Santai is a Muay Thai gym located in Thailand that was opened in 2002 by trainers named Kru Do, Daodern and Kru Pon, who are all former Pinsinchai gym fighters.
Holidays (5)
1 Month Muay Thai Training with Private Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Available all year round
from US$ 478
3 Weeks Muay Thai Training with Private Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Available all year round
from US$ 370
2 Weeks Muay Thai Training with Private Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Available all year round
from US$ 262
3 Months Muay Thai Training with Private Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Available all year round
from US$ 1,296
6 Months Muay Thai Training with Private Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Available all year round
from US$ 2,407
Instructors (4)
Phon Narupai
Kru Phons teaching styles is heavily based on teaching proper Muay Thai technique, while teaching you the fighting benefits of what you are doing. Phon will not stop showing you a proper technique until you get it right. Phon can answer all your questions about Muay Thai techniques as he was a top lumpinee fighter of the early 90s.
Policenoi Pinsinchai
Kru Nan was one of the famous Pinsinchai / Narupai superstars during the gyms greatest years in the 80 - 90s, he has about 70 fights at Lumpinee stadium and about 20 at Rajadamnern stadium and in total maybe 300 fights.
Lop Narupai
Lop was consistently within the top 5 rankings at both Lumpini and Rajadamnern Stadiums back in his prime, and was known for his technical skill and high fight IQ / intelligence.
Manasak Narupai
Manasak is a former Pinsinchai fighter, brought up by the fantastic Pinsinchai team- Aswindam, Pichit, Sancherng, and Kru Nan amongst others. Manasak has recently retired holding the fourth rank at Lumpinee, as well as holding belts from Rajadamnern, WMC World, and more. Manasak has been a top fighter for over a decade, and is one of the greatest.
Reviews (21)
Kathleen Cattle
from Great Britain, September 2024
"Best experience ever!"
Everything... the location was remote and beautiful! It is well organiser, the instructors are fantastic, helpful, patient, funny and knowledgeable. There is a great temple to look at next to the gym and places to grab food from within a 10 minute walk. The gym even has a cafe next to it that can offer meals and hot drinks. The gym shop is well equipped for all your Muay Thai needs and everything is great value. I highly recommend this place! Everyone is super friendly as well and the training schedule is awesome!
Oliver Marrow
from Australia, March 2024
"The best experience!"
The people here are so nice. All the staff are incredible at what they do. Most speak good English and even if they don’t they can still teach you perfectly and have a good laugh with you. My Muay Thai came in leaps and bounds thanks to these guys and I can’t wait to carry on. San Kampaeng is such a beautiful place with lovely people. It’s so refreshing to be in an authentic Thai town where everyone knows us from the gym and takes care of us. The food is so good and cheap too!
Gideon Simning
from United States, August 2023
"santai family"
this is an atmosphere like no other... The most authentic experience one could ask for. The training is equally very challenging and incredibly based on fun. Trainers are incredible people I feel lucky enough to now call friends. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Blaze Lemhouse
from United States, July 2023
"Phenomenal"
Santai Muay Thai Gym is my first introduction into combat sports. I came in as an absolute true beginner, and I don't think I could have picked a better place to learn something new. I've never trained a combat sport at any other gym, so I have nothing to compare this to. That being said, I thought the gym and my overall experience was great. The gym had plenty of the necessary equipment, and you could buy or rent anything you might need from them. The trainees were pleasant to be around and not judgemental. I was nervous because I was new an didn't know anything, but no one ever made me feel uncomfortable about being a beginner. It was easy to make friends. But the best part of the whole experience and the backbone of the gym was the trainers. These guys made the whole experience for me. They would push us hard without pushing us past our limit. They prioritized hard work while keeping things light hearted. And most important, they don't do this for tourists money, they do it because they love Muay Thai. I could not have asked for a better gym to go, and I hope to be back in the future. Thank you Santai
Ryan Joel Almiranez
from United States, May 2023
"BEST TRAVEL I'VE EVER DONE"
The entire experience was amazing. The accommodation was very clean and spacious, be sure to get the option with the AC because that helped out a lot as Chiang Mai is very hot.
I came in during Songkran and that was a blast, if you're planning a trip here try to hit that holiday during your stay. You will not regret it!
The training was on point, as a beginner in Muay Thai I came in with a student mentality. The trainers really care about technique and doing it right, if you come in with a positive and humble attitude you will excel as they will correct and sharpen you as much as they can. If you are nice and easy to work with, they will reciprocate. Make the most of the experience by being polite and respectful. Thai people are very warm and kind, they are doing their best and will do their best for you, keep a good attitude and you are golden.
Thai people speak Thai! English is their second language so try to understand and read from their tone and body language what they are trying to teach you. Remember, you are going to a different country so do not be an arrogant, entitled Westerner. If you come to learn, to understand, to enjoy and to have an awesome experience you will get just that.
