DE Gym Muay Thai Phuket

DE Gym Muay Thai, Kathu, Phuket

Recently, I had the chance to train at DE Gym in Kathu, Phuket.

The gym sits in a quiet, nature-filled area away from the busier parts of the island. It is owned by Diego Calzolari, a former three-time world champion who has shared the ring with Thai legends such as Nam Sak Noi, Kao Pong Lek, and Khem Fairtex.

Diego oversees the training alongside none other than Golden Era icon Jomhod Kiatadisak — a multiple-time world champion who has held both Lumpinee and Rajadamnern titles. It’s rare to find this level of experience under one roof.

Class Schedule

The gym runs two group classes per day, Monday through Saturday, along with private training sessions in between.

Morning: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Afternoon: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Running Routine

Every morning, fighters and serious Muay Thai students are expected to run at 6:40 am.

This is the long run, and it alternates between two routes:

• The beautiful Dam run — scenic, peaceful, great for endurance
• The Big Buddha run — steep, challenging, and perfect for building fighter conditioning

In the afternoons, there is an easier run at 3:45 pm before training.

Diego follows the morning run in the car to check on the fighters, offer help if needed, and hand out water — a level of support you rarely see and something that really reflects the gym’s culture of care and professionalism.

Training Experience

The morning session runs from 8 am to 10 am, though you can finish earlier or later depending on your level. DE Gym is very much a fighters’ gym, but beginners are genuinely welcomed, and the trainers adapt the session to each student.

We began with a warm-up and shadowboxing, followed by five rounds of padwork. After each round, the trainers rotate so you get different styles and insights. They are highly skilled pad holders with a strong technical eye.

Between rounds, Diego brings you drinking water and iced water to cool down — a small but incredibly thoughtful touch that reflects how much he cares about his students and guests.

After pads, we moved into five rounds of bag work. For me, a major green flag in any Muay Thai gym is when trainers actively watch and correct your bag rounds. Too many gyms leave students hitting the heavy bag with no guidance, letting bad habits repeat forever. Here, they pay attention.

Another green flag: each round had a purpose

• Round 1: Offensive work
• Round 2: Defensive movement
• Round 3: Counters
• Rounds 4–5: Freestyle

Simple structure but very effective.

Training in the Opposite Stance

Another thing I really liked was that the trainers sometimes make you work in your opposite stance. It’s uncomfortable at first, but it forces you to understand your balance, your footwork, and your defensive positioning in a completely different way. Not many gyms do this, but it’s something that can massively improve your overall skill and fight IQ. It’s a small detail that shows how much thought they put into developing well-rounded fighters.

After this part of the class, we worked on additional drills and conditioning before cooling down.

The afternoon class is more technique-focused, including sparring and clinching.

Who this Gym Suits

Overall, DE Gym is ideal for fighters aiming to reach a high level, but sessions are easily adjusted for beginners and intermediate students. The environment is serious yet welcoming.

The gym also has on-site accommodation and land for future expansion, though the rooms are already fully booked for the next six months — a good sign of the gym’s growing reputation.

Authenticity & Atmosphere

Many people assume a foreign-owned Muay Thai gym cannot be truly authentic. I used to feel the same. But at the start of class, Diego gave a ten-minute history lesson on Muay Thai — its origins, meanings, and traditions. It’s immediately clear how deeply he has studied the art. He even creates Italian-language videos teaching Muay Thai history. Listening to him, you realise this is someone who has dedicated his entire life to Muay Thai.

DE Gym may be relatively new in Phuket, but they already have fighters competing at Rajadamnern Stadium, which says a lot about the quality of training.

Pricing

• Single group class (2 hours): 400 THB
• Two group classes in one day: 600 THB
• 10-class pack: 3500 THB
• Monthly (twice per day): 6,000 THB
• Private training (1 hour): 1000 THB

My two cents

DE Gym is one of Kathu’s true hidden gems. I’ve always preferred the smaller, more focused gyms where you receive real attention from elite Muay Thai trainers — and this place delivers exactly that.

At DE Gym, you’re not treated like just another number. You become part of their Muay Thai family.

It’s also worth mentioning that DE Gym regularly takes its fighters to other local gyms to mix up the sparring partners. Diego has earned a lot of respect in the community, and the gym has friendly relationships with several well-known trainers in the area.

If you come to Phuket and find yourself tired of the big tourist gyms, this is the kind of place that will truly elevate your Muay Thai. It’s perfect for improving your technique, your fight IQ, and gaining real fight opportunities.