Dates for 2006: April 10 – May 21
Itinerary for six-week tour
Schedule is subject to slight variations depending on local conditions. The Muay Thai training itinerary is for guidance only. Our instructors will themselves choose a precise course of Muay Thai training that is appropriate to your needs and abilities.
Day 1, Monday April 10
Arrive at Bangkok Airport to be met by our international coordinator. Transfer to the hotel where you can have lunch, relax by the pool and recover from the journey. Afternoon meeting at the hotel for orientation; we will run through the tour program and answer any questions. Those not too tired from the flight can accompany Horizon Camp staff to discover Bangkok at night. Visit Pat Pong Road, world-famous for its ‘go go’ bars and open-air night market. Accommodation is in spacious and comfortable air-conditioned rooms.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 2, Tuesday April 11
Sightseeing tour of Bangkok: Spend a cultural morning at Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and observe urban river life on a cruise of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. Visit a Muay Thai equipment factory where you can order personalized Muay Thai shorts and gear at discount prices.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 3, Wednesday April 12
Following breakfast at the hotel board a luxury air-conditioned coach to begin the journey north through Thailand’s fertile heartland. Arrive late afternoon at Mae Sot, multicultural border town with Burma. Excellent Thai food dinner at a stunning riverside restaurant set in lush botanical gardens. Enjoy beautiful air-conditioned hotel accommodation boasting teak carvings throughout. OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Mae Sot
Day 4, Thursday April 13
Today marks the beginning of Songkran, Thailand’s exuberant celebration of the new lunar year. Monks and elders receive the respect of younger Thais by the sprinkling of water over their hands. A lot of water is tossed about for fun; hide in your hotel room or expect to be drenched. The latter is a lot more fun! In the morning visit attractive scalloped waterfalls where locals flock to soak themselves and others. In the afternoon witness a Muay contest against Burma. Fought in the traditional style, hands bound in hemp, contestants win only by knockout. This is serious fighting and will make even the bouts in Lumpinee look tame! The contest is a symbol of friendship between two previously warring countries, and is now an internationally televised event. In the evening enjoy the carnival atmosphere of a traditional Thai festival.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Mae Sot
Day 5, Friday April 14
Visit the Friendship Bridge and cross the border for an afternoon sojourn into Burma. Find amazing deals at the border market. More boxing in the afternoon if you are up for it.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Mae Sot
Day 6, Saturday April 15
Return by luxury air-conditioned coach to Bangkok and see the New Year spectacle continuing in the country’s capital. Board an overnight train with air-conditioned sleeper carriages and travel in comfort to Thailand’s tropical south.
OVERNIGHT: Air-conditioned sleeper carriages on train to Surat Thani
Day 7, Sunday April 16
Early morning ferry transfer to tropical paradise island Koh Phangan. Arrive at Horizon Thai Boxing Camp and take the rest of the day to soak up the island atmosphere. In the afternoon meet with instructors in the gym to discuss training objectives and outline training plan for the duration of your stay.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 8, Monday April 17
Early morning: initiation ceremony at Horizon Camp attended by monks from the local temple. Wai Khru: pay respects to your new teachers and pledge to be a good a student. In return, your instructors will promise to teach you to the best of there abilities. Enjoy the rest of the morning at your leisure. Relax in your hammock, lie on the beach or explore the local area. Light training session in the afternoon giving our instructors a chance to assess your abilities, and for you to loosen up after all the traveling.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 9, Tuesday April 18
Training day:
7:30 – 10am Morning Muay Thai training session
Warm up:
Running 30 minutes (if you are already very fit you may wish to run for longer, if you are not in great shape just be sure to build up a really good sweat)
Stretching (you can do your own routine or follow your instructor’s lead)
Muay Thai workout:
Members of the group will do various exercises depending on their level of experience. In each part of each training session you will repeat the full repertoire of techniques learned so far. Your trainer will point out any recurring mistakes and help you to correct them. He will gradually introduce new moves as and when you are ready. Morning training sessions are generally lighter, concentrating on acquiring new techniques while your mind is fresh from a good nights sleep. An ordinary training session is made up of the following.
Shadow boxing: Each training session begins with a shadow boxing warm up, preferably in front of a mirror or perhaps on the beach. In your first session you will learn basic Muay Thai footwork: how to move around while maintaining a strong guard to protect your body’s vulnerable targets. The basic punching techniques will be introduced: the straight punch, jab, uppercut and hook.
