Why Social Media Isn't Always Your Friend in the Muay Thai World

Avoid the Trap of Flashy Muay Thai Gym Advertising

During my time in Thailand, I’ve trained at gyms under education visas—in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Before joining the gyms, I spent hours researching, convinced I’d found the best places to train. One of the coaches I chose had an impressive background, having trained multiple world champions. His reputation in the Muay Thai world seemed solid.

Behind the Scenes at a Famous Gym in Bangkok

But here’s what social media didn’t show me: the drama behind the scenes. This coach constantly fell out with his trainers, most of whom were family members. The turnover was insane, and the coaches who stayed didn’t seem motivated at all.

This guy was a marketing genius though. His gym was everywhere on social media, and his videos showed him as this mysterious Muay Thai master with broken English—a bit like a Thai Bruce Lee. But when I met him in person? The accent was gone. He spoke perfect English, with an actual English accent. He later admitted he faked the accent because 'foreigners like that he sounded like Bruce Lee'

Training with the 'Master Trainer'

And that’s kind of how his training was, too—more about the image than the substance. He knew a lot but preferred to talk in metaphors about how your Muay Thai weapons were like animals rather than teaching you how to fight. He’d only show up to the gym a few times a week, even though he lived there! He'd just stay in his house that was built onto the gym and let his trainers take the class.

For all the research I’d done, it turned out everyone in the local Muay Thai scene knew this gym was terrible. I eventually learned he’d been banned from almost every promotion in Bangkok, and of the 20+ students at the gym, only two ever got fights—and even those were in low-level promotions. To rub salt into the wounds once you have a one-year education visa for the gym, you can’t leave without canceling your visa!

The Reality vs. Social Media Hype

Part of the reason I’m writing this blog is because there’s a huge gap between how gyms look on social media and what they’re really like. The gyms with the flashiest online presence aren’t always the best, and some of the top gyms barely even bother with social media.

Rise of the Muay Thai Influencer

What’s more concerning to me is how influencers have entered the Muay Thai scene. You’ve probably seen those videos, ‘Day 100 of becoming a professional fighter in Thailand.’ Here’s the truth: in Thailand, being called a ‘professional’ isn’t the same as it is in the West. Just because you get paid for a fight in a local stadium doesn’t make you a pro. To the Thais, you’re just another foreigner who trained enough to step into the ring. There are no amateur divisions in Thailand, if there was 90% of the foreigners would be amateur and that's the hard truth!

So when you see these influencers documenting their journeys, be aware: you don’t come to Thailand, train for six months, and start beating Thais who’ve been doing this their whole lives. You fight Thais on the tourist scene, and this is completely different. Some of these Thais are even told to let you win.

A Word of Caution

I’m not here to call anyone out, and I’m not saying these influencers are trying to mislead anyone. They’re doing their thing, trying to get clicks and followers. But be careful about the advice they give and why they’re giving it.

Making money from social media is fine—I’ve got no issue with that. But what bugs me is when gyms and people claim to be something they’re not. I’ve seen gyms advertise that they can get you fights in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and more-when they don’t even have real professional fighters on their roster.

I've seen influencer fighters win titles where there are no rankings, no recorded history of previous champions-just a show belt, and claim that they have won a stadium title in Thailand. I've even seen a guy claim to be a x5 stadium champion in Thailand doing seminars in America. The truth is he's just an average fighter taking advantage of gyms and people's unawareness of what these 'belts' represent. They think he's an elite-level champion.

And the worst part? You can do all the research in the world, and these gyms can still look legit online.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

I’m not here to discourage anyone from chasing their Muay Thai dreams or following influencers, many of whom are just trying to document their journeys and grow their platforms. My concern lies with misleading claims by some gyms and individuals.

Here are some common red flags to look out for when researching Muay Thai gyms in Thailand:

• Overpromised Opportunities: Gyms marketing fights in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or even Singapore that often don’t have true professional fighters. You can ask the owner of the gym who where the last fighters to compete for the gym in Bangkok or Abroad at reputable stadiums.
• Unrealistic Facilities: Slick photos and videos might oversell the facilities. Look for unfiltered reviews and testimonials for an accurate picture. Some of the one-star reviews from the gym will be the most accurate reflections of the business, but remember, business owners can, and will sue to have these reviews removed.
• No Track Record: A gym claiming to produce champions should have results and fighters to back it up. I'm not talking about Bangla Road or Patong champions here, I'm talking about champions from reputable stadiums in Bangkok that can be cross-referenced online.
• High Turnover of Trainers: Disorganized gyms often have trainers frequently leaving. It can be a sign of deeper issues. There are some great foreign-owned gyms in Thailand but there are also some terrible foreign gym owners whose staff are constantly leaving-avoid these gyms!
• Owner Resume: Check out the owner's resume—Is he himself a multiple-time world champion or is he a personal trainer who's never even fought in Muay Thai-It makes a difference.

Choosing the Right Gym

When seeking a gym to train authentic Muay Thai in Thailand, it’s essential to go beyond appearances. Word-of-mouth is king in Thailand’s Muay Thai community. Speak to other fighters, visit forums, and listen to local recommendations before committing.

Here are some quick tips:

• Visit in Person First: Most gyms welcome visitors and offer trial sessions. Plan a drop-in before committing to long-term memberships.
• Ask About Fights: If fighting is a goal, confirm how many foreign fighters actually get fights through the gym.
• Quality Over Quantity: A gym doesn’t need fancy facilities to produce high-quality fighters.
• Try Multiple Gyms: Even if you like the first gym you visit, try a few and try and find the best gym for you and your needs.

Authenticity Over Hype

Muay Thai is deeply ingrained in Thai culture, and competing in the sport is a privilege. If your dream is to elevate your Muay Thai experience by training in Thailand, don’t settle for gyms that prioritize social media hype over authentic progress.

For newcomers and seasoned fighters alike, there’s always a welcoming camp willing to teach you the sport in its truest form. Do your research, avoid the flash, and remember that building your skills requires far more than what Instagram likes and shares can provide.