Path of the Monk: 108 Heroes Kung Fu Training in Pai, Thailand

An 18-week pass to the Kung Fu Retreat to be used whenever you wish

126 nights accommodation, 90 training days (2 rest days each week), daily breakfast, evening meals on training days, use of facilities including Kung Fu Gym and wifi. You may take a break during your stay if you wish or split into 2 or more shorter stays, (please enquire as to details).

I. TO THAILAND

The best way to arrive in Thailand is to fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is much nearer to the Kung Fu Retreat but Bangkok has more flights and is usually cheaper. There is an abundance of hotels, guest houses, etc in Bangkok to suit all budgets, should you need to arrange an overnight stay. There are usually a lot of good deals available and similar budget airfare sites. Otherwise, search individual airlines and check what deals they are offering.

II. TO CHIANG MAI:

For flights, check www.bangkokair.com they should come in at $28 - $57 each way and take about 1 hour 15 minutes.

For trains, you could get an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok. This can be done either from Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal (formally known as Bang Sue Grand Station) and also from Don Mueang Station. Tickets can be purchased in advance (recommended) online with 12go.asia and be received by either e-ticket, or picked up in person (pick up in person at their office or at the station, details provided while paying). Ticket’s could also be purchased in person.

Please be aware that trains in Thailand often run very late. The trains are very comfortable and afford great views of the Thai countryside. If you are on a very tight budget, you can go to Kao San Road in Bangkok and get an overnight coach for about 300 Baht or so. This is the least comfortable way to travel. We recommend the flight, especially if you have not spent much time in Thailand before.

III. TO PAI

You have a choice between taking a minibus or taxi.

Minibus – The minibus trip from Chiang Mai is about 150 Baht and has awesome views. It takes about three and a half hours, most of which is spent on amazing winding roads through mountains the like of which you have probably never seen before. The views are breathtaking and the journey is an adventure in itself so we recommend that you travel during daylight. You will want to book with the provider Prempracha Transport: https://premprachatransports.com/ To get there from the airport, simply take a taxi with a meter or a Tuk Tuk to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. It should take 15 – 30 minutes depending on traffic and cost very little.

On Prempracha Transport website, you can book your seat in advanced and pick up your bus ticket once you arrive to the Bus Station. Once you arrive, if you didn’t book your seat in advanced, you will need to book on to the next available minibus.

Minibuses run between about 6.30 am and 5.30pm. If you arrive in Chiang Mai later than about 3.30pm you are likely to need to either stay overnight in Chiang Mai or get a taxi to the Kung Fu Retreat. If staying overnight, which is the cheapest option, we recommend that you still go to the Prempracha office when you arrive and book on to a minibus for the next day. Then look for a guesthouse. You should be able to get a nice room near the centre of Chiang Mai with fan for 400 – 500 Baht. If in doubt try looking on tripadvisor.

Taxi – You could speak with drivers in the taxi rank outside the airport. Recently taxis have been charging about $118 for the trip. This does vary and will likely be higher if late at night or in December/January. If you do want to give a tip, $2-$7 would be about right.

IV. PAI TO THE KUNG FU RETREAT

When you first arrive in Pai the easiest way to get to us is simply to book a taxi. The taxis are a little way up the main street. Motorcycle is the cheapest taxi and should cost less than $3. For a minibus / car 150 – 250. Ask for Kung Fu or Kun Iain / Kun Pu. Alternatively, hire a moped and ride to the Kung fu Retreat. It will take about 10 minutes.

Directions: Head out of town towards the airport / Mae Hong Son. On the far side of the airport turn right, parallel to the runway. We are the first turn on the left, about 400m down the road, on a sharp right hand bend. We have a prominent sign. A little way before our sign is a flashing orange sign signalling sharp bend / left hand turn.

