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| Sunrise - Hua Hin |
Communication: It is important that your trip to Thailand begins safely, and upon arrival you know exactly where to go, what time, who you need to meet etc.
I was able to get in touch with one of the camp owners and trainers (Phet-Tho) via Facebook message and he answered every question. He has excellent written English and even arranged daily transport from my hotel (I did not stay in camp) to training and home again. Brilliant.
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| Kicking Pads with Mr Bang |
The Camp: Located about 5Km outside the city of Hua Hin, you will probably need some form of transport to get around - the gym organised scooter hire for most of the clients staying in camp. The gym is well set up, cleaned regularly and well organised. The camp limits the number of people training - being a smaller camp they can't take big numbers of walk-ins so get in touch and book your visit.
The camp also offers a number of private rooms for accommodation - the rooms look very good and are great value. There is no pool onsite so if you love to swim perhaps consider other options & the Sitjaopho owners are happy to hook you up with high standard local accommodation.
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| Sparring in the ring |
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| With Mr Bang - my pad holder. |
The Trainers: I was lucky enough to work with several different trainers and pad holders and I thought each one was very good. Most days I had the same trainer holding pads for me, but at times you might work with a different holder. All of the trainers were respectful and courteous, whilst pushing and challenging clients towards their individual goals. I personally found each trainer warm and friendly - they speak good English, and are very clear about what they want you to do.
Because the trainers are welcoming, it tends to filter down through the entire camp and I was able to strike up some nice friendships with others whilst training.
The sessions & training: Sessions are well organised, and structured. Pad-work with a holder is completed at both morning and afternoon sessions (many gyms offer only once per day).Sparring happens pretty much every session (at least 4 rounds or more) so this is bound to improve immensely at Sitjaopho - you will work in with the Thai trainers as well as other clients.
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| Made a few friends at Sitjaopho |
We did a good amount of clinching, and during sparring & clinching Phet-Tho will often stop the group and deliver some coaching on technique or strategy for the group to work on during the session. He always encourages you to ask questions.
Sessions are regularly changed up to avoid staleness, even during my 10 day stay I participated in several sessions that were structured completely differently just to mix it up.
How do I get to Hua Hin? From BKK (the main international airport) there are air conditioned coaches leaving for Hua Hin every 2 hrs for about $10 USD it takes about three hrs and it's a nice drive. You can also book a private driver (limo service) from the airport direct to Hua Hin it costs about $60 USD and the driver will meet you immediately as you come out the departure gates and away you go.
Overall: I can strongly recommend Sitjaopho Muay Thai as a training camp for all ability levels. This was the genuine Muay Thai experience in Thailand that I had dreamed about. I felt welcomed from the first day, and was impressed with the amount of genuine effort and thought going into the coaching at every session. Sitjaopho genuinely values people who visit the camp, and want to share the art and culture that is Muay Thai.
I was very grateful for the time I spent at Sitjaopho, and am now thinking about how I can make sure I spend some more time here in the future.
