A Bigger Splash!

By : Amit Gilboa

Even in Bangkok's concrete jungle there are many places to take a dip

The Songkran merriment is behind us, but Bangkok still has plenty of ways to get a refreshing splash of cool water. With a climate as oppressive as ours, it’s crucial to fight back - by going swimming.

As befits a modernised metropolis so close to the equator, Bangkok has a tremendous variety of swimming pools to provide relief from the heat. Swimming is also a great aerobic exercise that is easy on the limbs and joints. Whether you’re looking for a sun-soaked dip in a deluxe hotel pool or a serious workout in an Olympic-sized behemoth, you can find it in Bangkok.

National Stadium's Pool is within easy reach of a Skytrain station

Among the many area pools, two stand out for their combination of decent length with lush resort settings. The Pathumwan Princess Hotel boasts a 25m by 16m pool amidst a spacious rooftop setting. Serious swimmers will be happy to know the Club actually reserves four lanes for lap swimming only. Access to the pool and fitness centre runs 450 Baht (US$12) for the day or 22,000 Baht (US$579) for a year.

Just off South Sathorn Road on Soi 1, Pantip Court has a unique L-shaped pool that runs 25m long and 5.5m wide on each leg and is set in an extravagant garden. You can enjoy the pool and fitness centre for a daily fee of 321 Baht (US$8.50) or a promotional membership fee of 22,000 Baht (US$579) for 15 months.

Nearby the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, next to MBK Shopping Centre, the National Stadium, offers use of its 50m pool to members only at 30 Baht (US$.80) per day. Yearly membership is only 300 Baht (US$8) along with a photocopy of your passport, two photos, and 50 metre swimming test. Unfortunately, the pool is often sectioned off for swimming lessons during the summer months (March-May), turning it into an extremely wide 25m pool. The pool opens for one-and-a-half hour intervals weekdays from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and weekends from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Although the pool complex is not luxurious, the stadium seats, diving tower and time clock add a dramatic touch to your laps. For true stadium inspiration, head to the beautiful 50m pool at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) complex at Hua Mark on Ramkamhaeng Road. You can swim past the rows of bleachers as the pool’s floodlights and the concrete hulk of Rajamangala Stadium loom above you. The pool opens at 6:00 am until 8:00 am and then for two-and-a-half hour intervals until 8:30 pm. Access is 30 Baht (US.80) and 15 Baht (US$.40) for members. A swimming-only SAT membership will cost you 370 Baht (US$10) for the year, and access to the entire complex costs 570 Baht (US$17).

The peaceful setting at the JW Marriott

If you’re looking for an affordable pool in a more intimate setting, you can try the 30m pool at the Lawn Tennis Sports Club in the Muang Thong Thani complex on Chaeng Wattana Road. The suburban, fresh air setting offers open space, tennis courts next door and flower petals blowing into the pool for 30 Baht (US$.80) per visit. Members pay 1,500 Baht (US$40) per year and 20 Baht (US$.70) per visit. The pool is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm.

Plenty of room to swim or bask in the sun at the Pathumwan Princess Pool

If the aforementioned pools are too big or serious for your swimming style, there are many other choices around Bangkok. Lap swimming is usually possible at these other locations but you may need to do some swerving with your stroke.