The 5 Questions That Keep Coming Up (And the Real Answers)

A blunt note from the school (with respect)

The Camp is a Muay Thai school with accommodation.That means two things at the same time:We care about comfort more than most gyms.We keep the property clean, well maintained, organized, and genuinely pleasant to live in—because recovery matters, and because we respect the fact that you’re paying to be here. We are not interested in the “dirty camp bed” stereotype. We do not run that kind of place.We care about safety, discipline, and fairness more than most resorts.We will not bend rules because someone complains loudly, argues, negotiates, or tries to “make an exception.” Not because we enjoy being strict—but because once a combat-sports place becomes vague, it becomes dangerous. For you, for other guests, and for our staff.

We are not for everyone. And we are perfectly okay with that.

This page exists so you don’t waste your money and nobody gets hurt.If you read this and realize we’re not your style, that’s not a failure. That’s a success. It means we prevented a bad match before it became a bad experience.Below are the exact questions we get, phrased the way people actually ask them.

“I’m going sightseeing all day tomorrow. Can I carry tomorrow’s training sessions to the next day?”

Ego-led training: maximum sweat, minimum skill

Answer: No. Carry-overs are not possible. Fully, completely, and permanently.

Let’s destroy the misunderstanding at the root.Many people assume our packages work like this:“I’m paying for a room… and also I’m paying for X training sessions… so if I don’t use them today, I should be able to move them tomorrow.”

No. That is not what our Stay & Train pricing is.Our plans are priced as a daily system, not as a pile of coupons you can rearrange. - Lite Plan = 2 sessions per day included - Full Plan = 4 sessions per day included

The sessions are part of the daily value of your stay. They exist inside a structure: class capacity, trainer assignments, training flow, fairness across guests, and an environment that stays stable week after week.If you skip a day’s training—because you went sightseeing, because you slept in, because you didn’t feel like it, because you got distracted—then that day’s included sessions expire that day. They do not “move.” They do not “roll over.” They do not “accumulate.”This rule is not an attitude problem. It is an operations problem and a fairness problem.

When you book a spot, you are occupying a space in a structured ecosystem. A ‘no-show’ isn't just an empty slot; it’s a break in the energy we cultivate for everyone.

If we allowed carry-overs, you know what would happen immediately?People “stack” sessions on later days, then demand space when classes are already full.Guests who follow the schedule get squeezed by guests who don’t.Trainers are forced into chaotic staffing changes.The training environment becomes inconsistent, and inconsistency is what turns good training into messy training.And the truth is: the people who push hardest for carry-overs are often not the people who train consistently. They are the people who want the gym to behave like a flexible travel add-on. That mindset breaks the structure for everyone.

So here is the professional answer:If you plan a trip where you will regularly disappear for full-day tourism, choose a plan and stay length that matches that reality. Do not book with the assumption that you can “make up” missed days later. You cannot.This is not negotiable because the moment it becomes negotiable, it becomes unfair—and once it becomes unfair, it becomes chaos.

“Your mattress is too firm. I couldn’t sleep well. Can you switch it to a softer one?”

The Camp Executive Suite Bed

Answer: No. We will not switch mattresses. We will not customize bedding. We will not “soften” the room to match your preference.

Let me be direct: sleep preference is personal.Some people love firm mattresses. Some people love soft ones. Some people love sinking foam. Some people hate it. There is no universal solution.Here’s what we are willing to do: choose a standard that is sensible for training and recovery, keep it consistent, and maintain it well.Our belief—based on training reality, basic anatomy, and what we see in a physically demanding environment—is simple:Firm support tends to be safer and more stable for the back, especially when your body is under daily training load.

We chose these mattresses specifically for spinal alignment and post-training recovery. Soft beds might feel good for five minutes, but they are a nightmare for a back that has just finished 10 rounds of kicks.

You may disagree. You may have a different preference. That’s fine. But preference is not policy.Also, understand what you are actually complaining about:- Our mattresses are not custom-made to be unusually hard.- They are standard, commercially available mattresses in Thailand.

In Thailand, this level of firmness is often simply “normal.”What is “too firm” for someone used to a deep, soft, sinking European-style mattress is often just “not what you’re used to.”

And now the part people don’t want to hear:We cannot run a serious property by changing mattresses for individual opinions.If we start that game, it never ends.One guest wants softer. Another wants harder. Another wants memory foam. Another wants a topper. Another wants two toppers. Another says the pillow is wrong. Another says the blanket is wrong. Another says the AC is wrong. Another says the room is wrong.That is not hospitality. That is surrender.

We maintain high standards of cleanliness, comfort, and function. But we do not become a personal customization service.So the honest answer is:If you require a specific mattress type—especially a very soft, sink-in style—you should not book expecting us to convert the room into your home country’s bedding culture.We would rather you know that now than arrive, complain, and feel unhappy. We do not want you to pay money to have a frustrating stay. And we also will not change the facility because one guest is uncomfortable.

“Meals aren’t included? I thought packages come with food. I want an all-inclusive meal plan.”

