Shelley at Khunsuek Muay Thai in Krabi, Thailand

1. Why did you choose Khunsuek Muay Thai?

I was traveling with my daughter, and we chose Khunsuek primarily because of its location. It was within walking distance of where we were staying.

We had also been following the gym online. It looked like a fun place to train, with a beautiful view and clean facilities.

The gym actually exceeded my expectations. It was extremely clean, the instructors were energetic and friendly, and the whole experience was a lot of fun.

2. What was a typical training session like?

Training sessions were approximately 90 minutes long and followed a structured format.

We started in a separate room with warm-up and cardio exercises. These varied depending on the day and included things like agility drills, balance exercises, and other conditioning activities.

After warming up, we moved into the main training area and divided into three groups:

Group 1: Went upstairs to work on abdominal exercises.

Group 2: Stayed on the main floor to work on heavy bags.

Group 3: Worked directly with trainers on pads.

We rotated through all three stations, so everyone had an opportunity to work with a trainer. I believe we did three rounds of pad work each.

They also had a set schedule with different activities depending on the day and whether you attended morning or afternoon training. Some sessions included sparring, while others involved partner drilling with gloves and shin guards.

I liked how organized everything was and how the instructors kept the training varied.

3. How much personal attention did you receive?

I felt that I received a good amount of attention, especially considering the class sizes.

There were usually around 20–30 students in a class, with approximately three instructors, although more trainers seemed to appear when classes were busier.

Everyone had an opportunity to work directly with a trainer during the pad-work rotations.

The trainers were very active and involved throughout the session.

However, I wouldn't say they were constantly correcting or fine-tuning my technique. The attention was there, but the focus wasn't necessarily on perfecting every technical detail.

4. Did the trainers genuinely care about your development?

I genuinely felt that the trainers loved Muay Thai and wanted the students to enjoy it as much as they did.

They were enthusiastic, energetic, and clearly enjoyed teaching.

That said, the classes I attended weren't necessarily focused on turning students into fighters or perfecting their technique.

The emphasis seemed to be on getting a good workout, training properly, and enjoying the experience.

For someone looking for a fun and engaging Muay Thai experience, I think they did a great job.

5. What was the gym atmosphere like?

The atmosphere was probably one of my favourite things about the gym.

It was clean, energetic, social, and very welcoming.

The gym seemed to attract a younger crowd, mostly people in their 20s. They also have an on-site hostel where many students stay, which probably contributes to that social atmosphere.

I'm in my 50s, but I never felt out of place or excluded. Everyone was friendly, and I felt completely comfortable training there.

The gym has a strong social media presence and a trendy image, but I didn't feel any pressure to fit a particular look or demographic.

They also had a shop on the main floor selling apparel and other merchandise.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable environment.

6. What was the skill level of the other students?

The gym offered beginner classes, but we attended what I would consider intermediate-level sessions.

I found that the skill level of the students was fairly comparable to what we have at Legacy.

There was a mix of recreational practitioners and more experienced students.

The gym also had fighters training there. From what I saw, they appeared to be mostly foreign fighters, although I can't say for certain.

As someone who had already been training Muay Thai for almost a decade, I felt comfortable with the level of training. But there were plenty of beginners there too.

7. What was sparring like?

The gym had designated sparring sessions as part of its weekly schedule.

However, I didn't participate in sparring during my three-day visit, so I can't personally comment on the intensity, safety, or technical level of those sessions.

My daughter Talia did attend one of the sparring days and said there were lots of females to work with.

For anyone specifically interested in sparring, I'd recommend checking the gym's schedule before visiting.

8. What did you like and dislike about the gym?

What I liked most:

The overall atmosphere.

The instructors were energetic and friendly, the facilities were exceptionally clean, and the training sessions were well organized.

I especially appreciated that everyone had the opportunity to work directly with a trainer during pad work.

What I liked least:

The gym could get quite busy.

With around 20–30 students in some classes, the training areas occasionally felt crowded. Although everyone still got quality one-on-one time with a Thai instructor when it came to pad work.

It wasn't a major issue for me, but it's something to consider if you prefer smaller, quieter classes.

9. How did you improve during your time there?

One of the most useful things I took away from the experience was actually some of their warm-up exercises.

They incorporated different partner drills, including movements focused on hip mobility and opening up the hips.

I liked those exercises enough that I brought some of them back and started incorporating them into my own women's Muay Thai classes at Legacy.

Even though I was only there for four days, it was nice to pick up some new training ideas that I could share with my students.

10. Would you train there again?

Yes, I would.

I had a really positive experience at Khunsuek Muay Thai.

I think it's a great option for recreational and intermediate Muay Thai students who want a structured training experience in a clean, energetic, and welcoming environment.

If you're looking for intensive technical corrections or highly individualized fighter development, you may want to investigate their more specialized training options.

But for someone visiting Krabi who wants to get in some good Muay Thai training while enjoying their vacation, I would definitely recommend considering it.

11. What would you tell a Legacy teammate that they wouldn't find online?

One practical thing to know is that there's a pretty big hill you have to walk up to reach the gym!

Beyond that, the gym was pretty much what I expected based on what I'd seen online, and in some ways it exceeded those expectations.

The facilities were clean, the people were friendly, and the training was enjoyable.

I didn't experience any major surprises or disappointments during my visit.