Thailand Thai Boxing and Culture

  Thailand

• Other Cities in Thailand: 
Singburi

Dates: Please contact us for more information.

Description: Experience the culture, travel Thailand and learn the art of Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), the "martial art of the eight limbs". Take in some of the cultural highlights and learn Thai boxing or advance your skills.
Please note: activities and itineraries are subject to change

As you will know there are several options you can choose so that you have your perfect Thailand Culture and Boxing experience. Everyone's initial orientation week is the same:

Week One
The first week is designed to introduce you to Thailand and it's people, culture, language, attitudes and customs. It's a great way to meet fellow travellers and to make new friends. To ensure you have fun and to make it easy for you to meet all the groups.

* Programme introduction: aims, way of working, money, rules and appreciated behaviour, food, safety advice, cultural differences and social information
* Thai language: During this week you and your group will have Thai lessons. You will learn enough phrases to get by on.
* Visit local places: You will be shown the local village, market, monuments and temples. You will have several opportunities to go to the local town called Singburi. Here you can check your e-mail, get a Thai SIM card for your mobile and take a look around. There is also a pool in Singburi where you can go to swim, relax and sunbathe.
* Games, cooking lessons, discussions: Done in groups to help you make friends with fellow volunteers, project leaders and programme staff. This is a great way to learn the language and a fun way to experience the new culture.
* Leisure time: You will have plenty of time to explore the local area. You can relax around the Eco-house, read, go swimming, shopping etc. The Project co-coordinators are happy to show you around and point out the beautiful and amazing highlights that Thailand has to offer.
If you have chosen to take part in the Cultural Week, your itinerary will be as follows:

Temple Stay
This week focuses on the temple stay. You will be staying in a genuine temple and will be guests of the monks. You will be able to learn about their way of life and observe them in their daily routine. On Monday morning you will learn about the Buddhist religion and history and in the afternoon you will be taken to Wat Phikun Thong temple. Also known as Wat Luang Pho Phae, it is one of many famous temples in Thailand. It is situated in in Tambol Thon-samhor, Amphor Tha Chang. The temple area is pretty and peaceful and is surrounded by a garden and small lake. Here you can look around and are welcome to ask questions. You will stay back at the Eco house on Monday night.

On Tuesday, you will start the temple experience at a temple called Wat Song Phi Nong. You will stay here until Wednesday at 12noon and will then return to the Eco house. This will be a truly unique experience. You will live with the monks and they will help you understand their religion of Buddhism, try their best to teach you how to meditate and introduce you to their way of life. Few travellers are ever offered this opportunity.

Wat Song Phi Nong is in the district of Sanburi, a group of monks here follow the doctrine of Karma. These temples were created around the same time as temples in Sukothai (the old capital of Thailand before Ayutthaya and Bangkok). However, during the Burmese war most temples were destroyed. "Loungphor sanong" started to rebuild this temple in Sanburi District, Chainat province. We ask that you respect the monk's way of life. They eat breakfast and lunch and then do not eat after 12noon. You are encouraged to follow this pattern for the time you are at the temple. However if you want to eat after 12 this is fine, but please do not eat in front of the monks.

Please note that you will have one overnight stay near the temple. You will be sleeping on a marble floor. So we advise that you take a sleeping bag with you to make it more comfortable. Also remember to take mozzie repellent with you, as there are lots of mosquitoes.

After you have survived the temple experience you will be taken back to the Eco house where you will spend the night before going on a biking tour on Thursday. You will spend Friday visiting a Thai pottery market and Bueng Chawak zoo.

Highlights: Beach time (six nights)
This is usually the travelers' favorite part of the programme. You will spend from Sunday afternoon to Saturday morning on the gorgeous island of Koh Samet. This is free time for you to do what you want, when you want. All meals are included. Some participants also like to try out local restaurants for dinner (at their own expense).
The only organized activity during this week is a boat trip on the Wednesday for snorkeling and fishing. Lunch is on board the boat. This is included in the price. You are welcome to join this activity or do your own thing.
The rest of the time is free time to sun bathe, snorkel, explore the beautiful island or simply chill out in the many beach bars!
The accommodation is always in resorts close to the beach. Securing twin room accommodation can be a problem for us as most rooms in Thailand have a double bed. We obviously don't want you to share a bed with someone unless you want to! So we do split the group into a number of resorts to ensure you get a twin room. All the resorts are pretty close to each other and you will be able to meet up with the other groups. If you find yourself booked into a room with only a double bed and you prefer a twin share, then immediately tell the co-coordinators. We can make sure the resort upgrades your room. Thai people sometimes forget that it is unacceptable for people to share double beds, as this is all part of their culture. Any problems, inform us and we will get it sorted for you. Most of the time they get it right, so don't worry.

Cost in US$: from 1,749; 250 deposit

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement:

Real Gap offer over 350 projects and travel options in over 35 countries over 6 continents. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap.

Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we are pretty keen on making sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisors have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

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