Q&A on Thailand

[BigDD]

Has anyone ever trained at Kobra Muay Thai in Koh Phangen? Looks beautiful and it seems like you can train all day and relax by the beach all night. Thanks also I heard that Por Pramuk can really smell with the pig farm next to it, has anyone ever trained there before and noticed that?

 

[entmobile]

I'm really interested in training at Kaewsamrit for the summer...was wondering at what level of MT training should I be at to consider training there?

Also I read a few pages back about their subpar accommodations, any tips on looking for hotels to stay at near Kaewsamrit? Much thanks!

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

I drink a shake with 50 grams of protein before I sleep. I mostly eat papaya salad, rice, and a bit of grilled chicken during the week, so I like to have the extra protein.

7/11 sells little yogurt drinks that help keep your stomach settled. If you get antibiotics for a sinus infection or anything, make sure you drinks one of these every day.

The Rx has a powder called DeChamp, it's like Gatoraid. Only 200 baht for 100 packets. Tastes pretty good too. Not as good as the watermelon shakes, but good to drink during training if you start cramping up.

Other than that, pack light. You don't want to be lugging 15lbs of suppements over there...

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

One of my students leaves tomorrow for Kaewsamrit. He will be there for a few months. He went there with me in 2007 and loved it.

It's a bit too serious for my taste, lol. I'm too old with too many injuries to train there

You should be able to manage a 10k run and at least 5 rounds of 5 minutes on the pads and clinch nonstop for 20-30 minutes after. The other stuff you can slack on until you get use to it.

I wouldn't say the rooms are subpar. They are 100xs nicer than where the fighters sleep. I don't think there are any hotels near there. It's about a 20 minute taxi ride on a good day from Khao San Rd.

 

[gotobread]

Sharpen up your jumprope game if you're going to Kaewsamrit.

 

[entmobile]

Hey thanks for the feedback guys, seems like Kaewsamrit might be a bit too tough to be starting out at. I've only been training MT on and off for a year and a half and I rather not make myself look like a fool jumping into a gym as serious as that.

 

[steppingrazor]

I'm leaving the 20th and will be at tiger muay thai for 3 months, does this seem a little long for a first visit? i will do it regardless but I'm still curious.

I'm serious and want to be taken seriously so I'm trying to prepare. however i only train 2-3 hours a typical day at tiger mt seems to be about 7 hours of training.. if it takes me a week to work up to that level will they take me seriously. i always put in 100% so I'm not worried about that part. i also dont plan on partying, i have a lot i want to explore on the weekends and the party scene isn't included. any little tips as far as how much i should run each day or how long i should skip rope would be appreciated.. or do people only usually do a mrning session or afternoon session each day? i have people tellin me i over train for going 4 hours a day 5 days a week when i was doing that during the winter

i have gear but am going to need some extra mma shorts and mt shorts, i am considering getting some new gloves as well, wait till thailand or get them before? how about supplements? i take a ton and can i expect to find my shit in thailand or should i stock up before i go?

i will spend much time at the gibbon rescue and rehabilitation center, I'm very much in love with animals and nature, any other places i should check out? i will be in phuket(already recieved some great ideas on this one, thanks)

what can i rent for travel? such as scooters, motor bikes etc and any average prices would be apreciated.. also should i just rent when i need it or can i get a good deal for a 3 month rental

i took out the ones already answered but figure i might bring this back up every once and a while when i come up with new questions.. this is my first time ever leavin the u.s. and I'm leavin for 3 months so i want to make sure i dont f*ck anything up

 

[Payak]

3 months is perfect,the longer the better.
you should train morning and afternoon if you want them to take you serious,you will be surprised how quickly your body adapts.

 

[steppingrazor]

^awsome, then thats what i will do. i will do my best to prepare before i go... thanks again for the advice

 

[pliftkl]

Caveat: I don't spend a lot of time in Phuket, and haven't been there in a couple years.

i have gear but am going to need some extra mma shorts and mt shorts, i am considering getting some new gloves as well, wait till thailand or get them before?

Up to you. You can buy in Thailand, and they'll be slightly cheaper (though I'm not sure if that would be true in Phuket as opposed to Bangkok). You might be better off getting gloves that you like here rather than going out and trying to find gear your first couple days in Thailand.

how about supplements? i take a ton and can i expect to find my shit in thailand or should i stock up before i go?

What do you take? Vitamins should be readily available, and in Phuket you should eat enough fish that you shouldn't need the fish oil. Protein used to be hard to get in Thailand a few years ago, but is now domestically manufactured. I'm not sure what the availability is in Phuket, but it was available (but expensive by Thai standards) in Bangkok last time I was there.

i will spend much time at the gibbon rescue and rehabilitation center, I'm very much in love with animals and nature, any other places i should check out? i will be in phuket(already recieved some great ideas on this one, thanks)

If your budget allows, there is some great scuba diving in the Phuket area, with lots of dive shops. If you aren't certified, you can take a relatively cheap class and get certified at some nice dive sites.

what can i rent for travel? such as scooters, motor bikes etc and any average prices would be apreciated.. also should i just rent when i need it or can i get a good deal for a 3 month rental

The Phuket taxi equivalents are ridiculously cheap. You can cross the island a couple times a day for what you would pay to rent.