Your palate isn’t our problem

Answer: Meals are not included. We do not offer all-inclusive meal plans. And we do that on purpose.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings in Thailand’s Muay Thai scene.Yes—historically, many gyms bundled meals. People got used to it. So they assume that “meal-included” is the standard.But what many guests don’t realize is this:Food is where expectations and conflict explode.Because food is not one thing. Food is a battlefield of preferences, restrictions, identity, and emotion.

“I don’t eat pork.”“I’m vegan.”“I’m vegetarian but I also want high protein.”“I can’t eat spicy.”“I’m allergic.”“This taste doesn’t fit me.”“I want Western portions.”“I want Thai portions.”“I’m cutting weight.”“I’m bulking.”“I want ‘healthy’ but I define healthy differently.”“I trained hard so I deserve comfort food.”

Now add the reality: a Muay Thai school is not a professional restaurant.And we refuse to pretend that we are.We are not going to offer “gym meals done on the side,” with inconsistent quality, limited options, and constant complaints. That’s not professional. That’s how gyms create negative reviews, constant arguments, and unhappy guests.

So we make a clean decision:We focus on what we are truly good at: Muay Thai training and a well-run stay.And we tell you to choose food that actually fits you, instead of forcing everyone into one kitchen’s limited system.

We don't sell 'average' food just to fill a package. We believe you are an adult capable of fueling your own body according to your specific goals.

If you want food that matches your religion, your ethics, your body goals, your allergies, your taste, your budget—then the most rational approach is obvious:

You choose your own meals.

Chiang Mai gives you that freedom. You can find what fits you. You can change your mind. You can eat what your body needs. And you can do it without turning the gym into a customer-service war zone around food.

※ Now here’s the contrast—and this is important:Because we take food seriously, we don’t do it half-heartedly.That is exactly why we are building a new facility (target: end of 2026) that includes a restaurant, café, and coworking space—run by dedicated professionals, not as a side task of a Muay Thai gym.Until that is ready, we do not pretend. We do not promise a “meal plan” we cannot ethically guarantee across every preference and restriction.So if meal-included all-inclusive living is non-negotiable for you:choose a gym that specializes in that model.It’s better for you. It’s better for us. And it prevents disappointment on both sides.

Our new Chill Space

Our new Dining

Our new Cafe

“Can I spar ? I want to test myself.”

Amateur sparring doesn’t build skill—it builds bad habits

Answer: No. At The Camp, sparring is basically not allowed for guests. This is not negotiable.

Let’s speak like adults.

Most people who ask for sparring are not asking for training.They are asking for an ego test.They want to feel powerful. They want to “see if it works.” They want the excitement of violence without paying the full price of violence.

And here is the brutal truth:If you don’t have real fundamentals, sparring will not make you better. It will make you worse.Beginners and many intermediates don’t understand this. They think sparring is where you “level up.” They imagine it’s like a video game: you fight more, you gain more experience, you become stronger.That’s not how combat skill works.

Pads are not fighting, and sparring is not technique

On pads, the trainer shapes you.They feed you rhythm. They control the distance. They give you timing. They let you throw clean strikes. They protect you from your own mistakes so you can learn.

In uncontrolled sparring, especially with beginners, the brain does not learn “beautiful technique.”The brain learns panic.And panic produces the ugliest kind of fighting:- you stop using your real kick mechanics- you stop using correct punching form- your guard collapses- your breathing collapses- your footwork becomes random- your eyes close, your shoulders rise, your strikes become sloppyeverything becomes “survive” instead of “execute”This is how people turn Muay Thai into a messy street brawl.They spend weeks learning how to kick properly, how to rotate, how to balance, how to return to stance—then one session of ego sparring destroys it, because the body reverts to whatever it can do under fear.That is not progress. That is negative training.

So if you are a beginner or intermediate and you insist on sparring, you are basically saying:“I want to trade real damage for fake confidence, and I’m okay with unlearning what you’re teaching me.”No serious school should accept that.

Sparring is a test of what you already know. If you know nothing, you are just testing your ability to survive trauma. That is not training; that is vanity.

“But we’ll wear headgear and pads.”

No. Stop believing in magic armor.Protective gear can reduce cuts and superficial injuries. But it does not erase the real danger. The real danger is what happens inside the head and the nervous system.Here is what people refuse to accept:- You don’t need a knockout to get long-term damage.- You don’t need a “hard shot” to get a dangerous result.Repeated “light” hits can accumulate.One unexpected shot can change everything.One wrong fall can change everything.

Even highly skilled fighters—people with excellent defense—can get caught. Nobody has a perfect prediction. Nobody has a perfect reaction. Nobody is immune to physics.

And yes: people have died in sparring and hard training environments.It is rare, but it is real. And you do not get to pretend it doesn’t exist just because you came here for a “fun challenge.”

Brain health is non-negotiable at The Camp.

If you want to gamble with your brain, do not ask us to host that gamble.

