What is Soi Ta Iad?
Soi Ta Iad, often called "Fitness Street" or "Fight Street," is a road in Chalong, Phuket, Thailand that has become one of the world's most concentrated hubs for martial arts and fitness training. What started as a handful of Muay Thai camps has grown into a full ecosystem: gyms, yoga studios, CrossFit boxes, healthy restaurants, supplement shops, and accommodation all within walking distance of each other.
The street attracts everyone from serious fighters preparing for bouts to casual fitness tourists looking for a two-week training holiday. You will find digital nomads who train twice a day, retirees picking up Muay Thai for the first time, and professional athletes on training camps. The vibe is welcoming and unpretentious. Nobody cares how fit you are when you arrive.
Getting There
From Phuket Airport
The airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from Soi Ta Iad, depending on traffic. You have a few options:
- Grab (ride-hailing app): The most convenient option. Download the app before you land. A ride to Chalong runs about 600-900 THB. Make sure you have mobile data or connect to airport Wi-Fi to book.
- Taxi meter: Available outside arrivals. Insist the driver uses the meter or agree on a price before getting in. Expect 700-1000 THB.
- Airport transfer through your hotel: Many guesthouses and resorts on the Soi offer pickup for a flat fee. Ask when you book your room.
- Minibus: The cheapest option at around 200 THB, but slower with multiple stops.
Getting Around Soi Ta Iad
Once you are on the Soi, most things are walkable. The street is roughly 2 km long and relatively flat. For getting around Chalong and beyond:
- Motorbike rental: The most popular option among long-stay visitors. Expect 200-300 THB per day or 3,000-4,500 THB per month. You technically need an international driving permit, and helmets are required by law.
- Grab: Works well for trips to shopping centers, beaches, or the old town.
- Bicycle: Some guesthouses lend or rent them. Fine for the Soi itself but Chalong roads can be busy.
- Walking: Perfectly fine for getting between gyms, restaurants, and shops on the Soi itself.
What to Expect
Soi Ta Iad is not a resort. It is a working street in a Thai neighborhood. The road surface is decent but sidewalks are inconsistent. Stray dogs roam around (they are generally friendly and well-fed by locals). Convenience stores, laundry shops, and massage places fill the gaps between gyms.
The crowd is international. On any given day you will hear English, Russian, French, Swedish, and half a dozen other languages. Most gyms and restaurants operate in English, and you will not have communication issues.
Training culture here is serious but inclusive. Morning sessions start as early as 7:00 AM, and the street gets quiet in the afternoon heat before evening sessions kick off around 4:00 PM. By 9:00 PM most places are closed, as people tend to be in bed early for the next morning's session.
Drop-in vs Packages
Almost every gym on the Soi offers both drop-in sessions and multi-session packages:
- Drop-in: Typically 400-600 THB per session. Great for trying out different gyms.
- Day pass: Some gyms offer unlimited classes for one day, around 600-800 THB.
- Weekly package: Usually 2,500-4,500 THB depending on the gym. Better value if you are staying a week or more.
- Monthly package: 6,000-15,000 THB depending on the gym and what is included. The best value for longer stays.
Our suggestion: if you are here for a week or less, buy a few drop-ins and try two or three gyms. Places like Tiger Muay Thai and Unit 27 have very different vibes, and trying both helps you figure out what suits you. For stays of two weeks or more, commit to one gym and get a package.
What to Bring
Training gear:
- Comfortable workout clothes (you will sweat through them fast, bring extras)
- Running shoes for CrossFit and conditioning work
- Hand wraps if you plan to do Muay Thai (gyms sell them too)
- A small towel for sessions
- A refillable water bottle
General:
- Sunscreen (the tropical sun is no joke, even on cloudy days)
- Insect repellent
- A light rain jacket if visiting during monsoon season (May-October)
- Flip-flops for everyday wear
- A basic first aid kit with blister plasters and antiseptic
Things you do not need to bring:
- Boxing gloves (every gym has loaners, and YOKKAO Muay Thai Store on the Soi sells quality gear if you want your own)
- Shin guards (provided at gyms)
- Yoga mats (studios provide them)
- Excessive clothing (laundry services are cheap and fast)
Budget Breakdown
Here is a realistic daily budget breakdown in Thai Baht:
Budget traveler (1,500-2,500 THB/day):
- Accommodation: 500-800 THB (shared room or basic guesthouse)
- Training: 400-600 THB (drop-in) or less with a package
- Food: 400-600 THB (local restaurants and street food)
- Transport: 0-200 THB
- Extras: 200-300 THB
Mid-range (3,000-5,000 THB/day):
- Accommodation: 1,000-2,000 THB (private room with A/C and pool at places like Cocoville Phuket Resort or Happy Cottage)
- Training: 600-1,000 THB
- Food: 600-1,000 THB (mix of local spots and cafes like Filling Station Phuket)
- Transport: 100-300 THB
- Extras: 500-700 THB (massage, supplements, laundry)
Comfortable (5,000-8,000+ THB/day):
- Accommodation: 2,000-4,000 THB (private villa like TAJH Pool Villas or Serene Villa Phuket)
- Training: 1,000-2,000 THB (private sessions, multiple gyms)
- Food: 1,000-1,500 THB
- Transport: 200-500 THB
- Extras: 800+ THB
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Phuket has two main seasons:
- High season (November-April): Dry, sunny, hot. Temperatures around 30-34C. This is the busiest time on the Soi. Gyms are full, accommodation prices are higher, and you should book ahead. The upside is consistent sunshine and lower humidity.
