gamble and so that Channel 7 can show that it is crowded with farang on TV, but they are all located in one spot haha

I hope someone has had some benefit from this. If someone wants to know more you just let me know.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow, clinching so much in AM and PM, no wonder they are so good!

They are machines  :ohmy:

 

Something to add in what I write down earlier:

Moslty (in my time being there) they had 2-6 farang training at the gym, and in the afternoons they had a photographer who take pics and video's and post them over here: https://www.facebook.com/f.a.group.muaythai

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's interesting that they clinch more than spar... or is this "normal" in the thai gyms?

I can't speak for all gyms, but it seems to be normal in a lot of Thai gyms.

I think they spar not so much to avoid injuries because they fight for money mostly and don't want to get an injury from training and be unable to fight.

And they fight very frequently so for them it is not needed that much, I think.

 

It looks a  pretty solid training programme, specially for clinch, a weakness in almost all farangs (at  least in my country). Thank you for the info!

 

Yes in the most western country's there is a lack of clinching in their training (the same for mine).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

They are machines  :ohmy:

 

Something to add in what I write down earlier:

Moslty (in my time being there) they had 2-6 farang training at the gym, and in the afternoons they had a photographer who take pics and video's and post them over here: https://www.facebook.com/f.a.group.muaythai

Thanks for the link to the pictures; very cool.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

So, I trained for 2 weeks in this gym. It was awesome. 

I'm really sorry that we travelled to Koh Samui after 2 weeks, because there wasn't a good training (or after this hardcore experience in Fa Group, everything seemed too light :D ), only turists... But we didn't have enough money to go back to BKK :) 
 

We hated Bangkok, seriously, this district (Chatuchak, Mo Chit) is so dirty, crowded, depressive. Nothing to do between or after the trainings, like a prison. 

But the training... I loved it so much. I'm a clincher, so this place was a paradise, even if the youngest,12 year old boy smashed me easily :)  There wasn't other woman, just a russian girl, but she just did padwork and bagwork. So I was the only woman, who gone to the ring every day and clinched with the boys.  It wasn't easy, because they don't use to clinch with girls, so they were embarrassed and laughed, and in the first days they didn't really want to spar or clinch with me. 

But slowly they realized that I wouldn't cry if they throw me or knee me.

After a few days it was better, they said: "You are strong", "muay khao", and it was the best feeling :D 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hi,

first time poster!

Im looking to go at this gym in november for 3 weeks. I have been in contact with someone over there by Facebook but communication is difficult, when I asked if I needed to reserve a place or just show up I was answered with a thumb up. My question is: should I press them or just show up at the gym? How did you get in touch with them?

thank you

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi,

first time poster!

Im looking to go at this gym in november for 3 weeks. I have been in contact with someone over there by Facebook but communication is difficult, when I asked if I needed to reserve a place or just show up I was answered with a thumb up. My question is: should I press them or just show up at the gym? How did you get in touch with them?

thank you

 

Just show up will be fine probably, because you need Thai help to get a place at SL Residence (or you can search another place if you want).

I took the railway (from the airport) to BTS Mo Chit and than got to the gym by taxi and then they showed me the way to a hotel close by so I stayed there for 3 nights to be sure that the gym was what I was looking for before renting a room almost next to it for a month and than change to another gym...

If I decided to stay they showed me the way to SL an helped me to arrange the room.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

 

 

Thanks for your post.

I lost this thread a bit, since I'm back in Belgium already a long time.

 

I'm not a good writer (and for sure not in English) but I will do my best.

Gym:

In my eyes FA Group is a really good gym.

A place where woman are also welcomed to train, also in the ring! They also provide a beginners class (wich mostly are woman I think I've seen).

The environment is really good and friendly. Two of the trainers speaks good English and two others can speak a bit basic English but they can make you understand what they mean so that's no problem.

The fighters at the gym are very open and friendly but they don't speak English but you can still make fun and have basic communications. The owner speaks English as well and is very friendly."

They have a matted floor (upgraded to the whole floor when I was there) and a big ring to train in, 5 bags, a wall mounted uppercut pad, a mirrored wall, pull up bar, weights, sit up benches, a stationary bike, ... Not the most clean gym they say but clean enough for sure!! You can bring your own drinks or share the water cups at the gym.