FOR MOST OF OUR GUESTS, FOOD IS A HIGHLIGHT OF THEIR STAY

Our kitchen gardens and orchards provide healthy, organic food which we collect and serve fresh. We specialise in growing herbs. Whilst we are not able to grow all of our own food, we support poor farmers in the hill tribe villages by buying food directly from them at market prices ensuring that they get a good income and we get the best quality fresh food.

DIETS THAT WE CAN CATER FOR:

Vegetarian

Vegan


DIETS THAT WE CANNOT CATER FOR:

High Protein (Body Building)

Severe Nut Allergy

If you feel that you need a lot of extra protein to facilitate muscle growth, we suggest bringing a protein supplement.


LUNCHES

We do not supply lunches. Most of our students prefer to choose their own lunch from the wide variety on sale in the town. Since we draw students from a very wide variety of countries and cultures the food that we serve will be different from what many people are used to. Choosing a lunch that they are used to seems to be very helpful for many of the people who have recently arrived. We do have a student fridge available to store food so if you do not wish to go to town every lunchtime, no problem. It is also very easy to ask someone to buy you a lunch from the town and food delivery services now operate in Pai – so you can simply order food in! Many people choose to eat fruit for lunch, a choice influenced by the abundance of high-quality local fruit available very cheaply.

HOME FARM

We are extremely proud of our small farm! There is something incredibly rewarding about watching your food grow, picking it, and finally eating it. It also ensures that the food is absolutely as fresh as possible, naturally ripened and free of any harmful chemicals.

Our garden is expanding all the time so expect to see even more things growing when you arrive!

Because we grow our food naturally, the supply is seasonal. Different fruits and vegetables come into season at different times of the year. September – October is perhaps the most prolific months. The hot, dry season in March – April yields the least.

WHAT WE ARE GROWING:

VEGETABLES - Aubergines, gourds, a variety of greens, cucumbers, pumpkins, winter melons, green beans, Chinese radish, dill, carrots, sweetcorn, bamboo shoots.

FRUIT - Mangoes bananas, papaya, red dates, passion fruit, jackfruit, oranges, pomelos, limes, cafir limes, lum yai, Thai custard apples, tamarind, pineapple, guava, pomegranate. Trees which we have planted but which have not yet borne fruit: durian, avocado, egg fruit, coconut, star fruit, rambutan, lychee, snake fruit.

HERBS - Moringa, ginger, Thai ginger, lemon grass, holy basil, sweet basil, coriander, turmeric / curcumin, blue pea, mint, aloe vera, eucalyptus, black pepper,

COFFEE

ACCOMMODATION

All of our rooms are designed with serious Kung Fu students in mind. Every room has an inspiring mountain view from the front door and a roofed front terrace to sit in the shade and get the benefit of the views and the fresh mountain air. They are within very easy walking distance of the training facilities and the restaurant.

SHARED ROOM - These rooms hold two people. They are spacious, have separate bathrooms and toilet / washrooms and are equipped with fans. They are arranged in two buildings, each with six rooms. The front terrace is two meters deep and serves as a social area where students can relax and chat outside of training time.

Main room 4×3.5m with front and back doors.

Furniture: 2 single beds, 2 chairs, and shelf unit.

Fittings: wall mounted fan, main light, reading light above each bed, mosquito net over each bed.

En suite shower room 2×1.25m with heated shower and towel rail.

En suite toilet 2×1.25m with wash basin, mirror clothes hooks and 2 shelves.

Towel supplied.

PRIVATE ROOM - Designed for single occupancy. These rooms are finished to a high standard with tiled walls and thicker mattresses. They are located slightly further away from the centre of the Retreat which gives a quieter feel.

Main room 3x3m.

Furniture: single beds, chair, desk, wardrobe and shelf unit.

Fittings: wall mounted fan, main light, reading light above each bed, mosquito net over each bed.

Bathroom 2 x 1.5m with toilet, heated shower, wash basin, mirror and towel rail

Kettle for tea and coffee making.

Towel supplied.

