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| Image courtesy of One Yoga Thailand |
If you’re searching for the best yoga teacher training in Thailand, this curated list is for you. You’ll find some of the top-rated 200-hour yoga TTCs in Thailand’s favorite spots for yogis. Whether you’re into Vinyasa, Ashtanga, or Hatha Yoga, this YTT guide has something for you.
And in case you’re wondering, most of these schools and retreat centers also offer 300-hour and even 500-hour YTTs. Some also offer specialized trainings in Pranayama and Yin Yoga.
So, I hope this list helps you discover your ideal YTT in Thailand, or that it at least gives you a good starting point for your research.
Make sure you bookmark this page so you can come back to it whenever you need to. Or just save the link in your favorite notes app. Who uses bookmarks nowadays anyway?
A quick note on terminology: YTT stands for Yoga Teacher Training, while TTC stands for Teacher Training Course. I use both abbreviations frequently throughout this article to refer to yoga teacher training programs.
Where to do a Yoga Teacher Training Course in Thailand?
The yoga schools or retreat centers included in this list are located in four very different destinations: Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Phuket.
Each place offers a different experience, so it really depends on the kind of environment you’re looking for during your yoga teacher training.
Chiang Mai is Thailand’s cultural heart in the north. Surrounded by mountains, rice fields, and lush countryside, it offers a very different experience from the country’s tropical islands.
The city has a strong wellness scene, with yoga studios, meditation centers, vegetarian cafés, and plenty of opportunities to explore Thai culture.
If you enjoy being close to nature while still having access to a lively city with good food and plenty to do, Chiang Mai could be an excellent choice.
The countryside around Chiang Mai is particularly beautiful, and a training outside the city can offer a peaceful, retreat-like atmosphere.
There’s one important thing to keep in mind when planning your trip, though. March and April are usually the worst months for air pollution in Chiang Mai, due to seasonal agricultural burning and forest fires.
If you’re considering a YTT in Chiang Mai, I’d try to avoid this period and check the air quality before booking your trip.
Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s most developed tropical islands, with beautiful beaches, palm trees, ocean views, and a wide range of resorts, restaurants, and wellness facilities.
It’s a great destination if you want to combine your yoga teacher training with a comfortable tropical holiday. You can find everything from quiet beachfront retreats to upscale resorts with fitness centers, swimming pools, and excellent restaurants.
Samui also offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy your free time, whether you prefer relaxing on the beach, exploring the island, or trying other activities.
If you want a yoga training experience that combines personal growth with a little luxury and comfort, Koh Samui might be just what you’re looking for.
Koh Phangan has a more laid-back, alternative atmosphere and is particularly popular among yogis.
The island has a well-established yoga community, with retreat centers, meditation spaces, healthy cafés, and plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded people.
Away from the busier areas, you’ll find quiet beaches, lush tropical hills, and secluded spots where you can slow down and focus on your practice.
Koh Phangan is also famous for its Full Moon Party, but this is only one side of the island.
If you’re looking for a more immersive yoga experience, you can choose a school in a quieter area and enjoy a peaceful island lifestyle while still having access to a vibrant community of international yoga practitioners.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and one of its most popular beach destinations. It’s more developed and touristy than Koh Phangan, with a wide range of beaches, restaurants, resorts, and activities.
For a yoga teacher training, Phuket can be a good choice if you want to combine an intensive course with the convenience of a well-connected holiday destination.
Depending on where you stay, you can enjoy a lively beach atmosphere or find a quieter retreat surrounded by tropical greenery, with beautiful ocean views.
There are also plenty of opportunities to explore beyond your yoga practice, from visiting different beaches to taking boat trips to nearby islands.
If you like having a variety of activities and amenities available during your free time, Phuket offers plenty of options.
Ultimately, I’d choose Chiang Mai for its cultural atmosphere and connection with nature, Koh Phangan for its established yoga community and laid-back lifestyle, and Koh Samui or Phuket if I wanted to combine my training with a more resort-style tropical holiday.
Which YTT in Thailand would I choose?
Although I’m curating this list of the best yoga TTCs in Thailand for a broad audience, I can’t help daydreaming about the places I’d personally like to visit while doing my research.
So, from this carefully selected list, these are the three places that appeal to me the most.
My first choice would be Suan Sati, in Chiang Mai. I love its rustic facilities surrounded by rice fields. It reminds me of my time teaching yoga at Angkor Zen, in Siem Reap, which unfortunately closed several years ago.