Training:

Training hours: Morning training 6h-10h and afternoon training 15h-18h.

The training starts of with a run always you can choose to join it or not. I would recommend to just do it. They take the van to go to Chatuchak park wich is a really big park in Bangkok with beautiful nature, and a lot of active people from young to old. The park is opened at 4:30 in the morning and closes at 21h and really worth a visit besides training. They have a shop at the entrance where you can get water for 8 baht or a sportdrink. There are is a sort of security at the park and a lot of workers who keep the park really clean.

They run something from 2,5-10 km in the morning and 2,5-8 km in the evening. the good thing is you can rest a bit in the van and can give 100% again when you are back at the gym.

After the running they skip ropes for 15 minutes, than they start clinching for I think 20-40minutes in the morning and 30-60 minutes in the evening.

After the clinching the pad work starts and if you aren't busy on the pads you can work on the bag the same like after your padwork. The rounds on the pads are 3-5 minutes and mostly you get 3 rounds.

After that you are a bit free on your own to do what you like, not like in some other gyms where they order you to do this or that followed by that. So if you want to waste time you can do that or just work on the bag or go for some shadowboxing. The people from the gym will help you with correcting your technique or tell you what to do.

Sometimes you can just follow the Thai's and join in with there training.

If you want to fight and you train good, they can arrange that for you also.

Accommodation:

The people from the gym also can help you to get a room at a residence on walking distance from the gym (SL Residence, 1-2 minutes walking) or a hotel room close by since they have no on-camp accommodation. If you go on your own to SL they will say they are full and there are no rooms available anymore that's because we are farang... If someone of the gym goes with you they have rooms left haha

I would say go for the residence; it is 6000 baht a month excluded from energy- and water-usage.

You get a room with A/C, a balcony, double bed,shower, toilet, desk, one big closet and a small one (TV table thing, without TV).

They also can provide you with bed sheets and pillows for like 300 baht, WiFi for 300 baht and a huge fridge for 500 baht all for a month.

The hotel room is 950-1000 baht a night!! And is not much better then the residence you only have free water on the hallway, clean towels everyday, clean bed sheets and housekeeping (and WiFi and a TV).

 

 

Another fun thing is that the gym is located on street away from the studio's of Channel 7, so every Sunday you can go watch the muay thai fights there for free. And another thing is that farang gets the best (reserved) seats right in the view of the camera. Probably because they won't gamble and so that Channel 7 can show that it is crowded with farang on TV, but they are all located in one spot haha

I hope someone has had some benefit from this. If someone wants to know more you just let me know.

 

 

Hello 515, Thank you for this review. How is the food in the area? Price, Variety etc...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello 515, Thank you for this review. How is the food in the area? Price, Variety etc...

 

You can find really good food on walking distance (or go anywhere by BTS or taxi, also close by).

The classic street eating stalls, a street full. So enough variety and the price over there is 40-65 baht for a dish. You also have some restaurants in the area which mean better seats (or A/C) but they are also a bit more expensive and I like the street vendors' food more.

 

Tapas cafe, at BTS stop Nana got delicious paella :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Most Recent Topics

