Thailand Dreaming

[armbarjones]

I was directed to this site from an expat at another forum. I'm a 20 year old American college student. I have it in my head to come to Thailand after reading a book about a writer who trained in Muay Thai over there. I'm just really green concerning international travel, I have been all over Europe as a kid but not since I've been old enough to really know what was going on.

This is the camp I'm looking at

www.siamnumberone.com

it says its located 14km from Chiangmai in a village called Sankampaeng, and accomodations can be made there for like 3,000 baht a month. is that realistic? i know there are more 'farang' friendly camps in Thailand like Fairtex but thats not what im looking for. i want a 'grimey' real experience because as much as its about learning to thai box and see another part of the world, its about toughening myself up.

I guess what I'm getting at is the standard how much is it going to cost me to survive for a month? No disrespect intended at all but am I going to get robbed and stabbed in an outer area like this seems to be? Anyone been there? Seen the camp?

Thanks in advance.

[Jimjim]

You should be fine. They'll take care of you probably, if you're their customer.

[qwertz]

I was directed to this site from an expat at another forum. I'm a 20 year old American college student. I have it in my head to come to Thailand after reading a book about a writer who trained in Muay Thai over there. I'm just really green concerning international travel, I have been all over Europe as a kid but not since I've been old enough to really know what was going on.

This is the camp I'm looking at

www.siamnumberone.com

it says its located 14km from Chiangmai in a village called Sankampaeng, and accomodations can be made there for like 3,000 baht a month. is that realistic? i know there are more 'farang' friendly camps in Thailand like Fairtex but thats not what im looking for. i want a 'grimey' real experience because as much as its about learning to thai box and see another part of the world, its about toughening myself up.

I guess what I'm getting at is the standard how much is it going to cost me to survive for a month? No disrespect intended at all but am I going to get robbed and stabbed in an outer area like this seems to be? Anyone been there? Seen the camp?

Thanks in advance.

I'd worry more about getting creamed by those wiry little Thai boxers if I were you.

[armbarjones]

I was directed to this site from an expat at another forum. I'm a 20 year old American college student. I have it in my head to come to Thailand after reading a book about a writer who trained in Muay Thai over there. I'm just really green concerning international travel, I have been all over Europe as a kid but not since I've been old enough to really know what was going on.

This is the camp I'm looking at

www.siamnumberone.com

it says its located 14km from Chiangmai in a village called Sankampaeng, and accomodations can be made there for like 3,000 baht a month. is that realistic? i know there are more 'farang' friendly camps in Thailand like Fairtex but thats not what im looking for. i want a 'grimey' real experience because as much as its about learning to thai box and see another part of the world, its about toughening myself up.

I guess what I'm getting at is the standard how much is it going to cost me to survive for a month? No disrespect intended at all but am I going to get robbed and stabbed in an outer area like this seems to be? Anyone been there? Seen the camp?

Thanks in advance.

I'd worry more about getting creamed by those wiry little Thai boxers if I were you.

haha

im 5'8" and my competition weight in grappling is 139.9 lbs

im thai sized! i doubt i'd fight after only a month, my idea is to come back after Thailand and get a mixed martial arts fight locally (think UFC) since I'll never be in awesome condition if not dead

can anyone address my questions? i am really excited even though this is far off

[kankaroo]

I say if you have the funds then GO FOR IT ! I went to TL when I was 20 or 21 and have now spent over 4 years there over 4 trips. I am now 28.

My only advice would be to leave an extra week or so so you can explore more of the country,

Enjoy

[funfun]

I was directed to this site from an expat at another forum. I'm a 20 year old American college student. I have it in my head to come to Thailand after reading a book about a writer who trained in Muay Thai over there. I'm just really green concerning international travel, I have been all over Europe as a kid but not since I've been old enough to really know what was going on.

This is the camp I'm looking at

www.siamnumberone.com

it says its located 14km from Chiangmai in a village called Sankampaeng, and accomodations can be made there for like 3,000 baht a month. is that realistic? i know there are more 'farang' friendly camps in Thailand like Fairtex but thats not what im looking for. i want a 'grimey' real experience because as much as its about learning to thai box and see another part of the world, its about toughening myself up.

I guess what I'm getting at is the standard how much is it going to cost me to survive for a month? No disrespect intended at all but am I going to get robbed and stabbed in an outer area like this seems to be? Anyone been there? Seen the camp?

Thanks in advance.

