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Training in Thailand is an incredible experience, but there are a few mistakes that can ruin your trip. I’ve seen people burn themselves out in the first week, turn every sparring session into a world-title fight, and spend more time in bars than in the gym.
After training at over 160 gyms in more than 30 countries, I’d like to think I know better, but two weeks in a Thai hospital on antibiotics says otherwise.
Whether you’re heading out for the first time or returning for another camp, here are the mistakes to avoid when training Muay Thai in Thailand.
Personal Hygiene & Skin Infections
Skin infections at Muay Thai gyms in Thailand are fairly common, and unfortunately, I found out the hard way.
During my last trip to Thailand, I ended up hospitalised with a severe infection that needed draining and IV antibiotics for 14 days. As someone cautious after years on the mats, I was surprised by how quickly this spread in Thailand.
There’s an element of luck, but to minimise your risk, prioritise personal hygiene and cleanliness. Always wash your equipment, shower immediately after class, don’t train with anyone showing visible signs of an infection, and try to choose a clean gym that prioritises hygiene.
DON’T TRAIN IF YOU HAVE AN INFECTION. I understand the temptation after spending a lot of money and flying across the world to train in Thailand, but training while infected will make it worse and can infect everyone else in the gym.
Manage Your Training Intensity
You’ll see advice online saying to train twice a day, six days a week, but the truth is that this isn’t realistic for most people.
I’ve seen it time after time. Somebody's fresh off the plane, training twice a day for the first week, and then burnout or an injury happens. If you’re training two or three times a week back home, you won’t be able to land in Thailand and immediately train multiple times a day.
In my opinion, the best approach is to ease yourself in and gradually increase the intensity. Start with four or five sessions a week, then increase the number of sessions and intensity the longer you’re in Thailand.
Picking The Wrong Gym
Picking the right Muay Thai gym in Thailand is essential to make the most out of your experience.
To me, it’s crazy that people book a long-term training camp without experiencing the gym first. I’ve trained at gyms everyone recommends and hated the vibe because of overcrowding. On the other hand, I’ve rocked up to gyms with no online presence that I found by chance and had an unforgettable experience that made me extend my stay.
Factors to consider when choosing a martial arts gym include location, your experience level, cost, how busy it is, and the overall vibe of the gym.
If you’re planning to stay in Thailand long-term, I recommend making a shortlist of three gyms, then signing up for the one you like best.
Sparring Too Hard
You want to impress your coach and show that you know your way around the ring; I get it (kind of). But sparring hard in Thailand isn't the way to go.
The Thais have a relaxed and playful sparring style for a reason. They train twice a day, often including several rounds of sparring and clinching and can even fight once a week. Sparring in Thailand is meant to be technical and playful, helping fighters improve without risking injury.
I’m not saying spar passively, but sparring in Thailand is much more relaxed than I’m used to in the UK. Sparring too hard can alienate your training partners and give your coaches a bad first impression.
Getting Drawn In To The Party Scene
If you’re training Muay Thai in Thailand, whatever you do, don’t get drawn into the party/bar girl scene.
Thailand is a great place to live affordably, get better at Muay Thai, and get healthier, but if you give in to temptation too easily, you could run into problems.
The bar scene and nightlife attract visitors from all around the world, but they're the kryptonite for many eager young Muay Thai fighters. Just as with overtraining, I’ve also seen many people arrive in Thailand for a Muay Thai camp, get pulled into the party scene, and never be seen again.
Remember, you’re not on a boozy holiday; you’re in Thailand to train Muay Thai. That said, life is about balance. I like to go out for a few beers a couple of times a month, watch live Muay Thai events, and blow off some steam, but don’t let it damage your Muay Thai camp.
