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Questions and AnswersHow can I best prepare for training in Thailand?Everyone takes a few days to adjust to training in tropical humidity. Most people can handle only 2 hours of training a day in their first week. By the third week most people can do 4 to 6 hours of training a day. Your fitness improves fast when you are training in the tropics, not staying in an air-conditioned bungalow will help you tolerate the humidity a lot faster. If air conditioning is a must have, try to keep it between 25 - 28 C. The better your fitness is when you arrive at Rawai Muay Thai Camp the easier it will be for you to acclimate and get used to the training regime.
If you can run 10 km (7 miles) then you are fit enough to handle the basic fight training. If you struggle to run 2 km without stopping then it is recommended that you try to improve your basic fitness level before you arrive at Rawai Muay Thai Camp. You will need to have good inner health to sustain such a high level of training intensity. Many students at Rawai Muay Thai Camp lose valuable training days from feeling sick/ drained of energy because of cold or influenza/ flu type symptoms. A low immune system is the result of poor eating habits such as eating too much junk food and processed foods causing low levels of good bacteria and enzymes in their bodies. When you come to a new country your body is exposed to new types of bacteria in food, water and in the air. If your body is low in "good bacteria" then you will struggle to fight the bad bacteria that causes sickness and this results in flu type symptoms and colds. To avoid losing valuable training days from illness you should start to build your inner health at least 2 weeks to a month before arriving in Thailand. Recommendations for Improving Inner Health(1) Acidophilus Tablets- Broad Spectrum Pro Biotic TabletsTake 1 - 2 Acidophilus tablets everyday for 2 weeks prior to coming to Thailand. One Acidophilus tablet will add 1 - 2 billion live bacteria cells to your body. This will help build up the "good bacteria" levels in your body to help fight against new germs & bacteria that you will be in contact with in Thailand. Take note: When purchasing probiotics find some that indicate they are enteric-coated meaning they are guaranteed to make it through your stomach acid, otherwise your stomach acid will just kill the living organisms before they reache your small intestine.
(3) Green Smoothies, Wheat Grass, Raw Foods
How to germinate Mung beansAdd 1/2 a cup of mung beans and 3 cups of water (warm water for cold climates) in a bowl and allow to soak for 8 - 12 hours. Once the Mung beans have absorbed enough water they will then start to germinate.The Mung beans now need oxygen to grow so put them into a cooking sieve and after 2 hours you will see sprouts start to appear. They are now ready to eat. Read more about sprouting Mung beans
See Nutritional benefits of: Raw Spinach Mung beans (Sprouted) Muesli (Rolled Oats) Banana / Pineapple / Strawberry Find out more about Body Toxins / Colon Cleansing and improving Your Inner Health What about crime in Phuket?Police emergency number: 191(free call in Thailand) With the increase in number of tourists in Phuket over the past few years, so has there been an increase in tourist-related crimes such as bag snatching, motor bike theft, armed robbery and pick pockets. Most foreign tourists carry 10,000 - 20,000 Thai Baht in their wallet/ purse at any given time. This is equal to 2 - 4 months income for a Thai person working on a building site. Most crimes in Phuket happen towards the end of the month. Thais get paid monthly so in the last week of the month most Thai people are broke. Most crimes accur between the hours of 1 am & 5 am. If you are home in bed before midnight then you will lower the risk of becoming a police crime statistic. You can reduce your chances of becoming involved in crime by following these simple precautions: (1) Lock your bungalow door at night before going to bed. (2) Don't leave ipods/ wallets/ cameras/ money/ valuables in your bag at the gym. Lockers are available at the gym where you can store your valuables/ money safely while you are training. (See the office staff in the gym shop to rent a locker). (3)Bangkok to Phuket by bus - Many students have complained that the contents of their bags/ backpacks have been tampered with during the bus trip to Phuket. Items such as ipods, cameras, mobile phones can easily be converted into cash by criminals. Lockl your bags with a quality padlock when ever you are traveling by bus in Thailand. (4)Swimming in the beach - Thinking about going to the beach? Criminals hang out at the beach waiting for unsuspecting tourists. They will watch as you lie in the sand or go swim. When you leave your valuables (mobile phones/ camera/ sun glasses/ ipod/ passport/ wallet/ keys) under your towel to go for a swim they will come & steal your valuables. This style of theft in Phuket has been on the increase over the past couple of years as the crooks can gather a lot of easy-to-sell valuables with very little effort. Don't be an easy target for criminals. Be smart when you are on holiday. The Solution Leave your valuables back in your bungalow/ hotel room. Go to the beach with a group and take turns looking after your suff. You can hide your valuables under the seat of your motorbike before your get to the beach. Don't wait until you are at the beach because if they see you hiding your valuables under your bike seat they will only need to steal your keys or motorbike to get all your valuables.
(5) Full Moon Party. Drunk/ intoxicated tourist make easy targets for criminals! More than 20% of our students that go to the Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan have their wallets or mobile phones stolen. To lose your ATM card/ credit card/ passport/ mobile phone and your cash is a major inconvenience that could leave you stranded at Koh Phangan with no money for your boat fare/ bus fare back to Phuket. If you are planing to party in the Full Moon Party then be smart! Prior to departing for the party, check your wallet to see what you can not afford to lose. Take with you what you need and leave the rest in a safe place back at the gym or in your hotel room at Koh Phangan. It would be smart to hide 1000 Baht ($30) cash in a different pocket for an emergency. Safe sleeping zones are available on the beach during the Full Moon Party but many of our students say it is when they were asleep in the" safe sleeping zones" that they had their pockets picked.  See
Rawai students at The
Full Moon Party
Warning: If you plan to rent a motorbike or ride on the back of one, then you should have travel insurance! Hospital fees of past students who have crashed their motorbikes have been between 2,000 and 10,000 USD. If emergency treatment or an operation is required plus a week or two in hospital then your bill could rise to more than 10,000 USD. Save your Family the stress of having to cover your hospital bill. Get yourself some travel insurance! (8) Hand bad snatch and grab - Warning for women Do not use hand bags while riding on motorbikes in Thailand. Snatch and grab hand bag theft is on the rise in Thailand / Cambodia / Vietnam. A mugger will ride up behind you while you are riding your motorbike and reach into the basket on the front of your bike and steal you hand bag/ purse/ wallet. If you have a hand bag strapped over your shoulder they will grab for it and pull on the strap. Most of the time this will result in you being pull off the bike while you are riding it and can cause you serious injury. This sort of crime is always comitted by two young persons riding on a single motor bike. Tthey often scout for potential victims at super markets and ATM machines and follow them until they find a quiet location to rob you. When visiting Thailand be wary of bag snatchers on motorbikes. Reported cases of this type of crime has risen over the past few years. Recently an attempted bag snatch in Phuket left a French tourist dead as she was pulled off her motor bike and into the path of an oncoming vehicle. If you plan to ride on a motor bike/ moped while in Thailand/ Cambodia or Vietnam then you should use a travel money belt rather than a hand bag.
