If you’re heading to Koh Tao and looking for authentic island Muay Thai, Pankom is one of the most popular gyms on the Island.
Despite its small size, Koh Tao is a popular backpackers' hotspot that has multiple Muay Thai gyms. Each gym has its own personality. Some gyms are fighter-focused. Some lean more towards fitness and complete beginners. And some gyms sit somewhere in between.
In this article, I’ll break down my full experience training at Pankom, from a brutal 1-2-1 private sessions and the group class structure to the overall vibe, facilities and quality of training.
Let’s dive into it.
My private session at Pankom was exactly what I’ve come to expect and love, about training Muay Thai in Thailand.
We started with a five or so minutes of skipping (at least it felt that way, as there was no timer). After wrapping my hands, I was told to shadowbox for a round to loosen up. Then we got straight into the main part of the class, padwork (which is also my favourite aspect of Muay Thai training). We must have done five or six rounds before I was sent to the bag to finish with 100 teeps and 100 knees.
There was a slight language barrier between me and my padholder - but that's on me as I don’t speak Thai. Still, we managed to vibe together on the pads. We worked on creating angles to set up my right roundhouse kick, making small adjustments that made a big difference. Looking around the room, it was clear the trainers adapt sessions well depending on your experince level.
No messing around, no fluff, just a solid Muay Thai session.
Group classes run twice a day - 8am and 4am. When I dropped into the morning session, it was surprisingly quiet. There were actually more coaches than students, which caught me off guard, as it’s usually packed every time I drive past.
Around half of the class were trying Muay Thai for the first time, with a few other intermediate people mixed in. Compared to all the other gyms I’ve visited, there were fewer active fighters and more of a fitness-focused crowd. That said, I only dropped into one group session, so it could be a totally different experience for you.
The class lasted just over 90 minutes, and I left absolutely shattered. We started with a warm-up of stretching, skipping and shadow boxing before splitting into two groups - complete beginners and those with more experience.
I kicked off with three rounds of freestyle padwork. Every now and then, one of the coaches would come over and shout some motivation or give me some advice on my technique. I was then meant to get three rounds on the pads, but ended up getting five in, as there wasn’t anyone to spar with.
Honestly, I enjoyed the group class that I dropped into, but I would need to train there more to give an honest review on whether it’s a good place for a fighter to train.
The gym is basic, but it has everything you need for a solid session. There are no luxury changing rooms, ice baths or dedicated strength and conditioning areas, but that's part of the charm. It has the raw, authentic feel that I love about Muay Thai gyms in Thailand.
Located right on the main road to Sairee Beach, you’ll often catch a few intrigued stares from people riding or walking past. Inside (if you can call it inside), there’s a large matted area for padwork, drills and sparring, and a row of various bags at the back for conditioning drills and bag work. There’s also a full-size boxing ring, which you’ll get to jump in for padwork if you’re trained by one of the senior coaches.
Three gyms in Koh Tao, including Pankom, have their own stadiums attached to host live fight nights for tourists. Pankoms stadium is bleacher style, so you’ll get a great view of the action wherever you sit (I prefer sitting at the top). I feel like it’s the biggest on the Island (unconfirmed), especially when it’s packed with excited tourists.
The vibe at Pankom is definitely more chilled than some of the other gyms I’ve trained at on the Island. The trainers are always cracking jokes, keeping the mood lighthearted whilst still pushing you to improve. There’s a really welcoming mix of people who train there - no egos, no meatheads, just good vibes all round.
Some gyms can feel really intense, with a really competitive atmosphere or little cliques that stick together. That’s not the case at Pankom. It feels friendly and relaxed. It’s the kind of gym where you can train hard and still love every minute of it.
Group classes cost 400 baht for a drop-in session. As I mentioned earlier in the article, there were actually more trainers than students when I trained, so it was great value for money. Obviously, that isn’t guaranteed every session - but the more 1-2-1 coaching and padwork you get, the better the experience.
A private session cost me 700 baht for the hour, which is pretty much the standard price across all Muay Thai gyms on the Island. A lot of people comment on my videos about the rising cost of Muay Thai in Thailand, but to put that into perspective, in the UK, you’re looking at around £30 (roughly 1,250 baht) minimum for a private session. To me, 700 baht for a private Muay Thai session at an authentic gym in Thailand is an absolute bargain!
Pankom Muay Thai is a solid, authentic gym that delivers exactly what most people come to Thailand for - high level training, good vibes and value for money. It might not be the most fighter-focused gym on the island, and it doesn’t have state-of-the-art facilities. But what it does have is quality training and a friendly atmosphere.
If you’re looking to improve your technique and experience real Muay Thai, Pankom is a great option in Koh Tao.
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