FACILITIES

To get the best results in Kung Fu you need the right training facilities. It is not simply a question of high quality. You also need the right things and they have to fit right with your training program. That is why we are constantly adding to our facilities. We believe that after 10 years of development, we have it about right and that we are well ahead of what most other training centres have.

TRAINING AREAS

The training areas are sometimes used for private tuitions but usually are available for personal practice.

OUTDOOR TRAINING GROUND ( 8m x 18m )
The training areas are sometimes used for private tuitions but usually are available for personal practice.

ROOFED TRAINING AREA

Cleverly designed with roofs but no walls so that fresh air constantly blows through and keeps the temperatures down. These areas are ideal when the sun is hot or rain is falling. One is 14x14m, the other 12x12m. Both have stunning mountain views. The larger one is located under a Bodhi tree (Buddha tree) which gives a very calm, profound energy.

KUNG FU GYM

Not just another hotel style gym. This is a specialist Kung Fu / martial arts gym designed to provide the facilities that serious training demands. Facilities are a mix of old style kung fu equipment seldom seen now and more modern equipment which we think is beneficial.

IT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS

SECTION 1: GYM AREA

GENERAL’S POLES
Bamboo or wooden poles for training arm and leg techniques and toughening the body – especially the wrists. Considered essential by many of the old masters but usually ignored today because difficult to set up. We are very proud to have these.

TYRE DUMMIES
Another difficult piece of equipment to set up but one of the best for training direct kicks like the front thrust, side thrust and back thrust. Both power and technique are needed to make the tyre buckle. Feel welcome to kick these as hard as you like – that is what they are made for!

PUNCH BAGS
We have five heavy bags and one light bag. All are of different designs and are suited to slightly different training methods. Hung and filed to professional standards.

WEIGHTS
Although the use of weights is controversial in martial arts we do have a small weights set and bench. Good for use by martial artists, not intended for serious bodybuilders.

PARALLEL BARS, CHIN UP BARS, STRETCHING BAR AND GYMNASTICS RINGS
All of these are great for bodyweight training (callisthenics) which we think is ideal as part of a Kung Fu training regime since it emphasises strength and tendon development over muscle size.

SANDBAGS
A must in any credible Kung Fu school. Canvass bags filled with sand for iron fist training.

SECTION 2:

MATTED TRAINING AREA
Equipped with 2cm jigsaw mats.

SECTION 3:

HARD FLOOR TRAINING AREA
Has punch bags and wooden poles (Mei Hua Chong) for balance, stepping etc.

MEDITATION / PRAYER ROOM

The central point in the Retreat. This is where we have our altar to the Buddha as well as the principle Kung Fu deities Kwan Kung (the Chinese God who is the patron of Kung Fu and sworn brotherhoods) and Bodhidharma, (Tat Moh) the monk who founded the Shaolin tradition. Occasionally used for ceremonies it is usually available for quiet prayer, meditation and contemplation. It has a very unique, charged atmosphere. Respectful behaviour, please.

TREE HOUSE

Built into a huge, living teak tree in such a way as not to damage the tree but rather to harmonize with it. We love it! A great place to meditate, exercise, relax with a book or just admire the views.

WEAPONS

No Kung Fu school is complete without weapons! Although they are not as important a method of defence as in days gone past training with weapons is a great way to develop strength, stability, coordination and confidence. Perhaps, more importantly, it is fun! Few people fail to feel a thrill of excitement when they first enter the weapons room.

TRAINING EQUIPMENT

We are equipped with focus mitts, kick shields, rubber knives, various bamboo safety weapons, skipping ropes, boxing gloves and a variety of weights and stretching aids all of which are available for you to practise with.

Most of what you need when in Thailand can be bought here cheaply. You should consider bringing the following:

Your Kung Fu uniform, if you have one. We supply uniforms for all who want them. The price for a set of kung fu uniform is $75.00 USD.

