Spent 3 months training Thailand this last visit. I only spent one week at Sitjaopho. First thing i noticed they have ALOT of ppl passing through. I didn’t meet a lot of fighters like i did at other gyms who live and fight for the gym. While i too was attracted by all the previous YT videos talking about how great the gym is, it was the only gym i went to where i didn’t learn anything new the entire time i was there. Kru was also out a couple of days of that week so i didn’t see him too much either. After a week it was clear to me there was a lot more to learn and gain at the other gyms. I’m sure it’s a great gym just sucked for me to travel across the world to get that experience.
I'm looking at heading there with 3 mates from my gym to train in Thailand. Do you have any suggestions as to where to go? I have heard Phuket is the number 1 spot however it is very commercialised. How would you suggest we approach this from your exp! Thanks!
I havent been there yet. but a lot of people at my gym speak very highly of Sitjaopho. You were only there for one week and that particular week Kru F was out a few days? That sounds like too short of a time for a review and bad timing more than anything. I think this is a gym where you need at least a month. You should have spent more time there if you travelled all that way and still spent 3 months in the country? In my opinion.
I could see where you're coming from. Sparring with F is probably the highlight for most people passing through, and the team did note that attendance has risen significantly in the last few years. But at least you realized what they had to offer didn't align with your goals, and hopefully found a better fit at another gym!
Thinking of going to Thailand for a month in 2025 I want to improve my clinch game as much as possible so I was thinking of FA group + being in Bangkok I feel like there's more to do but the people and environment at Sitjaopho is so charming. I don't know what to do now XD
I'd suggest FA group if you're looking to up your clinching. Most gyms in Thailand will help develop your clinching, as it's a core part of their training, but you'll likely see more progression in the time that you're there at FA.
@@CombatCultureUSA that's what I thought too, will go with FA next year. Now I guess I have an excuse for a second trip to Thailand :D Thanks for your input!!
@@SoGrenN Absolutely. If you have the coin, I highly recommend doing a 1:1 with Yothin. He's an amazing teacher and can really help improve your clinch game. I'm definitely aiming to work with him again on my next trip. Enjoy!
Yes, but they encourage students to ask questions as well, e.g., “am I swinging my arms too much?, should I block like this vs that?, how can I defend against xyz?”
Honestly not too much. I spent one month training there, and the training is mostly : warm up on your own, do 3 rounds of pads, then sparring and/or clinching. Every day. We only once did technique (as in, coach Hinphet showing us techniques and we drill) in the whole month I was there. And while on the pads, the coaches don't correct you very much, or at all. They push you to go as hard and fast as you can, but will not point out the details. If you ask specific questions, they will answer and help you (for example I wanted to improve my knees, so they taught me), and Kru F is always happy to talk at the end of training sessions about anything muay thai related (he regularly spent 30min-1h answering to our questions after everyone left). But basically at Sitjaopho they assume you have decent technique, and they focus on sparring to teach you defense and rhythm and pads to teach you power. Defense and rhythm is what it's all about at sitjaopho, Kru F will repeat over and over "hands up, chin down, don't rush don't be messy". He said a few times that if in sparring you only attack, always pressuring and giving flurry after flurry (kickboxing style) but don't defend, counter, play around with your partner, you're a messy fighter (muay mua) and that's not muay thai. If you stay long enough there (multiple months) you will start to understand that beautiful muay femur style which mixes defense and offense in perfect rhythm. But if you're a beginner, I don't think Sitjaopho is a good place to be. Not enough low-level explanation and technique coaching.
Totally subjective, there's a ton of great gyms in Thailand, but for us, FA Group for clinching/Muay Khao, and Sitjaopho for Muay Femur. The pad work at PK Saenchai was top-notch as well, especially Kru Wang, and Kru Padjai.
@@CombatCultureUSA Thank you, appreciate the input. Going for 10 weeks this summer. Any good gyms in Phuket too or mostly fitness MT /tourist classes there?
@@Staroy haven’t been to Phuket yet, but the big ones are Tiger Muay Thai, Phuket Top Team, and Phuket fight Club. I have friends who are training and actively competing out of Phuket Singha Muay Thai. Ajarn Wat is the head coach at Bangtao and he’s fantastic. Aside from Muay Thai, they have mma, and bjj classes, which may be a pro or con depending on your goals. I’ve heard great things about Yak Yai and Sinbi through friends who have trained there. Plenty to choose from, if you don’t decide before you land, maybe take the first week to go around and see which gym fits you best.
Guys I've been trained here. Here's the thing... I would not recommend training here for a complete beginner. Also my experience was let down by the trainers treating me differently from the women. The focus and attention was on the women and more experienced guys. I was let down which was a massive shame because I was really looking forward to learn there and especially that it was the famous twins. Kru was a gentleman always.
Agree that it's not the best gym for complete beginners. Sorry to hear about your experience with the trainers. Glad you had a positive experience with Kru F.
Spent 3 months training Thailand this last visit. I only spent one week at Sitjaopho. First thing i noticed they have ALOT of ppl passing through. I didn’t meet a lot of fighters like i did at other gyms who live and fight for the gym. While i too was attracted by all the previous YT videos talking about how great the gym is, it was the only gym i went to where i didn’t learn anything new the entire time i was there. Kru was also out a couple of days of that week so i didn’t see him too much either. After a week it was clear to me there was a lot more to learn and gain at the other gyms. I’m sure it’s a great gym just sucked for me to travel across the world to get that experience.
