Job Discussion Forums

widget · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 4:00 am Post subject: Learn Muay Thai and teach EFL?

Hi there!

I've been considering going to either Japan or Thailand to teach, and now I think I'm seeing that either the timing, or my lack of teaching experience is making my Japanese applications go unanswered. I have a degree and a TESL certificate, and my only experience related to teaching is in tutoring math and physics. It seems my prospects in Thailand are better than those in Japan at this point.

Now with regards to Thailand, I was wondering if it's at all possible to go there to teach English, and have a chance to learn Muay Thai while doing so. Are all the training camps more "full-time", or is, say, training just on weekends an option?

Thanks!

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

"Camp" means full time. There are plenty of gyms in Bangkok that'll take your money for weekend sessions. Sometimes this is enough money that you can't really afford to pay it on an English teacher's salary, but it's doable if you sacrifice bar time and/or other expenses. Evening training times are rare.

You certainly won't find a combo Kickboxing/English Teaching job, if that's what you mean, but I don't think you do.

Finding a school in a good location will be paramount as most Muay Thai classes are held during bad rushour times here in Bangkok. Of course, you don't have to teach in Bangkok -- Chiang Mai probably has more muay thai that's set up to handle foreingers (and it's a lot cooler there for most of the year), but teaching jobs pay considerably less there as well.

Many universities have Muay Thai clubs that foreigners can go play around in, but in those cases knowing Thai would be very very important and they may or may not want some kind of fee if you're not working/studying at the university.

widget · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info Sheep-Goats.

Yes, I wouldn't even have imagined there would be some combo ESL/kickbox position anywhere. I'm not a very big bar fiend... and while I do have adequate savings, I would really prefer to be able to end a 1-year contract with no (or not much) less than I started it with. It doesn't sound like the opportunities would be abundant, but Chiang Mai does sound more appealing to me climate-wise (Thailand's "cold" seems to be Canada's summer). So if the cost-of-living is lower to match the lower salaries then maybe it would be a promising place to head towards!

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

If you ever get to Chiang Mai, you'll definitely want to visit this place:

http://www.ancientmuaythai.com/ (Muay Thai Sangka / Chiang Mai)

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

GreenDestiny · Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: International

I'm hoping to find either Muay Thai private lessons or a school for (very) part-time instruction.

Are other Martial Art forms widely available in the urban areas of Thailand?

Chok Dee,
GreenDestiny

poof · Joined: 23 May 2005 Posts: 161

I'm reviving this thread after I found it by search, as the last poster's question went unanswered, and I'd also like to know if anyone has experience of martial arts other than Muay Thai in Thailand.

If someone had a 9-5 type teaching job, are there plenty of evening classes available, and how much would they typically cost. One of the posters mentioned joining a university club which sounded like a good idea, but I'd like a referral by someone who's actually been training.

Cheers.

widget · Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

OK, this thread is a bit old... I ended up working in Phitsanulok, and didn't find any more there than the heavy bag on my soi. It seems like it would be very location-dependant as to whether you can find a gym suitable for a foreigner (without good Thai skills). Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket are the main cities I've found offering such training, but if you could get an in with a Thai person, I'm sure it could be found virtually anywhere and for a lot less than what many places charge.

Oh... I said something in my original post about not being a bar-fiend. Well, I *wasn't* until I went to Thailand. That country can drain your wallet if you let it... damn karaoke's Laughing

Bruce · Joined: 22 Feb 2003 Posts: 51 Location: Around the world

There are two local gyms in Ban Phe that accept short-term and part-time western boxers. The cost is about 3,000 baht er month for 3 to 5 hours per week. Pretty good deal I think.

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

http://www.bangkokfightclub.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27&lang=en&PHPSESSID=33c11c3e557dc535010e53bcfd13266f