Small selection of comfortable clothes. Generally, you will need light clothes for warm / hot weather and something which you can train in while your uniform is in the wash. Long sleeves are useful to prevent sunburn. Clothing is cheap in Pai and not only of excellent quality but also really attractive. In fact, Pai has its own unique fashion industry. During December and January, nights can be chilly so bring a pullover and some other warm clothing. The absolute lowest temperature we experience is about 7 C.

Shoes. We train in bare feet except on cold mornings. You will need ‘flip flops’ or similar which can be bought very cheap in Pai. If you intend to go running, bring running shoes. You will really not need anything else.

Internet Device

Camera.

Weapons. You may want to bring your own weapons but we can supply training weapons.

Wash kit, toiletries, etc.

Visa regulations are constantly changing. We try to keep our information as up-to-date as possible. If in doubt, please check with us.

Short Stays (Up to 30 days)

Thailand operates a ‘Visa-on-entry’ system whereby people from most countries can simply turn up and be given a visa. People from most but not all western countries get 30 days on arrival at an airport. Some nationalities get only 15 days – this includes people with an Indian passport. When arriving in Thailand by land it is usual to be given a 15-day visa. Much more detailed information can be found with your local embassy/consulate online.

If you are unsure as to whether you will get a long enough visa on entry we strongly advise that you apply for a tourist visa from your home country. Please see below.

Medium Stays (Up to 9 Months)

Before traveling to Thailand, check with your nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate for the Tourist Visa application options that you can apply to in-person, online, or by post. You will have a few options to choose from but we suggest the following:

2 Month to 3 Month long stays

• Single Entry Tourist Visa – This visa will give you 60 days on entry to Thailand and can be extended at a nearby Immigration office for an additional 30 days, giving you 90 days (3 months) total in the country. This is the easiest visa to apply for, is issued more or less automatically when you apply with the required documents, and is inexpensive.
  
  There is an Immigration office in Pai located about 10 to 15 minutes from the Retreat. When it’s time to extend your visa, you can easily go to this office and extend your visa for about 1,900 Thai Baht. The process is very quick.

3 Month to 9 Month long stays.

• Special Tourist Visa (STV) – If you plan to come here for 3 months or longer, we suggest the STV visa. This is a fantastic way to get 9 months in Thailand cheaply without the need to do any border runs. To get started with applying for this visa, you need to contact your nearest Thai Embassy/Consulate for details. The process has been relatively simple given you submit all the required documents.

• Multiple Entry Visa – This visa will give you 6 months in Thailand. This is one of the harder visas to apply for as the requirements are a bit more strict and we understand it is more expensive. Although, if your nearest Thai Embassy / Consulate offers it instead of the STV Visa, and you’re able to obtain it then it is still a good visa. When you first enter the country with this visa, you will be given 60 days in the country. This can be extended for another 30 days at a nearby Immigration office. After your first 3 months (or 2 months, depending on if you decided to extend the visa or not), you will need to do a border run. This can easily be done by traveling to Mae Sai and crossing the border and returning, or taking a flight to a nearby country and then coming back shortly after. This process can be repeated until the expiry date occurs on the visa itself.

Each of these visas will have its application requirements on your nearest Thai Embassy/Consulate’s website so for full details, we suggest you check with them or give them a call for advice. The process usually involves filling in an application form and submitting some paperwork. Since these are tourist visas, you should state your reason for entering Thailand as ‘tourism’.

Long Stay (Over 9 months)

If you are intending to stay long enough that you will have to renew your visa you may want to contact us for some help and advice. Since regulations seem to change so frequently at present, we will need to base our advice on the latest information available. If in doubt, please contact us.

