u/bkz730

I will be going back home to the West in about 10 days. I just did a quick search on Lazado and saw how affordable external hard drives are here. Then I read some reviews and saw there are also many fakes being sold. I am a video editor and am always looking to save on extra storage but I honestly only was looking at something to dump some of my photos onto while out here. Obviously I'll invest more if I find a legit, larger drive at a great price

I assume I can use these drives anywhere? What are some reputable places I can order from? Any physical shops people know of in Chiang Mai?

I am currently in Chiang Mai and will be going back home to the States in about 10 days. I just did a quick search on Lazado and saw how affordable external hard drives are here. Then I read some reviews and saw there are also many fakes being sold. I am a video editor and am always looking to save on extra storage but I honestly only was looking at something to dump some of my photos onto while out here. Obviously I'll invest more if I find a legit, larger drive at a great price

Does it make sense to purchase some storage here to take back with me? What are some reputable places I can order from? Any physical shops people know of in Chiang Mai?

I’m staying in Chang Phueak and would love advice on the most efficient way to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for sunrise on a weekday in mid-August.

I also want to explore the Monk’s Trail and make a stop at Wat Pha Lat. My main question is the best order to do everything.

Would it be better (and cost efficient) to take a Bolt/Grab straight to Doi Suthep for sunrise, then work my way down those stairs afterward and visit Wat Pha Lat and the Monk’s Trail in daylight? Or would you recommend starting at the Monk’s Trail and hiking up before sunrise? (if the latter, are there any lights on the trail, or would it be completely dark?_

Any advice on timing, transportation, weather, trail conditions, and the most practical route would be appreciated.

Caught a thigh contusion/severe cork from some hard Muay Thai kicks during sparring. Can anyone recommend good clinics or hospitals that specialize in sports injuries or are just good in general? So far from my research Ram Hospital seems to be worth trying

I'm also visiting from the states and insurance ran out. How much should I expect to come out of pocket for something like this, if anyone has an idea?

Might be having a fight come up. Would be my first.

I’m usually the peacemaker in my community, and I know a lot of people probably don’t see me as someone who fights. I haven’t been in a real fight since elementary school. A big part of that is just being a good communicator and not letting things escalate, but it’s also part of why I started training more seriously.

I love the discipline, the physical challenge, and the confidence that comes with knowing I can defend myself if I ever need to. At the same time, I’ve realized that even in sparring, I don’t naturally think in terms of hurting someone. I’m more focused on technique, control, and doing things the right way.

So I’m curious for the people here who have real fight experience:

How do you mentally lock in for a fight without losing your character?

How do you build that killer instinct, or fight-night edge, while still staying controlled and not letting anger of emotions take over?

What mindset shifts helped you go from aiming to be a decent person in everyday life to being efficient and decisive when it’s time to fight?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who’ve found a balance between compassion and aggression, or who learned how to fight for the right reasons without becoming reckless or bitter.

14 hour flight to HKG then 3 hr to Chiang Mai. I land early in the morning and was looking to check into a temple and just rest/no phone usage/maybe silent meditations until the next morning. Any place where I could do something like this not too far from the airport?

Would you have to be awake at certain times and participate in group activities (chants, etc)?

https://preview.redd.it/5952qcr0szeh1.png?width=2092&format=png&auto=webp&s=00e09adce8409e110a9124c9f9efc7d26dac1b97

Flying from LAX to Hong Kong (layover) then land in Chiang Mai. How often do they check?

This might lean a bit more spiritual, so if that’s not your lane, no pressure to respond.

After growing for 8 yrs, loc'd for 6 in 2024 my locs were just under my shoulders. After a meditation retreat, I felt called to shave them off and reset. It lined up because I also wanted to start training Muay Thai and BJJ and was afraid of my hair being in the way, so being bald made the practical side easier.

After the first few months I got injured, fell off training, and my hair has grown back and started locking on its own again (with a twist sponge here and there). Now that im recovered and have cleared my schedule again, I’m about to do a month of hard Muay Thai training (6 days a week, lots of sweat and rinsing), then probably 2–3 sessions a week after that.