Do I need a driver's license in Thailand?By law you should have an international drivers license if you want to drive in Thailand. A drivers license from your own country is acceptable if you are stopped by local police but if you were to have a driving accident while in Thailand then you are considered an unlicensed driver and blame for the accident will be on you. You will be liable to pay for any injury and property damage caused from the accident. An international license is easy to get and well worth the effort if you intend driving a car or riding a motor bike in Thailand. Check with your drivers license department in your own country about how to get an international drivers license. Warning: If you plan to hire a motorbike or intend to ride on the back of a motor bike/ moped while in Thailand then you should make sure you have travel insurance! Hospital fees for some of our students who have had traffic accidents have ranged between 2,000 - 5,000 USD. If emergency treatment/ operation is required and a week or two in hospital then your hospital bill could easily rise to10,000 - 15,000 USD. Do I need to get vaccinations before I go to Phuket?There are no vaccinations required if you are only coming to Phuket. If you plan to visit Cambodia,Vietnam, the far North & North East of Thailand then Malaria tablets may be required. You can get Malaria vaccinations at any hospital in Thailand for much cheaper price than in most other countries. Health Warnings for Phuket Dengue Fever: Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes. It is an acute illness that begins with headache, fever, body exhaustion, severe joint and muscle ache, swollen glands and often a red rash will appear on the lower part of the body. Dengue fever lasts for 7 - 10 days. When no rash is present dengue fever can easily be misdiagnosed as influenza. If dengue fever is suspected, patients should use paracetamol preparations and avoid aspirin. No vaccine is available for dengue fever. Travelers can reduce their risk of getting dengue fever by applying insect repellent to both skin and clothing. Drinking Tap Water in Phuket Do not drink the tap water in Thailand. The tap water is pumped up from the ground. It is unfiltered and may be dirty. You can use tap water to brush your teeth but don't swallow it. You can use tap water to wash your face, hands, rinse dishes, wash clothes, shower, etc. If you did swallow some tap water while brushing your teeth, it's not a big deal and shouldn't make you sick. Antiseptic mouth wash will help kill off any bacteria from the tap water. Many Thai people use tap water for cooking but it's not recommended for foreigners to do this. Vaccinations for both Typhoid and Hepatitis are not required but if you have concerns about your health in Thailand then these two shots are worth getting. Typhoid Fever and Hepatitis A. Typhoid fever can be contracted from drinking unfiltered tap water or ice made from tap water. Ice produced in Phuket is made from filtered water but if you venture into remote regions of Thailand then the quality of the ice can not be guaranteed . Can I get medical attention at Phuket Hospital?Many people would expect the medical services in Thailand to be not very good. Tthis may be true in some remote regions of Thailand but in Phuket there are two world class hospitals with far more efficient and superior service than you would find in the western world. Never have I waited more than 30 minutes to have x-rays done or to see a doctor or dentist. Blood tests, ultra sounds, MRI are all very inexpensive and come with VIP service. Root canal at a dentist usualy costs less than 8,000 Thai Baht per tooth. X-rays cost about 750 Thai Baht completed within 30 minutes. Currency Converter See medical services available in Phuket Bangkok Hospital Lasic Eye Surgery Complete Medical Check ups Plastic Surgery Breast Implants Skin Cancer Check Up Colon & Body Detox Physical Therapy Travel Insurance Travel Insurancethat covers martial arts and extreme sports (UK Residents only) Extreme Sports and Martial Arts Insurance - (World Coverage) Please note: There are very few serious injuries resulting from the training in the gym so in my opinion martial arts insurance is not a requirement. Your money would be much better spent on getting travel insurance. If you plan to rent a motorbike or intend to ride on the back of a motor bike while in Thailand then you should make sure that you purchase travel insurance before your trip! Hospital fees for some of our past students who have been in motorbike accidents have been more than 5,000 USD. Should you require emergency treatment/ operation then your hospital bill could easily cost you 10,000 USD. Save your family the stress of having to find money to cover your hospital fees. Travel smart and get travel insurance. Where can I store my valuables?
We have a safe at Rawai Muay Thai Camp for storage of
valuable items such as passports, travelers cheques,
cash, airline tickets, ipods, for the students
in the shared bungalows. All deluxe bungalows at the gym have a small
electronic safe for storage of personal items. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 European style plug with two circular metal pins |
 Japanese style plug with two parallel flat blades |
Are there Internet Cafes in Phuket? Is there WiFi at the gym?
Rawai Muay Thai Camp is a freeWiFi Hotspot. The gym bungalows and Goong's bungalows near Rawai beach all offer freeWiFi Internet connection. The Muay Thai Bar next to the gym has a computer with Internet access available for our students.You can bring your laptop computer and you can get online free using the gym's WiFi.