• ED Visa – An ED Visa can give you a year in Thailand. These are available and best done through a Thai Language school which we have one in Pai. These can be arranged before traveling. The Thai Language school that can help you with this is Manna Thai Language School. Their full details can be found here: http://mannathailanguage.com/pai/
  
  If you can’t apply for this visa before traveling to Thailand, but you want to stay in Thailand for over 9 months then you can come here first on a Single Entry Tourist Visa. We can then help you with connecting with the Thai Language School (or other options available) so that you can get an ED Visa.

"This program shall definitely impart patience, stability, raised self-esteem, and confidence and this is what even I am craving for. This course I feel is not just martial arts but it’s one with SILENT AGGRESSIVENESS meaning that this course probably imparts within us a calmness by meditation along with aggressiveness that may be needed if any need arises. I would honestly recommend going ahead and exploring the online course and making the best out of it."

- Dipti Kothari

"If like me you’re getting up there in years and you may think Kung Fu is for young people only, think again. Sure you may physical challenges that comes with an aging body, but Kung Fu is so much more than a physical activity. It has truly given me a whole new way of viewing every aspect of my life. I strongly recommend it for any age! They say all you need to do to be successful at it is to start and then not stop! Sounds like a good plan to me! Give it a try! I promise you will come away a different person."

- Gregory

1. BOOKINGS/MEMBERS’ PASSES

   With our flexible booking system, you pay for a ‘member’s pass’ which enables you to stay and eat at the Retreat and participate in our program. The passes come in different durations but the length is clearly stated. The duration represents the number of nights that you can stay at the Retreat.

   Examples:

   If you arrive Monday 1st May and leave Tuesday 2nd May, that is one night.
   If you arrive Monday 1st May and leave Monday 8th May, that is 1 week.
   If you arrive Monday 1st May and leave 1st June, that is one month.
   Members’ passes are valid indefinitely – no expiry date.
   Check in time 2.00pm-5.00pm. Check out time 11.00am. If you are booked into a room and/or your belongings are in the room then a night is counted towards your credit – even if you sleep elsewhere.
   Membership cards are valid only for the person named on the card, they are not transferable.

2. Note that we have Out of Hours Checking Fees and Checking Fees for arriving on a Sunday:
3. If arriving between 6 PM – 8 PM (or 9 AM – 8 PM if arriving on a Sunday), there is an additional checking fee of $30 USD.
   If arriving between 8 PM – 9 AM, there is an additional checking fee of $50 USD.

DATE CHANGES

Unlimited rescheduling of dates free of charge with 7 days notice.
Rescheduling at 4-6 days notice: each night charged at half price.
Rescheduling with 3 days notice or less; each night charged fully.

PAYMENTS

If making payment by Bank Transfer, please be aware that we count the payment according to how much we receive so if the payment arrives short, we will ask you for the balance.

BEHAIVOUR

We recognise that for people to thrive they need a supportive environment in which they feel safe, valued and wanted. Consistent with this we have a behaviour code. Anyone behaving in a way that is not consistent with our behaviour code / rules will be politely and non confrontationally asked to do so and offered help if needed. If the offending behaviour continues despite multiple requests to change or someone refuses outright to behave as requested or in the case of very serious misconduct the person responsible will be asked to take a cooling off period during which they consider their position. This will lead to a meeting with the most senior instructor available who will explain clearly what the person needs to do in order to reintegrate and begin training again. Should the person not agree to follow the behaviour code, another meeting will be offered after a further cooling off period of not less than 4 weeks.

Bottom line: mistakes can be forgiven, ongoing refusal to follow the rules can not.

TRAINING

We will deliver training as described on this website to the best of our ability. We constantly seek to improve our performance and so will make minor changes periodically to the program / timetable. We pride ourselves in being a top school in traditional kung fu. We do not teach other martial arts unless advertised as a special course so anyone seeking to learn muay Thai, MMA, jiu jitsu etc would be best advised to look for a school specializing in one of these arts.