Pad work: You instructor holds special Thai pads on his arms and a wears a belly protector. Student works one-on-one with the instructor in the ring to practice the full arsenal of techniques the student is familiar with and develop offensive combinations. You probably won’t begin pad work on the first day if you are a beginner.
Weights or speedballs: While instructors are busy with other students, you will work on your conditioning with our free weights or sit up benches. Help develop your reflexes with the speed balls.
Sparring: At first you will begin very light, very slow sparring with your instructor. As you build confidence you can begin working with a sparring partner. Sparring is an essential part of Muay Thai training during which you see how to use the offensive techniques you have learned dynamically. You will quickly learn to defend your most vulnerable points, and begin to anticipate the movements of your opponent. If progressing very well a beginner may expect to begin sparring within a week.
Bag work: Excellent way to develop conditioning and muscle memory. Repeated kicking of the long hanging bags is really the only way to condition the shins. Kicking the bags will hurt a bit to start with. We fill our bags with cloth, not sand, but still expect to bruise some (especially the ladies). You won’t start this kind of training until you have learned to properly kick. Kicking with poor technique is even more painful!
Clinch work: Basically techniques of standup grappling. Always makes up the final part of an intensive training session. You grapple your partner for the better position in an attempt to set your opponent up for knee strikes or to topple him by pulling or knocking him off balance. This is an exhausting part of training and is essential if you are interested in competing within Thailand. You will not begin clinch work until your fitness is quite good and you have mastered other techniques to a good level.
Warm down:
Shadow boxing warm down, followed by other low impact exercises.
4pm - 6pm Afternoon Muay Thai training session
Warm up:
Skipping or tyre bounces. Bouncing on old car tyres is a great way to improve balance.
Muay Thai workout:
The afternoon session is generally more intensive than the morning training session, with more emphasis on quantity of exercises to improve stamina and muscle memory. You will normally continue practicing techniques learned in the morning. The basic pattern of each training session remains the same: shadow boxing, pad work, bag work, sparring, weights, clinch work.
Warm down:
After shadow boxing, a dip in the sea is a great way to warm down.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 10, Wednesday April 19
Training day: You will practice all the techniques you already know in your shadow boxing warm-up. Today you will begin to learn how to kick while shadow boxing. Then move on to kicking practice with an instructor in the ring. Your instructor holds specials Thai pads and will teach you to kick while maintaining good balance, keeping your guard and observing correct footwork. Afternoon: continue kicking practice and learn how to block a kick from your opponent.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 11 Thursday April 20
Training day: Kicking and foot thrusts. If you have developed a good kicking technique you may now begin to practice on the heavy bags.
There will be a Thai language lesson in the evening. Although our instructors speak English (some more than others) in order to help preserve the art of Muay Thai in its genuine form it is important you try to learn the proper Thai terms for techniques and aspects of training.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 12 Friday April21
Training day: You will practice everything learned so far concentrating on footwork and stance. Remember to work on your weak side.
Video night: learn by watching The Greats in action.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 13 Saturday April 22
Training free day: Day trip to National Marine Park: a magnificent archipelago of over 30 islands. Enjoy stunning views, a beautiful inland lake and excellent snorkeling. Don't forget your camera! Each Saturday night we heat the coals for a massive seafood BBQ.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 14 Sunday April 23
Training day: If you have already mastered good basic kicking technique elbows and knees come quite easily. Elbow training, three styles.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 15 Monday April 24
Training day: Knees.
Take a short boat trip in the evening to watch the sunset from the water, night fishing for those up for it.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 16 Tuesday April 25
Training day: Now you might begin very light, slow sparring with our instructors practicing every technique learned so far. This is dynamic training. You will start to see the value of correct technique and begin learning how to defend yourself. Your instructor will encourage you to use combinations of offensive techniques.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 17 Wednesday April 26
Training Day: At this stage you may have a good command of the basic Muay Thai techniques (good stance and footwork, you know how to punch, kick and push kick, and effectively use your knees and elbows to attack your opponent.) Now you are ready to learn how to fight. You will first learn a number of techniques to defend against a low kick.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 18 Thursday April 27
Training Day: Now find out what to do if someone aims a kick or push kick around your stomach or ribs.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 19 Friday April 28
Training day: Each Friday and Wednesday morning training is boxing only. This is essential training to develop a good eye and super quick reflexes. Remember, punches (and avoiding them) are as important a part of Muay Thai as all the other weapons. Hopefully by this time you can begin training with a sparring partner. In the afternoon learn how to defend against head kicks.
