Tiger Muay Thai

About the camp

Why people come, what it's like, what it isn't.

Tiger Muay Thai is the most well-known camp in Thailand and arguably the world. Located on Soi Ta-iad in Chalong — the legendary "fighter's street" packed with gyms — it has hosted everyone from UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko to featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski during their training careers.

What sets Tiger apart is scale and structure. The camp runs over 150 classes per week across muay thai, MMA, BJJ, western boxing, yoga, and strength & conditioning. Classes are split by skill level — beginner, intermediate, advanced, and pro/fighter — running simultaneously so you can pick what fits your day.

For first-time visitors, the structured beginner programs are the strongest in Phuket. English-speaking trainers, written class progressions, and the on-site Tiger Grill restaurant mean you can land at HKT, take a 45-minute taxi to camp, and start training the next morning without needing to figure anything out.

The downside of size: it can feel impersonal compared to smaller authentic Thai camps. Don't come here looking for one-on-one mentorship from a single Kru — come here for breadth, community, and the option to mix muay thai with MMA training.

A typical day

Mon-Sat schedule. Sundays are rest day. Most foreigners do one session per day in their first week.

6:30 AM

Morning yoga & stretch Optional

Optional 60 min yoga class with experienced instructors. Helps with mobility before the heavier sessions later. Skipped by most fighters but loved by long-stay guests.

7:30 AM

Breakfast at Tiger Grill

Onsite restaurant with western and Thai breakfast options. ~€3-6 per meal. Coffee, eggs, fresh fruit, smoothies. Most people fuel up here before the morning session.

8:30 AM

Morning muay thai session 2 hoursintense

5-8km warm-up run, technique drilling, pad work with trainers (3-5 rounds), bag work, conditioning. Split by level — beginner, intermediate, advanced, fighter classes run simultaneously.

11:00 AM

Recovery & lunch

Cool down, stretch, massage at on-site spa (~€8/hr Thai massage), or just nap. Heat is brutal mid-day — stay indoors or near the pool. Lunch at Tiger Grill or local Thai food on Soi Ta-iad.

2:00 PM

MMA / BJJ / Strength & Conditioning Optional

Cross-training options for those staying long-term or wanting to mix disciplines. Beginners usually skip this in week 1 to avoid burnout.

3:30 PM

Afternoon muay thai session 2 hoursintense

Same structure as morning but with more sparring (controlled, by skill level). Sparring is optional — fighter class is invite-only. Most beginners only attend one session per day for the first few days.

6:00 PM

Evening & rest

Dinner at Tiger Grill or explore Chalong/Phuket. Most people are exhausted by 9pm. Saturday nights some go to Patong; serious trainers stay sober and rest.

Sessions / day (typical)

4-5h

Total training

25+

Classes / day to choose

What guests say

Themes from 2431 Google reviews, in our words.

4.6

★★★★★

2431 reviews

5 star

78%

4 star

14%

3 star

2 star

1 star

Source

Google Reviews

✓ English-speaking trainers Mentioned in 60%+ of 5-star reviews

Reviewers consistently praise how trainers explain techniques in clear English, tailor classes to individual skill levels, and bring genuine warmth even to beginners. Several mention specific trainers by name as standouts.

✓ Beginner-friendly atmosphere Common theme for first-timers

Many first-time visitors describe being nervous on day one and feeling welcomed within hours. The "no judgment" culture and structured beginner classes make it accessible regardless of fitness level. Several note arriving overweight and out of shape and being put at ease immediately.

✓ Equipment & facilities Frequent positive mentions

Multiple training rings, well-maintained gear, on-site MMA mats and BJJ space, working showers, and a clean Tiger Grill. Reviewers compare it favorably to gyms in the West and describe the scale as "impressive."

× Crowded at peak season Common in Dec-Feb reviews

Several reviewers note that during high season (December-February), classes are packed with 30-50 people. Pad work rotation gets shorter, less individual attention, and the camp feels less personal. Off-season visitors (May-Oct) consistently describe a much better experience.

× Basic accommodation tier Recurring complaint

The cheapest on-site rooms are described as basic at best — thin walls, hard beds, no soundproofing from early morning classes. Multiple reviewers recommend upgrading to a higher tier or booking accommodation separately on Airbnb.

How we wrote this: We don't copy individual reviews verbatim. Instead, we read through reviews on Google and identify recurring themes — things mentioned by 50+ different reviewers. The summaries above are our paraphrases of those patterns, written in our voice.

What's included

Honest breakdown — no hidden fees.

Included in package

✓Accommodation in on-site rooms

✓All group classes (25 per day)

✓Free wifi throughout camp

✓Airport pickup from HKT

✓Equipment loan (gloves, pads)

✓Laundry pickup service

Not included

×Meals (Tiger Grill on-site, ~&euro

×85/wk meal credit option)

×Visa support

×Travel insurance

×Personal hand wraps & mouthguard

×Local transport (motorbike rental ~&euro

×5/day)

Practical details

The stuff you'd otherwise have to email about.

✈

Airport

HKT (Phuket International) — 45 min from HKT

⏱

Minimum stay

7 days

🏠

Accommodation

On-site rooms (multiple tiers)

🎯

Fight arrangement

Amateur fights at Bangla Stadium and Patong Boxing Stadium after 4-6 weeks of training, by trainer approval.

Common questions

Asked by previous visitors. Click to expand.

Do I need any experience to train at Tiger Muay Thai?

No. Tiger has dedicated beginner classes running daily, and many guests have never thrown a kick before arriving. Trainers are used to working with absolute beginners. That said, doing a few weeks of training at home before you go will help you get more out of the trip and reduce injury risk.

How busy is the camp? Can I get individual attention?

Tiger is large — classes can have 20-50 people in peak season (Dec-Feb). Trainers rotate through pad rounds with everyone, but you won't get extended one-on-one time unless you book private lessons (~€25/hour). For more individual attention, smaller authentic camps like Sinbi or Lanna are better fits.

Is the on-site accommodation worth it, or should I book separately?

For 1-2 weeks, on-site is convenient — you can roll out of bed and walk to class. For longer stays, many people upgrade to a nearby resort or AirBnb. The cheapest tier rooms get basic reviews; the bungalow-tier is solid.

Can I book amateur fights through Tiger?

Yes. After 4-6 weeks of consistent training and trainer approval, the camp arranges fights at Bangla Stadium or Patong Boxing Stadium. Tell the staff on arrival if you want to fight; they'll match you to your skill level. Most foreigners need 6+ weeks of preparation.

What's the food situation? Is the Tiger Grill any good?

Tiger Grill is on-site and serves western breakfasts, healthy bowls, smoothies, and Thai food at fair prices. ~€3-6 per meal. There's a 3,000 baht/week meal credit option (~€85). For variety, Soi Ta-iad has multiple Thai restaurants within 5 min walk.

When should I avoid Tiger because it's too busy?

December through mid-February is peak season — expect packed classes, rooms hard to book, and a more touristy vibe. May-October is monsoon but the camp is much quieter and prices drop. November and March are the sweet spots: dry weather, manageable crowds.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

Tiger loans gloves and pads. Bring your own hand wraps, mouthguard, and shin guards for hygiene reasons. There's an equipment shop on-site if you forget anything. For long stays (1+ months), most people buy their own gloves locally for ~€30-50.

Included in package

Not included

✓ Best for

× Not for

Ready to book?