Chiangmai Muay Thai (CMT)
Chiang Mai, Old City | Muay Thai
Quick Facts
Overview
Chiangmai Muay Thai (CMT) is strategically located in the heart of Old City, making it one of the most convenient gyms for tourists and digital nomads. Recognized as part of Thailand's top 50 government-recommended gyms, CMT offers beginner-friendly instruction with flexible pricing and the unique advantage of providing Education Visa (ED Visa) services for long-term students. The gym's central location, beginner-focused programs, and government credentials make it a practical choice for students who want accessible, legitimate Muay Thai training without venturing far from Chiang Mai's tourist infrastructure.
What Makes Chiangmai Muay Thai (CMT) Special
- ✓Prime Old City location - most convenient for tourists
- ✓Government-recognized gym (Thailand top 50 sports authority)
- ✓ED Visa services available (6 months to multiple years)
- ✓Very beginner-friendly with patient instruction
- ✓Flexible pricing with bulk session discounts
- ✓Daily beginner classes at 2 PM
- ✓Multi-level certification programs available
History: Established as a government-recognized Muay Thai school under Thailand Sports Authority standards, CMT has built its reputation on providing accessible, legitimate training in the most convenient location. The gym has focused on serving the large tourist and expat population in Chiang Mai Old City, offering services that cater to international students including visa support and flexible training options. While not as historically significant as older gyms, CMT fills an important niche for students prioritizing convenience and government legitimacy.
Who Trains Here: Majority tourists, digital nomads, and expats living in or near Old City. Heavy beginner population taking advantage of convenient location and beginner-friendly programs. Also attracts long-term students utilizing ED Visa services. Less serious fighters, more lifestyle students integrating training into Chiang Mai living.
Head Trainer & Credentials ⭐
CMT Coaching Staff
Credentials: Government-certified Muay Thai instructors
Specialties:
Notable Students: Numerous long-term students training on ED Visas, Tourist students from around the world
Senior Trainers
Certified Thai trainers
Thai boxing backgrounds, teaching certifications
Specialties: Group class instruction, Technique fundamentals, Pad work, Beginner development
Training Programs & Schedule ⭐
Daily Schedule
Morning: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: All levels training
Afternoon: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Beginner-focused class
Evening: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: All levels training
Program Types
Beginner Program
Dedicated beginner programs with patient instruction focused on building confidence and proper fundamentals. Daily 2 PM beginner class is specifically designed for first-time students. Trainers separate students by level within group classes to ensure appropriate instruction.
Intermediate Program
Continued technique development with more intensive pad work and introduction to sparring. Students train in same classes as other levels but receive instruction appropriate to their skills.
Pro Fighter Program
Limited fighter development focus compared to specialized gyms. More casual training environment not ideal for serious competition preparation.
Class Structure: Group classes with trainers separating students by level for appropriate instruction. Mix of warm-up, shadow boxing, pad work, bag work, and technique drills. More structured than traditional Thai gyms with clear class times and Western-friendly organization.
Private Training: Available. 1,000 THB per hour for one-on-one training
Special Programs: ED Visa training programs (6 months to multiple years), DTV & Retirement Visa support, Muay Thai certification programs (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced), Trainer/Coach certification courses, Referee and Judgment certification, Flexible attendance programs for visa holders
Price Breakdown ⭐
Drop-in
390 THB
Weekly
2,500-3,000 THB
Monthly
8,000-10,000 THB (estimated based on bulk session pricing)
3-Month Package
Contact for package rates
6-Month Package
28,000-36,000 THB (ED Visa program)
What's Included
- ✓Group training sessions
- ✓Pad work with trainers
- ✓Equipment use
- ✓Beginner-focused instruction
- ✓Government certification eligibility
What Costs Extra
- +Gloves and shin guards (rental/purchase available)
- +Private training (1,000 THB/hour)
- +ED Visa processing fees
- +Certification program fees
- +Accommodation
Accommodation & Living Options ⭐
Nearby Accommodation
Old City location means hundreds of accommodation options within walking distance. Every type from budget hostels to boutique hotels to serviced apartments. Best selection in all of Chiang Mai due to central location.
Price Range: 5,000-20,000 THB/month for guesthouses and apartments, 8,000-30,000+ THB/month for nicer condos and serviced apartments
Food & Dining Quality ⭐
Nearby Dining
Old City is packed with restaurants, cafes, street food, and markets. Every type of cuisine imaginable. Excellent for digital nomads with countless cafes. Night markets offer variety. Best food access of any gym location in Chiang Mai.