Their programs also appeal to me because Will, the founder, began his journey with meditation, just like I did, and because they place a strong emphasis on Bhakti Yoga.
My second choice would be Vikasa, in Koh Samui. I like the idea of doing a unique Hatha Yoga TTC while at the same time enjoying a fantastic holiday experience at an outstanding resort with a top-notch vegan restaurant (also offering non-veg protein options), ocean views, and a private beach.
My third choice would be Samahita Retreat, also in Koh Samui. I’d definitely make good use of its ocean-view fitness center during my free time while doing the YTT.
I also appreciate having additional protein options alongside their nourishing vegan and vegetarian meals, and their team of senior, highly experienced teachers would put my mind at ease.
7 Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Thailand
So here is my curated list of the best yoga teacher training courses in Thailand. I selected these schools based on online reviews, choosing only those with a rating of at least 4.5 stars on BookRetreats, Google Maps, or other platforms.
I read countless reviews to give you a solid overview of each training and its location. I also read the schools’ detailed descriptions of their training programs to get a clear picture of what they offer.
It wasn’t easy to find YTTs that I’d genuinely want to include in this list. Although many schools offer yoga TTCs in Thailand, most of the online reviews you find are for their courses or retreats in other locations, such as India or Bali. Many also use temporary locations that change with each season.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I prefer to include programs that are primarily based in Thailand or have a regular presence there, preferably at their own resort. This way, I can be more confident that the experience will be consistent regardless of when you book your training.
Disclaimer: I’ve included links to the schools’ BookRetreats pages. These are affiliate links, which means that if you book a course through one of them, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Also, please note that prices change frequently. The “starting at” price I've included for each 200-hour TTC is for reference only. It was the lowest available price at the time of writing.
One Yoga Thailand, Koh Phangan
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| Image courtesy of One Yoga Thailand |
⇒ 28 Day 200-Hour Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training starting at $2,299
One Yoga Thailand runs their teacher training courses at their beachfront property with its own private beach. It has three large yoga halls and a meditation room, all offering ocean views.
The main hall used during the 200-hour TTC is the Sky Shala, with AC. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding nature, along with a partial ocean view. However, the best ocean views are from the two other shalas.
The Beach Shala, located by their private beach, is mainly used for the practicum during the TTC or for smaller trainings, like their 50-hour Yin Yoga TTC.
The Ocean Shala, which has the best ocean views, is mainly used for retreats and drop-in classes. You might be able to use it for self-practice during your TTC, but the classes are usually held at the Sky Shala.
They offer a wide variety of accommodation options for all budgets, from beachfront bungalows to a two-level private residence with ocean views.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a good variety of fruit. Many past students mention the delicious food as a highlight of their stay. Even students who aren’t vegetarian praise the food.
Keep in mind that the training includes only breakfast and lunch, six days a week. For dinner and on days off, you’re free to explore the many restaurants nearby that also offer vegan options.
They have around 10 teachers from very different backgrounds; some from Thailand and others from abroad. Students appreciate this diversity and often praise their favorite teachers in their reviews.
One Yoga Thailand offers 200-hour, 300-hour, and 500-hour multi-style Yoga TTCs, mainly focused on Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow, with an introduction to Yin and Restorative Yoga.
After completing the Yoga TTC, you can stay and offer free yoga classes to the community or join a volunteer program.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
House of Om, Koh Phangan
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| Image courtesy of House of Om |
⇒ 20 Day 200-Hour Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training starting at $2,320
House of Om, the popular YTT and retreat center in Bali, also offers YTTs in Thailand, at its gorgeous beachfront location on Bovy Beach, in the northwest of Koh Phangan.
The property blends beautifully into the surrounding nature and greenery. All the buildings use natural materials such as dark wood, bamboo, and thatched roofs. Stone pathways wind through the gardens, giving the place a rustic feel.
There is an oceanfront yoga shala that sits high above the water on wooden stilts, offering wide-open views of the ocean.
They also have a large, bright, sheltered yoga shala with a high wooden roof featuring exposed beams and natural thatch, and a smooth, light-colored concrete floor. It includes ceiling fans and large windows fitted with mosquito nets.
The training offers several accommodation options, from four-bed dorms to twin rooms and private deluxe rooms. Every room reflects the retreat’s earthy style, with warm wood finishes, woven bamboo walls, and soft lighting.
