Rawai Muay Thai
Phuket, Khao Lak (Note: Different from Rawai area despite name) | Muay Thai
Quick Facts
Overview
Rawai Muay Thai (located in Khao Lak, not Rawai despite the name) offers affordable, authentic Muay Thai training in a traditional camp setting near the beach. With dedicated trainers who have 300+ professional fights, 35 private rooms and bungalows, and training costing just 300 THB for 2 hours (10,000 THB/month), this camp provides excellent value for long-term students. The gym focuses on traditional Muay Thai methodology with friendly, patient trainers who genuinely care about student development at all levels from beginners to professional fighters.
What Makes Rawai Muay Thai Special
- ✓Very affordable: 300 THB per 2-hour session, 10,000 THB/month
- ✓Trainers with 300+ professional fights each
- ✓35 private rooms and bungalows on-site
- ✓All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and Android TVs
- ✓Small kitchens with appliances and porch with hammock
- ✓Near beach in quieter Khao Lak area
- ✓Traditional Thai training methodology
- ✓Patient, friendly trainers for all levels
History: Rawai Muay Thai established itself as an affordable option for serious students seeking traditional training outside Phuket's main tourist areas. The camp's location in Khao Lak provides beach proximity without Phuket's crowds and prices. Focus remains on authentic Muay Thai instruction at accessible pricing for long-term students.
Who Trains Here: Mix of long-term students (1-3+ months), budget-conscious travelers, dedicated hobbyists, and some fighters. International crowd seeking authentic training at reasonable prices. Students appreciate quieter location and traditional camp atmosphere. Age range 20-50s.
Head Trainer & Credentials ⭐
Head Training Staff
Credentials: Senior trainers all have 300+ professional fights
Specialties:
Senior Trainers
Training Team
Experienced Thai trainers with extensive fight records
Specialties: Pad work, Clinch training, Traditional methods, Beginner to advanced instruction
Training Programs & Schedule ⭐
Daily Schedule
Morning: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Morning training session (2 hours)
Afternoon: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Afternoon training session (2 hours)
Program Types
Beginner Program
Beginners welcomed with patient instruction. Trainers described as "really nice and patient" with first-timers. Traditional camp format but friendly atmosphere. Good for beginners wanting authentic experience without intimidation.
Intermediate Program
Full traditional training. Two 2-hour sessions daily. Good technical development with experienced trainers. Affordable for long-term skill building.
Pro Fighter Program
Traditional fighter training available. Trainers have extensive fight experience. Good for fighters on budgets wanting authentic preparation.
Class Structure: Traditional camp format: warm-up, roadwork, shadow boxing, pad work rotation with trainers, bag work, clinch training, conditioning. Two 2-hour sessions daily. Small to mid-size groups.
Private Training: Available. Available - contact camp for private session rates
Special Programs: Long-term student packages, Training + accommodation bundles, Fighter development programs, Budget-friendly extended stays
Price Breakdown ⭐
Drop-in
300 THB per 2-hour session
Weekly
~2,000 THB
Monthly
10,000 THB
3-Month Package
~27,000 THB
6-Month Package
Negotiable long-term rates
What's Included
- ✓2-hour training sessions
- ✓Pad work with experienced trainers
- ✓Access to bags and equipment
- ✓Traditional Thai training
- ✓Drinking water
What Costs Extra
- +Accommodation: Rooms 24,000 THB/month off-season (reported)
- +Gloves and equipment
- +Hand wraps
- +Private training
- +Fight arrangements
- +Laundry (towels/sheets changed weekly)
Accommodation & Living Options ⭐
On-Site Accommodation
Room Types: 35 private rooms and bungalows, Most with AC, some with fans
Pricing: 24,000 THB/month reported for off-season room (varies by room type)
Amenities:
Nearby Accommodation
Khao Lak area has additional accommodation options from guesthouses to resorts. Quieter than Phuket with more local feel.