  • Latest Comments

    • Translation:  (Continued from the previous edition (page?) … However, before being matched against Phadejsuk in the Royal Boxing program for His Majesty [Rama IX], The two had faced each other once before [in 1979]. At that time, a foreign boxer had already been booked to face Narongnoi, and the fight would happen regardless of who wins the fight between Narongnoi and Phadejsuk. … That foreign boxer was Toshio Fujiwara, a Japanese boxer who became a Muay Thai champion, the first foreign champion. He took the title from Monsawan Lukchiangmai in Tokyo, then he came to Thailand to defend the title against Sripae Kiatsompop and lost in a way that many Thai viewers saw that he shouldn’t have lost(?). Fujiwara therefore tried to prove himself again with any famous Nak Muay available. Mr. Montree Mongkolsawat, a promoter at Rajadamnern Stadium, decided to have Narongnoi Kiatbandit defeat the reckless Fujiwara on February 6, the following month. It was good then that Narongnoi had lost to Phadejsuk as it made him closer in form to the Japanese boxer. If he had beaten Phadejsuk, it would have been a lopsided matchup. The news of the clash between Narongnoi and Toshio Fujiawara, the great Samurai from Japan had been spread heavily through the media without any embellishments. The fight was naturally popular as the hit/punch(?) of that spirited Samurai made the hearts of Thai people itch(?). Is the first foreign Champion as skilled as they say? It was still up to debate as Fujiwara had defeated “The Golden Leg” Pudpadnoi Worawut by points beautifully at Lumpinee Stadium in 1978, and before that, he had already defeated Prayut Sittibunlert and knocked out Sripae Kaitsompop in Japan, so he became a hero that Japanese people admired, receiving compliments from fans one after another(?). Thus the fight became more than just about skills. It was (advertised as?) a battle between nations by the organizing team, consisting of promoter Montree Mongkolsawat, Somchai Sriwattanachai representing the “Daily Times(?),” Mahapet of “Muay Thai” magazine, and Palad of “Boxing” magazine were also present, and they named the show in a very cool(?) way, “The Battle of the Fierce Samurai.” Even “The Smiling Tiger of Ayothaya” Narongnoi who was never afraid or shaken was affected by the advertising, confessing to the media that he felt a little scared, unlike usual when he faced other Thai boxers like himself. “Why are you scared?” “Maybe because the opponent is a foreigner. There’s news that he is very talented.”  “So you’re afraid that if you lose to him in our own home, it will give us a bad name and be very shameful for you.” “Yes! But my heart knows that I can’t lose because I am fighting in my own country. And in any case, he probably won’t/wouldn’t be better than our boxers. “But he has defeated many of our famous boxers such as Pudpadnoi-Prayut-Sripae. To tell the truth, he must be considered a top boxer in our country.” “Yes, I know” Narongnoi admitted, “but Pudpadnoi could not be considered to be in fresh form as he had been declining for many years and could only defeat Wangprai Rotchanasongkram the fight before(?). [Fujiwara] fought Prayut and Sripae in Japan. Once they stepped on stage there, they were already at a huge disadvantage. I trained especially well for this fight, so if I lose to Fujiwara, my name will be gone(?) as well.” “The Battle of the Fierce Samurai” was postponed from February 6 to February 12, but Thai boxing fans were still very excited about this matchup, wanting to see with their own eyes how good the spirited Japanese boxer was, and wanted to see Narongnoi declare the dignity(?) of Thai boxers decisively with a neck kick, or fold the Japanese fighter with a knee. Win in a way that will make Thai people feel satisfied.   [Photo description] Narongnoi Kiatbandit used his strength to attack Fujiwara, a fake Muay Thai fighter until Fujiwara lost on points.   Fujiwara flew to Bangkok 2-3 days before the fight. The organizers of the show had prepared an open workout for him at Rajadamnern Stadium for advertising purposes. Many press reporters and boxing fans crowded together to see Fujiwara. Their annoyance increased as all he did for three rounds was punch the air [shadowboxing], jump rope, and warm up with physical exercises. After finishing the first three rounds, he was asked to put on gloves and do two rounds of sparring with a person who was already dressed and waiting. However, Fujiwara’s doctor told him that it was unnecessary. This time he had come to defeat a Thai boxer, not to perform for the show. Photographers shook their heads and carried their empty cameras back to their printing houses, one after another. In addition to measuring the prestige of the two nations, the fight between Narongnoi and Fujiwara was also wagered on, with a budget of 1 million baht. Narongnoi was at 3-2 in odds, and someone had prepared money to bet on the Japanese underdog, almost a million baht. Only “Hia Lao” Klaew Thanikul, who had just entered the boxing world, would bet 500,000 baht alone, and the Japanese side would only bet a few hundred thousand. The only person who truly bet on Narongnoi’s side was Chu Chiap Te-Chabanjerd or Kwang Joker, the leader of the “Joker” group, supported by Sgt. Chai Phongsupa. The others could not bet because the Japanese side ran out of money to bet on. Narongnoi’s disadvantage would be that it would be the first time that he will fight at 134 lbs. However, he would have youth and strength on his side, as well as having trained Muay Thai in Thailand(?). Narongnoi was only 22 years old, while Fujiwara was already 33. His 33 years did not seem to be a concern in terms of strength as he had trained very well and never knew the word “exhaustion.” Fujiwara had an abundance of endurance, to the extent that the Japanese could trust him completely on this issue. Yes [krap], when the day came, Rajadamnern Stadium was packed with boxing fans of all ages. The entrance fee was set at 100-200 and 400 baht per person, and the total raised was over 900,000 baht, less than ten thousand baht short of reaching the million baht mark. This means that the number of viewers was more than double that of the special events (200-400 baht per person) nowadays. Even though it was more exciting than any other fight in the past, Narongnoi Kiatbandit, the 130 lbs champion, was able to completely extinguish Toshio Fujiwara by throwing his left leg to the ribs every now and then. This made “the Samurai” unable to turn the odds(?) in time because Narongnoi would always stifle him. Fujiwara could only rely on his physical fitness and endurance to stand and receive various strikes until his back and shoulders were red with kick marks. After 5 rounds, he lost by a landslide, with no chance to fight back at all. Most of the audience was pleased, but there were some who complained that Narongnoi should have won by knockout, which was not easy as Fujiwara had already established that he was the best in Tokyo. If it were any other Japanese boxer, it would be certain that he would not have survived. “Am BangOr” wrote in the “Circle of Thoughts" column(?) of the boxing newspaper at that time: “Then the truth came out to show that Toshio Fujiwara was not really that good at Muay Thai. He was beaten by Narongnoi Kiatbandit who only used his left leg. Fujiwara was frozen, bouncing back and forth with the force of his leg, and he lost by a landslide... The only thing worth admiring about this Sun Warrior is his endurance and excellent durability. For someone at the age of 33 like him to be able to stand and take Narongnoi's kicks like that, he must be considered quite strong. Why, then, did other Thai boxers lose to him? Monsawan-Sriprae-Pudpadnoi-Worawut have all helped strengthen this Japanese boxer. The answer is that their readiness was not enough(?). This victory of Narongnoi is considered to be the erasing of the old beliefs that were stuck in the hearts of Thais who were afraid that Japan would become the master of Thai boxing. It will probably be a long time and it will be difficult as long as Thai boxers can maintain our identity. But we cannot be complacent. If we are arrogant and think that the Japanese will not give up, we Thais may be hurt again because they will not give up. If we make a mistake today, he will have to find a way to make up for it tomorrow."
    • Sylvie wrote a really cool article about why sparring escalates, even when people are trying to go light. A gem from 10 years ago. https://8limbsus.com/blog/brain-science-sparring-gets-control-neurology-muay-thai
  • The Latest From Open Topics Forum