I'd worry more about getting creamed by those wiry little Thai boxers if I were you.

haha

im 5'8" and my competition weight in grappling is 139.9 lbs

im thai sized! i doubt i'd fight after only a month, my idea is to come back after Thailand and get a mixed martial arts fight locally (think UFC) since I'll never be in awesome condition if not dead

can anyone address my questions? i am really excited even though this is far off

jerry290 can prob help, you can try pm him i just had a drink with him bout a hour ago so hes out an about, but as a rule sould be on later tonight, if no joy pm me and ill ring him in morning.

best of luck

[PaulUSA302]

You should do a search on the topic and simply click through some of the links. I did that once and came across a blog of a guy who trained in Phuket and fought a few matches. He talked about the training, the culture shock as well as moments of despair.

When you come across a blog similar to that, I am sure they will be more than happy to share some advice with you.

[tijnebijn]

The real deal for thai boxing is in Isaan . All the best fighters come from there , if you can find any gym there you will go to the roots . My friend is very famous muy thai boxer ' peter Smit ' was the first foreigner to knock the then thai champion .

He made it to the top , world champion Muay Thai and wordchampion kickboxing, unfortunately he died a couple of years ago back in Holland , long story. Also what you think about training in Amsterdam , great schools over there as well.

I have heard about a gym in Pattaya which will suit more then everywhere , many of my Dutch friends , who are very professionally, train there occasionally . You should have a go and look there , if you want to meet the top or see if you are up to it .

Have a go and look in Pattaya . Can't give you the name , slipped somewhere . I personally do not think that in Chiangmai will be of worldclass , the roots aren't there .

If you thinking about the UFC , you must be very competitive , and have much experience . By the way when going to muay in Thailand , after a few weeks , prepare for a battle in the ring , you will loose face if you don't come up and face it .

For the Thai it is all about prestige and show there manlyhood , you have to understand that , you don't want to be a pussy.

Also in your weightclass , you will find many competition , the Thai are very good at light , unbeaten almost , move up a weight or 2 and the sky is the limit.

[chinthee]

You have to decide are you coming for the foreign living experience in Thailand, or to get a grounding in Muay Thai. If your ultimate goal is the UFC, you might be better served going to a full MMA school first. You didn't mention if you had a background in any essential discipline like grappling, boxing, kick-boxing, or wrestling.

There are much better schools in L.A. and other places for MMA training. Muay Thai is just one of several disciplines you'll need to learn. If coming for the Thai experience in Muay Thai, there are lots of good options, and I think there's a thread on that in the sports forum.

[armbarjones]

You have to decide are you coming for the foreign living experience in Thailand, or to get a grounding in Muay Thai. If your ultimate goal is the UFC, you might be better served going to a full MMA school first. You didn't mention if you had a background in any essential discipline like grappling, boxing, kick-boxing, or wrestling.

There are much better schools in L.A. and other places for MMA training. Muay Thai is just one of several disciplines you'll need to learn. If coming for the Thai experience in Muay Thai, there are lots of good options, and I think there's a thread on that in the sports forum.

i am a competitive grappler (brazilian jiujitsu, submission grappling)

i want to do it for a few reasons

i feel like i am sort of soft, i didn't grow up in a life with any edge or anything- i'm the opposite of a thai fighter. i dont need to fight to improve my life. i feel like the act of saving up all of this money myself and going by myself to a place so far away and pushing myself through something so difficult will be good for me.

maybe i'm living in fantasyland but i dunno.

as far as phuket, i read that it was too touristy and the MT gyms will not take you seriously if you are a foreigner

also it would be like 50x more expensive to move to LA than to go to Thailand and I am in college, a total move isn't an option.

Edited July 12, 2007 by armbarjones

[uptou]

3000 baht a month should get you a very decent room with bathroom inside in that area.maybe come over here & suss everything out first,eg get a feel for prices etc.alcohol is the only real expense over here,so if training,& eating basic food it will cost you nothing to live.

[chinthee]

You have to decide are you coming for the foreign living experience in Thailand, or to get a grounding in Muay Thai. If your ultimate goal is the UFC, you might be better served going to a full MMA school first. You didn't mention if you had a background in any essential discipline like grappling, boxing, kick-boxing, or wrestling.

There are much better schools in L.A. and other places for MMA training. Muay Thai is just one of several disciplines you'll need to learn. If coming for the Thai experience in Muay Thai, there are lots of good options, and I think there's a thread on that in the sports forum.

i am a competitive grappler (brazilian jiujitsu, submission grappling)

i want to do it for a few reasons

i feel like i am sort of soft, i didn't grow up in a life with any edge or anything- i'm the opposite of a thai fighter. i dont need to fight to improve my life. i feel like the act of saving up all of this money myself and going by myself to a place so far away and pushing myself through something so difficult will be good for me.

maybe i'm living in fantasyland but i dunno.

as far as phuket, i read that it was too touristy and the MT gyms will not take you seriously if you are a foreigner

also it would be like 50x more expensive to move to LA than to go to Thailand and I am in college, a total move isn't an option.