They all come equipped with clean, modern bathrooms, and many include small bamboo porches where you can sit and enjoy the surrounding nature.
If you book the course during the early bird period and pay in full, you also get lifetime access to their 200-hour online YTT materials.
You can also choose to pay only for the training and find your own accommodation. Luckily, there are many guesthouses within walking distance of the retreat center.
The training includes fresh and varied vegetarian breakfasts and lunches (including eggs), served buffet-style and prepared with organic ingredients.
Some students not only praise the food but also mention the friendly, smiling Thai staff serving them.
For dinner and during your days off, you can explore the many restaurants and cafés near the retreat center.
House of Om Thailand offers a 20-day, 200-hour multi-style yoga teacher training focused on Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga Yoga (half primary series).
They also offer a more affordable hybrid 200-hour Yoga TTC, which includes 10 days of in-person training, with the remaining theory modules completed online. You can start the online portion before or after the residential training.
I think it’s a really nice gesture that they offer a 50% scholarship for Thai citizens, as well as one full scholarship every month for a Thai student to join their trainings.
The teaching team is very international and also includes teachers from Thailand. In their reviews, students often highlight how present, genuine, inspiring, and knowledgeable the teachers are.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
⇒ Or save 5% with code MARCO761 using this or any House of Om link above
Suan Sati, Chiang Mai
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| Image courtesy of Suan Sati |
⇒ 27 Day 200-Hour Multi-Style Yoga Teacher Training starting at $3,350
Suan Sati Yoga Retreat Center is located in a paradisiacal, peaceful setting, about 45 min from Chiang Mai. It’s truly immersed in nature, surrounded by rice fields and hills in the distance.
They have 5-star rating from 480 reviews on Google Maps, and 5-star from 80 reviews on BookRetreats, but most of them are for their meditation and yoga retreats. Only a handful are for their yoga TTC, but they are all very positive.
The yoga shala is a stunning dark wood structure built on stilts right over the water, giving you the feeling that you’re floating right next to the rice fields.
It feels like a temple because its roof mimics Thai temple architecture, and its large windows offer breathtaking views of the mountains and the surrounding nature, particularly during sunrise and sunset.
They offer accommodations for all budgets: two eight-bed dormitories with shared bathrooms and nearby showers, a shared roundhouse, and a queen room with AC.
Don’t expect luxury, but all the rooms are all well designed, with gorgeous, warm earth tones, smooth, polished concrete floors, and textured golden-yellow walls that make them feel super cozy and connected to the surrounding nature.
Every building in the retreat center is connected by wooden boardwalks, allowing you to walk right over the rice fields regardless of the season.
The training includes three nutritious and abundant vegan meals per day, served buffet style and prepared using mostly local, organic ingredients. The food is one of the highlights of the retreat center. Many guests say it’s the best vegan food they’ve had at any retreat.
You also have access to an ice bath once a week, on your day off.
Suan Sati offers meditation and yoga retreats throughout the year, a 50-hour Bhakti Yoga TTC, and 200-hour Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with an emphasis on Vipassana meditation and Bhakti Yoga. The courses are led mainly by Will and Lisa, the founders of Suan Sati.
Will’s approach to yoga is deeply influenced by his background in Vipassana meditation, which he practiced for several years within the Thai Theravada Buddhist tradition before fully embracing yoga.
His yoga classes combine deliberate, mindful sequences with an emphasis on meditation, awareness, and the spiritual aspects of yoga. Buddhist meditation and a deep connection with nature remain central to his personal practice and the philosophy behind Suan Sati.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
Yoga Vidya Mandiram (Yoga Samaadhi), Chiang Mai
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| Image courtesy of Yoga Vidya Mandiram (Yoga Samaadhi) |
⇒ 22 Day 200-Hour Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga TTC starting at $ 2,090
Yoga Vidya Mandiram is one of the top schools I included in my first article, Best Yoga TTC in India. They are based in Rishikesh but also offer yoga TTCs in Thailand.
In Thailand, they operate under the name Yoga Samaadhi, but it’s essentially the same school. The certificates are issued under the name Yoga Vidya Mandiram. Both schools were founded by Acarya Candramani, whom I met many years ago at an ashram in Rishikesh.
The trainings take place at the Mae Win Resort, a family-owned resort in a fairly remote area, about 55 kms from Chiang Mai. It’s ideal for fully immersing yourself in the program without distractions while enjoying the beautiful, lush green views in every direction
The resort has traditional Thai-style bungalows, offering simple single rooms, shared twin rooms, and triple dorm rooms with fans, attached bathrooms, and mosquito nets on windows and doors.
