Tourists now flock to Thailand to Learn Muay Thai

With Its Classical Architecture, Magnificent Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites, and Pulsating Night Markets, The Island Town of Phuket on the Southwestern Coast of Thaland is all the time.

Scores of Visitors from Europe, South Asia, and Austratean Travel to the Island to Swim, and Sunbathe, but now, they are heading to phuket to throw in a few punthes.

For Eric Jason, a Marketing Professional From Singapore, His Maiden Trip to Phuket is more than relaxing at beaches in the afternoon, paragliding access the Evening Sky, Oor Visitoring Night MARKETS. “The First Thing Which Struck My Mind after Landing in Phuket for My Holidays was to Experience Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). Friends here, I thought of giving it a Try, “Says Eric.

Tourists at kata beach in Phuket in Thailand. , Photo credit: n. Sai Charan

A Tourist Enjoying Water Sports at Kata Beach in Phuket in Thailand. , Photo credit: n. Sai Charan

Eric is at Club Med Phuket, an all-inclusive beach Resort at Karon in Mueang Phuket District, which offers wide-ringing entertainment activities. These include traditional thai cooking, entry-level training in muy thai, wall climbing, snorkeling, music, archery, trampoline, flying trapeze, among others.

The Swimming Pool at Club Med Phuket, A Beach Resort at Karon in Phuket in Thailand. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Muay Thai, meaning ‘art of eight limbs’, is a highly popular Combat Sport Believed to have originated Several Centuries ago in Thailand. It involves the combined usage of fists, knees, shins and elbows for kicking, punching and striiking. In recent years, the sport has grown in popularity amn tourists visiting Thailand.

Meanwhile, Lewi Sydney, A 49-YLD Software Professional From Part in Australia, and His Family Head to the Thai Boxing Arena at the Entrance of Club Med Phucet. Muay Thai Coach Seksan Chukliiang, Known by His Nickname San, Switches on Sarama, The Traditional Music That Accompanies The Pre-Fight Ritual. This may be a touristy space, but San takes training serially: Anyone Who Comes Late for the Practice Session has to do 20 push-ups.

San Teaching a Trainee on punching on Thai Pads at Muay Thai Training Arena at Club Med Phuket. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

However, San has a bright smile on his face when welcoming trainees. He has been giving entry-level training in Thai Boxing to tourists at the Resort for the Past 15 years, Apart from Training Professional Fighters. The 50-Year-old says, “I was in real combat matches on 335 occasions in my three-decade-long thai boxing career. Championships to my name. ”

He starts the one-hour practice session with a warm-up round for 15 minutes, which typically inclushed stretching, running, and shadow boxing. San Counts Numbers during Shadow Boxing to Monitor the movement of fists, footwork, and elbow work of train.

It is tiring without being too challenging. San says he has adapted the training routine for guests. “Traditional Muay Thai Practitioners Undergo Tiring Workout Sessions for Several Hours, Sometimes A Whole Day, Which Include Jogging, Stretching, Shadowboxing, Shadowboxing, Shadowboxing, SEVERAL REWS OF PAD WOD WOD WOD WOD WOD Sparring and Much More, “He Says.

San Teaches Shadow Boxing during a Warm Session at Club Med Phuket. , Photo credit: n. Sai Charan

After the warm-up session and a short break, San Calls Each Participant to enter the ring one at a time for pad work training. Inside the ring, the training lasts 45 minutes, during the during the use a combination of movies using their fists, elbows, knees, and shins to kick, punch, and strike.

San first picks lewi, who seems like a natural as he manages to land some powerful punches and kicks on San’s boxing pads, setting the bar high. Stepping out of the ring he says, “It was tiring, but I am excited to learn these techniques.”

A tourist kicking the thai pad during muy thai practice session at club med phuket. , Photo credit: n. Sai Charan

Eric, Who Goes in Next, Highlights the Dificulties. “You need a lot of energy to stay focussed otherwise you will burn out. Adds.

The writer was in phuket on the invitation of club med.

Published – March 28, 2025 03:37 pm IST