Oleydong Boxing and Muay Thai Gym

Oleydong Boxing and Muay Thai - Kathu, Phuket

While I usually lean toward reviewing Muay Thai classes, this time I decided to review something a little different: the boxing class at Oleydong Boxing and Muay Thai in Kathu. Open since 2019, the gym is led by Oleydong Sithsamerchai, a former WBC Strawweight World Champion and notably the first Thai boxing world champion to come out of southern Thailand.

Kru Oleydong has over 30 years of experience in both Muay Thai and Boxing. Kru Oleydong has had over 400 Muay Thai fights and 72 boxing matches, and he became well-known during his time as a world champion.

His credentials alone are enough to attract my interest, but what really drew me in was the reputation. Among those 'in the know’ in Phuket, if you ask who the island’s best boxing coach is, you’ll usually be pointed towards Kru Oleydong.

Why Boxing?

Though the gym offers Muay Thai too, I opted to review the boxing-only class (3 pm – 4 pm). It’s not my usual focus, but worthwhile, especially considering how consistently Oleydong is recommended for serious boxing instruction.

Class Schedule

The gym operates three group classes daily, plus private sessions:

• Morning (8 am – 9.20 am) – Muay Thai & Boxing
• Afternoon (3 pm – 4.20 pm) – Boxing only (Mon/Wed/Fri)
• Afternoon (5 pm – 6.20 pm) – Muay Thai & Boxing (Saturday class starts at 4 pm)
• Kids Classes (4 pm - 5 pm) – (Tues/Thurs and Sat 3-4 pm)

Private sessions are available between 10 am – 3 pm and 6 pm – 7 pm.

Class Format: Boxing (3 pm – 4.20 pm)

The boxing class runs for 1 hour and 20 minutes (unless there are only 2-3 people-when it runs for 1 hour) and sticks closely to a traditional Thai boxing gym structure:

• 10 minutes of skipping to warm up
• 10 minutes of shadow boxing
• 3 rounds (3 mins each) of pad work
• 30-50 minutes focused purely on technique

The flow feels nice, and everything is very purposeful, designed for improving technique and fundamentals. It’s not cardio-boxing or fitness stuff—this is real, detailed work that will vastly improve you as a boxer.

During my visit, there were only 3 students (2 foreigners and 1 Thai fighter), with 2 trainers present. That kind of 3:2 student-to-coach ratio meant focused attention for everyone in the gym.

Instruction and Atmosphere

Oleydong has an impressive competitive pedigree, having claimed the WBC Strawweight World Title on November 29, 2007. But ask around now, and many will tell you he’s even more respected today as a coach than he was as a fighter.

The gym itself feels like something out of a Rocky film: simple, rugged, and very old school. With a nice family feeling. Kru Oleydong and his team are incredibly welcoming. Once class begins, though, it’s clear this is a place for serious training.

What stood out most was the depth of technical instruction. Kru Oleydong spent a full 30 minutes working closely with just two of us, breaking down mechanics and ring positioning intact, he single-handedly picked apart every flaw in my boxing game (and trust me, there were many).

After completing five pad rounds with Kru Oleydong, who was observing to see both my strengths and areas for improvement, he pulled me aside to give detailed feedback. He broke everything down, starting with the basics like how to form a proper fist, all the way to how to generate power through correct technique and body mechanics.

We then spent 30 minutes working through a circuit he had designed, with each exercise targeting a specific aspect of striking. These included resistance band drills to improve hip rotation and footwork exercises using floor hoops to refine weight distribution for both striking and evasion.

Kru Oleydong even took the time to explain the anatomy of the limbs and how to engage specific muscles for maximum power output. His depth of knowledge and attention to detail were incredible. Kru Oleydong is truly a master of his craft, and the time I spent with him was invaluable to my growth as a fighter. Even in that short session, I walked away a noticeably better striker.

Who’s It For?

This gym is a great fit for:

• Fighters seeking elite-level boxing coaching
• Muay Thai fighters, especially Muay Mat stylists, who rely on their hands
• Beginners or advanced boxers wanting a more technical approach
• Anyone looking for that old-school, no-frills boxing gym vibe

Who Might It Not Suit?

• Those wanting a big, shiny tourist gym with smoothie bars and social media influencers
• Anyone expecting a relaxed or cardio-based boxing workout

Pricing

• Drop-in class: 400 THB
• Unlimited classes per day: 600 THB
• 1 month unlimited: 7,500 THB

It’s worth noting that private sessions with Oleydong are 95% fully booked all year round, and if you would like to train with him during the high season, it is recommended you book months in advance, as he will be fully booked.

Overall

Oley Dong Boxing and Muay Thai is a hidden gem in Phuket’s fight scene. It doesn’t rely on flashy marketing or mass appeal - it lets the quality of coaching speak for itself. The gym doesn’t actually do any marketing and is fully booked on word of mouth and gym recommendations alone. Kru Oleydong stated that this is because he prefers to dedicate as much of his time as possible to his students.

This is a place where real technique is taught, refined, and drilled - especially for those who want to level up their hands.

If you’re a Muay Mat fighter or even just someone looking to develop a more technical boxing base, this gym should be near the top of your list. Whether you’re preparing for a fight or just want to feel your punches land cleaner than ever before, Kru Oley delivers a level of instruction that’s hard to match anywhere on the island.

You can contact the gym via their Instagram Page:

https://www.instagram.com/oleydonggym/

Their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/oleydonggym

Gym location

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PwR2mvuxZcQiuSSt6