Muay Thai in Phuket
Phuket is one of the best places in the world to learn Muay Thai. There are gyms all over the island, for complete beginners and for full time fighters. This is our local guide: where to train, what it costs, when to come and what a week of training looks like.
Why train Muay Thai in Phuket?
Muay Thai is Thailand's national sport, and in Phuket it is part of everyday life. You train with Thai coaches who grew up in the sport, alongside people from all over the world, in a place where you can recover on the beach or by a lake between sessions.
- Real Thai coaching. Most coaches have fought for years and teach the way they were taught.
- Every level is welcome. Beginners, fitness training, weight loss and fight camps all happen in the same gyms.
- Train as much as you like. Most gyms run two or three group classes a day, six days a week, plus private lessons.
- Easy to fit into a trip. Drop in for one class, train for a week, or stay for months.
Where to train: the main areas
Where you train shapes your whole trip, so pick the area first, then the gym.
| Area | What it is like |
|---|---|
| Chalong (Soi Ta-iad, "Fitness Street") | The biggest cluster of camps on the island. Very busy and very focused on fighting, with lots of hard sparring. Great if you only want to live and breathe fight training. |
| Kathu | Central and local, away from the party areas, with several well known gyms. More relaxed, cheaper day to day, and 10 minutes from both Patong and Phuket Town. Muay Thai in Kathu, and is Kathu a good place to train? |
| Patong | Right by the beach and the nightlife. Handy for a class or two on holiday, but noisy if you want to train seriously. |
| Phuket Town | The island's real city, with old town cafes and markets. Fewer camps, more local gyms. |
| Rawai, Nai Harn, Bang Tao | Quieter beach areas in the south and west, with a handful of gyms. Good for a calm, longer stay. |
What Muay Thai costs in Phuket
Prices vary from gym to gym. Most sell single classes, weekly and monthly passes, and private lessons, and the longer you buy, the less each session costs. As an example, these are our prices at Phuket King:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| One group class | 400 THB |
| One week, unlimited group classes | 2,500 THB |
| One month, unlimited group classes | 7,000 THB |
| One private lesson (one hour, one to one) | 900 THB |
| One week of training plus recovery (sauna, steam room, ice bath) | 3,900 THB |
For a full breakdown of training, rooms, food and getting around, read how much it costs to train Muay Thai in Phuket.
When to come
- November to April is the dry season: sunny, a little less humid, and the busiest time in the gyms.
- May to October is the rainy season: short heavy showers, quieter gyms, and cheaper rooms.
Gyms train all year round. It is hot every month, so drink more water than you think you need and take the first few days easy.
What a training week looks like
A typical group class is about two hours: a run or skipping to warm up, stretching and shadow boxing, technique, pad rounds with a coach, bag work, clinch or partner drills, then conditioning. At Phuket King each day has its own technique focus, so over a week you work every weapon.
- Morning class: Monday to Saturday, 8:00
- Afternoon class: Monday to Saturday, 16:30
- Evening class: Monday to Friday, 18:30
- Sunday: no group classes. Open 10:00 to 20:00 for private classes, the Fitness Zone and the recovery spa
Full timetable and every class type: Muay Thai training in Phuket.
New to it? Once a day is plenty for the first week. Read our beginners guide before your first class.
Where to stay
Stay close to your gym. Two training sessions a day in the heat leaves little energy for long scooter rides. Many camps have rooms on site or nearby. At Phuket King you can stay at Pangea Resort, lakeside bungalows a one minute walk from the ring, with group Muay Thai included when you book with us, and a healthy cafe on site.
More ideas by area and budget: where to stay in Phuket for Muay Thai training. And for packing: what to pack for a Muay Thai camp.
How to choose a gym
- Watch a class or try one. Look at how the coaches treat beginners, not just the fighters.
- Ask about class size and how many coaches are on the floor.
- Check the timetable fits the way you want to train.
- Look at recovery. An ice bath, sauna and somewhere to rest make a big difference over a week or more.
- Read recent reviews on Google.
See prices and book WhatsApp us
Muay Thai in Phuket: common questions
Can complete beginners train Muay Thai in Phuket?
Yes. Most gyms in Phuket teach beginners every day in the same classes as experienced students, and the coaches split the room by level. You do not need to be fit, and sparring is never forced on beginners.
How much does Muay Thai cost in Phuket?
It depends on the gym and how long you train. At Phuket King a single group class is 400 THB, a week of unlimited classes is 2,500 THB, a month is 7,000 THB and a private lesson is 900 THB.
Which area of Phuket is best for Muay Thai?
Chalong (Soi Ta-iad) is best if you only want hard fight training. Kathu suits people who want great technique, a calmer and more local area, and to be 10 minutes from Patong and Phuket Town.
Do I need to book a group class?
At Phuket King, no. Come ten minutes early, check in at the desk and train. Private lessons are booked ahead in the app or on WhatsApp.
Are gyms open on Sundays?
Many gyms rest on Sunday. Phuket King has no group classes on Sunday, but is open 10:00 to 20:00 for private classes, the Fitness Zone and the recovery spa.
What should I bring?
Shorts, a t-shirt or vest, a big water bottle and a small towel. Gloves can be borrowed, and hand wraps and gear are sold at the gym.