Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Sitmonchai Gym is one of Thailand's most respected traditional martial arts camps, located in the small town of Tha Maka in Kanchanaburi province, about a two-hour drive west of Bangkok. It is primarily an active Thai training camp, and the number of international guests is deliberately limited so that foreigners can train alongside and learn from the Thai fighters, rather than displacing them. The gym's training style is known in the martial arts world for its hard low kicks and boxing techniques, and head coach Kru Dam personally holds the pads for visitors who come because of its excellent reputation.

The all-inclusive package is the most popular option for our guests. An air-conditioned double room with training, two freshly prepared meals daily, laundry service, and Wi-Fi costs 1,200 baht per day or 36,000 baht per month; a single room costs 1,400 baht per day or 42,000 baht per month. Each room has a bathroom with hot water. Individual training sessions cost 400 baht per session, and private lessons cost between 600 and 1,500 baht per hour, depending on the trainer. The cuisine is a particular highlight, offering halal, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.