- Low season (May-October): The monsoon brings afternoon rain showers, but mornings are often clear. It is cooler and more humid. Gyms are less crowded, prices drop significantly, and you get more personal attention from trainers. Many regulars prefer this time.
The heat is the biggest adjustment for most visitors. Drink far more water than you think you need. Training in 33C heat with high humidity is a different experience from your gym back home. Your first few days will feel brutal. Take it easy and acclimatize.
Safety Tips
Soi Ta Iad is generally very safe. That said, keep in mind:
- Traffic: Motorbikes are the biggest actual danger. Ride carefully, always wear a helmet, and do not drink and drive. Scooter accidents are the number one reason tourists visit Phuket hospitals.
- Hydration: Heat exhaustion is real. If you feel dizzy or stop sweating during training, stop immediately and cool down.
- Training injuries: Do not let ego push you beyond your limits in the first week. Trainers are good at reading your level, but communicate honestly about any existing injuries.
- Valuables: Petty theft is uncommon on the Soi but use common sense. Lock your room, do not leave phones unattended.
- Food hygiene: Eat where it is busy. Busy restaurants turn over food quickly. Avoid ice from unknown sources if your stomach is sensitive, though most established places use clean ice.
- Insurance: Get travel insurance that covers sporting activities and motorbike riding. This is non-negotiable.
Visa Info
Most visitors enter Thailand on one of these:
- Visa exemption (30 days): Citizens of many countries get 30 days on arrival. Check if your country qualifies.
- Tourist visa (60 days): Apply at a Thai embassy before you travel. Can be extended by 30 days at Phuket immigration.
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): A newer 180-day visa option for digital nomads and long-stay visitors. Good for extended training stays.
Immigration rules change frequently. Check the official Thai embassy website for your country before booking. Overstaying your visa carries fines and potential bans.
A Typical Day on the Soi
Here is what a normal training day looks like for most visitors:
6:30 AM - Wake up. It is already warm. Coffee from your guesthouse or a quick stop at Mama's Cafe for a pre-training bite.
7:00-8:30 AM - Morning training session. Muay Thai at Tiger Muay Thai, CrossFit at Unit 27, or yoga at 5 Elements Hot Yoga. The morning is the most popular training time because it is (relatively) cooler.
9:00 AM - Post-training breakfast. Head to Filling Station Phuket for a protein-packed meal or grab something from Trooper Eats.
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Rest, recover, work remotely from a cafe, get a Thai massage, run errands, or take a nap. Many people head to Robinson Lifestyle Chalong for shopping or a coffee in air conditioning. This is downtime. The heat makes it impractical to do much physical activity.
4:00-5:30 PM - Afternoon training session. The second session of the day if you are doing two-a-days, or your only session if you prefer afternoons.
6:00 PM - Dinner. Ali's BBQ for grilled meats, The Shack for a casual meal, or Ochadee Restaurant for something more substantial.
8:00-9:00 PM - Wind down. Stretch, journal, plan tomorrow. The Soi gets quiet early. Most people training seriously are asleep by 10:00 PM.
This rhythm is what makes Soi Ta Iad special. Everything you need is within a few minutes' walk, the routine builds itself naturally, and the community of like-minded people keeps you motivated. After a few days it feels less like a holiday and more like a lifestyle.
Useful Thai Phrases
You do not need to speak Thai on the Soi, but a few phrases go a long way with trainers, restaurant staff, and locals:
- Sawadee krap/ka - Hello (krap for men, ka for women)
- Khop khun krap/ka - Thank you
- Mai pen rai - No worries / it is okay
- Aroy - Delicious (use it at restaurants, they love hearing it)
- Phet nit noi - A little bit spicy (useful when ordering Thai food)
- Mai sai nam pla - No fish sauce (for vegetarians and vegans)
- Tao rai - How much?
- Paeng - Expensive (useful when negotiating monthly accommodation)
Thais deeply appreciate any effort to speak their language, even if your pronunciation is rough. A smile and an attempt at Thai will earn you goodwill everywhere you go.