Bangkok is home to a thriving expat community that has had a substantial influence on the development of businesses and organisations in this diverse city. From restaurants serving up global cuisine offerings, to films offered in a variety of languages at local cinemas, expats from nations around the world can each find a bit of home in Bangkok. For the athletic-minded expats, there are also plenty of high-end sports clubs to enjoy. Here are ten of the best sports clubs in Bangkok for expats:
The British Club
Those interested in tennis, squash, football, ball hockey, rugby, cricket, and golf will enjoy The British Club. They not only have the facilities for each sport, they also offer lessons, teams and leagues, tournaments, and more. They also offer netball, squash, swimming, and tennis at the junior level, making it a great choice for families.
Offering so much more than sports, The British Club is a hotspot in Bangkok for British expats, as well as locals and expats of other countries from around the world. In fact, they have over 1,000 members from forty different countries. They host a variety of events each week, from social get-togethers, to dinners, and more. Their fitness centre features a full range of exercise equipment, including running machines and weights.
Bangkok Casuals League
Expats with an interest in football will enjoy the opportunities provided by Bangkok’s largest expat football league, the Bangkok Casual League. With teams and leagues catered to different experience levels, the club offers a fun atmosphere and a chance to enjoy one of the world’s most popular sports. The club draws expats from South and North America, as well as Europe, but also has a large number of local players and expats from other Asian countries.
What was originally started by several expats from New Zealand and Australia has now grown to a popular sports club enjoyed by Thai locals and expats from all over the world. They offer teams and leagues, tournaments, training, and more. In rugby, netball, and cricket, as well as touch rugby for those looking to enjoy the sport without the rugged physical contact. This laid-back club also hosts plenty of social events, from game nights, to holiday parties, and more. They also offer a number of chances to get together and meet other club members away from the club facilities, by hosting events at local bars, horse races, and even day trips to other cities.
Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club
Also started by a group of expats from Australia, the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club offers rugby teams and leagues for every experience level. They still draw a number of expats from Australia, as well as many from New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, and more. They play in tournaments with other teams from around Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. They also offer weekly training sessions for beginners, as well as experienced players looking to brush up on their skills.
Catering to expats of any background, The Racquet Club offers facilities for badminton, squash and racquetball, swimming, boxing, and more. They even have a massive indoor rock climbing gym and an extensive fitness centre. They offer classes and training for people of all ages, and their membership options include packages for families, groups, and individuals alike.
If you’re looking for a place to practice dressage or even just to enjoy some casual horseback riding, Bangkok Equestrian Centre is the place to go. The centre offers stables for rent and horse training, as well as the chance for those of any age to take riding lessons.
The Bangkok Fight Club was the first training centre in Thailand to offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. Beginners and advanced fighters alike can enjoy the facilities and mingle with locals and expats alike. The club has a strong membership of British and French expats, though they welcome those from all backgrounds. Members can book private lessons or join group training classes, or use the facilities for their own training and practice. The club also offers lessons in self-defence.
Those who find themselves missing the soft, rolling hills of the golf courses back home will enjoy this club. Located just thirty minutes from the heart of Bangkok, the Green Valley Country Club offers the comforts of a luxury golf club in a lush green setting. Designed by American course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course itself offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is open to those of any nationality, although the club draws many American, Canadian, and British expats. They have a club house on site complete with a restaurant, spa, locker rooms, a swimming pool, and a pro golf shop. The club also draws plenty of tourist visiting Thailand, making it a great place to mingle with people from all around the world.
Expats of Scotland looking to meet up with fellow countrymen and enjoy a taste of home will love the Bangkok Reel Club. The club meets twice monthly to practice traditional Scottish folk dancing.
Founded in 1901, The Royal Bangkok Sports Club is one of the most popular clubs in the city, as well as one of the largest. What began primarily as a horse club has since grown to include facilities for badminton, basketball, billiards, cricket, hockey, running, martial arts, rugby, football, squash, swimming, and tennis. They are also home to Thailand’s first golf course.
The club’s wide range of sports has made it popular with expats of all backgrounds, as well as with Thai locals, making it a great place for new arrivals to the city to make friends and mingle with people from around the world. The Royal Bangkok Sports Club hosts horse races two Sundays a month as well as some Saturdays. They also have a large fitness centre that offers a variety of yoga and fitness classes, multiple restaurants, bars, a tea room, and more.
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