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Sports activities in Thailand

Sports activities in Thailand
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Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 15 July 2024

You will be amazed to find out that Thailand has a lot to offer for all the adrenaline and action buffs. Beyond the numerous temples, tuk-tuks, and tom yum, Thailand has a vibrant and increasing adventure scene. Experience a broad range of adventure sports in Thailand with the following.

Outdoor sports in Thailand

White water rafting

There are many places where you can go whitewater rafting in Thailand. The rapids range from level one to level five. Check out the tours and packages offered by many tour providers around Northern Thailand. One thing to consider when choosing where to go whitewater rafting is the schedule, as in some parts of the country, it isn't available all year round.

Scuba diving with whale sharks

The whale shark is one of the world's gentlest giants. They generally swim the open oceans alone, though they tend to gather in areas that are abundant with plankton or other prey. This makes them a prime tourist attraction in Thailand, as they are often gentle enough to swim beside quite safely. Areas such as the Surin Islands are extremely popular for the high density of whale sharks. So, if you are not afraid of being swallowed accidentally, try this! Take note that the national park is closed from mid-May to mid-October for rehabilitation. February to April is your best chance to see one.

Rock climbing

Thailand is the best place for enthusiasts to experience rock climbing. There are lots of man-made walls in places in the cities. However, if you want to experience the intensity and the beauty of Thailand while rock climbing, head over to islands like Railay and Ton Sai, where you can find the most amazing crystal clear waters accompanied by impressive limestone cliffs that tower over you.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is one of the most common and exciting water activities that tourists and locals alike enjoy in Thailand. Wake parks are opening in different regions of Thailand due to the growing popularity of the sport. There are also companies that operate on the beaches of Thailand where you can try riding in the open ocean from the back of a boat. Taco Lake and Thai Wake Park are two awesome places near Bangkok to practice before going exploring higher difficulty levels on the beach.

Skydiving in Thailand

If, during your trip to Thailand, you are searching for an adrenaline rush, Pattaya would be the best place for you. Skydiving at an altitude of 4,000 meters would be a priceless experience for you to see the Gulf of Thailand and its beautiful beaches. Most of the companies are Western-run, so safety is a top priority. Thai Sky Adventures (situated near Nong Kho Reservoir) is renowned for offering the best skydiving experience in one of the most congested airspaces in the world. Apart from tandem jumps, they also do full certification courses for those who are eager to take their adventurous streak to the next level.

Indoor sports in Thailand

Football

Luckily, playing sports can be a great way of making new friends, and there aren't many pastimes bigger than the beautiful game of football. There are many grass football fields around the city, but with Bangkok's hot and rainy weather, they are usually difficult to maintain and are not a joy to play at. Do not fret. There are lots of indoor places to play football, like Bangkok Pattana School Sports Field, The Hattrick, Sky Kick Arena, and Polo Football Park.

Muay Thai

Maybe you have heard of it or even seen it on television: the punches, crushing elbow strikes, deadly kicks, strong grappling, and artful feints. But nothing compares to seeing them performed to loud cheers and a heart-racing tune of a wind-and-percussion ensemble. There are so many Muay Thai stadiums in Bangkok to try. Some of the best are Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Rajadamnern Stadium, Channel 7 Stadium, and Siam Boxing Stadium.

Airsoft and paintball

Shooting your mates with non-soft plastic ball bearings and with explosive, paint-filled pellets can definitely be fun. The best place for this is located on Srinakarin Road. All equipment and security equipment are given, and you can join other groups if you just come in a tiny group. The complete paintball package is 450 baht (including 100 balls), while the BB gunning total is one day.

Useful links:

Tourism Thailand – Adventure sports
Thai Sky Adventures
Thai Wake Park

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

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