I'm looking at heading there with 3 mates from my gym to train in Thailand. Do you have any suggestions as to where to go? I have heard Phuket is the number 1 spot however it is very commercialised. How would you suggest we approach this from your exp! Thanks!
I havent been there yet. but a lot of people at my gym speak very highly of Sitjaopho. You were only there for one week and that particular week Kru F was out a few days? That sounds like too short of a time for a review and bad timing more than anything. I think this is a gym where you need at least a month. You should have spent more time there if you travelled all that way and still spent 3 months in the country? In my opinion.
I could see where you're coming from. Sparring with F is probably the highlight for most people passing through, and the team did note that attendance has risen significantly in the last few years. But at least you realized what they had to offer didn't align with your goals, and hopefully found a better fit at another gym!
If you have been doing Muay Thai for less then 2 years, Any gym in Thailand will give you all the training you need.
So many gyms in Thailand for Muay Thai....picking one depends on what level you are at and what you want to learn and do....
Informative and fun! So glad to meet you guys ❤
Thank you, hope to see you guys soon!
Favorite Gym
Hello! I was there last year and will be returning in a couple months😁
That's awesome - enjoy the training!
Thinking of going to Thailand for a month in 2025
I want to improve my clinch game as much as possible so I was thinking of FA group + being in Bangkok I feel like there's more to do but the people and environment at Sitjaopho is so charming.
I don't know what to do now XD
I'd suggest FA group if you're looking to up your clinching. Most gyms in Thailand will help develop your clinching, as it's a core part of their training, but you'll likely see more progression in the time that you're there at FA.
@@CombatCultureUSA that's what I thought too, will go with FA next year.
Now I guess I have an excuse for a second trip to Thailand :D
Thanks for your input!!
@@SoGrenN Absolutely. If you have the coin, I highly recommend doing a 1:1 with Yothin. He's an amazing teacher and can really help improve your clinch game. I'm definitely aiming to work with him again on my next trip. Enjoy!
awesome gym
Do they have shop to buy gloves ?
Hello, is this a gym where you are taught technique or not ? Are you corrected on technical mistakes you make ?
Yes, but they encourage students to ask questions as well, e.g., “am I swinging my arms too much?, should I block like this vs that?, how can I defend against xyz?”
Honestly not too much. I spent one month training there, and the training is mostly : warm up on your own, do 3 rounds of pads, then sparring and/or clinching. Every day. We only once did technique (as in, coach Hinphet showing us techniques and we drill) in the whole month I was there. And while on the pads, the coaches don't correct you very much, or at all. They push you to go as hard and fast as you can, but will not point out the details.
If you ask specific questions, they will answer and help you (for example I wanted to improve my knees, so they taught me), and Kru F is always happy to talk at the end of training sessions about anything muay thai related (he regularly spent 30min-1h answering to our questions after everyone left).
But basically at Sitjaopho they assume you have decent technique, and they focus on sparring to teach you defense and rhythm and pads to teach you power. Defense and rhythm is what it's all about at sitjaopho, Kru F will repeat over and over "hands up, chin down, don't rush don't be messy". He said a few times that if in sparring you only attack, always pressuring and giving flurry after flurry (kickboxing style) but don't defend, counter, play around with your partner, you're a messy fighter (muay mua) and that's not muay thai.
If you stay long enough there (multiple months) you will start to understand that beautiful muay femur style which mixes defense and offense in perfect rhythm.
But if you're a beginner, I don't think Sitjaopho is a good place to be. Not enough low-level explanation and technique coaching.
What gyms do you consider the best in Thailand?
Totally subjective, there's a ton of great gyms in Thailand, but for us, FA Group for clinching/Muay Khao, and Sitjaopho for Muay Femur. The pad work at PK Saenchai was top-notch as well, especially Kru Wang, and Kru Padjai.
@@CombatCultureUSA Thank you, appreciate the input. Going for 10 weeks this summer. Any good gyms in Phuket too or mostly fitness MT /tourist classes there?
@@Staroy haven’t been to Phuket yet, but the big ones are Tiger Muay Thai, Phuket Top Team, and Phuket fight Club.
I have friends who are training and actively competing out of Phuket Singha Muay Thai.
Ajarn Wat is the head coach at Bangtao and he’s fantastic. Aside from Muay Thai, they have mma, and bjj classes, which may be a pro or con depending on your goals.
I’ve heard great things about Yak Yai and Sinbi through friends who have trained there.
Plenty to choose from, if you don’t decide before you land, maybe take the first week to go around and see which gym fits you best.
Where do I get the Namman microphone? haha
Order it from the Namman Man!
Guys I've been trained here. Here's the thing... I would not recommend training here for a complete beginner. Also my experience was let down by the trainers treating me differently from the women. The focus and attention was on the women and more experienced guys. I was let down which was a massive shame because I was really looking forward to learn there and especially that it was the famous twins. Kru was a gentleman always.
Agree that it's not the best gym for complete beginners. Sorry to hear about your experience with the trainers. Glad you had a positive experience with Kru F.
Hi
Shit video amazing gym