    • 3½ years late of a reply haha. I'm in Phuket and have went to quite a few physios. The best so far is Meaw at OptimiseFit at the Blue Tree in north Phuket. She doesn't dry needle me as another Dr. has here but all my muscle tension came back soon so it's a waste of money.
    • Don't know if this brand offers shin guards but might as well check them out. I bought a few pairs of shorts from them a while ago and was genuinely impressed. https://siamkickfight.com/
    • Hi all, I have paid a deposit to a gym in Pai near Chiang Mai to train at in January. I am now concerned about the pollution levels at that time of year because of the burning season. Can you recommend a location that is likely to have safer air quality for training in January? I would like to avoid Bangkok and Phuket, if possible. Thank you!
    • Hi, this might be out of the normal topic, but I thought you all might be interested in a book-- Children of the Neon Bamboo-- that has a really cool Martial Arts instructor character who set up an early Muy Thai gym south of Miami in the 1980s. He's a really cool character who drives the plot, and there historically accurate allusions to 1980s martial arts culture. However, the main thrust is more about nostalgia and friendships.    Can we do links? Childrenoftheneonbamboo.com Children of the Neon Bamboo: B. Glynn Kimmey: 9798988054115: Amazon.com: Movies & TV      
    • Davince Resolve is a great place to start. 
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      1.3k
    • Total Posts
      11k
×
×
  • Create New...