Muay Thai in Thailand: A Holiday with a Kick

The tropical heat of Thailand has already arrived when the writer stumbles out of bed at half past six. She pulls on boxing shorts, gathers her gloves, shin guards and towel, and heads to the gym. The day ahead does not initially feel like a holiday. It feels more like signing up for the military.

The mood changes on the road to the gym. Frangipani bushes line the route in wedding colours, while bright bougainvillea flashes past. Her eyes open and her head clears as she begins to enjoy the atmosphere of the island waking up.

Children in school uniforms ride mopeds to class. Workers travel on the backs of trucks towards hotel construction sites. Bars and massage salons remain closed, while tea and coffee stands hand out large plastic cups. A rooster crows, and chicks move across the grass beside the road.

For now, the island has not yet filled with bare-chested riders or women in bikinis. The writer, who has trained in Muay Thai in Berlin for several years, is spending three weeks in Thailand, the sport’s country of origin, where professional coaches put her through the demanding routine.