Best places to play sports in Bangkok as an expat
Bangkok is a culturally diverse city with a thriving expat community that has contributed significantly to the growth of businesses in Bangkok. Bangkok has benefited from the global influence of expats in several areas, such as its sports clubs, film selection, and food culture. Some of the best sports clubs with a wide range of activities in Bangkok that serve the active expat community are listed below.
The British Club
Numerous sporting facilities are available in Bangkok, including football, hockey, rugby, cricket, and golf. This club offers lessons, teams and leagues, tournaments, and more in addition to sporting facilities. The junior tennis, squash, netball, and swimming programmes are also attractive to families.
The British Club, which has more than 1,000 members from 40 different nations, is a hub for British expats living abroad as well as citizens and foreigners from all over the world. Every week, the club organises a range of activities, such as dinners and social get-togethers, to provide members with plenty of chances to interact. The British Club’s fitness centre has a wide variety of workout equipment, such as weights, running machines and a swimming pool. The British Club is more of a community of expats and their families wishing to meet like-minded people.
Bangkok Casuals League
For expats who love football, the Bangkok Casuals League provides a fun and welcoming atmosphere. It is the biggest football league for expatriates in Bangkok, drawing players from Asia, Europe, South and North America, and other continents.
The Bangkok Casuals League offers teams and leagues suited to varying ability levels, making it an enjoyable environment for foreigners to participate in one of the most well-liked sports worldwide. This league is unique because of its diversified membership, which consists of both local athletes and foreigners from different backgrounds. This eleven-a-side competition plays matches weekly and does not have a set address due to games being played all over the city.
Image via Bangkok Casuals League
Southerners Sports Club BKK
Originally started by foreigners living in Australia and New Zealand, it has developed into a well-liked sports club that accepts members from all over the world as well as local Thais. There are alternatives for both those seeking the ruggedness of contact sports and those who prefer a more laid-back atmosphere, with rugby, netball, cricket, and touch rugby among the games offered.
Social gatherings like game evenings, holiday celebrations, and trips to neighbourhood bars help club members develop a strong sense of community. Starting in 1994 the Southerners sports club has now grown to over 500 members from an abundance of nationalities.
The Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club
Founded by an Australian expat community, this rugby club provides rugby teams and leagues for players of all skill levels. This club participates in competitions held throughout Bangkok and Thailand, attracting players from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, and other countries.
The Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club offers frequent training sessions that are suitable for both novice and expert players, offering a nurturing atmosphere for improving rugby abilities. As well as the sporting side of this community there are also frequent social meet-ups at restaurants, pubs and bars and occasional international tours.
The Racquet Club
By offering facilities for a range of sports, including boxing, swimming, badminton, squash, and racquetball, primarily to expats from a variety of backgrounds. In addition to offering a variety of sports, the club has a large fitness centre and an indoor rock climbing gym. All ages can take advantage of the classes and training offered, and there are membership options for singles, families, and groups.
Bangkok Fight Club
As the first training centre in Thailand to introduce Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, the Bangkok Fight Club attracts both beginners and seasoned fighters. This club has a strong membership base of British and French expats, but its doors are open to individuals from all backgrounds. Members have access to private lessons, group training classes, and top-notch facilities for their training and practice. The Bangkok Fight Club also offers self-defence lessons as part of its program.
These sports clubs in Bangkok not only provide opportunities for expats to engage in their favourite activities but also foster a sense of community among individuals from diverse backgrounds. Whether on the tennis court, football field, rugby pitch or within the confines of a fitness centre, these clubs serve as gathering places where expats can bond over a shared love for sports.
The inclusive nature of these establishments demonstrates Bangkok’s ability to embrace global influences while maintaining its vibrant local culture. With a plethora of options available, expats in Bangkok can find comfort, connection, and a sense of home in these sports clubs that cater to their varied athletic pursuits.
If you love watching sports rather than playing, why not check out the best sports bars in Bangkok?
