Bangkok has the usual array of sporting and fitness activities you’d expect in a city of this size. Bangkok activities include: golf, horse riding, jogging, aerobics, gyms, swimming, spa & health centres, boating and many children’s activities. For those looking for more cultural activities, you can learn traditional Thai massage (or better yet, experience one first-hand) and even sign up for a course in Thai cooking. You can also learn one of several strains of Thai martial arts.
Golf in Bangkok
Thailand offers truly outstanding golf facilities. Wherever you are in the country, it is not difficult to find a golf course nearby. In Bangkok, most courses are located on the outskirts of the city where there is more open space. There are also a number of fine and attractive golf courses in the adjoining provinces, especially in Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani. Apart from enchanting locations, a main advantage of playing golf in Thailand is the low green fees and caddy fees when compared to those in the Western countries.
Horse Riding in Bangkok
Horse Riding can be done at the following equestrian establishments, The Bangkok Equestrian Centre located at 20/1 Moo 2 Soi Chadsanthahanrue, Sukhumwit Soi 102. Horse hire costs around 600 Baht an hour. The other club located near Bangkok is the Garden City Polo Club at 37 Moo 5 Bangna-Trad Road, Tambon Bangpu, where horse hire is 500 Baht and they also teach polo to those interested.
Jogging & Aerobics in Bangkok
These two activities can be done easily in parks scattered around Bangkok. You can find energetic aerobics groups in a park around 5-6 p.m. every day.
Sports Centres in Bangkok
Generally, swimming pools and fitness centres are provided in top-grade hotels. There are also a good number of sports clubs and fitness centres elsewhere around Bangkok, especially in business and tourist districts like Silom, Sukhumwit, etc.
Spas in Bangkok
For those who love to pamper themselves by the spa therapies, there are a good number of spas in Bangkok, many of them attached to first-class hotels. These spas are equipped with hi-tech spa equipment and offer a full range of spa therapies including aromatherapy, herbal therapy, massages, facial and body treatments
Boating in Bangkok
In Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s most popular park, there is a big artificial lake in the centre which is perfect for boating. Boats are available for rent at very reasonable rates. There are similar facilities in Dusit Zoo.
Children’s Activities in Bangkok
At least a dozen fun parks ring the city of Bangkok. They range from older and smaller amusement parks to the giant theme parks erected in the past decade. In addition, a large number shopping malls have amusement parks on their upper floors and roofs. Some children’s activities are:
- Dream World: Bangkok’s newest and largest amusement parks, the most popular ride is the “Big Splash” water flume, the largest in the world. Dream World’s rides are the most technologically advanced in the entertainment industry, while its Dinotopia exhibit takes visitors back 150 million to the Jurassic era when dinosaurs ruled the earth.
- Safari World: An 800,000 square-meter complex in Min Buri, north of Bangkok, Safari World boasts both Asia’s largest open-air zoo and whole-and-dolphin show.
- Siam Park: This is one of the oldest, largest, and most popular amusement and water parks in Thailand. To take the whole sprawling complex, it’s best to take the cable car or the railway that skirts the edge of the park. There are several dozen elaborate rides.
- Planetarium: Located on Sukhumvit Road, this is an exhibition center on a variety of scientific knowledge including astronomy, communication technology, and biology. Visitors can also enjoy seeing an interesting aquarium, a computer world, a planetarium, as well as other devices created for fun and education. It is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.