Current Broadband Line Speed at Rawai Muay Thai Camp
Download Speed = 3244 kbps
Upload Speed = 641 kbps
Test 1 (Test your line speed)
Test 2 (Test your upload / download line
speed)
For those using Outlook to send and receive emails make sure your settings are:
Outgoing mail: smtp.tttmaxnet.com
If you are not sure how to change the e-mail setting you can follow the steps below.
(1) Open Outlook
(2) Click tools
(3) Click e-mail accounts
(4) Click view or change existing e-mail account
(5) Select the desired e-mail account and click change
(6) Change the outgoing mail server to smtp.tttmax.net.com
Take note of the settings before you change them because when you go back home you might need to change your mail settings back.
Do you have protein and weight gain powders?
You can bring your own protein/ weight gain powders/ vitamin tablets, etc to Thailand but make sure it is all in unopened packaging. (Don't open the container of pills/ powder until after you have passed customs officers at the airport in Thailand.
The reason for this is if the Thailand customs officers check your bags and see a container of white powder or pills in your luggage, they might mistake it for drug smuggling and hold you in custody until the contents have been verified. This is a hassle and attention that no traveller would ever need, so use common sense and bring new and unopened containers or packets only.
Quality Whey Protein powder is available at the Muay Thai Bar (next to the Gym).
(2.5 kg = 4,500 Thai Baht / Convert Currency Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana
Do you provide meals at Rawai Muay Thai Camp?
Food is not included in the training and accommodation fees at Rawai Muay Thai Camp.
There are many restaurants and cafes close to the Gym offering a variety of food styles.
The average price for a basic meal in Phuket is 50 - 100 Thai Baht ($1 - 3 USD).
Most students eat out for every meal. They have their favorite places to eat such as Cheap Ass, The Muay Thai Bar, Don's Cafe, Flintstone Bakery, the roti shop, cheaper than cheap ass, etc.
Many of the students eat together in groups depending on what style of food they are want. Every food type is available in Rawai: pizza, burgers, seafood, English style fish & chips, BBQ, Thai food, vegetarian, Indian, Halal, steak, sushi, French, Italian, German, European food, raw food, protein & fruit drinks, snack food, junk food, fast food, etc...
When making your food budget, allow 100 Thai Baht per
meal ($3 USD).
3 meals per day = 300 THB ($10 USD).
Fresh Fruit
There is a fresh fruit & veggie market 100 meters
from Rawai Muay Thai Camp. It is open on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Fresh fruit is very popular
for our students as it provides extra energy & nutrients. The same market moves farther down the road on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Bananas cost about 25 Thai Baht per kilo (less than
$1 USD).
Mangos cost about 30 Thai Baht per kilo (less than
$1 USD).
Pineapples cost about 10 - 15 Thai Baht each (50 US cents).
Oranges cost about 30 Thai Baht per kilo (less than
$1 USD).
Convert
Currency
See a Video of the Food Market next to the Gym
How do I get from Bangkok to Phuket & book flights online?
Phuket is an island located 900 km south of Bangkok. Phuket Island is 57 km long and 15 km wide.
A flight from Bangkok to Phuket takes approx 1 house and 15 minutes. A ticket from Bangkok to Phuket can be purchased over the counter at Bangkok International Airport but you will get the best price if you book your domestic flight more than 72 hours in advance.
UPDATE .. September 2008
Students have complained that when trying to book flights over the counter at Bangkok or Phuket airport that all domestic airlines have been fully booked 2 - 3 days in advance (even in the low season) or the airlines are asking double the price. It is now advisable to prebook your flights between Bangkok & Phuket.
When prebooking your domestic flight from Bangkok to Phuket you should allow 3 - 4 hours to clear customs from your international flight & check in for your domestic flight. You can make a reservation with the airlines direct at the following web sites.
 Bangkok Air |
 Thai Airways |
 Air Asia |
|
 1-20-Go From Don Muang National terminal only |
 Nok Air From Don Muang National terminal only |
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PLEASE NOTE: There are 2 airports in Bangkok. Which airport you land at will usualy depend on which airline you are traveling with.
Don Mueang Airport at Bangkok Airport Hotel
Suvranabhumi Airport at Bangkok Airport Hotel
Other Airports in Thailand
The nearest train station to Phuket is 400 KM away at Surat Thani (Not Recommended)
The bus from Bangkok to Phuket takes 12 hours and costs approximately 900 Thai Baht. Currency Converter
Travel Warning : Bus travel between Bangkok to Phuket - Many students have complained that the contents of their bags/ backpacks have been tampered with during the bus trip between Bangkok & Phuket. Items such as ipods, cameras, mobile phones are all items that are easily converted into cash by criminals. Lock your bags with a quality padlock whenever you are travelling by bus in Thailand.
How do I get from the airport to the gym?
Phuket airport is located in the north of the island, 35 KM from Rawai Muay Thai Camp.
A taxi from the airport to the gym takes approximately 40 minutes & costs about 750 Thai Baht
(Approx. $20 USD) Currency Converter
PLEASE NOTE: The official airport taxi stand is inside the airport building. You prepay your taxi at the desk inside the airport terminal and they will give you a ticket/receipt with your taxi number on it. Keep this ticket on you until after you have arrived safely at the gym. This is because if you leave anything in the taxi such as your laptop, wallet, camera or mobile phone, you can easily get it back as the ticket allows you to identify which of the airport taxis you have used.
There are also metered taxis at the airport and they cost less and are also safe to use. The meterd taxi stand is located outside the arrivals area, about 50 meters to one side.
Beware of locals posing as taxi drivers. They are easy to identify as they will try to charge you more than 750 Baht for the fare to Rawai and they will not ask you to prepay at the airport terminal taxi desk. Using the unofficial taxi is usually not dangerous but if you were to leave something in the taxi then you would have no recourse.
Can I check-in late?