INJURY / SICKNESS LIABILITY

Sorry but we do not accept liability for any injuries, sickness or similar that you might get while staying / training with us. We are very safety conscious and make great effort to avoid injury to our students. Should any student suffer injury or fall sick whilst with us we will do our best to provide help, support and resources but we will not accept any liability. For this reason we recommend that anyone who choses to train with us ensures that their travel insurance covers them for any possible injuries that they might sustain or sicknesses they might contract.

DISASTERS OR UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Sadly there are many circumstances which are beyond our control. We do not accept responsibility for them and do not offer compensation for them. This is a matter for travel insurance. Of course if you have bought our insurance package you will get a refund without question. Such circumstances include but are not limited to: war, civil unrest, fire, flood, drought, weather, pollution, power cut, interruption of telephone / internet access, natural or man made disaster, terrorism, war, acts of god(s) etc.

DISPUTES

We do our best to solve any disputes amicably, ethically and compassionately and have never yet had to resort to court action. In the event that this should ever occur, All disputes will be decided in Thai courts under Thai law.

PHOTOGRAPHY-VIDEOGRAPHY

We will sometimes take photographs and make videos and use them for social media and marketing. By booking with us you agree to let us use your image unless: either let us know when you book or else before the photography/videography takes place that you do not give permission for your image to be used.

WHAT PERSONAL DATA WE COLLECT AND WHY WE COLLECT IT

While using our Site, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to your name (“Personal Information”).

Log Data

Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our Site (“Log Data”).

This Log Data may include information such as your computer’s Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, browser type, browser version, the pages of our Site that you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on those pages and other statistics.

In addition, we use third party services such as Google Analytics that collect, monitor and analyze this.

Communications

We may use your Personal Information to contact you with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information to keep you informed about relevant retreat information.

Cookies

Cookies are files with small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer’s hard drive.

Like many sites, we use “cookies” to collect information. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Site.

If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

ABOUT PAI TOWN

Pai is the main tourist centre in Mae Hong Son, Thailand's remote North West province, and ideally suited to receive and entertain foreigners. It has a population of about 3000 who, at peak times, are heavily outnumbered by tourists, mainly backpackers (for whom Pai is almost a compulsory stop) and the more adventurous Thai and foreign tourists who have braved the minibus ride through the mountains.

The Pai district is popular with tourists because there is so much to do here. We take two days off each week to rest and recover from hard training which provides an ideal opportunity to explore the local area. A stay at our retreat can be a holiday as well as a training experience.

Pai acts as a hub for activities and excursions, such as trekking (usually with an overnight stay at a hill tribe village), elephant riding, caving, rafting, off-road driving / motorcycling and visiting waterfalls, temples, hill tribes etc. The favourite way to get around for most is to rent a small motorcycle for about 80 Baht ($2.50US) per day or 2,000 ($56) Baht per month.

As you would expect in Thailand, the town also boasts a number of beautiful Buddhist temples housing monks.

A TASTE OF PAI: SHOPPING & EATING

Pai contains a multitude of restaurants and bars, all very reasonably priced (modest meal about $3), many market stalls selling local food and goods, and shops selling any supplies you are really likely to need. Even a few small supermarkets! Of particular note are stalls run by local hill tribe people selling clothing, handicrafts, fruit etc.

Of particular note is the night market which takes place on the walking street every night of the year. Stalls line both sides of the roads and a few of the side streets. Many local artists offer their work for sale as well as hill tribe people selling their tribal craft work, and an entire section of the market devoted to food and drink. Strolling down the walking street in the evening is one of Pai’s most popular activities.

CLIMATE: The seasons in Pai are quite distinct and vary as follows

NOVEMBER TO JANUARY - Dry, hot in the day but cool at night. Most popular time of year to visit Pai. Perfect if you do not like rain.

FEBRUARY TO APRIL - Hot and dry.

JUNE TO OCTOBER - Rainy, but not every day. Humid. Not too hot in the daytime, warm but not hot at night. Views at their best, particularly later in the rainy season.

MAY - Intermediate between hot season and rainy season.