CHOR SUKMAYIMS GYM, an authentic boxing camp in the south of Thailand!

Temps de lecture : 5 minutes

CHOR SUKMAYIMS GYM, an authentic boxing camp in the south of Thailand!

by Serge TREFEU (2024)

Chor Sukmayims Gym is a picturesque boxing camp located in the town of Nakhon Si Thammarat, in the rural district of Pak Phun, southern Thailand. This camp, established 20 years ago by Mr. Somkid Sukma, is a typical example of the simple but rich in traditions of Muay Thai life in this region. Mr. Somkid, now 54 years old, is a former boxer who has fought some 30 fights in his career. He also worked as a journalist for the famous boxing magazine «Muay Siam».

Somkid is not only a passionate Muay Thai fan, but also a successful trader. Its main economic activity is the breeding and resale of silkworms (None May), a delicacy appreciated in Thailand as well as in other Asian countries such as Korea and China.

Silkworms, often eaten fried with fragrant herbs, sell for between 150 and 200 baht per kilo. Somkid exports its products mainly to the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket, as well as abroad.

Silkworm production is located in the boxing camp, where Somkid’s wife manages the manufacture and harvest of the worms.

Ms. Sukma plays a crucial role in managing and maintaining the production of silkworms at Chor Sukmayims Gym. It ensures that the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) are ideal for the development of silkworms

Meanwhile, Somkid is dedicated to his second source of income: training professional boxers in his camp.

Chor Sukmayims Gym, located in the countryside of Nakhon Si Thammarat, is a modest camp that has long operated with limited resources. Mr. Somkid Sukma, despite limited financial means, has managed to keep this camp alive thanks to his passion for Muay Thai and his unwavering dedication.

The camp lacked sophisticated infrastructure and plentiful boxing equipment, but this did not prevent Mr. Somkid from training talented fighters.

Despite these challenges, the Chor Sukmayims Gym has produced remarkable results, with several of its boxers winning regional titles. Mr. Somkid, by funding the camp with his modest income from silkworm farming, proved that determination and passion can overcome material obstacles.

**The Chor Sukmayims camp, with its old open-air ring covered only with a plastic tarp, is an example of the difficult conditions in which boxers trained**

In 2023, Chatri Sityodtong, the head of the One Championship organization, made a memorable visit to the Chor Sukmayims Gym. During this visit, he handed a cheque of 500,000 baht to Somkid Sukma, the owner of the camp, to support the development of Muay Thai in this region of southern Thailand.

This generous gesture was part of a larger initiative led by Chatri, which aimed to support boxing camps in the southern and northeastern regions of Thailand, homes known for producing Muay Thai fighters but often facing poverty.

In all, Chatri Sityodtong has distributed 20 million baht to 40 camps, each receiving 500,000 baht, to help them improve their infrastructure and support their boxers.

He repeated this operation in 2024, demonstrating his long-term commitment to Muay Thai.

At the initiative, Chatri Sityodtong said, “My team and I wanted to give a hand to the fighters, camp owners and small developers all over the country, not just in the Bangkok area. The ONE and I are investing across the country for Muay Thai, because if I don’t do it, who will? It is very important because Muay Thai is our heritage. Muay Thai has been around for a long time, and it would be a shame if no one helped or invested in our gyms and fighters. It’s not just an investment for today, we have to think long term.”

This gesture not only provided vital financial support to camps such as the Chor Sukmayims Gym, but also strengthened the commitment to preserving and promoting Muay Thai, a central element of Thai culture and heritage.

The 500,000 baht cheque generously given by Chatri Sityodtong (Black T-shirt), President of the One Championship organization, is a remarkable gesture that has had a significant impact on boxing camps such as Chor Sukmayims Gym’s Somkid Sukma (Blue T-shirt)

Thanks to the generous support of Chatri Sityodtong, training conditions at Chor Sukmayims Gym have improved considerably. The boxers in this camp now benefit from excellent infrastructure and quality equipment. These improvements have led to good results.

**Mr. Somkid Sukma’s modest wooden house has been replaced by a new, much more spacious cement house**

Improvements to the Chor Sukmayims Gym have transformed the camp into a much more functional and modern training venue. They provide better training quality, increase safety, and improve working conditions for boxers

In 2023 and 2024, several boxers of the Chor Sukmayims Gym distinguished themselves by winning regional titles. Several of them became champions of the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and two boxers have won the belt of champion of southern Thailand.

The Chor Sukmayims Gym is now a dynamic camp, housing 22 boxers, including about ten children and two female fighters. The youngest member of the camp is only 10 years old, with already 6 fights to his credit, while the oldest, strong of his experience, has 29 years and has played 75 fights.

