Local Services

Master Toddy’s Muay Thai Gym is situated in the heart of Bangkok – close to the BTS, shopping complexes and tourist attractions. This means that you don’t have to travel too far to find the services and products you need to get the most out of your muay thai fitness training holiday! Most of the local shopping centres and convenience stores carry western products – if you need something extraordinary, its not too far of a trip to hop on the BTS into Siam where all the upmarket department stores and IT products are. Here is a list of some of the things you may need during your stay in Bangkok, and where you can find them in the vicinity of Master Toddy’s Gym!

1.   Hairdresser / Barber: All major shopping complexes have hairdressers and barbers inside. MBK is the best option for English speaking hairdressers and getting what you want. Otherwise, walking around the local streets, you will see striped barber poles out the front of stores to indicate they are hairdressers / barbers. Most do not speak English, though, so best to bring a photo of what you want and get them to copy it. A basic hair cut with clippers for a man is usually around 50B.

2.   DVDs: You cannot rent DVDs in Bangkok – Your best option is to buy the copied DVDs from the top floor of Samrong Imperial Big C shopping center, or upstairs at MBK. It is approximately 60 – 100B per DVD.

3.   Massage: There are thai massage places in Imperial Samrong & Central City Bang Na. Master Toddy can also organize for a professional thai masseuse to come to your room at the Gym.

4.   Mobile Phones / Cell Phones: To use your existing mobile phone in Thailand, you will need a thai SIM card, or having international roaming enabled on your phone. The cheapest option is to buy a pre-paid SIM card at any 7/11 or Family Mart – I recommend the carrier ‘True’. To use this SIM card, your phone will need to be unlocked – you can get your phone unlocked for around 300B upstairs at Samrong Imperial and MBK, or else you can buy a cheap unlocked phone. Credit can be purchased over the counter at 7/11 – ask for your carrier name and “top-up” and the amount. If you have trouble, just show your phone to the 7/11 clerk and they should be able to understand. To call your country, dialing instructions are in the booklet that comes with the SIM card.

5.   Laundry: You can wash your own clothes using the washing machines outside the 108 Shop on the corner of this street – it is 30B per 7kg load (10B coins only). You can buy washing powder and fabric softener from the 108 Shop.

6.   Tattoos: If you are interested in getting ‘Sak Yant’ thai traditional tattoos, the restaurant owner next to the motorcycle taxi stand around the corner from the gym can organize to take you on a day trip to get an authentic traditional tattoo. If you are after standard tattoos, there are numerous tattoo shops along Khao San Road, and in MBK.

7.   Money Exchange/Banks/ATMs: There are banks and ATMs located at Samrong Imperial Big C & Central World Bang Na shopping centers. You can exchange money at the bank. All ATMs have English language options, and are safe to use. Nearly all 7/11, Family Mart and other major convenience store chains have an ATM inside or outside.

8.   Pharmacies & Hospitals: There is a local doctor clinic that Pi Jean takes the fighters to, please speak to her if you need to see a doctor. A good hospital is Bangkok Hospital at Thanon Phetchaburi, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang – clean and modern facilities, with English speaking staff. Pharmacies can be found in all shopping centres. Samrong Imperial has a ‘Boots’ franchise pharmacy, and a pharmacy inside the Big C department store. All major convenience stores, including 7/11, sell paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, and travel sickness medication.

1.   Hairdresser / Barber: All major shopping complexes have hairdressers and barbers inside. MBK is the best option for English speaking hairdressers and getting what you want. Otherwise, walking around the local streets, you will see striped barber poles out the front of stores to indicate they are hairdressers / barbers. Most do not speak English, though, so best to bring a photo of what you want and get them to copy it. A basic hair cut with clippers for a man is usually around 50B.

2.   DVDs: You cannot rent DVDs in Bangkok – Your best option is to buy the copied DVDs from the top floor of Samrong Imperial Big C shopping center, or upstairs at MBK. It is approximately 60 – 100B per DVD.

3.   Massage: There are thai massage places in Imperial Samrong & Central City Bang Na. Master Toddy can also organize for a professional thai masseuse to come to your room at the Gym.

4.   Mobile Phones / Cell Phones: To use your existing mobile phone in Thailand, you will need a thai SIM card, or having international roaming enabled on your phone. The cheapest option is to buy a pre-paid SIM card at any 7/11 or Family Mart – I recommend the carrier ‘True’. To use this SIM card, your phone will need to be unlocked – you can get your phone unlocked for around 300B upstairs at Samrong Imperial and MBK, or else you can buy a cheap unlocked phone. Credit can be purchased over the counter at 7/11 – ask for your carrier name and “top-up” and the amount. If you have trouble, just show your phone to the 7/11 clerk and they should be able to understand. To call your country, dialing instructions are in the booklet that comes with the SIM card.

5.   Laundry: You can wash your own clothes using the washing machines outside the 108 Shop on the corner of this street – it is 30B per 7kg load (10B coins only). You can buy washing powder and fabric softener from the 108 Shop.

6.   Tattoos: If you are interested in getting ‘Sak Yant’ thai traditional tattoos, the restaurant owner next to the motorcycle taxi stand around the corner from the gym can organize to take you on a day trip to get an authentic traditional tattoo. If you are after standard tattoos, there are numerous tattoo shops along Khao San Road, and in MBK.

7.   Money Exchange/Banks/ATMs: There are banks and ATMs located at Samrong Imperial Big C & Central World Bang Na shopping centers. You can exchange money at the bank. All ATMs have English language options, and are safe to use. Nearly all 7/11, Family Mart and other major convenience store chains have an ATM inside or outside.

8.   Pharmacies & Hospitals: There is a local doctor clinic that Pi Jean takes the fighters to, please speak to her if you need to see a doctor. A good hospital is Bangkok Hospital at Thanon Phetchaburi, Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang – clean and modern facilities, with English speaking staff. Pharmacies can be found in all shopping centres. Samrong Imperial has a ‘Boots’ franchise pharmacy, and a pharmacy inside the Big C department store. All major convenience stores, including 7/11, sell paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, and travel sickness medication.