Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PHUKET'S MOO·AY TAI EXPLOSION
Over the past few years, spurred in no small part by the increasing global presence and popularity of mixed mar-
tial arts, several
moo
·
ay tai
(Thai boxing; also spelled
muay thai
) gyms catering to international male and fe-
male athletes have sprouted off the beach in Phuket. Based on the original
moo
·
ay tai
camp concept, fighters
live and train on site with seasoned
moo
·
ay tai
professionals.
The whole thing started with Pricha 'Tuk' Chokkuea and his gym, Rawai Muay Thai, where he decided to
train tourists as a fundraising mechanism so he could also train impoverished, up-and-coming Thai fighters,
without dipping deeply into their fight purse (the traditional
moo
·
ay tai
business model, and something Tuk al-
ways resented). For years his was the only gym around. He's recently moved his operation to Khao Lak, but his
www.supamuaythai.com
;
43/42 Moo 7, Th Sai Yuan; per session 300B, per week 3000B), one of a half dozen
gyms in Rawai alone. The most popular gym in the area these days seems to be
Sinbi Muay Thai
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 08 3391 5535;
www.sinbi-muaythai.com
;
100/15 Moo 7, Th Sai Yuan; per
session 400B, per week 3000B). Wherever you enter the ring, be warned: this is no watered-down-for-Western-
ers theme-park ride. Prepare to sweat, cringe, grapple and bleed. And maybe, If you're the real deal, you'll win a
fight under the Bang-la Stadium lights.
Sea Fun Divers
OFFLINE MAP
DIVING
GOOGLE MAP
( 0 7634 0480;
www.seafundivers.com
; 29 Soi Karon Nui, Patong; 2/3 dives per day 4100/4500B, open-water
course 18,400B)
An outstanding and very professional diving operation. Standards are ex-
tremely high and service is impeccable. There's an office at Le Meridien resort in Patong,
and a second location at Katathani Resort in Kata Noi.
Rumblefish Adventure
( 0 7633 0315;
Scubatuna.com
; 98/79 Th Kata; day trips 3200-3700B, open-water course 12,900B)
A terrific
boutique dive shop offering all the standard courses and overnight trips out of their Beach
Center location. They have a hostel upstairs, too.
DIVING
Dive Asia
( 0 7633 0598;
www.diveasia.com
; 24 Th Karon, Kata; day trips 3400-3900B, open-water course 14,860B)
There
is a
second location
(623 Th Karon)
near Hat Karon.
DIVING
Offspray Leisure
DIVING
