Sports in Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. Here sports take an important part in the life of the youths and also middle aged citizens. Thai Boxing or Muay Thai is a kind of traditional kick boxing where knees, feet and elbows can be used.

Kite fighting is one interesting sport normally happens in the hot season. In this game the opposing teams fly male Chula and female Pakpao kites in a battle of the sexes. This can be enjoyed in most of the weekends at Sanam Luang. A woven rattan ball is used in Takraw. This is a game where a circle of men use their feet, thighs, knees, chests and shoulders to acrobatically pass the ball to each other. They try to keep it airborne and then kick it into a suspended basket. Tournaments are usually held at Sanam Luang.

In Bangkok you can have a number of fitness centres. Many of which are attached to hotels. These are only for members. The Grande Spa and Fitness Club in the Sheraton offer daily membership. This is located in Grande Sukhumvit Road.

Some of the superb golf courses of Thailand are present in Bangkok. Some of these are also open to tourists. The Royal Golf & Country Club is situated at near location from the city. You can easily reach the place by taxi. This is an 18-hole course.

The Rose Garden Golf Club is situated 32 kilometres or 20 miles southwest of Bangkok. This is another attraction of the golf lovers.

Swimming pools are present with water water slides and artificial surf. In the north side of Bangkok Siam Water Park is located. This is always open to the non-members.

Many tennis clubs are there open to the public. These include Asoke Sport Club, Asoke-Din Daeng, Sawadeeb Soi, and Central Tennis Court. All of these are located in prime places and also easily reachable.

Some diving places in Thailand

Diving is an exciting game which is very popular in Thailand. More or less diving is available in all the places in Thailand but some of the places are really important such as places around the Koh Kraden wreck i.e. the remnants of a Japanese destroyer. Hin Nok is the other place known as home to the unusual Ghost Pipefish and Koh Dok Mai where diving can be done at night. But above all the diving around the Similan Islands is simply stunning. This can be called as the world class dive destination. The marine life is beautiful when the backdrop is clear water and white sand. The name of different islands can be mentioned as Breakfast Bend, Turtle Reef, East of Eden, Sharkfin Reef, etc. The Breakfast Bend is so called as often a person does his first dive here after breakfast. Sharkfin Reef is a self explanatory island where other fishes and underwater plants are available plenty in numbers.

It is always advisable to check the diving in the area where to be visited. Some places are better than the others. But often it is seen that the heavily populated places are less attractive. The example can be given as Pattaya offers to teach diving to different families. Usually the seas on the East coast are relatively unaffected by the sudden weather changes. It can sometimes fall in on the West coast during the rainy season. The diving cannot be so interesting on other locations as it is on the Similan Islands. However, if you want diving to be a part of your holiday then this may not matter as much. But in case you want diving to be the main reason for your holiday then you should be more particular about the place.

A memorable adventure-Sea Kayaking In Thailand

Sea Kayaking has become a popular event in Thailand now a day. Various companies are there with properly trained staff to take the tourists to the exciting adventure of seeing Thailand from the sea. This is of course a unique way to explore the beauty of the country. Sea Kayaking attracts a variety of people starting from beginners to the adventurous experienced people. Some are there who want to do a little kayaking to explore some parts while some wish to explore the uninhabited islands of the whole country. Sea Kayaking offers to explore the city in an extraordinary way.

Different types of water transportation are available. Inflatable craft, fibre glass canoes with roof are available but the most enjoyable way is by the traditional kayaks. You need to have muscle power to ride these but this is not at all strenuous. You can explore some rocky coastline or small island inlets from a close distance. Some other water transportations are there which are too clumsy, noisy and also fast where as sea kayakling enables the tourists to connect with the engrossing scenery with beautiful coastline, wildlife, wide sky and also underwater land. Different types of trips are there in sea kayakling. One can take an easygoing visit to a National Park, exciting wildlife can also be seen. Trip to an uninhabited island can be made where you can see some things hither to unseen.

Many caves are there in Thailand and with the help of sea kayaking you can also take to exploring these. Narrow sea kayaks are generally used to investigate these entirely natural phenomenons. As a matter of fact the striking scenic beauty of Thailand can be seen best by sea kayaking. This is a liberating and rewarding form of transport with the help of which the tourists can escape from land travel and enjoy the exquisite beauty of Thailand in a tranquil and unusual way.

Football - The most popular sport in Thailand

FTA or the Football Association of Thailand organizes controls and administrator Football in Thailand. This is the most sought after sport in the Kingdom. Very recently Thailand has started its professional football league. The game was introduced way back on 1897. The local people love the sport and watch football at local TV channels and cable TV programs. They love to watch English Premier League, UEFA cup where all European club teams compete, Spanish La Liga and Italian soccer apart from watching the gala event of world cup football. Thai TV channels showed all the matches of 2006 World Cup soccer. In the year 2007, Asian Cup 2007 even was co-hosted by Thailand and that was one of the major soccer events till date in the Kingdom. First time Thailand hosted the Asian Cup in 1972 when the entire nation celebrated the event.

