Phuket has shifted from a pure holiday island into one of the most active Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training hubs on the planet. What once revolved around Muay Thai camps now includes a dense network of serious grappling academies. You can train alongside hobbyists, digital nomads, and professional fighters in the same week.
The island works because training fits naturally into daily life. Costs are manageable, recovery is accessible, and talent constantly rotates through the gyms. That combination makes Phuket ideal for both short camps and long term skill development.
What Makes a Great BJJ Gym in Thailand
Picking a place to train in Phuket is not just about scanning online reviews. The coaching staff matters more than anything, especially if you want real progress. A high level black belt who can explain details clearly will change how fast you improve.
Training structure also deserves attention. Good gyms separate fundamentals from harder sessions so beginners are not overwhelmed. Culture matters too. Some gyms push competition intensity every day, while others feel relaxed and social once training is done.
Top BJJ Gyms in Phuket Worth Training At
Each gym below offers a distinct training experience. While the teaching styles differ, all five have earned respect within the global grappling community. A short overview is provided before diving into individual strengths.
Phuket Grappling Academy has built its name around serious grappling. The gym is run by professional MMA fighter and black belt Ben Royle, and the focus stays firmly on modern No-Gi Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. The mat space is large and well maintained, with over 250 square meters designed to handle real grappling and wall work.
Training at PGA feels friendly without being easy. Beginners have access to fundamentals classes where leg locks and modern guard systems are explained properly, not rushed. At the same time, higher level sessions regularly pull in visiting professionals and ADCC level athletes, which keeps the room sharp.
- Location: Chalong area
- Best For: No-Gi enthusiasts, wrestlers, and modern submission grapplers
- Cost: Monthly memberships start around 6,000 THB
- Born 2 Roll
Born 2 Roll is a good fit for anyone who values traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The gym is led by Professor Olavo Abreu, a fifth degree black belt under Carlson Gracie, and the training stays firmly rooted in Gi based fundamentals. It feels like a classic academy where people train together long term and actually know each other.
The environment is one of the gym’s biggest strengths. Women only classes are available, and multiple black belts are usually on the mats, which allows for direct feedback during training. Community events are common, including group meetups at Nai Harn Beach, which adds a relaxed rhythm to hard training.
- Location: Rawai
- Best For: Traditional Gi training, women grapplers, and long term expats
- Cost: Competitive rates with discounts for long stay residents
- Bang Tao MMA
Bang Tao MMA has quickly become one of the most serious training setups in Thailand. Founded by the Hickman brothers along with Frank Hickman, the facility is large and covers multiple disciplines, including Muay Thai and high level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The grappling program is led by black belt Alex Schild and places a strong emphasis on using Jiu Jitsu effectively for MMA.
The amount of space and training partners is hard to miss. It is common to find yourself drilling next to professional fighters or internationally ranked athletes. Even with that level of talent, the gym stays approachable, making it comfortable for beginners who want to learn inside a performance driven environment.
- Location: Bang Tao, North Phuket
- Best For: MMA fighters, cross trainers, and athletes who want a wide range of classes
- Cost: All inclusive packages are available for travelers
- Tiger Muay Thai
Tiger Muay Thai is one of the most recognized names in combat sports travel. While it is best known for Muay Thai, its Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA programs are just as established. The BJJ schedule is built to handle a constant flow of visitors, with several daily classes for both beginners and experienced students.
Because of its size, training partners come from all over the world. Rolling here exposes you to different styles and approaches in a short amount of time. Recovery is taken seriously too, with facilities like ice baths, a strength focused gym, and onsite food options that help athletes stay consistent.
- Location: Soi Ta ied, Chalong
- Best For: Martial arts tourists and people looking for an all inclusive camp experience
- Cost: Day passes around 1,000 THB, with affordable monthly BJJ only options
- Phuket Fight Club
Phuket Fight Club sits in Chalong and delivers a very direct, fighter focused training environment. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is run by experienced black belts such as Leonardo Souza and Alisson Barbosa, and the sessions are demanding. A strong emphasis is placed on leverage and understanding why techniques work, not just how to perform them.
This gym suits people who prefer a serious and distraction free atmosphere. The mats and strength equipment are modern, but the overall feel stays raw and purpose driven. Many competitive grapplers choose to train here when preparing for tournaments across Asia.
- Location: Chalong
- Best For: Competitive grapplers and those who prefer a smaller, close knit training group
- Cost: Around 12,000 THB for a full month of BJJ access
Comparing the Training Experience
Skill level usually shapes how people experience training in Phuket. Beginners often settle in faster at gyms where fundamentals are taught patiently and mistakes are expected. Clear structure and smaller details matter more at this stage.
More advanced grapplers tend to look for pressure and consistency. High intensity sessions and strong training partners make a difference when preparing for competition. Recovery also changes the experience here. Ice baths, saunas, and quick access to good food make it realistic to train twice a day without feeling run down.
Practical Considerations for Grapplers
Pricing in Phuket is generally flexible, which suits both short term visitors and people staying longer. Most gyms offer daily drop ins, weekly options, and monthly memberships. If you plan to train regularly, monthly packages usually make more sense. Longer commitments can sometimes unlock small discounts.
Training schedules follow the weather. Morning and late afternoon classes are common to avoid the heat. Many gyms mix gi and no gi sessions during the week, so it helps to look at the timetable before committing.
Finding a place to stay is rarely difficult. Chalong, Rawai, and Bang Tao all have apartments close to training spots. Internet is reliable, and cafes and co working spaces are easy to find, which makes daily training manageable for digital nomads.
Conclusion
Phuket stands out because training does not feel rushed or forced. Classes run throughout the year, and training partners rotate constantly as new people arrive and others stay long term. Recovery options are easy to access, which helps the body keep up with regular sessions. When training, lifestyle, and recovery all line up, steady progress becomes far more realistic.
