Sports and leisure activities Thailand

Budget & Tips

It's impossible to visit Thailand without trying out the local specialty: massage! You'll find them starting at 300 Baht, but the price can rise quickly if you go to a luxury spa. Thai massage is quite "sporty" and traditionally done over clothing; for gentler massages, opt for oil or aloe vera massages.

Diving club fees are relatively high, but much lower than in France, yet the services are of excellent quality.

Full-day boat trips, which usually include a meal and activities, cost around 2,000 Baht per person.

What's very local

You'll often see Thais forming a circle and playing with a strange ball... It's called sepak takraw (pronounced "sèpake takro")! This game consists of keeping a wicker or rigid plastic ball in the air, without ever using your hands. The game is generally pleasant and always spectacular. There are several variations. The pitch can be a circle with a diameter calculated in proportion to the number of players on each team, with or without a basket, basketball-style.

Picnics are one of the favorite pastimes of Thai families. They don't hesitate to fill their coolers and head for the beach or the nearest nature park. They will have prepared beforehand, or bought on the way, something to eat and drink. They often set up camp on beaches where the infrastructure - tables, chairs and umbrellas - can accommodate them (as at Cha'Am or Ao Manao, for example), near hot springs, or at the foot of easily accessible waterfalls. If you don't like crowds or noise, plan to visit these places during the week.

Your documents please

A diving certificate is required for this activity. Most dive centers in Thailand are PADI-certified, and some are also SSI-certified. All centers offer the courses needed to obtain the various certificates that validate your level.

Tourist traps

Beware of massage parlors where "masseuses" approach you in the street, as you may be surprised...

Always choose a recognized and certified diving school to avoid any problems.