Muay Thai Training with Kids and Families in Thailand
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport.
Thai kickboxing wasn’t on my radar prior to our trip, but after a couple weeks in Thailand and seeing adverts for Muay Thai events just about everywhere it was beginning to look like a fun family team building activity that we could all do together.
In Railay I watched an 11 year old and his father have a great time during a practice session and I was sold.
I spent a while searching for a place to do Muay Thai with tour small children and came up short-handed.
Internet searches for “kid friendly” and “Muay Thai” were not very productive. I emailed places in Phuket and Bangkok but most were very vague about age restrictions, cost and whether or not they would train our family together.
Muay Thai is fun for the entire family
We were lucky to happen upon the Lanta Sports Resort Muay Thai complex in Koh Lanta while riding our mopeds around the island in search of an apartment to rent for the week.
The complex itself is hidden down a dirt road with only the tiniest sign marking its presence. You would never know that it was a renowned Muay Thai center if you weren’t looking. The road is difficult to navigate on a moped but if you hang in there you will be welcomed by what may be the finest Muay Thai complex in all of Thailand, and it just so happens to have a fabulous kids program.
After speaking with reception we were able to negotiate a great deal that included a huge, airy pool side room with our own kitchen and 3 days of Muay Thai kickboxing for the family at an exceptional rate.
The information regarding the kickboxing itself is lacking and almost everyone who comes to take a class (including the guests at the sport resort) have a confused look on their faces. Like many places in Thailand there were no set times or schedules posted and it seemed like even training times could be negotiated to fit your needs. Many of the trainers speak little English and the girls in the office inside were well-intentioned but it was hard to get a straight answer.
That being said, it is pretty straightforward if you are determined to figure out what is going on. You can book private training or join a group session. Group sessions run from 8-10 am and the beginners session are at 10 am. They have a dedicated kids class in the afternoon at 3 pm.
The first day we took a class together at 10 am which was a blast. The next several days we split up, where I trained in the morning and the kids would take the afternoon class. The kids really enjoyed training with all the other children.
Why to consider Lanta Sports Resort for Family Muay Thai Training
There may be other places to take Muay Thai classes in Thailand but I never found one quite as nice and quite so child friendly. The grounds are impeccable and the trainers are gentle and work well with children.
The cost for a kids training session is 300 THB or roughly $9, the adult session is $12 per adult per 1 hour session. If you stay at the resort 2 sessions per day are included in the price and like I said, it is a wonderful resort. It is not on the beach, but it is a short walk to the beach which is just accross the street.
The staff at reception are not the warmest but they get the job done. When I asked them why they didn’t advertise their resort they looked at me like I was crazy. The truth is that this resort is extremely popular and beloved by the local Swedes who come here by the hoards during their winter season. If you arrive in January-March like we did you will realize very quickly that most of Koh Lanta is a German and Swedish hot spot. They love their Muay Thai and so do their kids who heavily populate the 3 pm class. If you are booking after the first week in February you better make reservations well in advance. Especially if you want one of the cheaper rooms.
You can check the latest prices at the Lanta Sports complex on Agoda or consider booking as well at the White Flower Apartments. We stayed here after we left the sports complex and it is a great value. Again, book early if you can.
Also, if you are wondering if taking your kids to a kickboxing event is appropriate? My answer is yes, consider staying up late one night an attending one of the evening competitions that is put on my the sports complex. We had a great time!
Jump into the Gap
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived" - Henry David Thoreau
It is amazing the things you find while at a location. Thus never would have occurred to me while doing research from afar.
Yes Domenick, I have learned that renting mopeds on the first day and getting lost on an island is the best way to find all those hidden gems you tend to discover later on and kick yourself wishing you found earlier. It’s hard to resist booking a place in advance and taking the risk of finding a decent place to sleep when you get to a destination, especially during the busy season and especially when traveling as a family. But every time we do we are usually rewarded with a great find. This being one of them. Koh Lanta is a pretty special place as well beyond the kickboxing. Thanks for the comment! I will have Lucca teach you a few moves when we make it back home 🙂