The 100% veg meals are delicious, nourishing, and buffet-style, so you can eat to your heart’s content. Meals also include plenty of fruit.
Although the resort restaurant does offer non-vegetarian food, students who join the TTC must follow the school rules, which include eating a 100% vegetarian diet during the training, with no eggs allowed either.
Keep in mind that although most of the resort’s capacity is reserved for the school during the yoga TTCs, outside guests may still be staying at the resort. They are free to eat non-vegetarian food or even consume alcohol.
The school in Thailand offers a variety of programs, including retreats and 50-hour, 100-hour, 200-hour, 300-hour, and 500-hour Yoga TTCs focused on Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
All Yoga Training, Phuket
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| Image courtesy of All Yoga Training |
⇒ 23-day 200-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga TTC starting at $ 2650
All Yoga Training runs their YTT at their beachfront yoga shala in Panwa Beach, Phuket. They are also featured in my article about the best YTTs in Bali.
The shala sits literally right next to the beach, so you get to enjoy beautiful sunrises, feel the fresh ocean breeze, and hear the gentle sound of the waves during your training.
The shala is built with thick wooden tree trunks as pillars that hold up a high roof, with a nice, smooth concrete floor. One side opens completely toward the water, giving you a direct view of the ocean, and they have woven blinds you can roll down when the sun gets too bright.
The shala and all facilities are shared with their sister yoga school, Yoga Love Phuket, which offers classes and YTTs in Thai.
The facilities include an ice bath, a sauna, and even a saltwater swimming pool. The pool is an above-ground deck pool wrapped in wood paneling, right out back behind the yoga shala.
They have three shared bungalows for 4 students each. So in total they have a maximum capacity of 12 students on-site. The bungalows are bright and comfy, with AC and attached bathrooms. Two of them use bunk beds.
A nice bonus is that the first 10 students to sign up for their Yoga TTC get on-site accommodation for free. But don’t worry if you are unable to get a bed in one of the bungalows, or if you prefer private accommodation. All Yoga Training can help you find a room in one of the guesthouses nearby.
Surrounding the shala and the bungalows is an open yard with soft grass and big leafy trees, so you can move around barefoot all day long if you wish.
The training includes only healthy snacks, fresh fruit, and drinks, but there are plenty of budget-friendly restaurants nearby where you can get brunch and dinner. Most are about a 10-min walk away.
You can also order lunch from their in-house Thai menu, or use a local app to get food delivered.
All Yoga Training offers 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Phuket. Another highlight is that the group sizes are kept to a maximum of 18 students.
Their location in Phuket is only about a year old. This means the facilities are pretty new, but this also means they have very few online reviews for their YTTs. Luckily, all the reviews I found for their 200-hour program in Thailand are five stars.
One thing I noticed is that most reviews praise the outstanding quality of the teachers, particularly Michelle and Toon, and also the well-structured, organized, and professional program.
Be aware that although the training includes Vinyasa, Rocket, and Yin Yoga sessions, it’s mainly focused on the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series.
One reviewer complained that their website doesn’t make it very clear that this is an Ashtanga YTT and not a Vinyasa YTT. I agree, but now you know.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
⇒ Or save $200 by applying directly on All Yoga Training and entering MARCO as your referral
Vikasa, Koh Samui
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| Image courtesy of Vikasa |
⇒ 21-day 200-hour Foundation Yoga Teacher Training starting at $ 3,910
Vikasa is not simply a yoga school and retreat center, but an outstanding expansive resort located on the southeastern coast of Koh Samui, about a 20-minute drive from Koh Samui International Airport.
The retreat facilities are spread across the slopes of a small hill, offering spectacular, unobstructed views of the ocean. It has an infinity pool, a pool bar, its own white-sand private beach, and even its own spa, Vita Spa, offering a variety of Thai treatments.
There are four spacious, fully equipped yoga shalas with mats, props, water filters, towels, ceiling fans, AC, and either nature or ocean views.
Food at Vikasa is definitely a highlight for all guests and yoga TTC participants.
The training includes a plant-based brunch, dinner, and afternoon snacks, carefully crafted by their German chef and served buffet style at the Vikasa Life Café, which offers panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand.
The food is abundant, fresh, health-conscious, and diverse, prepared mostly with locally sourced ingredients.
