Actor Tyler Ten heads to Bangkok three to four times a year to train in muay thai

Who: Singaporean actor Tyler Ten, 30, whose breakout role as charismatic gangster Bai A-li in Channel 8’s blockbuster drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (2025) earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the upcoming Star Awards 2026.

The former model got into acting after he was named one of the top 12 finalists in Mediacorp’s talent competition Star Search in 2019. After making his television debut in All Around You in the same year, Ten scored roles in dramas such as In Safe Hands (2021) and All That Glitters (2023).

He reunited with his Emerald Hill love interest Tasha Low in two series – Last But Not Least (2026) and microdrama Bowl Of Love (2026). He is currently in Channel 8 drama Timeless Memories, airing on weekdays at 9pm and on mewatch.

The 1.9m-tall bachelor is also a skilled muay thai practitioner and fitness enthusiast. He is not shy about flaunting his ripped physique, often sharing shirtless photos on Instagram, where he has more than 104,000 followers.

“My idea of a perfect weekend is to travel to Bangkok for a short, focused break, about three to four days, that combines training and food. 

I would hit various muay thai training centres and spend the rest of the time eating my favourite Thai dishes. I love Thai food and I go to Bangkok about three to four times a year alone to train and eat, so it feels like the perfect place for me.

My last trip to Thailand was in December, when I went to Phuket for a photo shoot. I managed to squeeze in some training sessions. 

I started muay thai when I was 13, so it has been about 17 years now. When I was 15 or 16, I even competed locally, but I stopped competing after that. I also stopped hard sparring because of injuries.

Getting cuts and bruises on myself is not good; I need to look after my physical appearance.

Back then, I was very skinny and felt weak, and I wanted to pick up something that would help me protect myself. That was how I discovered muay thai. 

Over time, it has taught me a lot more than just how to fight. I’ve learnt values such as respect and discipline. It has given me confidence and the ability to protect not just myself, but also the people around me.

If I’m in Bangkok, I keep to a structured workout regimen. Typically, I train twice a day – once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. 

I sometimes go to the same muay thai gym for both sessions in a day. Other times, I will switch it up and try a different gym the next day. I don’t stick to one place. I like to visit different gyms because each one has its own culture, trainers and style.

I usually search online for gyms nearby or popular places that people recommend, then I walk in and train. 

I have learnt a lot of different things from training in various gyms and that variety keeps it exciting.

Food is another highlight when I am in Bangkok. I’m more of a noodle person, so pad thai (Thai stir-fried rice noodles) is always something I order whenever I’m in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand. 

Recently, I have also enjoyed krapow (Thai basil chicken). So, between training sessions, you will probably find me refuelling with these dishes.

Muay thai can be tough on the body. Sparring, in particular, can leave me with cuts and bruises. Once, I came out of the ring feeling fine from the adrenaline, only to realise hours later that I could barely walk because my legs were so swollen. 

When I’m in Singapore and my schedule allows, I will work out about three to four times a week. I’m a big advocate of physical fitness. 

In the past, I used to train mainly for aesthetics, just to look good. Now that I’m 30, I care more about my health. 

I exercise to feel good physically and mentally. I do more cardio and functional training, and my sessions are usually around 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes up to two hours.

I recently watched the South Korean reality boxing competition I Am Boxer (2025), which invited celebrities, athletes and influencers to have a bout in the ring. It was very interesting. 

If there is ever a local version of the show, I’ll be the first to sign up.”