 

[gotobread]

There are GNCs in Thailand though they tend to be a bit expensive. Remember that if you choose to go that route and bring protein with you, it has to be new and sealed. You cannot take open containers of protein with you.

Also, I always rent a scooter when I'm in Phuket. You can find them from anywhere between 200-500 baht a day for an automatic. Just be very, very careful. Thousands of people die a year in accidents on Phuket's roads.

 

[steppingrazor]

Caveat: I don't spend a lot of time in Phuket, and haven't been there in a couple years.



Up to you. You can buy in Thailand, and they'll be slightly cheaper (though I'm not sure if that would be true in Phuket as opposed to Bangkok). You might be better off getting gloves that you like here rather than going out and trying to find gear your first couple days in Thailand

What do you take? Vitamins should be readily available, and in Phuket you should eat enough fish that you shouldn't need the fish oil. Protein used to be hard to get in Thailand a few years ago, but is now domestically manufactured. I'm not sure what the availability is in Phuket, but it was available (but expensive by Thai standards) in Bangkok last time I was there.

i take fish oil, the animal pak, gakic, beta nox, simple carb drink for during practice and then a heavy weight gain shake as well. as far as the fish goes i thought it was difficult to get that much omega 3 out of anything including salmon. i take like 6g a day. oh also glutamine. im going to need some supps to help with recovery for sure.

If your budget allows, there is some great scuba diving in the Phuket area, with lots of dive shops. If you aren't certified, you can take a relatively cheap class and get certified at some nice dive sites.

i think i should have enough for this, im not certified but i love this kinda shit, thanks for the recomendation

The Phuket taxi equivalents are ridiculously cheap. You can cross the island a couple times a day for what you would pay to rent.

awsome, i was under the impression it was pricey, thanks

 

[steppingrazor]

There are GNCs in Thailand though they tend to be a bit expensive. Remember that if you choose to go that route and bring protein with you, it has to be new and sealed. You cannot take open containers of protein with you.

Also, I always rent a scooter when I'm in Phuket. You can find them from anywhere between 200-500 baht a day for an automatic. Just be very, very careful. Thousands of people die a year in accidents on Phuket's roads.

a bit expenisive is probably still cheeper than in the u.s. i would assume, but if i can help it i will try and find my stuff elsewhere. when you rent the scooter do you usually just rent the days you need it? im just not sure how close a rental place is to camp

 

[CharmingCritic]

thats a lot of supplements man. I heard something outrageous like 3lbs of whey is like 70 bucks in Thailand. As such, I'm probably just gonna spend my money on an extra plate of chicken every day.

 

[steppingrazor]

thats a lot of supplements man. I heard something outrageous like 3lbs of whey is like 70 bucks in Thailand. As such, I'm probably just gonna spend my money on an extra plate of chicken every day.

i have a few physical issues that really get in the way of my training. i have some joint issues and bad shoulders. thats why i take animal pak, the omega 3's and glutamine. the rest of the stuff (besides weight gain powder) is to help keep my energy levels which drop really quick. but yeah it is a lot of stuff

 

[Haider Qayyum]

i have a few physical issues that really get in the way of my training. i have some joint issues and bad shoulders. thats why i take animal pak, the omega 3's and glutamine. the rest of the stuff (besides weight gain powder) is to help keep my energy levels which drop really quick. but yeah it is a lot of stuff

You can buy local Thai vitamins and fish oil supps that are as good. You just have to be a bit open minded. I mean , Thai locals need vitamins too. Just got a pharmacy and ask for a vitamin like Centrum and they'll give it to you with Thai text on it, that means its made for local markets . Cheaper, and same vitamin content.

 

[Ryukyu Damashi]

You will be surprised how well you recover in Thailand. I recover in a few hour from a workout that would have left me sore for days. A bunch of clean food, a massage and a nap...then I'm ready to go.

The chicken you eat at the stalls was killed that morning, the veggies were picked that day or the day before. That makes a huge difference in recovery.

 

[gotobread]

Seriously, just eat well and often.

For reference, I still have a small (500 gram, or 15 servings) container of Thai produced whey protein in my kitchen. A friend bought it at a Thai GNC and didn't need it, so he gave it to me. I didn't use it, had some extra room in my luggage, and brought it home. The price tag says 1,200 baht -- ~ $35.

That's what you're in for.

 

[pliftkl]

A bunch of clean food, a massage and a nap...then I'm ready to go.

We haven't talked about those yet on this thread. One of the great pleasures of living in Thailand. Hour long foot massages for $5. Two hour Thai massage for $8. The traditional Thai massage is very similar to modern active release therapy. It's painful, but you walk out a changed person. Definitely makes a big difference in recovery.

I'm lucky enough that my wife's best friend here in the US does Thai massage, but unfortunately she charges US rates now since she moved here...

 

[NickNack]

We haven't talked about those yet on this thread. One of the great pleasures of living in Thailand. Hour long foot massages for $5. Two hour Thai massage for $8. The traditional Thai massage is very similar to modern active release therapy. It's painful, but you walk out a changed person. Definitely makes a big difference in recovery.

I'm lucky enough that my wife's best friend here in the US does Thai massage, but unfortunately she charges US rates now since she moved here...

Painful? Please elaborate.

I was more interested in a soothing massage from a beautiful Thai woman.