Price Range: 50-150 THB for local meals, 150-400 THB for nicer restaurants and cafes
Healthy Options: Yes, widely available
Location & Nightlife Access
Address: Middle of Chiang Mai Old City (central location)
Nightlife
Walking distance to all Old City nightlife
Restaurants
Surrounded by hundreds of restaurants and cafes
Transportation
Area Vibe
Heart of tourist Old City with heavy foot traffic, digital nomad cafes, temples, and cultural sites. Very convenient for everything but can feel touristy. Perfect for students who want to integrate training into urban living with easy access to amenities, nightlife, coworking spaces, and social activities. Less authentic Thai atmosphere than gyms in local neighborhoods.
What Reddit Says 💬
Most Mentioned Pros
- ✓Most convenient location - right in Old City
- ✓Very beginner-friendly with patient trainers
- ✓Government-recognized legitimacy
- ✓ED Visa services for long-term students
- ✓Affordable bulk session pricing
- ✓Good for tourists with limited time
- ✓Easy to combine with digital nomad lifestyle
- ✓Flexible class schedule
Most Mentioned Cons
- −Less technical depth than specialized gyms
- −Tourist-focused atmosphere lacks authenticity
- −Limited for serious fighters or advanced students
- −Can feel crowded during high season
- −Trainers good with beginners but less elite credentials
- −Some reports of commercialized operation
- −Less immersive training environment
- −Visa program prices seem high for what's included
Common Themes
- • Convenience is the main selling point
- • Great for beginners and tourists, limited for advanced students
- • Government recognition provides visa legitimacy
- • More of a service business than traditional gym
- • Perfect for integrating training into Chiang Mai lifestyle
- • Lacks the intensity and depth of serious fight gyms
- • Good stepping stone for complete beginners
Direct Quotes
"Perfect gym if you're staying in Old City and want to drop in without commuting. Don't expect elite training, but it's convenient and beginner-friendly."
"Used their ED Visa program for a year - legitimate and hassle-free, though expensive compared to just paying for training."
"Great for beginners and tourists. If you're serious about Muay Thai, look elsewhere."
"Location is unbeatable - walked from my apartment in 5 minutes. Training is decent but nothing special."
"Trainers are nice and patient with beginners, which is exactly what I needed as a first-timer."
⚠️ Red Flags Mentioned
- • Some mixed reviews about training quality consistency
- • Visa program pricing seems high relative to training hours
- • Limited information about trainer credentials
- • More commercial operation than traditional Thai gym
⭐ Standout Praise
- • Best location in Chiang Mai for convenience
- • Legitimate government recognition and visa services
- • Patient and welcoming to complete beginners
Last Updated: November 2025
Sources: r/MuayThai, r/Thailand, r/digitalnomad
Best For & Bottom Line
✓ Perfect For
- • Complete beginners wanting patient, accessible instruction
- • Tourists with limited time who need convenient location
- • Digital nomads staying in Old City
- • Students needing ED Visa for long-term Thailand stay
- • People wanting government-recognized legitimate training
- • Those prioritizing convenience over training intensity
- • Students who want easy access to nightlife and amenities
- • First-time Muay Thai students testing if they like the sport
✗ Not Ideal For
- • Serious fighters preparing for competition
- • Advanced students wanting elite technical instruction
- • Those seeking authentic traditional Thai gym experience
- • Students on very tight budgets (better value at Lanna)
- • People who want to train with champion-level fighters
- • Those seeking intensive immersive training camp
- • Students uncomfortable with touristy atmosphere
- • Advanced practitioners needing high-level sparring partners
Overall Value Assessment
Moderate value proposition. At 390 THB drop-ins and ~8,000-10,000 THB/month, pricing is middle-of-road for Chiang Mai - more expensive than Lanna (6,000-8,800 THB) but cheaper than Santai (11,000+ THB). You're primarily paying for convenience and government legitimacy rather than elite instruction. For tourists and beginners who value Old City location, the premium is reasonable. ED Visa programs (28,000-66,000 THB for 6-12 months) provide legal long-stay option but seem expensive relative to training hours - you're paying for visa services more than training quality. Best value for beginners who need convenient, beginner-friendly environment in Old City. Poor value for advanced students or fighters who could get much better instruction elsewhere. The government recognition and visa services add value for students needing those specific benefits. Overall: convenient and legitimate, but not the best training value in Chiang Mai.