Extreme Tourism – People are Flocking to Thailand for Muay Thai Holidays

Holidays aren’t always about relaxing on a beach and kicking back with a coconut. Some people prefer active adventures, where they have a chance to take part in activities they can’t do at home. Skiing, for example, is a hugely popular option for vacationers.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people visiting Thailand to join Muay Thai training camps. This is an excellent way to enjoy the beautiful country while also learning an incredible martial art.

Muay Thai is Becoming Mainstream in the West

Thanks to the rise of the UFC in the West, more people are becoming aware of Muay Thai. A lot of mixed martial artists are trained in “the art of eight limbs,” as it teaches them to use a combination of punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. It’s one of the most effective martial arts for hand-to-hand combat, and the style is exciting to watch.

Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, and it’s unavoidable in the country. However, it had failed to become a massive sport worldwide until recently. It seems that times could be changing, though, as it is now getting some representation in the entertainment industry. For example, Muay Thai stuntman Tony Jaa has managed to break into Hollywood and starred in Furious 7 and Expend4bles.

There are even games about Muay Thai that are gaining popularity among Western players. For instance, one of the top real-money online casino Canada games is the Muay Thai Champion slot. This features ripped warriors on the thumbnail and harks back to classic arcade fighting games.

Immersive Cultural Experience

Tourists visit Thailand to experience the unique culture, and learning Muay Thai is an excellent way to get immersed in it. By practicing the sport every day, visitors to the country can discover the various traditions and rituals involved. It’s also a great way to pick up some Thai language. Many of the trainers only speak a little bit of English, so it encourages you to try out some of the vocabulary from your pocket phrase book.

One benefit of learning Muay Thai is the fact that it can massively improve your fitness. Muay Thai training sessions are typically gruelling, focusing on flexibility and endurance. You’ll start with some skipping or tire jumping for a warm-up, followed by stretching and technical instruction. This usually leads to a pad session, where you’ll have fun unleashing your moves on the trainer.

Various gyms in Thailand offer special packages to holidaymakers. The most famous one is Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, which attracts visitors from around the world. There are various training programmes on offer, which involve sleeping on site and getting stuck into numerous sessions throughout the day. For the most dedicated people who can commit to a month of training, it’s sometimes possible to get to a stage of fight readiness in this timeframe.

Thailand is one of the world’s primary holiday destinations for various reasons, but Muay Thai has only recently become a major attraction. If you’re looking for an extreme holiday with intense physical exercise, give the sport a try.