faq
If you don’t find your answer here your more then welcome to contact us, see the contact page for more details.
- Where is Phuket?
- When is the best time to come to Phuket?
- Is the airport far from the gym?
- What kind of money do I use in Thailand?
- How much money do I need while in Phuket?
- Where can I find a place to stay?
- What do I need to bring?
- What do you really need?
- What makes TMT different from other gyms and camps?
- Do you offer certification?
- Do I need to bring my gear?
- What type of fitness level do I need to train?
- I am staying 3 months, do I need a visa?
- Will I have problems with the language?
- Does the gym train women and children?
- Will I get hurt training with Thai boxers and trainers?
- Can I have a real Muay Thai fight while in Thailand?
Phuket is located on the south-western coast of Thailand about 11 hours from Bangkok by road and 1 hour by air. Phuket is an island that is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin bridge north of the airport. Phuket has a population of +400,000, and has several towns (Tambon), and cities (Muang), including Phuket City, Patong, Thalang, Karon and Kata. The island is approximately 60 km long and 20 km wide. Malaysia, Burma, and Cambodia border south Thailand.
When is the best time to come to Phuket?
Phuket has two distinct seasons. The dry season (high-season) and the rainy season (low-season). High Season The high season runs from November-April and the low-season from May-October. Most tourists come during the peak of the high-season in December. The weather is dry and hot with little chance of rain. The sea is calm and flat on most beaches as the wind blows offshore. The average temperature runs 32c-38c with humidity around +80%, and rains about 1-2 days a month. In high-season, prices rise a little for hotels and services as more people arrive on the island. Low Season Low-season brings the rains and the inshore winds. The island is not as crowded in the low-season, but there are still plenty of tourists. It can rain a lot in the low-season, sometimes several days in a row, but there are plenty of beautiful and sunny days as well. The average temperature runs between 26c-30c and the humidity around +50%. The waves get bigger on the beaches and brings the surfers and boogie boarders out to the beach. The low-season is a great time to train with the cool weather, little crowds, and great prices.
Is the airport far from the gym?
The Phuket airport is on the north end of the island. Most towns and tourist areas are on the south end of the island. When you arrive at the airport, you will need to take a taxi/van to the gym or hotel. If you make arrangements with staff at the gym, we will have a taxi pick you up and make sure you are not overcharged at the airport (550 baht is fair price.). The gym is about 25 km from the airport. A taxi at the airport will cost you 500+ baht ($12.50) to Chalong, Kata, Karon area. The Phuket airport is very modern with an info desk, ATM’s, hotel reservation desks, and restaurants.
What kind of money do I use in Thailand?
The Thai currency is called “baht” (bot). The baht currently trades near 37-40 baht to $1. Use our currency converter to check against your countries exchange rate. There are banks, ATM’s, and exchange booths located all over the island. Transactions at banks and exchange booths usually require a passport for identification. Most hotels will change currency for you but watch the exchange rate as they charge a % fee.
How much money do I need while in Phuket?
Phuket has very reasonable prices on most items. Always try and negotiate a fee for something before buying, especially tuk-tuk’s and small shopping plazas. Below are some suggested prices in Phuket.
Training: 8000 baht per month Room: 400-2000 baht per night Motorbike: 200+ baht per day Food: 100-150 baht per meal Beer: 40-100 baht per bottle Bus: 20 baht/ Tuk-tuk: +100 baht
Where can I find a place to stay?
We have 14 deluxe bungalows for rent at the gym with TV/DVD, air conditioning, hot water, fridge, and large bed. The bungalows at the gym go quickly, so a reservation is a good idea. Check out our prices for accommodations and specials. There are plenty of hotels, bungalows, and guesthouses in the area. We will be happy to find you a room at the gym or somewhere near. Contact BigMac for arrival and room reservations.
Other than a passport/visa and Id, it is up to you. Thailand is very humid and you can expect to shower several times a day, so a few change of clothes is necessary while others are being washed. We have a laundry service for customers of the gym with fair prices and includes pick up and delivery. Most things you might need can be purchased here in Phuket. Clothes are very inexpensive, as are shoes, sandals, towels, toiletries, etc.
Just a smile and good attitude.
What makes TMT different from other gyms and camps?
Tiger Muay Thai offers our students expert training at great prices at a clean and quality gym in Phuket. Our gym and camp is brand new with 2 large Muay Thai rings, MMA fighting cage, 16 training stations, sports green with football goal, and BBQ area, deluxe bungalows, fruit and juice bar, equipment shop, basic free-weights, exercise bike, mountain bikes. But really, it is the positive attitude and atmosphere around the gym that separates our gym from other gyms. Hard training and good times, and a great way to experience traditional Muay Thai and the Thai culture. Our Thai trainers live @ the camp and spend time with our guests during and off training.
