Between takes on Netflix's "Extraction 3", Chris Hemsworth has been getting his workout fix the Thai way. The Australian actor, in Bangkok to film the third instalment of the action-thriller franchise, shared videos on Oct 7 of himself training Muay Thai at a local gym, hitting pads with his training partner Boonsanong Borchae. He thanked his "good mate" in the caption, giving the sport yet another boost of Hollywood visibility.
The 43-year-old, best known as Thor in the Marvel films, plays Tyler Rake in the Extraction series — a former soldier turned mercenary who takes on high-stakes rescue missions. It's a physically demanding role, and training in the sport's home country clearly appealed to him. Filming of Extraction 3 is scheduled to wrap on Friday.
Thailand has quietly become a favourite backdrop for the franchise. The first Extraction film, released in 2020, was largely shot in Ratchaburi, a province west of Bangkok known for its riverside scenery and old-town charm. With the third film back in the capital, the series has now put two very different sides of Thailand on screen for a global Netflix audience.
For travellers, Hemsworth's pit stop is a nudge towards an experience that's genuinely accessible. Muay Thai gyms across Bangkok welcome visitors of all levels — from complete beginners wanting a one-off pad session to serious travellers booking week-long training camps. Many gyms offer drop-in classes for a few hundred baht, and a session with a trainer is one of the best workouts you can get while travelling. Beyond the capital, camps in places like Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui cater specifically to foreigners, often bundling training with accommodation.
If you'd rather watch than sweat, Bangkok's big stadium fights — at venues like Rajadamnern and Lumpinee — run several nights a week and give you an atmosphere that television can't quite capture. And for film-location hunters, Ratchaburi makes an easy day trip from Bangkok: think the Damnoen Saduak floating market, cave temples and a slower pace than the capital.
Hemsworth's gym session is the kind of celebrity travel moment that could push more visitors to try Muay Thai for themselves. The good news is you don't need to be a Marvel superhero — or a mercenary — to give it a go. Plenty of gyms run beginner-friendly sessions, gloves and pads are provided, and an hour on the pads will teach you more about Thai culture than a souvenir shop ever could.
Whether the film crew's presence leaves a lasting mark on Bangkok tourism remains to be seen, but Thailand's pull as both an action-movie set and a martial-arts training ground is only growing. If it's good enough for Tyler Rake, it's probably worth adding to your itinerary.
