Thai Boxing or Muay Thai is the traditional sport of kick-boxing, and boxers can use their feet, knees and elbows including their fists. Its popularity means that fights are held every night around Bangkok, especially at Ratchadamnoen Stadium on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road (telephone: (02) 281 4205), every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday night, while Lumphini Stadium on Rama IV Road (telephone: (02) 251 4303), on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Kite fighting normally happens in the hot season where opposing teams fly male Chula and female Pakpao kites in a battle of the sexes. Visitors can join these fun events most weekends at Sanam Luang.

Takraw is played with a woven rattan ball where a circle of men use their feet, knees, thighs, chests and shoulders to acrobatically pass the ball to each other, trying to keep it airborne and to kick it into a suspended basket. Tournaments are held at Sanam Luang.

The Thailand football league has 2 divisions, premier and the first. Names of teams include Air Force, Bangkok Bank and the Navy and Telephone Organisation of Thailand (TOT). Information on games can be acquired from the Football Association of Thailand (telephone: (02) 216 2954).

Tickets for all sporting events can be purchased at the venue up to an hour before the games begin.

Fitness centres

There are a wide range of fitness centres in Bangkok, and many of which are attached to hotels and are for members only. Daily membership is available at the Grande Spa and Fitness Club in the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Road (telephone: (02) 653 0282).

Golf

There are a number of superb golf courses in Thailand and some are open to tourists. The Royal Golf & Country Club (telephone: (02) 738 0133), is situated within easy reach of the city, southeast of Bangkok at 69 Moo 7, Sukhumvit 17, Bang Sao Thong, Samut Prakan. It is best reached by taxi. It features a stunning 18-hole course, with green fees for visitors of B800 during the weekdays and B1,300 at the weekend. The Rose Garden Golf Club (telephone: (034) 322 780) is situated 32 kilometres or 20 miles southwest of Bangkok at Tha Talad Sub District, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom is reached along National Highway Number 4. It boasts an 18-hole championship golf course with green fees of B700 during the weekdays and B1,300 at weekends (closed on Mondays).

Swimming pools

With water slides and an artificial surf, Siam Water Park is located north of Bangkok, on Sukhaphiban 2 Road (telephone: (02) 517 0075). Nawasri Pool, 209 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21 (telephone: (02) 318 0134), is open to non-members.

Tennis

There are many tennis clubs opening to the public, and those include Asoke Sport Club, 302/81 Mooban Tawaamit, Asoke-Din Daeng (telephone: (02) 246 2260); Sawadeeb Soi, 35/5 Soi 31 Sukhumvit Road (telephone: (02) 258 4502); and Central Tennis Court, 13/1 Soi Attakarn Prasit, Sathorn Tai Road (telephone: (02) 213 1909).