But here is what makes this place so unique. Brunch and dinner also include one made-to-order main dish, which can be vegetarian, vegan, raw, or even include eggs, fish, or chicken. The menu is still 80% plant-based, but having the option to have animal protein sets this place apart.
And if somehow you are still hungry, you can always order à la carte at any time during the day. Be aware that the Life Café is very popular in the area, so it also welcomes outside guests.
They offer different types of accommodation, all with AC and either ocean or garden views. Their budget options are the “Yoga Caves.” These are single private rooms that are a lot nicer than you might expect, with shared bathrooms.
Their high-end options are the “Lotus Pad” rooms, which are conveniently located right between the infinity pool and the spa. Some of them have their own private balcony.
Vikasa offers several different programs, including 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, as well as ongoing retreats and other 100-hour programs. If you join their in-person 200-hour YTT, you also get lifetime access to their online 200-hour YTT, which normally costs $2,000.
In their YTTs, they teach what they call the “VIKASA Method.” Kosta Miachin, the founder of Vikasa, developed this method after earning certifications from several different schools and traditions. It is based on classical Hatha Yoga, with influences from Buddhism and Taoism.
Their website describes it very clearly: “Classes are characterized by long asana holds, slow but graceful, flowing movement, closed eyes and verbal cues to guide the breath and encourage inner reflection and contemplation.”
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
Samahita Retreat, Ko Samui
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| Image courtesy of Samahita |
⇒ 15-Day 200-Hour Hybrid Hatha Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training starting at $2,990
Samahita Retreat is located in a peaceful and quiet area, right in front of the beach, on the south coast of Koh Samui, 45 min from the airport.
It looks like a modern, refined wellness resort. It has the polished finish and clean aesthetics of a contemporary boutique hotel, but without any flashy, opulence-for-the-sake-of-opulence clutter. It has a super open, relaxed vibe that blends into the surrounding greenery.
And the facilities include everything you could possibly need during your stay. There are four yoga shalas, an indoor cycle studio with AC, a sea-view fitness center with dumbbells, cable machines, and more, a beachfront pool, a cold plunge tank, and a lot more. Seriously, a lot more.
As you can probably tell from the list of facilities, one unique aspect of this retreat center is that, besides yoga and breath training, they also offer fitness programs focused on strength training, including HIIT and Tabata workouts.
They offer different types of private or shared rooms for their YTT students. The rooms themselves keep that same simple, clean look with lots of natural light, bright white walls, smooth concrete beds and closets, and nice wooden furniture. They feel uncluttered and airy.
The Yoga TTC includes vegetarian and vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner served buffet style and prepared using fresh, local ingredients.
One nice perk for those who prefer more protein in their diet is that you can order eggs any style during breakfast. And for dinner, you can also order additional protein, including tofu, fish, prawn, or poultry.
Samahita offers several different types of programs and retreats, including 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training focused on Hatha Vinyasa, as well as Breath Teacher Training.
The 200-hour YTT is hybrid, meaning that part of the training takes place online and part takes place on-site at Samahita’s retreat center.
Samahita’s founder is Dr. Paul Dallaghan, a student of Sri O.P. Tiwari, a master of pranayama and chairman of the Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who developed the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method. According to their website, Paul received certifications from both of them.
His training system is called Centered Yoga. “Centered” is the school’s interpretation of the Sanskrit word Samahita.
I find it very interesting that the 200-hour YTT program includes 15 minutes of core work and preparatory sequences, which form part of the final assessment. I like their emphasis on learning how to activate and stabilize the core.
Also, since Paul is a serious pranayama practitioner, there is a strong emphasis on pranayama practices and developing proper breathing.
The entire teaching team is made up of teachers with many years of experience, most of them former students of Paul.
⇒ Click here for photos, reviews, inquiries, or to check availability
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve found my curated list of the best yoga teacher training courses in Thailand useful. Feel free to share it with anyone who might be interested in doing a yoga TTC in a tropical destination.
And if you’re open to exploring other destinations in Asia, you might like my other popular articles:
- 10 Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Bali
- 7 Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Rishikesh
- 15 Best Yoga Teacher Training Courses in India
If you’d like more personal recommendations for yoga teacher trainings and retreats, you can join my email list here. After signing up, you’ll also be able to download my free meditation ebook.
If you decide to book your TTC in Thailand, using one of my links is a simple way to support my work. Thank you so much, and I’d love to hear which school you choose!
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