Check-in time at the gym is between 7 am - 9 pm (Monday to Sunday). Staff are at the gym waiting to assist new arrivals until 9 pm every night. Students arriving after 9 pm have the following 2 options:
(Option 1) Get a hotel for the night close to the airport or in one of the beaches like Patong, Karon or Kata. If you feel like a few drinks & unwind a bit after a long flight then Patong is the place to go. There are lots of hotels & bars in Patong, just tell your taxi driver you want a hotel close to Bangla road & he will know where to take you. Chill out for the night and come to the gym the following day any time between 7 am - 9 pm.
(Option 2) If you have an early arrival, such as 3 am - 4 am & you don't want to get a hotel room for the night then, you can always crash out on one of the boxing rings at the gym. Staff & students will start to arrive at the gym at approximately 7:00 am in the morning (Monday through Saturday). The padded floor of the boxing rings makes for a comfortable mattress.
If you need to do a stop-over at Bangkok for the night and don't want to travel into the city, both of the Bangkok airports have hotels for overnight stays.
Do you offer airport pick-up service? Do you have taxi service at the gym?
Phuket Airport has a very good taxi service available.
The taxi ride from Phuket airport to the gym takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes & costs 800 Thai Baht. Print Directions to the gym for your taxi driver at Phuket airport. The Gym can send a driver to pick you up at Phuket airport if you prefer. Airport pick-up service costs 1,000
Thai Baht + 500 Thai Baht for every additional hour that the driver waits if your flight is delayed. You can book airport pick-up service by emailing Diana at dcampillo@hotmail.com or Dalia at daliahosny@yahoo.com.
We also offer taxi service at the gym for Rawai students. One of our trainers, Joy, has a sedan and offers taxi service. You can reach Joy at: 086 684 5962.
Please note:
It has come to our attention that some of the local gyms in Phuket have been offering extra commission to the local taxi drivers if they bring in new students destined for other gyms in Phuket. So beware of dishonest taxi drivers that try to tell you "Rawai Muay Thai closed for rennovations or closed for the low season." At Rawai Muay Thai Camp we are never closed for business!Thai Language
Phuket is Thailand's most popular holiday destination for foreigners. Most Thai people in Phuket understand basic to good English. In most other parts of Thailand the locals speak very little to no English. English is now taught in all schools in Thailand so many of the younger generation can often help you with directions & assistance. Learn Basic Thai language
Extra things to bring with you to Thailand
It is a very good idea to bring extra underpants with you as most people in the gym shower 4 times a day. For example: You shower
after morning training, then again after swimming at the beach;
you shower again after evening training and usually
again before bed.
Items such as soap, shampoo, shavers, sun screen,
mosquito spray, moisturizer are all available here
in Phuket.
Most items are sold at local convenience stores, like 7-Elevens.
- A broad rim hat to protect you from the sun (see photo of a broad rim hat)
Where can I go shopping in Phuket?
Phuket is a great place for shopping. Popular things purchased by our students are:Electrical items are very cheap in Thailand but the warranty might be an issue if you are overseas & need to make a claim. Also you will need to change the power plug or use an adapter power plug to use appliances in other countries! In Thailand we use 220 V electricity.
Phuket is a major tourist destination for Western & European travelers.Central Festival is the largest shopping complex in Phuket. Central Festival shopping complex is located only 12km from Rawai Muay Thai Camp.
Watching English speaking movies at Central Festival is a favorite way for many of our Thai Boxing students to pass the time when they're not training.
See today's movies and screening times
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
 Anytime is a good time to visit Thailand |
There are 3 main seasons in Phuket:
November - January (Winter)
This is the peak tourist season in Phuket and the weather is perfect everyday!
February - April (Summer)
February is the coolest of these 3 months with each month increasing in temperature and humidity. There is seldom any rain during February & March. April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand & the start of the monsoon/ wet season. The humidity is so high during April that it can fog your glasses.
13th April is the Thai New Year also known as the Songkran Festival (the world's biggest water fight & the funnest day in Thailand). See photos of Songkran Festival at Rawai Muay Thai Camp.
May - October (the wet season)
The wet season is known locally as the surfing season in Phuket. Between May and October the surf in Phuket picks up and offers some nice swells and good surfing conditions in Kata and Nai Harn beaches.
Phuket hosts an annual Surfing Carnival held in September/ October. Surf boards and boogie boards are available for hire at Kata & Nai Harn beaches). See Video of Surfing in Phuket.
The rain in the tropics is more like a warm shower, it can be an enjoyable experience to stand in the rain (tropical down pour) for a few minutes during / after training.
May - July There are usually nice sunny days with most of the rain falling late at night. August, September & October is when it rains a lot. During these months it is not uncommon to have 2 - 3 weeks of solid rainfall, both day & night.
The benefits of being in Phuket during the wet season:
Based on data collected between 1971 - 2009, the average rainfall for the three months of the peak tourist season in Phuket is 22 mm in January, 30 mm in February and 59 mm during March.
Thailand Visa
Visa requirements
(Effective from 2nd December 2008)The OLD visa rule was: Tourists entering Thailand without a visa were permitted to stay a total of 90 days in Thailand over a 6 month period. A 30 day visa on arrival was granted and when your VISA is due to expire you had to do a visa run over the Thailand border to received a new 30 day visa stamp.
The NEW visa Law effective from 2nd December 2008
Now you can stay in Thailand for as long as you want. The 90 day limit has been abolished but you will need to do your visa run every 15 days if you do your visa run through any of the land / sea border check points or every 30 days if you do your visa run via an airport.
Visa run via the airport = A return flight to countries near Thailand such as Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Burma, or China. You can do your return flight in the same day or stay a few days and enjoy a short holiday. When you return to Thailand via the airport you are given a new 30 day entry visa on arrival. Return fights to most neighboring countries are available with Air Asia for approximately 6,000 Baht ($200 USD) return flight. Read more about your visa run options.
Passport holders from the following Countries are given a 30 day Tourist Visa on arrival in Thailand. When your visa expires, to stay longer you will need to do a visa run.