Well, you have a good start. I spent many years in striking martial arts, and moved to Pencak Silat, though those arts are more streetable and deadly, and not for competition. You will definitely need a good foundation in striking for UFC and Muay Thai is one of the best for MMA, as witnessed by Wanderlei Silva, etc.., There is a Bangkok fight club and search through the threads, try to find them and contact them. They can guide you. Good luck.

[armbarjones]

ttt

Slated you out there?

also im trying to learn some Thai off the Pimsleur stuff

how do you pronounce that word that males use at the end of sentence? it sounds like crab?

[Jimjim]

It's more like the English world "crop".

[soundman]

ttt

Slated you out there?

also im trying to learn some Thai off the Pimsleur stuff

how do you pronounce that word that males use at the end of sentence? it sounds like crab?

Krup - like the word cup with an r after the c.

Another person to speak to about muay thai is the Thai Visa member steveromagnino.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[Simmo]

Isn't the lowest weight UFC division 155 pounds? .. And most fighters will cut around 20 pounds to make that weight just before the fight. You'd need to bulk up a fair bit from 138 pounds.

[armbarjones]

Isn't the lowest weight UFC division 155 pounds? .. And most fighters will cut around 20 pounds to make that weight just before the fight. You'd need to bulk up a fair bit from 138 pounds.

the lowest in the UFC is 155, but i'm not going to walk into the UFC. most guys have to win 10,12,15 fights and have some luck before they get into the UFC

the WEC, also UFC owned has a 145 division and around the world it gets as low as like 112 in Japan

its like boxing

[sonic_11uk]

Unless I'm mistaken, Siam Number One camp in Chiang Mai is run by Ajarn Baem and a European chap called Norbert I think. Both are very knowledgeable of the game and good trainers.

As a foreigner, it will be a good camp to train in because they do accept foreigner students but with any camp, they'll only put into you as much as you put in yourself. You'll need to be real motivated and show heart to get a decent fight whilst you're there without getting mashed in.

You'll learn Muay Thai from a sport perspective - you'll likely have to analyze the MMA applications yourself.

Fairtex in Pattaya is excellent but in a really, really seedy, touristy town.

Ole Laurson has a MMA/Muay Thai camp somewhere here too which might suit your needs better.

Bangkok fight club cover Muay Thai/MMA but is a bit pricey by local standards.

Jitti's in Bangkok is well known outside of Thailand and has some good trainers.

Loads of "hardcore" gyms in Issaan, but many don't bother with foreigners - you'll need to put in time and blood to earn their time and respect plus there's the language barrier. A lot depends on how much time you have and your own expectations.

Best of luck!!! Chok dii khrap!!!

[chinthee]

One problem you haven't addressed is that you may have a good foundation in BJJ, and even with a month intensive Muay Thai, you still won't have tied them together in an MMA fashion, and you can never, ever learn to be a good striker so soon. You might be better served going to local boxing gym, and then learning some simple kicks a la Royce Gracie, to fend off opponents, and get them to the ground, until you get really good at striking.

And, if you end up at a traditional Muay Thai camp, you will get training in fundamentals. That won't fast track you enough. You really need to go for MMA fast track if you plan to compete.

[ColPyat]

I was directed to this site from an expat at another forum. I'm a 20 year old American college student. I have it in my head to come to Thailand after reading a book about a writer who trained in Muay Thai over there. I'm just really green concerning international travel, I have been all over Europe as a kid but not since I've been old enough to really know what was going on.

If you are green in foreign travel, i would suggest to first go to a more foreign oriented camp such as the one suggested to you (don't go to Pattaya, it is seedy beyond believe there). Alone the general culture shock will be overwhelming, and pure Thai gyms are very basic, with almost no English spoken.

Many top level pro camps in Bangkok (who recruit the best fighters from the village camps in the north and northeast) do nowadays take paying foreign boxers on, mostly Japanese, etc., but you would need more time, and previous experience in Thai boxing, or at least a solid experience in Thailand. Thai boxers stay for free, and pay their way by percentages of their prize money.

Don't even think of a fight after just a month - you will get slaughtered in the ring, and in the process badly hurt. Professional Thai boxers often had their first pro fights at village fairs at the age of eight years, or even younger, and at 18 have had already often over 100 pro fights.

Straight away from the states into a purely Thai pro gym is a recipe for disaster, and chances are that you will not enjoy your time. It might be a better idea to start Thai boxing in the States, and then go to a gym here, maybe one that is recommended to you by you teachers over there.