Explore the Exciting Muay Thai Training Camps of Chiang Mai, Thailand
Muay Thai, a famous combat sport from Thailand, is known for its powerful stand-up strikes and clinching techniques, similar to other Asian kickboxing styles. This intense sport utilizes fists, knees, elbows, and shins, making it an excellent example of a full-contact fighting discipline.
If you’re visiting Chiang Mai, checking out the local Muay Thai camps is a must. These camps often host various sports events, and you can spot posters directing you to the fight venues. While some local spots offer less authentic matches, the experience is still worth it. Entry fees can vary from cheap to fairly expensive, depending on the location.
One popular venue is the Loi Kroh Entertainment Complex, where you can watch matches with large crowds for a relatively low entrance fee. The area is surrounded by bars, and people can watch the fights from a distance while enjoying a drink. Sometimes, spectators tip the fighters after their matches, with 20 baht being a typical amount. The fights here are usually friendly matches between rival schools or training sessions, but you might catch an exciting bout now and then.
For more serious fights, head to the Thaepae Boxing Stadium. This venue, located in the heart of the community, attracts a lot of foreign tourists and tends to get quite crowded. The entrance fee is higher, around 500 baht per person, and VIP seats closer to the ring cost even more. This stadium offers a great way to get familiar with the sport in a tourist-friendly environment. You can enjoy a drink at the small bars around the venue and watch the fights from a comfortable distance.
For the most realistic and intense Muay Thai experience in Chiang Mai, visit the Kawila Boxing Stadium. It’s a bit of a trip, involving a tuk-tuk ride across the river, but it’s worth it. The admission fee is 500 baht per person. Here, you’ll find authentic matches with fewer tourists and more locals. The fights can get pretty intense, and you might see some betting action as well.
Muay Thai might take some getting used to, but once you warm up to it, you’ll find it an exciting and fun event that you’ll likely want to revisit.