Friday night party at Guy’s Bar on Haad Tien beach for those inclined.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 20 Saturday April 29
Training free day: herbal steam sauna at What Pho temple. Receive an invigorating traditional Thai massage. Don’t forget our Saturday night seafood BBQ.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 21 Sunday April 30
Weapons day: Kraabi Krabong (Thai swordplay) demonstration in the morning. Afternoon: training with weapon work. The day serves as a basic introduction to a related traditional Thai martial art.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 22 Monday May 01
Training day: Sessions will become more intensive as your skills improve and your body becomes accustomed to the new training schedule. Techniques need to be repeated over and over again in order to develop muscle memory, helping you to deploy techniques reflexively.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 23 Tuesday May 02
Training day: Boxing in the morning. Afternoon learn essential invigorating pre-fight massage techniques and how to be a good corner man. Also learn some basic therapeutic massage.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 24 Wednesday May 03
Training day: Muay Boran (ancient Muay Thai) advanced techniques, fun to learn. Afternoon Muay Thai training or participate in our Jungle survival course.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 25 Thursday May 04
Training day: Muay Boran. You will learn some devastating techniques, now illegal in the ring but good to know. Afternoon Muay Thai training or participate in day two of our jungle survival course.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
DAY 26 Friday May 05
Training day: Boxing training in the morning. At this point you may be ready to begin clinch work. This is always the final part of any training session before the warm down and most people find it grueling. You will begin grappling with your partner in order to gain the better position to set up knee strike.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 27 Saturday May 06
Training free day: Day trip around Koh Phangan Island. Visit the atmospheric fishing village of Chaloklum, have your fortune read at the Chinese temple, see the island’s biggest tree. Chill out on the island’s most stunning beaches or get a traditional bamboo needle tattoo!
Its BBQ night again.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 28 Sunday May 07
Open water PADI diving course: day in the classroom. There is Muay Thai training if you prefer.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 29 Monday May 08
Second day of open water PADI diving course: day in the swimming pool. There is Muay Thai training if you prefer.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 30 Tuesday May 09
Last day of open water diving course: experience your first open water dive: live corals, colorful fish, stunning reefs and warm seas. We still have Muay Thai training if you prefer.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 31 Wednesday May 10
Training day: Wai Khru seminar – learn the ritual dance that precedes each Muay Thai bout. This is not a religious ceremony but simply a cultural way to show respect to your teachers, and propitiate good luck and a good mind set for fighting. This is an essential part of training for anyone planning to compete.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 32 Thursday May 11
Training day: If your grappling is going well your instructor may begin to show you techniques for successfully knocking down your opponent from the clinch. There is more Wai Khru practice for those expecting to compete.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 33 Friday May 12
Training day: More grappling techniques.
Muay Thai fight night where you can cheer on students competing for Horizon camp. If you wish to participate in a stadium bout, this can be arranged.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 34 Saturday May 13
Training free day: day at your leisure. Saturday night seafood BBQ followed by the infamous Full Moon Dance Party at the island's party capital, Haad Rin Beach.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp or party all night!
Day 35 Sunday May 14
Sleep late to recover from last night's party! See if you can make it to the afternoon training.
Day 36 Monday May 15
Training day: Practice, practice, practice. You must repeat your full repertoire of techniques over and over until you no longer have to think about deploying them. If you have good technique then the more you practice the more powerful your weapons will become.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 37 Tuesday May 16
Training day: Discuss future training possibilities.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 38 Wednesday May 17
Training day: We organize games on the beach followed by a competition in camp boxing ring. Full protective gear provided for those up for it.
Goodbye party in the evening.
OVERNIGHT: Horizon Thai Boxing Camp
Day 39 Thursday May 18
Boat transfer to our neighboring resort island Koh Samui. Visit Big Buddha and other sightseeing opportunities. Enjoy a cultural show or less cultural lady boy Cabaret in evening!
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Koh Samui
Day 40 Friday May 19
Early morning flight Koh Samui-Bangkok. Take a trip to the weekend market for souvenir shopping before going home.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 41 Saturday May 20
Meet famous Thai boxers from one of Bangkok's top gyms. Take ringside seats at Rajadamnoen boxing stadium to see a live Muay Thai contest. A match here is pure spectacle, not only for the first-class fighting, but also the wild musical accompaniment, the ceremonial beginning of each match and the frenzied betting around the stadium. After the match enjoy Thai-style dinner at one of Bangkok's night markets.
OVERNIGHT: Hotel in Bangkok
Day 42 Sunday May 21
Transfer to the airport and fly back home. Try to hold back the tears! |