As we said, the game was introduced in the year 1997 and in 1916 the Football Association of Thailand or FAT was formed under the jurisdiction of His Majesty. Later FAT joined FIFA the world association of Football in 1925. FAT has also become a member of AFC in 1957. The national football team of Thailand also participated in Olympic Games in 1956 in Australia. Thailand is also having world class football stadium in the country by the name of Suphachalasai Stadium, which was built in the year 1935. The first football tournament was introduced in Thailand by the name of King’s Cup in 1968. Then in 1970 the Kingdom has introduced Queen’s Cup, which is their national soccer tournament. Youth Football is also famous in Thailand, where many competitions are held between clubs where only youths and juniors can participate. One of the major youth football tournaments is Bangkok Soccer League where international school children participate in the tournament.

Different professional tracks in Thailand

Thailand is a famous place for sports. People can enjoy different sports according to their likings. There are several tracks for several levels. The 800 meter track is especially designed for National Class racing. This offers challenges which are related to this class of sport. Different karts are available for rental. Most of these are equipped with either twin 4-stroke engines or 2-stroke racing engines. The karts can be rented for ten minutes racing sessions. There is also an alternative process in which you can bring your own kart and rent the track by the day. The staff is very helpful and usually full technical support is available if required.

The beginners don’t worry! There are some excellent tracks for beginners mainly who are newcomers to the sport. The younger members and grown ups of the family can try the 450 meter beginners Track. This is a nice place to start where a range of karts are available for rental.

Children from 4 years upwards can ride as passengers with the adult persons in the two seat carts. The six years and over are eligible to race in the junior karts. The karts are customized to suit small drivers and so are powered by 80cc four stroke engines. The larger karts are available for the older members with powerful 100 cc four stroke engines. The staff is there to give their valuable advice on the karts. They will suggest you which would be best one for you.

The off road track is really interesting. You can experience some real fun out here. This usually offer a different experience altogether. Two sizes of karts and trial bikes are available on the dirt circuit for the rental purpose.

Rules of Professional Thai Boxing or Muay Thai

Muay Thai i.e. Thai boxing is a professional game in Thailand. This is a national form of martial art in Thailand. In this type of boxing the boxers use bare hands. In Thailand, there is a tradition to arrange Muay Thai matches in various festivals. In today’s world the game has worldwide prominence. Several clubs have been established to promote Muay Thai in many countries. The memebers also try to teach the tricks of the game properly and for that purpose they have established many training centers. Recently Muay Thai has received much public support and that is why boxing stadiums have been established in almost every province. It is an important business that will boost the nation’s economy and bring fame to the country.

In modern society the scenario is always changing. So, in order to keep pace with this change the rules and regulations of this Muay Thai boxing are always being updated. The original rules are still there as they cannot be ignored. Presently Muay Thai has also become popular in many other countries. In those countries stadiums and other boxing equipments are invented individually. Muay Thai is believed to be national Thai heritage by the Ratchadamnoen Stadium. But this game is unique to Thailand and that is the reason why it should be protected. There is a basis of further development where many of the countries can achieve the goal and that is why it is constantly upgrading it and improving it in a nice way. There are written guidelines which should be followed in order to play the game correctly. The guidelines can be sometimes altered according to the team’s consent. In all the stadiums you will get the printed guidelines which are constantly upgraded for betterment of the game.

Muay Thai boxing ring in Thailand

Muay Thai is very famous sports that are enjoyed by almost every Thai people. You can get some boxing rings that are very popular. Some criteria should be maintained to have a good Muay Thai boxing ring. Muay Thai usually happens in a square shaped ring which is placed at 4 ft above the ground. The length of the ring should be between 19ft i.e. 5.70 meters and 27 ft i.e. 8.20 meters. Four ropes formed the ring. The ropes must not more than 24 ft i.e. 7.30 meters or less than 16ft i.e. 4.90 meters. Each of the ropes should not be less than three fourth inch i.e. 2 centimeters in diameter. These are supported at the four corners by posts. These ropes are covered by linen sponge or soft leather and that’s a rule. This is done to save the boxers from injury. These are placed tight at 1, 2, 2 and 4 ft above the floor of the ring. The heights are 3.30, 0.60, 0.90, and 1.20 meters respectively.

The floor space can be extended from the ring space by the measurement of 3 ft i.e. 90 centimeters. The space should be cushioned with very soft cloth or corkboards. This is done to at least 1 inch i.e. 2.50 cm. thickness. This is done to prevent injury. One restricted area is there which is extended towards the ring for 3 ft i.e. 90 cms. This is done on all sides especially for personnel judges, time keeper, doctor, and other officials. The stadium manager will look after the thing.

There are some equipment that are used in Muay Thai fight. These are usually provided by the stadium. These are a signal gong, boxing gloves of various sizes according to the rules, a stopwatch, a warning bell, and equipment to provide water for boxers. Some of the additional accessories are surgical tape, boxing shorts in red or blue, jock straps, or sacred cords.