Price Range: 6,000-15,000 THB/month for local accommodation
Food & Dining Quality ⭐
Nearby Dining
Khao Lak has mix of Thai restaurants and tourist dining. Less variety than Phuket but good local food at lower prices. Beach area restaurants available.
Price Range: 50-100 THB for local Thai, 100-250 THB for restaurants
Healthy Options: Yes, widely available
Location & Nightlife Access
Address: Khao Lak area (Note: Despite name, NOT in Rawai, Phuket)
Beach
Near beach in Khao Lak
Nightlife
Limited nightlife in Khao Lak - quieter beach town atmosphere
Restaurants
Local restaurants and beach dining nearby
Transportation
Area Vibe
Khao Lak is quieter, more laid-back than Phuket. Beach town atmosphere without the crowds. Good for those wanting to focus on training without distractions. Less developed, more traditional Thai beach feel. Peaceful and affordable.
What Reddit Says 💬
Most Mentioned Pros
- ✓Very affordable pricing (10,000 THB/month)
- ✓Professional, friendly trainers at all levels
- ✓Patient instruction for beginners
- ✓Good value accommodation included
- ✓Traditional Thai training methodology
- ✓Quieter location away from tourist chaos
- ✓Near beach
- ✓35 rooms with good amenities (AC, TV, kitchen)
Most Mentioned Cons
- −Cleanliness concerns - infrequent cleaning, towels/sheets changed weekly at most
- −Limited nightlife and entertainment
- −Location confusion (Khao Lak, not Rawai)
- −Less variety in nearby restaurants than Phuket
- −Accommodation pricing adds up (24k+ for room)
- −Less developed area may feel isolated
Common Themes
- • Excellent value for long-term training
- • Trainers are genuinely good and patient
- • Cleanliness not up to Western standards
- • Good for focused training without distractions
- • Budget-friendly option for extended stays
- • Traditional camp atmosphere
Direct Quotes
"Very professional and friendly trainers for all levels of fighters."
"Trained at 4 different gyms in Thailand - this one is clearly the best I did."
"Trainers really nice and patient, was amazed how many Muay Thai moves I've learned within a week."
"Cleanliness was an issue - cleaners came infrequently, towels and sheets changed once a week at most."
"For the price, excellent value. Just don't expect luxury - this is a budget fighter camp."
⚠️ Red Flags Mentioned
- • Cleanliness and housekeeping below Western expectations
- • Location may feel isolated for some
- • Name confusion (Rawai Muay Thai but located in Khao Lak)
⭐ Standout Praise
- • Excellent value for money
- • Quality of trainers
- • Patient, friendly instruction
- • Affordable long-term stays
- • Traditional authentic training
Last Updated: November 2025
Sources: r/MuayThai, r/Thailand, r/digitalnomad
Best For & Bottom Line
✓ Perfect For
- • Budget-conscious students seeking value
- • Long-term trainees (1-3+ months)
- • Those wanting quiet, focused training environment
- • Students comfortable with traditional camp standards
- • People seeking authentic Thai training at low prices
- • Travelers who prefer quieter areas over tourist scenes
- • Students willing to trade luxury for affordability
✗ Not Ideal For
- • Those requiring Western cleanliness standards
- • Students wanting lots of nightlife and entertainment
- • People needing modern, upscale facilities
- • Short-term tourists (better value for long stays)
- • Those wanting to be in main Phuket areas
- • Students uncomfortable with basic accommodation
- • People who need frequent housekeeping
Overall Value Assessment
Excellent value for budget-conscious students. At 10,000 THB/month training with experienced trainers (300+ fights each), this is some of the most affordable quality training in Thailand. Accommodation at ~24,000 THB/month with amenities (AC, TV, kitchen, bathroom) is reasonable for included package. Total ~34,000 THB/month for training + accommodation is very competitive, especially for long-term stays. Trade-off is cleanliness and location isolation. For students prioritizing training quality and budget over luxury, outstanding value. For those needing Western standards, may not be worth the savings.