A Thai Muay Thai Story from Humble Beginnings to National Recognition
Muay Thai in Thailand is more than a sport. It is heritage, discipline and a symbol of national pride. Travelers from around the world come to Thailand searching for authentic Muay Thai training, and the country is filled with gyms of every shape and size. But becoming officially recognized as a Professional Muay Thai Camp by Thai national authorities is something very few camps ever achieve.
Punch it Gym in Koh Samui is one of them.
In fact, only three gyms in Thailand have ever received this certification, and Punch it is the only one to receive the award in person from Prof. Pimol Srivikorn, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and Chairman of the Soft Power Sub Committee.
This blog tells the full story.
From a small idea in 2017 to a world class Muay Thai resort under construction, and now to national recognition.
If you are searching for the best Muay Thai gym in Thailand, this journey will show you what makes Punch it unique, what it stands for and why it continues to set new standards for training, hospitality and athlete development.
How Everything Began
A simple idea that became a mission
Punch it Gym was founded in 2017 with a clear idea. To create a Muay Thai training environment in Thailand that felt clean, organized and professional, while still keeping the heart and soul of traditional Muay Thai alive.
It started with two trainers and Markus Muster, the founder of the Punch it brand. There were no big plans and no expectations for awards or national recognition. The goal was simple. Build a place where guests feel cared for from the moment they book until the moment they fly home. A place where the training is structured and focused. A place where beginners and fighters feel equally welcomed.
Building the experience step by step
From the early days, everything was created with attention to detail.
A professional booking system. Airport pick up service. Clear communication. Clean training areas. Gradually, year by year, Punch it grew.
After a few years, new services were added to improve the experience even further.
Punch it Healthy Cafe opened to provide quality meals for guests. Motorbike rentals were added. More trainers joined. The team expanded. The entire process of staying and training at Punch it became smoother and more complete.
Today the team has grown to around 60 people. Each one plays a role in shaping the experience of every athlete or traveler who trains here. The mission never changed. The goal has always been the same. To become the most professional Muay Thai camp in Thailand.
Not the biggest. Not the strongest. But the most complete and well organized from start to finish.
Respect for Thailand and its Muay Thai culture
Punch it Gym has always communicated clearly.
We will never claim to have the best trainer in Thailand. We will never pretend that we are better than the many incredible camps across the country. Thailand is full of legends, local gyms, small family camps and traditional trainers who produce world class fighters every day.
Punch it’s mission is different. Our vision focuses on the entire journey. The training, the accommodation, the food, the environment, the service and the community. If someone wants a Muay Thai experience where everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive, then Punch it aims to be the right place.
This philosophy has guided every step since the first day.
The Creation of Punch it Village
A dream that became a long term project
In 2022 the next big step began. Punch it Gym announced the start of Punch it Village, a full scale Muay Thai resort designed to become the most complete Muay Thai facility in Thailand. After years of careful planning, construction started on a massive 11,000 square meter property in Lamai, Koh Samui.
This project is the largest investment in Punch it history and represents the long term vision of the brand.
What Punch it Village will include
Once completed, Punch it Village will feature everything a Muay Thai athlete could need in one place
- A full sized outdoor Muay Thai gym
- A professional indoor strength and conditioning fitness center
- A restaurant & Healthy cafe
- A hotel with multiple room categories
- Pool villas
- A public pool area
- In house apparel and equipment production facilities
This means that Muay Thai shorts, shirts and even parts of the equipment will be produced right inside the resort. The guest can train, eat, rest and even watch how their own gear is made in the same area. The concept is modern, unique and built for athletes who want quality and convenience.
Construction has been ongoing for more than two years with daily work on site. The goal is clear. To create the best Muay Thai training environment in Thailand.
And then something happened that Punch it never expected.
A Historic Visit
A phone call that changed everything
In the summer of 2025 Punch it received a call that would mark one of the most important moments in the gym’s history. Prof. Pimol Srivikorn, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand and Chairman of the Soft Power Sub Committee, wished to visit the gym together with his committee.
The reason
To officially recognize Punch it as a Professional Muay Thai Gym in Thailand.
Punch it had never applied for the award. There was no expectation of receiving it. The news came as a complete surprise.
A recognition given only three times in Thailand
During the visit the committee shared something even more unbelievable.
This recognition has only been given three times in the entire country. Punch it was one of them. And Punch it was the only gym where Prof. Pimol Srivikorn personally delivered the certification.
Initially, eight to ten people were expected to attend the ceremony. But on the actual day the gym was filled with more than one hundred people. Ten vans arrived. Members of the press came. The atmosphere was emotional and overwhelming for the whole Punch it team.
For a gym that started with two trainers and one dream in 2017, this moment felt like a milestone. A confirmation that the long term vision and all the hard work were worth it.
What This Recognition Means
A symbol of quality and responsibility
Being officially certified as a Professional Muay Thai Gym in Thailand is more than a title. It is a responsibility. It means that Punch it must continue to raise its standards every year. It means that the experience, the training, the operations and the environment must continue to reflect professionalism and respect for Muay Thai.
This recognition is not a finish line. It is the beginning of a new chapter.
A step toward becoming a national Muay Thai center
Punch it aims to position itself as a modern Muay Thai center that can represent the sport internationally. If the national sport of Thailand is Muay Thai, then the world should see it presented with the quality and professionalism it deserves.
As Punch it Village approaches completion, the goal is to set a new benchmark for Muay Thai training in Thailand.
A place where athletes, beginners, families and fighters all find an environment that is clean, modern, organized and full of Thai heart and soul.
Punch it wants to help shape the future of Muay Thai. Even if it is only a small part of the bigger picture, every improvement matters.
Looking Into the Future
The new Punch it Village will open soon and will represent a new era for Muay Thai training in Thailand. With expanded facilities, better services and a complete experience for guests, the future will allow even more athletes to train in a professional environment while enjoying the beauty of Koh Samui.
Punch it will continue to work closely with trainers, athletes and local partners to grow the sport.
The commitment to quality will stay the same.
The attention to detail will stay the same.
And the passion for Muay Thai will stay the same.
What started as a small idea in 2017 is now a recognized professional institution.
The journey continues and the most exciting chapter is still ahead.
Follow our journey and see how Punch it Village comes to life. We document the full construction process on our dedicated YouTube channel. Watch here our Punch it Unboxed YouTube Channel.
Train With Us
If you want to join our Muay Thai family and experience training in one of Thailand’s most unique camps, you are welcome at Punch it Gym Koh Samui. Check our booking system, explore our packages and start your own Muay Thai story with us.
We look forward to welcoming you soon on Koh Samui.
