The international sport of Thailand, Muay Thai is not just popular internationally for the quick moves but the various health benefits it offers. Hundreds of people drop by Chiang Mai every year to learn this sport for general fitness and weight loss. Today it has gone beyond that and is considered a way of self-discovery by some tourists. For MMA enthusiasts, Chiang Mai also offers MMA training camps, where you can sharpen your skills in both Muay Thai and other martial arts disciplines.
Hone your skills at the best Muay Thai gyms in Chiang Mai, where dedicated trainers, authentic training methods, and supportive atmospheres come together to help you master Thailand’s revered martial art.
6 Best Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai (2023 Update)
History of Muay Thai
The history of Muang Thai dates back to the 16th century when the famous fighter Nai Khanomtom was captured by the soldiers of the Kon Baung dynasty. They offered to release him on the condition that he freed himself using Muay Thai moves.
Nai Khanomtom emerged victorious in the battle and impressed with his dexterity in the moves, the captors released him immediately. He emerged as a hero after that incident and his style became famous as the Siamese-style boxing, presently known as Muay Thai.
Best Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai
The top 5 Muay Thai Gyms in Chiang Mai are as follows:
1. Santai Muay Thai
It is considered the best gym in Chiang Mai owing to its quality training. The gym is located at a distance of 15 km from Chiang Mai city in the countryside of San Kam Phang.
It is popular among people for its professional trainers who have won several Muay Thai Championships.
The gym has onsite accommodation facilities both for budget cautious and high-end trainees where they can stay during their training. The cost per session at Santai is 3,00 THB, 3,000 THB for a week, and 10,000 THB for a month’s training.
Contact:
- Website: https://muay-thai-santai.com/
- Telephone: +66 82 528 6059
- Email: info@santaimuaythai.com
2. Hong Thong Muay Thai
This Thai gym was started by twin brothers Joe aka “Hong Thong Noi” and Gen aka “Hongthong Lek” in 2013. Both the brothers are professional fighters who have previously worked in various renowned gyms in the other parts of Thailand.
Besides having academic qualifications in Sports Science and Physical Education, the duo has vast experience and practical knowledge about professional fighting that makes them perfect trainers.
The gym has adequate accommodation facilities for the students. Previously the gym was located in Han Dang but has now been shifted to Tasala near the Promenade Shopping Center.
The cost per session at Hong Thong Muay Thai is 5,500 THB/day whereas charges for training two times a day for one month is 9,000THB.
Contact:
- Website: http://muaythaigymhongthong.com/
- Telephone: +66 89 275 3188
- Email: info@muaythaigymhongthong.com
3. Boon Lanna Muay Thai Gym
Also known as Kiatbusaba, it is one of the earliest gyms in Chiang Mai Province. It was initially located near Chiang Mai University on Huay Kaew Road.
The gym was named after its founder, Andy Thompson. He was the first-ever foreigner to open a gym in Thailand. After his death, the gym is now looked after by Kru Boom and other trainers who grew up there.
The gym has been home to many renowned Thailand fighters such as JR and Kunlun. One striking feature of this gym is that it conducts an all-female class on Saturdays exclusively for women who don’t feel comfortable training around men.
The gym closed during Covid and has now relocated to the Saraphi area.
The cost per session is 350THB/day and for two sessions is 500 THB/day whereas the cost for two-time training for a month is 8,800THB.
Contact:
Website: https://boonlannamuaythai.com/
Telephone: +66 65 218 2255
Email: boonlannamuaythai@gmail.com
Address: Tha Wang Tan, Saraphi District, Chiang Mai 50140, Thailand
4. Chiangmai Muay Thai Gym
The gym is conveniently located in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old city. It is particularly popular among amateur fighters who want to start from the basics and also tourists owing to its location.
The trainers here are very friendly and hence perfect for the novices to learn the art and get confident gradually. The fees are as less as 400 baht for a coached training session for newbies 2 pm daily and private lessons 1000/day per person.
The gym lacks some apparatus but the price and friendly trainers make up for the same. The gym trainers are professionals that are fluent in English which is a plus for first-time visitors. You can easily book your class by texting them on Facebook.
Contact:
- Website: https://www./Chiangmai.Muay.Thai.Gym
- Telephone: +66 95 915 7488
- Email: s.thitithan@gmail.com
5. SKP Muay Thai Gym
The gym is located 20 km east of Chiang Mai in the town of Sankamphaeng. The training at SKP Muay Thai is under the supervision of renowned fighters, Kru Keng and Kru Golf.
It caters to both experienced fighters and newbies. The coaches are especially focused on clinch training. As clinch is considered the weaker spot of westerners, it is particularly famous for this training.
The Gym has trainers from the infamous Pinsinchai Gym in Bangkok. All the trainers currently g here are former Lumpinee Fighters.
They’re very technical, boxing and beginner-friendly. To add, the atmosphere around the camp is perfect for relaxing after a good fight.
1 month’s training at SKP Muay Thai Gym costs 9,000 THB.
Contact:
- Website: http://www.skpmuaythai.com/
- Telephone: +66 91 481 2468
- Email: skpmuaythai@gmail.com
6. Muay Thai Sangha Thailand
The Muay Thai Sangha Gym is located in the heart of Northern Thailand, only 40 minutes north of Chiang Mai in the village of Mae Taeng, a small town surrounded by mountains next to the Sri Lanna national park.
The gym was founded in 2003 by Kru Pedro Solana Villalobos, a Spanish Professional Muay Thai fighter who came to Thailand in the 90s to train and fight all around Thailand.
The training program includes muay Thai, Krabi Krabong Thai weapons, Muay Chaiya (a form of Muay Boran or ancient Muay Thai), and Meditation.
All the Thai trainers are very friendly, speak good English, and are professional Muay Thai fighters. The gym welcomes beginners or professional fighters Next to the gym they are a few guesthouses where students can stay during their training.
Training fees are 8,000 THB per week or 20,000 THB for a month’s training.
Contact:
- Website: https://muaythaisangha.com/
- Telephone: +66 86 117 7021
- Email: muaythaisanghathailand@gmail.com
Bottom Line
Muay Thai is getting increasingly famous internationally, so much so that it has been granted the provisional Olympic status and is very soon expected to be one of the main Olympic sports.
So if you are planning to visit Chiang Mai anytime soon, we would suggest you visit one of these Muay Thai gyms to see closely why it is garnering so much respect.
