P'CHAI MUAY THAI

Why people choose this gym

The story behind P'Chai is what makes it interesting.

The gym opened in 2025 after Sam "Sammy Cass" Cassidy and an experienced Phuket coaching team created their own camp in Rawai. Rather than starting from scratch as unknown coaches, they already had a strong reputation among people who had trained with them on the island. As a result, many visitors chose P'Chai specifically to continue training with the same instructors they already trusted.

Sam Cassidy serves as Head Trainer and Co-Founder, bringing experience in Muay Thai and MMA coaching, while the coaching team also includes Campbell "Gumby" Symes, a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Colton Kielbasa, a former Marine Corps wrestler and professional MMA fighter, and Will Straughen, whose strength and conditioning work has supported athletes competing in the UFC, Bellator, ONE Championship, and Rajadamnern World Series.

Instead of building its identity around famous fighters training there occasionally, P'Chai focuses on the people delivering the coaching every day. That's a different approach from many Phuket gyms, and it's one of the main reasons the gym has attracted attention so quickly.

What makes this gym unique?

P'Chai isn't built around a single martial art.

The daily schedule includes Muay Thai, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, boxing, and strength & conditioning, allowing athletes to combine multiple disciplines without leaving the facility. This makes it particularly attractive for MMA athletes and anyone wanting a more complete combat sports program rather than Muay Thai alone.

Another standout feature is the coaching lineup.

Gumby Symes is widely respected in the grappling world, Colton Kielbasa brings years of wrestling experience, and the strength program is run by Will Straughen, whose work with elite professional fighters gives athletes access to structured athletic development instead of generic conditioning sessions.

The gym also offers accommodation packages ranging from simple room-and-training options to all-inclusive packages that include airport transfers, scooter rental, meals, and unlimited classes. For visitors planning several weeks in Phuket, having everything organised through one gym removes much of the planning involved in a training camp. See also our stay near camp guide.

Real visitor experience

Although P'Chai is still a relatively young gym, the feedback has been remarkably consistent.

Much of the praise comes from athletes who previously trained with Sam Cassidy. Reddit users repeatedly describe him as one of Phuket's strongest striking coaches, highlighting his ability to work with complete beginners and professional fighters alike. Several comments specifically mention that he takes time to correct small mistakes rather than simply running students through combinations.

The Thai coaching team also receives positive feedback for creating sessions that are demanding without becoming intimidating. Visitors describe hard training, but also an environment where coaches remain approachable and genuinely invested in helping students improve.

Because the gym is still growing, classes are generally smaller than those at Phuket's largest camps. While this may change over time, early visitors often mention that the smaller numbers allowed more interaction with coaches throughout the session.

Who trains here?

P'Chai attracts a broad mix of athletes, but its biggest audience is people interested in more than just Muay Thai.

MMA fighters benefit from having wrestling, BJJ, striking, and strength training available in one location.

Muay Thai practitioners often choose the gym because they specifically want to learn from Sam Cassidy and his coaching team.

Long-term visitors also appreciate the all-inclusive packages and the ability to build a daily routine around training, recovery, and accommodation without travelling across Phuket.

Who is this gym best for?

P'Chai is ideal for people who value coaching over reputation.

If you're choosing a gym because of who teaches there rather than how long it's been open, P'Chai deserves serious consideration.

It's particularly suited to MMA athletes, people wanting to combine multiple disciplines, and anyone who enjoys smaller, coaching-focused classes.

If your goal is experiencing a traditional Thai fight camp with decades of history and a long list of stadium champions, another gym may better fit that experience. P'Chai's identity is still being written, but it's being built by coaches who had already earned the respect of many athletes before opening their own doors.

Unique features

• Founded by Sam Cassidy and an experienced Phuket coaching team
• Head Coach and Co-Founder Sam "Sammy Cass" Cassidy
• Muay Thai, MMA, boxing, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and strength & conditioning
• Grappling coached by world-record BJJ black belt Campbell "Gumby" Symes
• Wrestling program led by professional MMA fighter Colton Kielbasa
• Strength & conditioning coach with experience supporting UFC, Bellator, ONE Championship, and RWS athletes
• All-inclusive accommodation packages available
• Located in Rawai, close to Nai Harn and Rawai Beach

Why book one week here?

A week at P'Chai is less about discovering a famous gym and more about understanding why so many athletes followed its coaches when they opened their own facility. You'll quickly see that the gym's reputation isn't built on celebrity visitors or decades of history. It's built on coaching, attention to detail, and a team that many people were already recommending before the gym even existed.

If you're the type of traveler who researches coaches before facilities, P'Chai is one of Phuket's most interesting gyms to experience.

Planning your first block? Start with our First Muay Thai camp in Thailand guide.