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Get Truly Wet This Songkran
By : Amit Gilboa
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If this mayhem is not for you, read on, peaceful pools abound
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The heat is upon us, and soon the water will be as well. Regardless of its religious implications, Songkran usually makes us think of just one thing: water. However much they like the idea of cooling off from the April heat, some people just aren't into the noisy, splashing, powdering and groping of Songkran revelry. So, if you want to get wet this Songkran on your own terms, take control of your destiny...go swimming.
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Peace and a pool at the JW Marriott
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Bangkok offers travellers and residents plenty of opportunities for a refreshing holiday swim, from serious lap swimming to just paddling around in a tropical setting. While the Olympic sized pools are closed for the holiday, swimmers have plenty of large pools to choose from during Songkran.
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The Pathumwan Princess - plenty of room to swim or bask in the sun
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Two pools combine a decent length with lush resort settings. Located next to the MBK shopping center, 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 center 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 center for a daily fee of 321 Baht (US$8.50) or a promotional membership fee of 22,000 Baht (US$579) for 15 months.
If the hotel pools are beyond your budget, or if you just prefer a less exclusive atmosphere, Bangkok has several large pools at more popular prices. At these "people's pools", lap swimming is usually possible but you may need to do some swerving with your stroke.
Just off of Soi Thonglor, the Grand Tower has a 24m pool in their courtyard. The charge for a day is only 150 Baht (US$4) or 300 Baht (US$8) for pool and fitness centre access. The daily fee is not a great value compared to some of the more up-market facilities but yearly membership of 5,500 Baht (US$145) is a terrific deal.
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71 Sports Club - cheap and sizeable
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Close to the center of town on Petchburi Soi 6, the recently refurbished 24m pool at Diana Sports Club costs only 60 Baht (US$1.50) for non-members and 30 Baht (US$.75) for members. Memberships run 1,000 Baht (US$26) for the year.
71 Sports Club, located on Thonglor's Soi Khun Vichit (near the Khlong Tan intersection), boasts a 25m pool for 70 Baht (US$1.80) non-members and half that for members. Membership here is also 1,000 Baht (US$26) for the year. For those concerned with hygiene, 71 Sports Club is just a touch on the dingy side.
Nawasri Place Apartments, off Ramkamhaeng Soi 21, can be difficult to find, but the nice 25m pool, flowers, (relatively) fresh air and 60 Baht (US$1.50) entrance fee are worth the trip. Member access is only 40 Baht (US$1.05) and memberships are 900 Baht (US$24) per year.
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