Camp training is guided by three dedicated coaches. Owner Somkid Sukma continues to play an active role, supported by 29-year-old Phetngern Chor Sukmayims as head coach. With him, former South Thailand champion Petchmay Chor Sukmayims shares his expertise and experience to train future champions. With this team of skilled coaches, the Sukmayims Gym is well positioned to continue producing talented fighters and strengthening its reputation in the southern region.

Chor Sukmayims Gym has established itself as a true home for fighters, thanks to an experienced team of professional boxers of high level. This team stands out in the big stadiums of southern Thailand, in Koh Samui, Phuket, as well as in the famous arenas of Bangkok, including the legendary stadium of Rajadamnern. This ascent is partly facilitated by collaboration with the influential promoter Sommai Sakulmetta, owner of the Sor Sommai Gym camp, who is one of the most important promoters of the Rajadamnern.

The members of this ring warrior team are:

Sirichoke Chor Sukmayims (Sor Sommai): 21 years old, fighting in 135 lbs.

Yokkao Chor Sukmayims: 20 years old, South Thailand 140 lbs champion in 2024.

Phetnakian Chor Sukmayims: 29 years old, fighting in 130 lbs.

Arjunlek Chor Sukmayims: 19 years old, fighting in 140 lbs.

Yodsinglek Chor Sukmayims: 24 years old, fighting in 122 lbs.

Singsuek Chor Sukmayims: 24 years old, fighting in 122 lbs.

Nongdeer Dong Mueang Khon: 19 years old, fighting in 135 lbs.

Yodkhunsuk Chor Sukmayims: 20 years old, fighting in 122 lbs.

Yutthaphum Chor Sukmayims: 22 years old, fighting in 112 lbs.

**Phetngern Chor Sukmayims and Yokkao Chor Sukmayims**

Chor Sukmayims Gym, in addition to training promising young boxers, also has two experienced women boxers, Somjay and Jintana, who have made their mark in the Nakhon Si Thammarat region.

Somjai Chor Sukmayims

Age: 26 years

Weight: 115 lbs

Achievements:

Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Champion

Jintana Chor Sukmayims

Age: 24 years

Weight: 120 lbs

Achievements:

She won the Southern Thailand Champion belt in 2023, confirming her status as a top fighter in the region

**The Chor Sukmayims Gym’s Boxer Kids represent the promising future of the boxing camp and the new generation of fighters**

The Chor Sukmayims Gym remains an authentic and traditional place, faithful to the spirit of the Thai boxing camps of the 80s and 90s. Very few foreigners have had the opportunity to train there, only three: an English, an Australian and a Belgian. However, for those looking for a truly immersive Muay Thai experience, the camp offers a warm and family atmosphere, away from modern and often impersonal complexes.

A hotel located not far from the camp allows foreigners to stay nearby, making daily training easier. The Chor Sukmayims offers a formula accessible to all, with a modest rate of 300 baht for two training sessions per day. This allows visitors to experience a deeply rooted tradition, where the spirit of Thai boxing is perpetuated in all its purity and authenticity.

Hand bandages are important for boxing, as they play a vital role in protecting the cartilage, bones, tendons and joints of the hand. When a boxer hits hard, the pressure on the hands can be immense, especially when hitting repeatedly against punching bags and bear paws

Rope jump warm-up is a common and effective practice in boxing camps like the Chor Sukmayims Gym. Rope jumping stimulates the cardiovascular system, preparing the heart and lungs for more intense efforts (duration between 15 minutes and 20 minutes)

Chor Sukmayims Gym Jogging Routine

1. Morning Jogging

Distance: 10 km

Boxers usually run at a moderate pace that allows them to maintain conversation while gradually increasing their heart rate. This jog is also beneficial for active recovery, preparing the muscles for the day’s workouts.

2. Evening Run

Distance: 6 km

This run is often done at a faster pace than the morning run, with an emphasis on strengthening legs and improving running speed

At the end of their evening run, the boxers run 100 meters by pulling a tire attached to their waist. This exercise is designed to improve the strength and strength of your legs, as well as resistance. Pulling a tire strengthens leg muscles, forearms and abs while improving functional endurance

Paos sessions are intense and typically take place over three to five rounds. Each round lasts 3 minutes, with short breaks between rounds to recover. Each round is intense, aiming to push the boxers to their physical and technical limits

The bag is a key component of training at Chor Sukmayims Gym, offering significant benefits for technique, fitness, and power. By testing combinations of strokes, strengthening cardio, developing power, and improving mental endurance

**The clinch session at Chor Sukmayims Gym is an essential part of boxing training. It takes place for one hour and twice a day, integrated into the daily routine of the fighters**

**Rope climbing is a great way to strengthen various muscle groups, including biceps, forearms and back muscles**

The exercise of swimming in the river is a practice particularly beneficial for the fighters of the Chor Sukmayims Gym.

Frequency: Three times a week.

Location: A river in the immediate vicinity of the boxing camp.

Duration: The boxers swim for several minutes, going back and forth between the banks of the bank