Thailand

[okimura]

I started training in muay thai a year ago and I really enjoy it. I'm out of school now and I hope to travel to Thailand in the near future. I already started finding travel info, but what I really want to know is if there are muay thai schools and/or training camps that accept foreigners as old as me (I'm 23..Thais start training at like 7 years old) and how to find them. I'd love to be able to train in Thailand.

Another thing, how do I go about finding some place to stay while I'm there? When I went to travel websites, all the accomodations were hotels, and I don't want to do that. If I do go I'd like to stay for at least a couple of months. What about the Thai language? Can you get by without it? I hear it's really tough to learn. I'd love to hear from anyone who has been to Thailand.

Thanks.

[bushido_man96]

Give Sohan a PM, I think he had some info on the subject. There was also and individual posting here on his current training in Thailand as a foriegner. Can't remember his username for the life of me, though.

[TravelingMan]

Been to thailand many times without incident. Actually trained in a camp that rarely if any time had foreigners in it. It was actually the best experience of my entire life! We struggled through communication but I never had such training ever. Its a great place to train and dont let nothing hold you back from doing it.....

[Dragn]

Have a look at the wmtc website. They have a camp in Koh Samui which would be a good place to start with your experience.

There was a good site called muaythailand.com but its down at the moment.

I had a bunch of links but lost them when my computer crashed.

Not much help am I!

Maybe take a look at axkickboxing.com. Might find some info there.

Otherwise just do a search for muaythai camps. There are quite a few with English sites, and any of them will take you on regardless of age.

They want your money!

Lots of people of various ages and ability are training in Thailand.

Go for it, its a great experience.

[Mischievousjoe]

I actually just got back from thailand and did some training while there. To answer a few of your questions, sure you can train being 23! I'm 24 and had no problems, you may want to look for a camp that caters to foreigners mostly though as you'll probly get more hand holding and instruction this way ( although my camp was this way, and if you did the twice a day routine, it was pretty intense. )

as for the language, it's wise to learn at least some basic phrases, like hello and thankyou, but most foreigners don't even learn that. Thailand is a heavilly touristed country, and many thais speak at least a little english. Pantomiming and smiling is helpful as well.

As for places to stay, it depends a lot on the area, but most likely you would end up at a camp somewhere in phuket. Most camps offer bungallow accomadations at pretty affordable rates. If even these are too much for you, you may want to look into renting a motorbike ( the camp I was at rented these for 130 Baht a day, you'll probly want one in any case actually.) and staying at an inexpensive guesthouse. If you pick up a copy of Lonely Planets guide to thailand, it will list a bunch of these. ( wayyyyyy cheaper than staying at a hotel. I spent some time at a guesthouse in Kata within walking distance of the beach for 500 baht a night, which is like 12 or 13 $)

Good luck!!!