Unlike some other martial arts, Muay Thai has no official ranking system, but we offer certificates of learning and achievement in Muay Thai. We offer special plaques, certificates, and awards to students with outstanding ability and achievement. For those interested, we offer 1-2 hour DVD’s of your training and fights with special FX, titling, and music. These are a great way to remember and enjoy your training time in Thailand, and you will usually see staff at the gym photographing and filming students for DVD’s and Picture CD’s.
You are welcome to bring any equipment you might need while training. We supply all the equipment you might need for training, and we have a full equipment and clothing shop at the gym with gloves, pads, wraps, shorts, shirts, training DVD’s, CD’s, etc. Equipment is very affordable here in Thailand and 40-50% less than the price you will pay in other countries.
What type of fitness level do I need to train?
Everyone will take a few days to a week to adjust to the climate here in Thailand. Your level of fitness will increase slowly, so there is no reason to be afraid. Many of our students have never worn boxing gloves before, others, have been fighting for years. How often and how long you train is up to you. We are here to help you and teach you. When you are tired, take a break. If you want to push through and work harder, we will be there to help you. Always keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Sore muscles and joints can be massaged with liniment and oil.
I am staying 3 months….Do I need a visa?
When you arrive in Bangkok or Phuket, you will be issued a 30 day tourist visa at the airport immigration and customs. At the end of 30 days, you will need to leave Thailand and return for another 30 day visa. Actually, it is not as bad as it sounds. However, new laws (October 2006) now allow foreign visitors only 3 consecutive 30 day Visa before you will be required to leave Thailand for 90 days (3 months) before returning for another 30 Day VISA. Thailand still offers 30/60/90, tourist, Educational VISA for tourists contacting Thai embassies outside of Thailand or in your home country before arrival. (Suggested course for staying in Thailand longer than 60 days) Visa runs are made by local travel companies that run vans/buses to different border stations in Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia. The visa runs leave in the morning and return in the evening, and they usually stop to eat on the road at a small restaurant. Visa runs cost as little as 1000 baht for a trip to Ranong near Burma (Myanmar). The trip takes about 6-7 hours. You cross into Burma via a long tail boat, get stamps at the immigration office and return to Thailand. Quick and easy. Many of our students travel together to save money or just be with friends. Some trips stop for pictures at different scenic views and locations.
Will I have problems with the language?
While it is not necessary to learn the Thai language, it will help you greatly if you can say a few key phrases, and polite words. Many Thai people in Phuket speak some english, and english is a required language in Thai schools. Phuket is the best english speaking province in Thailand. Check out our Thai language page for key words and phrases that will help you get by while you are in Thailand. Korp Khun Krup.
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Does the gym train women and children?
Tiger Muay Thai is open to everyone, and everyone is welcome. On average, Tiger Muay Thai trains 3-5 women a month. Families are welcome as are children over 7 years of age. We have Thai fighters that are training daily to become Muay thai fighters. No matter your sex or age, you’ll have a great time at the gym.
Will I get hurt training with Thai boxers and trainers?
Aside from a sprain or muscle cramp or ache, No, you do not have to worry about being hurt while training. Our trainers will train you as hard as you like. When you are sparring in the ring, the trainers will hit you as hard as you hit them. Muay Thai is an extreme physical sport. Sometimes, a student will get a little rough with the sparring, and the trainer will give as good as he gets. But as a strict rule, sparring is done at 3/4 speed and 1/2 power. The trainers are here to teach and help you, not hurt you. If you ask, trainers will increase or decrease the level of sparring and ring action to suit your level of fitness and experience.
Can I have a real Muay Thai fight while in Thailand?
Students can experience a real Muay Thai fight against a Thai or foreigner here in Phuket. Our trainers will prepare you for a real 5-round fight to be held in Phuket, Patong, Ko Samui, or Surat Thani. All thai fights have a referee, judges, corner men, and doctor at the fight ….along with all the students from the gym cheering. Gambling is legal in boxing stadiums, so students can place bets on themselves, and others. TMT will be with you every step of the way, from training and conditioning, taking you to the fight, massage and wrap hands before fight, introduction, and in your corner until you defeat your opponent. Become a member of Team Muay Thai and experience a real muay Thai fight while on your training vacation.