I’m torn between three options and would love to hear from people with locs who train/super active or who’ve restarted/reattached:

• 1. Retwist vs. leaving it as it is while training
  • If I go into this month of training, I’ll be rinsing my hair after pretty much every session and doing a deeper wash about once a week for hygiene.
  • Would you leave the hair in its current, more “freeform” state while I’m in this heavy training phase? Or would you do a full clean retwist now, even knowing there will be frequent rinsing and sweat?
  • From your experience, does getting a good retwist before a period like this help the health and structure of the locs long-term, or is it better to let them be until the training phase settles?
• 2. Cut short and reattach old locs later
  • I still have my original shoulder-length locs. At one point I thought about returning them to the river as part of a release ritual, but never did, and part of me feels there might be a reason I still have them.
  • One option is to cut my hair short again now, focus purely on training for a few months, and then later reattach my old locs once I’m ready and my new growth can support them. I know reattachment is possible with a good loctician, and that some people see restarting/reattaching as part of their spiritual journey
  • Has anyone here cut their locs, kept them, then reattached them after a season of training or life changes? How did that feel for you
• 3. Spiritual side of restarting
  • Shaving my head after the retreat felt like a strong spiritual reset for me, and I’m wondering if this new phase (serious training, travel, healing) is another “start fresh” moment or if it’s time to continue the journey with the locs I’ve already grown.
  • For those who view their locs as part of their spiritual path: how did you decide between letting them grow again from scratch vs. bringing back the old set?

I’m not looking for anyone to tell me what I “should” do. More so to hear stories, perspectives, and practical advice from people who’ve balanced locs with intense physical training, or who’ve gone through cutting and reattaching locs as part of their spiritual journey.

Thanks in advance for any reflections or experiences. Bless

https://preview.redd.it/tw8pti86fzeh1.png?width=2085&format=png&auto=webp&s=dbcda27688f70da73dad9f27b8239ab88340149f

Will be my first time training in Thailand in a few weeks. Looking to book accommodations that's walking distance to a gym I decide on.

Im aware of the heat and constant sweating so for those of you who aren't staying at the gym, what does your commute and gym bag setup look like?

• Do you carry one backpack for everything?
• Do you shower at the gym after training or wait until you get back to your accommodation?
• Do you throw your sweaty clothes back into the same bag, or do you bring a separate dry bag/plastic bag?
• Do you change into clean clothes before heading home, or just head back in your training gear?
• What do you wear to and from the gym?
• Any essentials you didn't realize you needed?

Leaving to Chiang Mai in a few days. Haven't committed to a gym yet so will spend the first few days trying a few before deciding. One factor will be how easy it is to find affordable accommodations within walking distance.

I'm trying to travel with just a carry-on, so I'm packing as light as possible.

Right now I'm bringing:

• 16 oz gloves
• Hand wraps
• Elbow pads (maybe)

I have shin guards here, but honestly I don't love them and was considering leaving them behind.

How easy is it to buy gear once you're in Chiang Mai?

Specifically:

• Shin guards
• Mouthpiece
• Extra hand wraps
• Foot/ankle supports

Are there plenty of shops around, and are prices noticeably cheaper than in the U.S.?

Just trying to get a feel before I overpack.

I’ll be visiting for the first time end of July for a month. I’m looking at gyms to train at but want my own place to stay. A major factor for me is location. I don’t want to be in the middle of “tourist central” or Chaing Mai’s version of time square but also don’t want to be isolated in a rural area. Anywhere in between is ideal. What neighborhoods have:

1. A good amount of food options (cooked meals and markets for groceries ) within walking distance

2. Access to some nature (like Lakes, trails, mountain views, waterfall, etc) that you can get to in under 30 min? on a budget so don’t plan to rent a car or scooter. Open to biking tho

3. A good amount of affordable housing accommodation options

Even if there are some neighborhoods that check off 2 out of 3 ill look into it.

Had shoulder length locs after growing for 6 years. 2 years ago cut them off completely to restart and have been letting it grow since. I used the loc sponge brush for awhile then it started locking on its own (see below)

In two weeks I leave to Thailand for a month where it's hot and Ill be training so I'll be SWEATING like everyday. Should I just leave my as is or officially get it loc'd? If the latter, how often should i wash versus rinse so i dont let all that sweat build up?