Few tips:
-Bring diarrhea medicine and wetwipes ahead of time
-Do the 1 on 1s, they truly are worth the money
-Make sure to stretch in between workouts and get adequate sleep
-Be nice to the staff and other students, it will enhance your experience
-Watch muay thai fight vids before
Daniel Volgyi
from Hungary, February 2023
"Life experience "
The atmosphere in the gym feels like a big family, every instructor is sharp, they show you the good form and will practice it with you until it is perfect, they are kind and very disciplined about teaching.
Paul G.
from Spain, October 2022
"Amazing experience "
The instructors are amazing, kind, fun and encouraging. You can go to training when it suits you (in the morning and evening) and there is no pressure if you decide to take a break, rest or spend the day doing something different. This was my first time doing anything like this and I absolutely loved it.
Moses Fallah
from United States, August 2022
I have nothing to compare it to but my trip to Thailand and my stay and the Santai Gym was more than imagined. There were instructors for every skill level. Training was never the same and I felt I was pushed to excel and develop new skill. My only regret was not being able to stay longer.
Thanks
Devnith De Silva
from Australia, July 2022
"Amazing experience"
Everyone at the gym is great and very friendly, you feel very relaxed and comfratable. The trainers are excellent, even though they don't speak much English they take their time in teaching you proper technique all with a smile.
Anonymous
from Indonesia, July 2022
"Great deep-dive into Muay Thai"
Personal training two times a day, friendly and helpful staff and trainers, good accommodation with a fridge, free cooled water, you learn a lot about technique and since it's a lot one-on-one training, you get a lot of helpful feedback.
But make yourself ready for bruises and an exhausted body if you attend the training in the morning and afternoon. The training is six days a week, only Sunday is off. But, if your body cries for a break, you can always skip a training session without being judged.
Ian Hamshaw
from Thailand, September 2020
"Relentless Training (all levels) & Lot's Of Fun "
Whatever your skill level is, you'll find what you're looking for in this gym. There are pro fighters training, cutting weight, and being drilled day and night, and there is a 70-year-old who likes to hit the bags and have some fun with the instructors.
The instructors make the trip fun or if you're high level they'll push you to your limits, these instructors are battled, hardened warriors. If you want to learn a new skill or test where you are, these chaps have all the medicine you can swallow, and then some.
The accommodation is better than expected, due to two windows, which make the small rooms bright and full of fresh air. The shower is hot and the air con is cold; what more do you need? There are washing facilities on-site for 40 Baht.
The location is fine, but it's 99% Thai, so be prepared to buy your food from the local market. There are lots of cheap restaurants close by. The area is excellent and has every shop you need, but it's 99% Thai, so you won't' get western food. You can use the Grab app to get food. I did not pay the camp to feed to me.
If you don't have a car, the camp is about 20KM outside of Chiang Mai. Not a big problem, as long as you can use the Grab app to get a taxi.
Enrico Bortolusso
from Thailand, November 2018
The accomodation was really nice and clean and the owners of the gusthouse are lovely.
Jon Collins
from United States, November 2018
"First time visitor"
Awesome training facilities. Being from America, the best part is the lack of douche bags at Santai Mai. This includes students and the training staff. Gyms in the States are full of douchers. No one at Santai Mai cares if you're a world champion or if it's your first time trying Muay Thai, if you want to train, get better and have fun, then you'll feel welcome and you'll progress very quickly! Also, the level of instruction is unbeatable, they don't let you slip with sloppy technique. These guys are the real deal, I learned a lot. I had the best training sessions of my life during my trip. I'll be back for sure.
Anonymous
from Malaysia, October 2018
Incredible instructors, Kru Ten, Kru Sak, Kru Nan, Kru Thailand. Thank you. The gym's fighters were gracious and great people; Gonzalo, Javier, Hannah, Haley. Thank you.
Emy Igot
from United States, September 2018
"Authentic Muay Thai camp!"
This camp offers authentic Muay Thai training, you will be surrounded by trainers who are deeply passionate about the art, they have made a name for themselves in the industry, watching them and learning from them makes you understand why Muay Thai is a highly respected form of Martial Arts.
They focus on your form and execution and they are very meticulous about it. It’s probably because it bothers them to see if you’re not doing it properly. I have learned so much from the 2weeks I’ve been there. And have met some amazing individuals who shares the same interest in the art.
Everyone had such a great sense of humor & simultaneously vicious when deep focus calls for it. The fighters also train alongside the students during the training sessions. Seeing them train is extremely inspiring and motivating!
Each trainer have a different style of teaching and also have their own expertise. You will gauge them better once you do the one-on-one with them during the sessions. I finally asked Kru Thailand for my private sessions. He was amazing and his teaching style works best for me, he ignited my passion for this art even more.
As with everything else, you get as much as what you give to the training. They put their whole heart and soul into it, make sure you absorb as much as you can, it is something you take with you when you leave.
This is the camp I will be going to over and over and over. I highly recommend this camp.
Alar Lodi
from Australia, May 2018
"Yo "
This is a real deal.
The progress. You learn fast and you get better
Hi mom.
Anonymous
from Australia, July 2017
"Santai is great. I will be back!"
Great team of trainers and awesome people who train at the gym