List of nationalities that do not require a visa to enter Thailand and stay up to 30 days. |
||
| Australia | Iceland | Oman |
| Austria | Indonesia | Peru |
| Belgium | Ireland | Philippines |
| Brazil | Israel | Portugal |
| Bahrain | Italy | Qatar |
| Brunei Darussalam | Japan | Singapore |
| Canada | South Korea | Spain |
| Denmark | Kuwait | South Africa |
| Finland | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| France | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands | Turkey |
| Greece | New Zealand | United Arab Emirates |
| Hong Kong | Norway | United Kingdom |
| United States of America | ||
| Vietnam | ||
60 day visa in Penang Malaysia
If you have already arrived in Thailand & want to extend you stay by another 60 days with out the hassle of having to do the visa run every 15 days then your best option is the Penang Visa run. The Thai consulate in Penang, Malaysia give 60 day tourists visas. From Phuket it is a 9 hour bus ride to Penang, Malaysia. You stay overnight and return to Phuket the following day. The Penang Visa run can be booked at most travel/ tour operators in Phuket or Krabi. The cost for the Phuket - Penang visa run is approximately 5,000 Baht ($150 USD).
Pre Approved Visa
You can apply for a 3 month, 6 month, 1 year multi
entry visa before you arrive in Thailand at any Thai Embassy or consulate. The advantage with the pre-approved visa is that you only have to do the visa run
every 60 days if you are using the 6 month multi-entry visa or every 90 days if you are using
a 12 month multi-entry visa.
More about the pre-approved visa
To receive an invitation letter from Rawai Muay Thai camp you need to e- mail Diana Campillo
(The internet manager at Rawai Muay Thai Camp) with the following details:
Please Note:
Some Thai
Embassies are very difficult and slow to deal
with, so don't leave your visa application until the
last minute!
Australian Residents:
The Thai Embassy at Brisbane is the easiest
place to get your 6 or 12 month visa.
The embassy staff in Brisbane are very helpful and easy
to deal with. If you don't live in Brisbane you can
courrier FedEx your application and passport to them
for fast service (4-5 days). Their address is:
Royal Thai Consulate General
87 Annerley Road
South Brisbane
Queensland, Australia
4102
Tel: (07) 3846-7771
Fax: (07) 3846-7772
E-mail : admin@thaiconsulate.org
UK Residents:
The Thai consulates in Birmingham and in Hull are the best places in to get
your 12 month visa.
I am told by Rawai students that the Thai consulates in Hull and Birmingham both give you the visa over
the counter in less than 30 minutes and they are both
have very pleasant staff to deal with.
If you can not get there in person then you can post
/FedEx your VISA application to them.
Thai Consulate in Birmingham
One Victoria Square
Birmingham B1 1BD UK
Tel: 01 216 439 481
Fax: 01 216 439 485
Birmingham Consulate website
Royal Thai Consulate in Hull
Priory Court Saxon Way
Priory Park West
Hessle
Hull
HU13 9PB UK
Tel: 01 482 581 668
What is the visa run like?
Many parts of Asia are easy to visit using Thailand as your point of departure. The monthly visa run offers a perfect opportunity for Rawai students to escape from training for a few days and explore some other regions of Asia. Places such as Malaysia, Singapore, Northern Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Katmandu, India, are all cheap and easy places to visit.
Visa Run to Burma
This is the cheapest visa run available. Cost is approximately 1,800 Baht Currency ConverterThis visa run is available 7 days a week.(No Malaria tablets or vaccinations are required for the visa run to Burma). The mini bus picks you up at the gym at around 6am and brings you back to the gym same day.
The visa run takes you across the Thai/ Burmese border by longtail boat and then brings you back to Thailand an hour later. Upon re-entry to Thailand you are issued with a new 15 day tourist visa. It is a 257 km mini bus ride from Phuket to the Ranong, the Thai-Burmese border.
Watch a short video of The visa tun to Burma
Visa Run to Macau
What's in Macau you ask? Macau is the Las Vegas of Asia! There are casinos, gambling, duty free shopping, night life and bars, horse racing, greyhound racing, lots of jewelry & gold shops, fine dining restaurants, hot tropical weather. Macau is located 60 km south from Hong Kong and is only a 3-hour flight from Bangkok.
Passport holders from most countries are issued with a 30 day tourist visa on arrival in Macau.
A return flight to Macau from Bangkok with Air Asia costs only 6,000 Thai Baht.
The average price for a quality hotel room in the casinos is around $1,500 HK Dollars per night (approximately. $190 USD).
Minimum bet at the Black Jack table is 100 HK dollars (about 12 USD)
My recommendation for where to stay and play in Macau:
Other Helpful information
Take Note: Macau has its own currency called "The MOP" but the casinos there prefer that you pay and play using Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
Visa Run to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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| Kuala Lumpur (KL) is one of the most exciting cities to visit in Asia. KL is tourist friendly with most locals speaking very good English. The city has lots to see and to do such as shopping, night life, good food, the world's tallest buildings/ Twin towers, an amazing walk under the aquarium, chinatown, local markets, and some of the best Indian/ Malay Curries in Asia. Kuala Lumpur is also home to the world famous Sepang Race Circuit. |  |
KL is located close to Singapore and is only a 1-hour flight from Phuket, Thailand. The shopping in KL is amazing. All the big brand names are there at prices so much cheaper than in Europe. KL is the perfect destination for a 2 - 3 day get away/ visa run. |
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How to get thereAir Asia offers the best fares at approximately 5,000 Baht from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur return.Please Note: The Airport in Kuala Lumpur is located approximately 60 km from the City Center (CCKL). A bus is the cheapest way to get to the City Center but it's very slow, nealy 2 hours. The train takes 30 minutes and is the fastest option to get from the airport to the city. The Air Asia terminal is located approximately 5 km from the main airport terminal so when you have cleared customs at KL airport you will need to catch a bus or a taxi to the main airport terminal to get the train into downtown KL. |
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Where to stayThere are 3 main tourist zones in Kuala Lumpur:
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| ALL 3 zones are within walking distance to each other
so you can easily visit the attractions in each of the
other areas. See Hotels
available @ KL I stayed at the Istana Hotel and found it to be very good. The location was central to everything, including the mono rail and the famous Bintang Walk which is well-known for major shopping malls, night life and street markets. The breakfast at the Istana hotel was exceptional and the pool was in a nice quiet location to relax and chill out under the tropical sun. Sepang Race Circuit Other Helpful information |
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Visa run to Cambodia
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. Flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh take less than 2 hours and a return trip with Air Asia costs approximately 6,000 Baht (about 175 USD).Visa Requirements for Cambodia
You must get your Cambodian visa before you leave Thailand!You can not obtain a cambodian visa at the border. You can apply for a visa at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok. This takes only 2 days and you must leave your passport, photo & pay your fee at the Cambodian embassy. The Embassy charges a $20 US or 1,000 Baht processing fee.
Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok
518 / 4 Pracha Uthit Rd.
( Soi Ramkamhaeng 39)
Wangtonglang, Bangkok
10310 Thailand
- Cambodia Embassy e-mail
- Phone: ( 02 ) 957-5851
- Embassy Location
Map
You can apply for a Cambodian visa online (e-visa). Visas are available online in 3 days with just a few clicks of the mouse. To apply for an e-visa, applicants need to have a passport valid for at least 6 months, a recent passport size photo (.jpeg or.png format) and a valid credit card (Visa / Mastercard). The visa costs 20 USD and there is a 5 USD processing fee. Please note: the e-visa is only good for arrival to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports.
- E-Visa
- Book Flights
- Questions about Cambodia
- Cambodia Embassy locations
- What to see and do in Cambodia
Visa run to Vietnam
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. It is located in the northern region and populated by more than 2 million citizens. Hanoi is a captivating city, a must visit for all travellers. Hanoi has three seasons (the hot season, the cold season and the wet season). The hot season runs from February to May. The cold season is from November to January. The wet season runs from June to October. Expect plenty of rainfall during the wet season!
Visa: You can apply for your visa online. Aproval will be -mailed to you and you receive and pay for your stamp when you arrive at Hanoi airport. (Please note: It takes approximately 2 days to have your visa application processed).
Flights to Vietnam
Air Asia flies Bangkok to Hanoi daily for approximately 7,000 Baht (approximately 200 USD) return trip.
Flights from Bangkok to Hanoi take less than 2 hours.
- E-Visa
- Hotels
- Flights
- Tourist Info
Can I work in Phuket?
All foreigners who want to work in Thailand must hold a work permit. Usually, the company that hires you will process the documents in order for you to get your work permit. However, because it is a lengthy and pricy procedure, most employers will ask that foreigners commit a certain amount of time, usually at least 1 year, to their employment contract. The easiest job to get in Thailand is teaching English. Some of our students work as teachers in the local schools. This allows them to stay in Thailand longer than as a tourist. In order to teach here though you will need a Tefl certificate.
See Jobs available for teachers in Thailand
Read information about work permits.
Money / Thai Currency
The Thai currency is called Baht (THB). See current conversion rates. There are lots of ATM machines close to Rawai Muay Thai Camp. If you don't have any local currency when you arrive at Phuket you can easily withdraw money from the airport ATM machine or at any 7- Eleven Convenience Store. If you are planning to use your ATM card in Thailand please contact your bank before you leave to let them know.
Rawai Muay Thai does not accept credit card payments
ATM cards with the logos below will work in Thailand
Please Note: If you intend to use your credit card or ATM card while you are in Thailand,
you should contact your bank and inform them of your intention to travel overseas. Failure to
notify your bank prior to your arrival in Thailand may result in your card being cancelled
or blocked when you try to make a cash withrawal or a purchase. Please contact your
bank before you leave and inform then of your travel plans and dates.
When do I pay? How much will it cost?
Money for accommodation and training is to be paid in the gym shop upon arrival at the gym. All payments are to be made before you begin to train. The monthly rates for training and accommodation offer the best value. However, if you prefer to pay on a weekly basis then you will be charged the weekly rate.
- We accept cash payments. In some instances we will accept payment made through
For example, should you lose your wallet or your cash, then yes, we can accept payments through Paypal. Please speak to Diana about this when you arrive.
- The gym does not accept
credit cards or traveller's checks. However, you can bring traveller's checks to Thailand and exchange them at any bank. There are a couple of banks close to the gym.
No deposit is needed to book accommodation at the gym. There is a Western Union (money wire service) office, a bank and a money exchange center and ATM machines near the gym should students need to exchange money on arrival.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
- The gym has a no-refund policy.
- All payments are final. No refunds are available on training
or gym accommodation.
- All payments for VIP training coupons are to be paid in the gym shop. Do not pay the trainers directly.
- Students found offering trainers cash for cheaper
training will be asked to leave.
- The price quoted for training and accommodation
is what you pay. We do not add any hidden fees or taxes
such as a 7% mandatory VAT Tax that some of the
other local Muay Thai gyms charge.
How much will training and accommodation cost?
Training and accommodation costs in Thai Baht
Length of StayRegular TrainingShared BungalowDeluxe Bungalow
1 Day1 week3,0001,5005,0002 weeks6,0003,00010,0003 weeks9,0004,50015,0001 month10,000 *5 weeks13,0006,50022,0006 weeks16,0008,00027,0007 weeks19,0009,50032,0002 months20,000*10,000*34,000*3 months30,000*15,00051,000
* The monthly rate offers the best value for money on both training and accommodation costs.
Monthly fees must be paid up front at the start your training. If you prefer to pay weekly then you will be charged the weekly rate!
- Regular Training
Regular training fees cover morning and afternoon group training sessions and full use of the gym facilities.
