Chaiyo Muay Thai
Chaiyo Muay Thai Academy, 12260 San Pablo Ave, Suite B, Richmond, CA 94805
About
Chaiyo Muay Thai offers Muaythai Kickboxing and Boxing for all levels, along with Muay Thai and Muaythai Boran “Ancient Boxing” (Muay Boran). The program includes child and youth classes, beginner to competitive muay thai level training, sparring and sparring sessions, self defense classes, and private one-on-one training.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: $30 drop in class
The program is based at Chaiyo Muay Thai Academy, which includes a ring. The leadership team includes Chansadeth “Cheetah” Chanthanao (Master Cheetah), Deffiny Thakoonsak Soungpanya (also known as “Mrs. Cheetah”), Jacky Chanthanao, Alejandro (Alex) Hernandez, Jesus Sosa, and Grand Master Surachai (Jud) Chanmanee. Chansadeth “Cheetah” Chanthanao has three decades of experience as a fighter and then a trainer, and Master Cheetah brought Muay Thai to the Bay Area in the 1970s and is described in a testimonial as the original Bay Area Muay Thai master. Jacky Chanthanao has over 20 years of experience in muaythai and has earned the title of Kru. Alex Hernandez began training with Master Cheetah at age 14 and competed at an amateur level until his mid-20s. Grand Master Jud Chanmanee is well-known as Buakaw’s godfather and muaythai trainer, and he raised and trained Buakaw to become K1 Muaythai World Champion in 2001.
According to the program’s mission statement, the trainers bring expertise, passion, and dedication to Muay Thai, with diverse backgrounds and years of experience, and they embody values of discipline, respect, and cultural appreciation. The mission statement also notes that each trainer has a unique story and shares a commitment to helping students grow in skill, strength, and character. One of the program’s stated focuses is providing authentic Muay Thai, described as the “science of 9 limbs,” using strikes from fists, leg kicks, elbows, knees, and Nak Sou “Soul.” Alex Hernandez emphasizes that “technique always overcomes brute force, and hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and the training environment is described as emphasizing respect and hard training and helping to improve daily lives.
In a testimonial, one parent observed many child and youth classes and described the gym as very versatile, with training from beginner to competitive muay thai level and lots of sparring sessions. Another testimonial describes Chaiyo Muay Thai as the most non-ego driven and respectful gym the reviewer had been to, and mentions that classes are adjusted to students’ skill levels. A reviewer who attended a self defense class noted that the class had about 20 students and that, in one class, they learned to round-house kick and throw punches and kicks while being guided by Master Cheetah. Multiple testimonials mention Master Cheetah and “Mrs. Cheetah” as kind, accommodating, and welcoming, and one notes that Master Cheetah responded to a phone message within a couple of hours and arranged a $30 drop-in class. Another testimonial encourages others to “come try it with Master Cheetah and all the awesome folks here,” and mentions that people with no experience or a lot of experience are training there.
Last updated May 10, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: $30 drop in class
The program is based at Chaiyo Muay Thai Academy, which includes a ring. The leadership team includes Chansadeth “Cheetah” Chanthanao (Master Cheetah), Deffiny Thakoonsak Soungpanya (also known as “Mrs. Cheetah”), Jacky Chanthanao, Alejandro (Alex) Hernandez, Jesus Sosa, and Grand Master Surachai (Jud) Chanmanee. Chansadeth “Cheetah” Chanthanao has three decades of experience as a fighter and then a trainer, and Master Cheetah brought Muay Thai to the Bay Area in the 1970s and is described in a testimonial as the original Bay Area Muay Thai master. Jacky Chanthanao has over 20 years of experience in muaythai and has earned the title of Kru. Alex Hernandez began training with Master Cheetah at age 14 and competed at an amateur level until his mid-20s. Grand Master Jud Chanmanee is well-known as Buakaw’s godfather and muaythai trainer, and he raised and trained Buakaw to become K1 Muaythai World Champion in 2001.
According to the program’s mission statement, the trainers bring expertise, passion, and dedication to Muay Thai, with diverse backgrounds and years of experience, and they embody values of discipline, respect, and cultural appreciation. The mission statement also notes that each trainer has a unique story and shares a commitment to helping students grow in skill, strength, and character. One of the program’s stated focuses is providing authentic Muay Thai, described as the “science of 9 limbs,” using strikes from fists, leg kicks, elbows, knees, and Nak Sou “Soul.” Alex Hernandez emphasizes that “technique always overcomes brute force, and hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” and the training environment is described as emphasizing respect and hard training and helping to improve daily lives.
In a testimonial, one parent observed many child and youth classes and described the gym as very versatile, with training from beginner to competitive muay thai level and lots of sparring sessions. Another testimonial describes Chaiyo Muay Thai as the most non-ego driven and respectful gym the reviewer had been to, and mentions that classes are adjusted to students’ skill levels. A reviewer who attended a self defense class noted that the class had about 20 students and that, in one class, they learned to round-house kick and throw punches and kicks while being guided by Master Cheetah. Multiple testimonials mention Master Cheetah and “Mrs. Cheetah” as kind, accommodating, and welcoming, and one notes that Master Cheetah responded to a phone message within a couple of hours and arranged a $30 drop-in class. Another testimonial encourages others to “come try it with Master Cheetah and all the awesome folks here,” and mentions that people with no experience or a lot of experience are training there.
Last updated May 10, 2026.
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