Phuket Sports

Football

Football is hugely popular in Thailand. You will see small football pitches everywhere and the locals start friendly kick-around games everyday in the late afternoon once the temperature starts to drop.

There is no national football league in Thailand. The two top leagues are the Bangkok League and the University League. Organised football at local level takes the form of tournaments. A small tournament may take place over a weekend while the big tournaments may take a month to complete. Most tournaments have an entrance fee and prize money to add spice to the contest.

For a friendly game, you will have no problem joining a kick-around on the beach in the evenings. In Patong, there is a big, dirt football pitch on the beach road next to Hat Patong Road. This is where they hold the Patong tournaments. Local ex-pats and Thais play a friendly game here every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 15:30 if no tournament is taking place. Anyone can join in.

When you first play against the Thais, you may get the impression they are lightweight and easy to knock off the ball. If you play against one of the local teams, you will soon lose that misconception. Although there are plenty of good ex-pat players in Phuket, no ex-pat team has won a major tournament. The best Thai teams are too fit and well organised.

The Phuket Soccer 7s is a popular international tournament that takes place every year in November. Teams from all over Asia and even further afield come to compete over a hectic weekend.

Gymnasiums

If you want to exercise in Phuket there are plenty of Gymnasiums. Many of the major hotels have their own gymnasiums. In addition, there are a few private gymnasiums that accept guests.

In Patong, for a good strong workout we recommend the Phuket Gym Patong just off Sai Nam Yen Road. From Rat-U-Thit go 100 meters up Sai Nam Yen Road and the Gym is in the first right hand turn. It has a good range of cardio and resistance machines and free weights. The fees are 150 baht for a single session, 750 baht for weekly membership and 1500 baht for monthly membership. Long-term residents can get discounted rates.

For something a bit more swanky in Patong, try Tai Life on Soi Sunset next to Tai Pan.

In Phuket Town, the best Gym is Asia Fitness Club in the Royal Phuket City Hotel on Phang Nga Road. This gym has excellent equipment, exercise classes, swimming pool and sauna. It is open to residents and members with monthly membership available.

Another good gym on the edge of Phuket Town is Easy Fitness. Just below the Central Festival junction, this well equiped gym is for members only with monthly memberships available.

Thai Boxing

Thai boxing is one of the most highly regarded combat sports in the world. The vicious combination of punches, kicks, elbows and knees are brutally punishing. There are three main venues for watching Thai boxing in Phuket (and a number of smaller rings and training gyms).

Sala Thai Boxing

At the top of Bangla Road just after Tiger Complex. Although they do not advertise it as such, this is a demonstration version of the sport. The fighters are hitting each other hard enough to make it look realistic but they are not using full force. The same boxers fight night after night and they suffer enough ill effects without using full force. They are fighters who have not made the grade at the top of the sport and now make a living in the tourist towns. Sala Thai Boxing is open every night and entry is free. You pay a little bit extra for your drinks and after each fight, the fighters come around the audience for tips.

Bangla Boxing Stadium

On the other side of Bangla Road at the junction with Rat-U-Thit. This is a new venue with real fights including some of the best local fighters, challengers from Bangkok and some foreign fighters. Check their billboard for the fight dates. Entrance is 800 baht.

Phuket Boxing Stadium

In Saphin Hin, Phuket Town. This is the oldest boxing stadium in Phuket and has real fights between good local fighters and a few guests from the rest of the country. The show normally takes place on Friday nights and entry is 250 baht. You can book tickets and transportation at local tour shops.

Golf

Phuket is a golfer's paradise. There are five major golf courses on Phuket and there is another at Thai Muang only fifteen minutes drive from Sarasin Bridge. Morning and afternoon tee times are the most popular to avoid the hottest time of day. Caddy services (usually young women) are cheap and most courses rent golf carts. Green fees are higher than other courses in Thailand but still competitive in comparison with similar courses in western countries. You can get cheaper green fees by booking through an agent rather than going direct to the club. There are golf agent shops near most courses.

Blue Canyon Country Club

The premier course on the island it has hosted several major tournaments including the Johnny Walker Classic. Two 18-hole courses - The Canyon course is probably the most challenging on the island.

Mission Hills Golf Club

The only one of Phuket's courses that is directly on the coast. A beautifully sculptured 18-hole course and a floodlit 9-hole course. Stunning views across Phang Nga Bay and plenty of water in play.

Laguna Golf Club Phuket

Part of the Laguna complex at Bang Tao beach. A challenging 18-hole course with lots of water.

Loch Palm Golf Course

An 18-hole course built around a large lake and surrounded by hills. Probably the easiest course on the island but still a good challenge.

Phuket Country Club

An 18-hole course and a 9-hole course. The 18-hole course is an undulating and challenging traverse around cliffs and lakes. The 9-hole course is even more difficult with lots of water in play and a 38 par.

Thai Muang Golf Club

A links style golf course on the Thai mainland only 15 minutes drive from Sarasin Bridge.

Tennis

There are plenty of hotels with tennis courts and coaches available. Check with your hotel for details.

There are not many public courts. In Phuket Town, there is Saphin Hin and the tennis club on the corner of Surin Road and Damrong Road.

Rugby

Phuket has a rugby team, the Phuket Vagabonds, based at the British Curriculum School (formerly Dulwich College).

Phuket also hosts the Phuket International Rugby 10s tournament. This normally takes place at the Karon Municipality Stadium. Unfortunately, after the tsunami the stadium was not in a fit condition to play so the 2005 tournament was held on a public pitch in Phuket Town.

Horse Riding

Phuket Riding Club is on Wiset Road between Chalong and Rawai. They have riding rings for beginners and children. You can do a 1-hour ride through rubber plantations and jungle for 650 baht or a 2-hour ride along Friendship Beach for 1,250 baht. You can e-mail them at permika2006@hotmail.com.