- VIP Training
You can buy VIP training coupons at the gym shop. Each coupon costs 500 baht, if you have already paid for regular training. If not, then each coupon costs 1,000 Baht. With each coupon you can exchange it for a 1 hour private class with the trainer of your choice. These coupons also entitle you to participate in the regular training sessions. VIP private lessons can be scheduled between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Sundays we are closed.
- Shared bungalows are charged per person.
- Deluxe Bungalows are charged per bungalow (2 people can share the same bungalow at no extra cost). Bungalows are for Rawai Muay Thai students only. Please do not invite oustide guests to the bungalows. This can result in your dismissal from the gym.
- Bed linen and towels are supplied with all accommodation.
- No deposit is required when booking your accommodation.
- Payment for accommodation and training is to be paid upon arrival at the gym.
- Cash payments are to be made in Thai Baht (we do not accept credit cards).
In some instances we will accept payments made through
- ATM machines are available in Phuket airport and close to the gym.
- A safe is available at the gym shop for storage of valuables
and passports. All bungalows in the gyms have electronic safes as well.
How and when can I book training and accommodation?
As soon as you know your arrival date, send us an e-mail so we can reserve a bungalow for you. You can turn up at the gym without a booking as well and we will always have some accommodation available either in the gym or close by, in the surrounding bungalow resorts with similar prices to us.
You can send an e-mail to Rawai Muay Thai Camp with your questions or yYou can book accommodation now as well.
How much spending money will I need?
When planning your budget for your trip to Thailand consider the follow expenses:
Accommodation, training, training gear, food, transportation, entertainment.
Currency conversion
Accommodation
Shared room: 5,000 Baht per month
Shared with air-con: 10,000 Baht per month
Deluxe bungalow: 17,000 Baht per month
Training
10,000 Baht monthly
VIP coupons 500 Baht eachTraining gear
12 oz. gloves: 1,500 Baht
Hand wraps: 300 Baht
Shin guards: 700 Baht
Ankle guards: 300 Baht
Mouth guards: 300 Baht
Muay Thai shorts: 900-1,000 baht
Singlets: 250 Baht
T-shirts: 300 - 480 Baht
Food
100 Baht per meal. Three meals a day: 300 Baht (Thai food is cheaper than Western food).
Trasportation- scooters and push bikes
Most students rent scooters to get around. We also have push bikes available at the gym.
Scooters: 150 Baht daily. 5,000 Baht monthly (price can vary depending on the type of scooter you choose, gears or automatic). You can find cheaper scooters for rent at other places but these often lack the proper maintenance and usually are unreliable (always check your front and back lights before you rent a scooter). If your bike has bald/old tires then you will be prone to getting punchers or slipping. Often the cheaper scooters end up being more expensive in the end.
Push bikes:
100 Baht daily; 600 Baht weekly; 2,000 Baht monthly.
Warning
If you plan to rent a scooter or ride on the back of a scooter in Thailand then you should ensure you have travel insurance! Hospital fees for motorbike accidents in Phuket can easily cost you up to 10,000 USD.
Entertainment
500 Baht per day is enough to cover you for basic living expenses such as food and water and some basic entertainment such as a few beers at the end of the week.
1,200 Baht: Ticket to watch the fights at the Boxing Stadiums.
1,000 Baht is the cost of a good night out at a night club.
3,000 Baht per night out if you plan to drink and party a lot.
Currency Converter
Can I train if I have no previous Muay Thai experience?
Having previous Muay Thai Boxing or any martial arts experience is not required. Many people come to Rawai Muay Thai Camp to improve their fitness and to lose weight rather than just to learn Thai Boxing . At Rawai we welcome everyone from pro fighters to beginners, children and families.
Can women & children train in the gym?
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Women, children and families are all welcome to train at Rawai Muay Thai Camp. We have no age restrictions! See photos of current and past students at Rawai Muay Thai Camp. Currently about 25% of our students are women and about half of them choose to fight. You can check out their fight results.
Do you give training certificates?
Upon your completion of training, we can give you a certificate of participation in our Muay Thai training program at Rawai Camp. Please ask Diana at the camp for a training certificate. You can also ask the staff in the gym shop.
What gear do I need to train at the gym?
To train at Rawai Muay Thai Camp you will need to have the following training gear:
- Boxing gloves
- Hand wraps
- Shin guards
- Mouth guards
- Ankle guards
- Muay Thai shorts
- Singlets (tank tops)
- Running shoes (bring your own running shoes
with you)
If you dont have your own training gear then the following 3 options are available:
- You can buy new gear at the gym shop at reasonable
prices.
- You can buy second hand gear from the gym shop for
a fraction of the price of new gear.
- You can rent all the training gear from the gym shop.
Our gym shop is open everyday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Below is a price list for some of our more popular items available.
Boxing Gloves: 1,500-2,000 Baht (depending on size).
Kick Pads: 2,700 Baht
Focus Mitts: 2,500 Baht
Leather Shin Guards: 2,500 Baht
Custom Designed Muay Thai Shorts from 1,500 Thai Baht
Gym Muay Thai Shorts: 900 - 1,000 Baht
Hand wraps = 300 Baht
Ankle guards = 300 Baht
Muay Thai DVDs available at the gym:
Ong Bak, Beautiful Boxer, Tom Yam Goong, Songchai S1 World Title Fights and Rawai Muay Thai trainer fights (Tuk, Hehm, Ot, Yud and others).
Most items in our gym shop can be purchased for less than 1/2 the price you would pay in other countries.
Can the gym organize a fight for me?
Sure, anyone can fight, even if you have never fought before. The fight training program is more rigorous than regular training. All fighters must run twice a day and train twice a day. if you are interested in fighting please tell the trainers when you arrive so that they can appraise your level and help you to get ready.
If you want a DVD made of your fight that can be arranged. The cost is 500 Baht. We also upload all the fights onto YouTube. We also offer professional photo service for training and fights. For more info please see our Photo video service page.
