Ever wondered what sports events to watch in Bangkok over the weekend? Wonder no more. Coconuts Bangkok is here to give you some ideas to help whet your sporting palate.
Bangkok has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to teams to follow in the Thai Premier League. The standard is obviously a lot lower to the European football most people are used to watching on TV, but the partisan crowds and drama on the pitch more than makes up for that.
Only two Bangkok based teams have home games this weekend.
Saturday
BEC Tero v Bangkok Utd – 6pm at 72 years Anniversary Stadium in Minburi.
Sunday
Army Utd v Pattaya Utd – 6pm at Thai Army Sports Stadium in Phaya Thai.
Crowd interaction can be just as fun as the action on the pitch.
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Muay Thai: Lumpini Boxing Stadium
Watch Muay Thai fighters at the grand old Lumpini Stadium. The rickety stadium is packed with Thai spectators betting away their hard earned baht, and tourists wandering round in a confused state. The action in the ring can get brutal, as you would expect with a sport that uses eight different points of contact including the hands, shins, elbows and knees. Betting is allowed and should be embraced. The events tend to have around 10 fights and can last up to three hours.
Saturday, August 3rd, 4pm and 8.15pm. Rama IV Road. MRT Lumpini.
Learn how to bet like a local.
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For the early risers among you, the International Run starts this Sunday at 5:30am. The start and finish point is in front of Central World. The course goes along Ratchadamri Road passed Lumpini Park, onto Convent Road towards South Sathorn, Wireless, Petchuburi, Payathai Roads and then onto Rama 1 before finishing at Central World.
The 10.7 km Quarter Marathon starts at 5:30am. The 5.2 km Micro Marathon starts at 5:45am and the 3.5 km Walk-Run starts at 5:50am. Competitors have 90 minutes to complete the course.
Sunday, August 4, 5.30am. In front of Central World. BTS Siam.
Horse racing: Royal Bangkok Sports Club
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The “Sport of Kings” has been enjoyed in Thailand for over a hundred years. The Royal Bangkok Sports Club holds bimonthly race meets that can be watched by ordinary folk and the rich and fabulous.
A number of betting options such as trifecta and quinella are available for the hardy race-goer and tickets are reasonably priced at 50, 100 or 500 baht.
August 4, 12pm to 6pm. Henri Dunant Road, north of Rama IV Road. BTS Siam or Ratchadamri.
Photos: Chariots of Fire Facebook and Softeis.
