Sports and leisure activities Thailand

Budget & Tips

Impossible to visit Thailand without testing the local specialty: massage! You will find them starting at 300 Baht, but the amount can rise quickly if you go to a luxury spa. Thai massage is quite sporty and is traditionally done over clothes, for softer massages choose oil or aloe vera massage.

The prices of diving clubs are relatively high, but much lower than in France, however the services are of excellent quality.

Day boat trips, which usually include a meal and activities, cost about 2,000 B per person.

What's very local

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

Picnicking is one of the favourite pastimes of Thai families. They do not hesitate to fill their cooler and go to the beach or the nearest nature park. They will have prepared in advance, or bought on the way, something to eat and drink. They often set up on beaches with infrastructure - tables, chairs and umbrellas, which can accommodate them (as in Cha'Am or Ao Manao for example), close to hot springs, or at the foot of easily accessible waterfalls. If you don't like crowds and noise, plan to visit these places during the week

Your documents please

A certificate of competency in diving is mandatory to take part in this activity. Most dive centers are PADI certified in Thailand, some are also SSI certified. All the centres give the necessary courses to obtain the different certificates that validate your level.

Tourist traps

Beware of massage parlours where the masseuses will take you to the street, you may be surprised...

Always choose a recognized and certified dive school to avoid problems