Weight classes exist because size hurts—period

Weight classes exist for a reason

Combat sports have weight classes because a few kilos changes impact.That’s not a theory. That’s reality.Now apply that reality to Thailand:Many guests—especially Western guests—are significantly larger than many Thai trainers and staff. Even if a trainer is a professional fighter, that does not mean they can “perfectly avoid” every uncontrolled strike from someone much bigger who is swinging without skill and without restraint.One accidental clean hit from a much larger body can cause serious harm.And here is the part people don’t like hearing, but it’s true:A lot of inexperienced people have a selfish instinct in sparring:- “I don’t want to get hit.”- “But I do want to hit.”- “And I want to win.”That ego is exactly why sparring becomes dangerous.

We protect our trainers. Period.

Our trainers are here to teach. They are not here to be anyone’s crash-test dummy. They are not here to absorb your insecurity, your frustration, your need to prove something.If you came here thinking you can “use sparring to test your power,” then you misunderstand what this school is.We are here to teach control, discipline, and skill—without unnecessary damage.

What we will do instead (and why it’s smarter)

If you truly want to improve, we will give you the training that actually builds fighting skill without turning the gym into a hospital:1. technical drills that create real timing and distance

2. controlled partner work where intensity is managed and learning stays clean

3. defense training that prevents panic and stops you from developing bad habits

4. padwork that builds correct mechanics under fatigue, not sloppy chaos

5. composure under pressure—so your technique survives stress instead of collapsing

And yes—this is the part most “ego sparring” people completely miss:Fight IQ training and drills that develop real decision-making: reading opponents, recognizing patterns, choosing the right response, setting traps, creating angles, controlling tempo, understanding risk vs reward, and learning how to win exchanges intelligently—not randomly.

If you want real sparring, earn it by building Fight IQ first—because fighting is thinking.

This is how you become good without becoming broken. And this is how you build a fighter’s brain—not just a person who likes to hit things.

The ring isn’t a game. This is the cost

“I still want to prove myself.”

Okay, fine.Then do it honestly: compete. Chiang Mai has stadiums and frequent fight opportunities. If you are truly serious, we can discuss the proper path toward a sanctioned bout—training, conditioning, technical readiness, and real preparation. But understand the difference:A fight is not sparring. In a fight, your opponent will not protect you.If you want reality, reality will answer you.Just don’t try to turn our trainers into your personal proving ground.

“So what kind of place is The Camp, really?”

Answer: A professional stay & training school that offers real comfort—but also real boundaries.

Here is the honest summary:- We are not a chaotic fight camp with dirty rooms and careless training.- We care deeply about cleanliness, comfort, and the overall quality of your stay. We want you to feel good living here, because that supports training and recovery.- We are not an all-inclusive resort that bends rules to satisfy every preference.- We don’t do carry-overs because our pricing is built as a daily training structure, not flexible coupons.- We don’t change mattresses because comfort does not mean customization, and because we choose a standard that supports recovery and consistency.- We don’t include meals because we refuse to do food badly, and because people’s diets and restrictions are too personal to promise one “package meal” that makes everyone happy.- We don’t allow guest sparring because ego-driven sparring gets people hurt, damages technique, threatens trainers, and creates risks we will not accept.

And here is the part that matters most:- This is not hostility. This is professionalism.- We are strict because we’ve seen what happens when gyms become vague.- We are strict because injuries are not “part of the fun.”- We are strict because your trip is expensive, your time is valuable, and your body is not replaceable.

If you read this and feel offended, we're probably not the right fit—and that's okay.If you read this and feel relieved—because you want a clean, well-run place with clear rules and real coaching—then you will probably love it here.

Either outcome is fine.The goal is the same:No confusion. No false expectations. No avoidable injuries.Just two sides agreeing honestly—before money changes hands—so the time you spend here can actually be great.

Important: Safety & Liability

All training activities at The Camp are conducted under the supervision and authorization of our professional staff. Participants are expected to follow all safety protocols and instructor guidance at all times.

Any activity outside our authorized training structure—including uncontrolled contact, unsupervised sparring, or "just trying something"—is a safety violation and will be treated as such.

Policy & Accountability (read this like an adult)

Combat sports carry risk. Training carries risk. Your choices carry risk.We will coach you professionally, maintain the facility professionally, and enforce policies professionally. But we will not create special exceptions for ego, pressure, or negotiation.If you try to push into unsafe behavior—especially anything that looks like unauthorized sparring, uncontrolled contact, or “let’s just try”—we will stop it. If needed, we will remove you from that activity. In extreme cases, we will end your training access. Not as punishment—because safety is not a debate.

If you have questions about boundaries, policies, or suitability, ask before booking—not after arrival. We will answer honestly so you can decide if this is the right environment for you.

Final note: read this before you pay

By booking with The Camp, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these policies. Questions about these policies should be directed to us before booking—not after arrival.Because once you arrive, the goal is not to negotiate.The goal is to train intelligently, recover well, and leave healthier than you arrived.

A direct CTA (for the right person)

Ready to train smart, stay comfortable, and respect real boundaries? Book your stay, or Contact us with questions before you book.If you want a place that flatters your ego, bends rules, or sells you a fantasy package: choose somewhere else.If you want a place that treats you like an adult and protects your body like it matters: welcome.

Busy? Listen to the podcast-style recap of this post while you walk, stretch, or cool down. Press play below.