Tsunami in Phuket Thailand
The Tsunami hit Phuket at approximately 9:45 am on December 26, 2004 (Boxing Day)
See Tsunami Photos
Latest Earthquake Reports
Largest Earthquake & Tsunamis Since 1900
Can I have mail sent to me to the gym?
Many students want to have mail/ parcels sent to them at the gym. Mail from most parts of the world takes 10 - 15 days for delivery. Do not send packages using Federal Express, since they can get stuck in the Bangkok customs office and never arrive to Phuket. All normal air mail packages arrive to the gym.
Our mailing address is:Your Name
Rawai Muay Thai Camp
43/42 M.7 Soi Sai Yuan Road
Rawai, Muang, Phuket
83130 Thailand
How is Rawai Mua Thai Camp different from other gyms?
Back to the top
- Check out current
and past students Rawai Muay Thai.
- Meet Rawai Students on Facebook
- Meet the trainers and staff at the camp.
(1) Location - Location - Location!
Rawai Muay Thai is within walking distance to some
of the best swimming beaches in Phuket.
Rawai is a sleepy beach side fishing village
located in the South of Phuket Island.
We don't have the fast pace traffic and distractions
that you get in the main tourist zones like Karon and Patong yet we are only a short 6 - 10 km taxi ride to the hot spots of Kata, Karon and Patong
beaches.
(2) Rawai Muay Thai Camp is a Thai owned Muay Thai Gym.
Unlike most gyms in Thailand which are owned by business people who know little about this sport, Rawai Muay Thai camp is owned by an experienced boxer. Tuk is the owner of Rawai Camp and he fought in Bangkok for over 9 years. He has over 150 fights and is an exceptional teacher. Many students come back year after year to Rawai to learn from him. We have students who come to stay 12 months at a time, just to learn to fight from him. Tuk makes sure the quality of the training at Rawai is top notch, by keeping a close eye on our trainers at all times. Furthermore Rawai is a family business, with Tuk's 3 brothers teaching at the gym as well. Between them they boast almost 400 fights and years of experience teaching Thai boxing to students from all over the world.
(3) At Rawai Muay Thai Camp the gym is open everyday, perfect for students who want to get in extra training out side of the regular gym hours. It is not uncommon to see students in the gym doing some late night training (until 9 pm) or at 5 - 6 am in the early hours of the morning on the running machine.
(4) Rawai has a dedicated staff. Wi, Cha Cha and Jek are the receptionists and they run the shop. Jek lives in the gym too. You can approach them with any questions you have or anything you may need. Diana is also available most of the day. She works in the gym shop, answering emails and updating the website. Diana speaks English, Spanish, French and Italian, which can be of service with the odd student who needs communication help.(5) Every month we have 30 - 40 students living and training at Rawai Muay Thai Camp. New friends are made easily and most students say it's the people they meet while training at the gym that makes their time here one of the best experiences of their lives.
What can I do when I'm not training?
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There is always plenty to do and see in Phuket. For example:
Yoga (Tuesdays and Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 am, at the gym).
Thai Chi
Thai Massage (Only 200 THB / $7 USD for a 1 hour body massage)
Oil Massage (300 Baht)
Foot Massage (250 baht)
Learn Thai Massage (Recommended). You can take massage courses at Rawai Guesthouse, 100 meters from the gym.
Learn Thai Cooking (Recommended)
Body Detox at Atsumi (Recommended)
See the latest movies in English or Thai. See what movies are showing today at Central Festival Shopping Complex - 12 km from the gym. There's another Movie Theater in Jungceylon Shopping Center at Patong.
Kite surfing
Relaxing at the beach
Swimming in a pool
Swimming in the ocean
Surfing (surf season runs from May to October) Surfing Video
Cycling
Mountain bike riding
Horse Riding
Elephant Rides
Paint Ball War Games (Recommended)
Jet Ski Hire (Travel warning - Jet Ski rental in Phuket is not recommended - See Phuket jet ski rental video.
Kite Surfing lessons
Kite Sailing lessons
Cable skiing and wake boarding Wakeboarding Video
White water rafting
Bungy Jump
Shooting Range (Phuket Shooting Club) Shooting range video
10 Pin Bowling (at Big C in Phuket Town or at Jungceylon Shopping Center in Patong.
Trail bike hire (motorbikes)
ATV bike treks
Go Kart Racing
Phuket Zoo (Recommended) Zoo video
Cobra Snake Show (Recommended) Cobra show video
Rock Fishing
Deep Sea Game fishing
Snorkeling Watch the video
Scuba Diving
Padi Dive Courses (Recommended)
Coral Reef Diving
Shopping & Night markets
Local bars
Restaurants
Snooker
Discos
Night clubs
Strip bars
Thai massage (Recommended)
5 Fun Things to do in Phuket, Thailand
Watch the video
The Muay Thai Bar next to the gym has a large selection of the latest DVD's. All rooms at the gym have a DVD player.
- Boxing gloves
What is VIP
Training?
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of Page
VIP training is extra private lessons. Private one-on-one
training outside of the regular training hours.
You get to choose which of our trainer you want
to work with, what time of day you want to train and
what you want to focus on during your VIP training
session (for example: grappling, kicks, boxing, elbows,
sparring, fitness, technique, etc).
How do I pay for the VIP program?
You buy VIP training coupons in the gym shop. You then exchange the coupons for VIP classes. At the beginning of eachclass, please hand the coupon to your trainer.
1 VIP coupon: 500 THB
5 VIP coupons: 2,500 THB
10 VIP coupons: 5,000 THB
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
All money payments for VIP training are to be paid at the
gym office, NOT to the trainers directly.
Trainers accepting cash payments from students will
lose their job at Rawai Muay Thai.
Any students found trying to make cash deals with
the trainers in return for cheaper training will be asked to leave.
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Web site maintained by Diana Campillo. All site content is copyright: Rawai Muay Thai, 2010.
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