Was supposed to get them crochet loc'd months ago but kept having schedule conflicts. I have an opportunity to make another appointment right before I fly out

https://preview.redd.it/cjj91ncbzzdh1.jpg?width=2334&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6a9376f7427e83b2f3aff97742c4ac934665520

Had shoulder length locs after growing for 6 years. 2 years ago cut them off completely to restart and have been letting it grow since. I used the loc sponge brush for awhile then it started locking on its own (as you see in the pic).

In two weeks I leave to Thailand for a month where it's hot and Ill be training so I'll be SWEATING like everyday. Should I just leave my as is or officially get it loc'd? If the latter, how often should i wash versus rinse so i dont let all that sweat build up?

Was supposed to get them crochet loc'd months ago but kept having schedule conflicts between my loctician and myself.

https://preview.redd.it/tb5a33hdxzdh1.jpg?width=2334&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9ba60c7eeeead67024af3254944dc42f69abbea

Ive seen the advice is to not go the hotel route when training Muy Thai as it can get very noisy, dealing with elevators/lifts, housekeeping, etc. I also don't want to stay at a gym accommodation. That leaves the other suggestion Ive seen people mention (bungalow/villas/private room rentals) via facebook groups.

How are you finding that? Most of the FB groups I've skimmed through so far are posting about 6-month, 12month contract rentals. Are there a few legit ones in particular? I've joined like 6 already and going in circles.

How do you know if they are legit? Appreciate any advice/insight from anyone with experience or insight

Note: I'll be traveling end of July into August for 4 weeks. Is this time of year in my favor for finding something budget friendly?

After months of researching gyms in Chiang Mai, I've narrowed my list down to these:

Sit Thailand

Sedthee

Chang Puak

Manop

Weeraphat

A little about me:

-This will be my first time training in Thailand.

-I'm planning to stay for about a month (late July through late August).

-Goals: build discipline, eat good, get some writing done in my downtime, and potentially have my first fight if the coaches feel I'm ready. I'm not looking to force it.

Why I landed on these after reading many posts:

1. Fits my Budget
2. A gym that isn't overly touristy or overcrowded.
3. Good coaching with enough individual attention.
4. Somewhere that would be open to helping a foreign beginner work toward a fight if I earn the opportunity.
5. Hope that they are within walking distance of affordable housing and food. I’m planning to rent my own room nearby, not stay at gym accommodation.
6. Being close to nature is a big plus.

I'm not going to Thailand for nightlife or partying. Honestly, my ideal routine is train, eat, recover, write, sleep, and repeat. On Sundays, if I have the energy, I'd love to explore a temple, a local market, or just enjoy Chiang Mai.

I've also heard having a Big C nearby is convenient for groceries. If anyone has recommendations for simple, healthy meals to cook while training (I'd like to avoid relying on a microwave), I'd love to hear them too.

One thing that surprised me is how often Sit Thailand gets recommended whenever people ask for gyms that aren't overly touristy or crowded, even though it's close to the airport. That made me keep it on my shortlist.

I've also read that Weeraphat is in a quieter, more mountainous area, which sounds appealing, but I'm curious whether there are affordable accommodations and places to eat nearby.

I also plan to spend my first few days doing drop-in sessions before committing to a gym, since many of these are spread out around Chiang Mai.

If you've trained at any of these gyms or think another gym better fits what I'm looking for, I would really appreciate your thoughts. Which one do you think best matches these priorities, and why?

I’m heading to Chiang Mai for just under a month to train in two weeks and I had a few questions around food, fasting, and “clean” eating while training.

A bit about me:

• I’ve had issues with overeating in the past (bloating, feeling sleepy), and I’ve been better at eating until satisfied instead of stuffed.
• I often do intermittent fasting—sometimes 1 meal a day, sometimes 2 (with a smoothie as a light “breakfast”)—because I like doing my morning workouts on a lighter stomach.
• This is my first time training. I have boxing experience and muay thai experience at local gyms of about 6 months each. But nothing compared to what I see here in Thailand. But Im physically active.

I see people eat a lot more once they start training, which makes sense. I’m trying to understand how people manage that while keeping things clean and not feeling heavy all the time.

My questions:

1. Training schedule vs. meal timing Many gyms have early morning sessions starting at 7-8am and afternoon sessions that finish around 7–8 p.m.
   • Are you eating a full meal after the evening session and then going to sleep relatively soon, to be up again for morning training?
   • Do you prefer to do breakfast after training, or eat before morning class?
   • Did you keep any “rules” like not eating heavy within 3–4 hours of sleep (my personal rule), or did those go out the window once you were in a full training rhythm and didn't notice it have an affect?
2. Intermittent fasting while training Has anyone done intermittent fasting (e.g., 16:8, OMAD, or 2 meals a day) while doing Muay Thai in Thailand? I don't expect this to be strict for myself while out there. Im willing to break it. Just curious
   • How did it affect your energy, recovery, and focus?
   • Any tips on adjusting the fasting window so you’re not under-fueled for training but still feel light enough to move?reddit+2
3. “Clean” food options in Chiang Mai on a budget I know Thailand has amazing food, but I’m hoping to keep it clean:
   • Mostly whole foods, no fried/greasy stuff.
   • No processed foods, is the MSG unavoidable?
   • What kinds of spots or typical meals worked well for you (veg-friendly street stalls, khao soi variations, smoothie/juice bars, vegan restaurants, etc.)?
   • Should I buy from a market to have some snacks and fast cooking options the days I dont want to eat out?
   • Is it realistic to eat this way on a budget while training, and if so, what did your average daily food spend look like?
4. *Also, I’ve been vegan for the last 5 years, which has helped me a lot, but outside the US I’m open to occasionally trying something native to the country (ex. two years ago in Greece I had a few seafood/lamb dishes because it was locally sourced) if it makes sense

*I’m not looking to debate vegan vs. non-vegan here. If you don’t resonate with that part, no pressure to respond. I’m mainly hoping to hear from people who’ve actually trained in Thailand and have experience with clean eating, meal timing around sessions, and/or intermittent fasting while training.

I land via a domestic Jetblue flight on a Sunday 10:25am. International Flight via Cathay at 1:25am next morning. I only have a Capital One Venture (not Venture X) card. Their site says I could access their lounge for a $45 fee (Virgin Atlantic Club Lounge I believe?)

What I would like:
-Grab a bite
-Shower
-Take a good nap before my 14 hour international flight (priority-i don't get good quality sleep on long flights)

Upon returning I also have another layover in LAX (land 7pm, fly out domestic JFK 6am next day). So I am thinking about being in this position twice

I checked Dayuse and only hotels that are available for a stay past 5pm average $100-$116. I'd like to save as much as possible but don't mind spending to put towards rest and a shower.

Going far from the airport (to the spa, etc) is out of the question. Has anyone been to this lounge? Is it worth it for what I am looking for or just shell out the extra for a hotel?

Also saw this Priority Pass membership site. Monthly membership looks to be $99/month. If the lounges are decent place to rest, maybe I could sign up, pay the $99 for both layovers and cancel after that? I don't travel much. Open to hearing from someone who has experience in these LAX lounges.

NOTE: Thanks for the responses. No I cannot change the flight at this point and while its great to see so many good suggestions of things to do in the area, my priority for me is rest (sleep) since I don't sleep well on long flights. So last thing I want to do is move around, deal with car rentals, and different local commutes.

I’m flying to Chiang Mai Thailand for about a month of Muay Thai and writing at the end of July. I’ve been reading a lot of threads here and keep seeing two main pieces of advice:

• Don’t commit to a gym until you’ve visited a few and felt them out.
• Try to stay walking distance from your gym and avoid relying heavily on scooters because of accidents.

That makes sense to me, but I’m trying to understand how people practically handle housing around that.

My situation:

• I haven’t booked housing yet.
• I’d like a (at least mostly) private place (not gym dorms), where I can rest, write, and not be in a party environment.
• This trip isn’t about nightlife or tourism; it’s mostly training, nature and focus.
• I’d like to walk to training if possible.

Questions:

1. If I arrive, visit a few gyms first and then choose one, how realistic is it to find housing nearby afterward, for a full month, without everything being booked?
2. Or is it smarter to pick a few gyms in the same general area online, book housing near them first, and then check those gyms out once I land?
3. For people who didn’t stay in gym accommodations, how did you balance the “try gyms first” advice with needing to lock in a place to live?

Any specific neighborhoods or approaches you’d recommend for someone who wants privacy, walkability to training, and a low‑key, non‑party environment would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance for any insight.