Water Sports
:
With
three coastlines stretching for hundreds of kilometers, and some of
the finest beaches to be found anywhere in Southeast Asia, Thailand
has become a major travel destination for lovers of all kinds of
water sports. A number of excellent resorts offer a full range of
equipment at reasonable rates for anyone interested in exploring the
pleasures of deep -sea fishing, windsurfing, water skiing,
parasailing, scuba diving, or swimming in crystal clear waters.
One of the first and still one of the most popular water sport
centers is Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand, just two hours drive
from Bangkok. The main beach is located on a scenic bay, but
facilities are available along the coast for several kilometers.
There are also more than 30 picturesque offshore islands with a
wealth of coral and many types of tropical fish.
The other major water sport center is the southern island of
Phuket in the Andaman Sea. Here on the west coast there are more
than 14 magnificent white sandy beaches, all with warm, clear
waters, as well as a large number of nearby islands that boast
diving conditions to rival the best in the world.
Diving :

Our
long coastline offers some of the finest diving opportunities not
only in Asia but anywhere in the world. Phuket and Pattaya are both
major dive centres, and there are many training facilities with
internationally qualified instructors.
The majority of diving destinations close to Phuket are located
in nearby Phangnga , where hundreds of limestone islands rise up
from the blue waters. Also popular are the largely uninhabited
Similan Islands, recently listed among the world's ten most
beautiful spots for underwater scenery and the spectacular Phi Phi
Islands near Phuket.
On the other side of the peninsula in the Gulf of Thailand is
the Ang Thong Islands National Marine Park, a group of more than 40
beautiful islands off the west of Surat Thani province and near Ko
Samui.
In Pattaya, scuba divers can organize daily trips from the
resort to the offshore islands of Ko Lan, Ko Sak, and Ko Krok.
Fishing :
The variety of magnificent scenery, coupled with year round warm
weather and an abundance of gamefish make fishing in Thailand's
seas a popular water sport.
The Gulf of Thailand, in contrast to the Andaman Sea, is less
saline, generally warmer and shallower. Sharks, eagle rays, and
barracuda are just a few of the species to be seen here. During
the cool season from November to January, sailfish can be
spotted in Pattaya and the Bang Saray region, as well as in
Chumphon and in the waters around Ko Samui.
In the Gulf itself, Pattaya and Bang Saray are the major centres
for gamefishing, with plenty of charter boats available.
Among the best fishing areas in the Andaman Sea are Racha Yai
Islands near Phuket and the Similan Islands, northwest of
Phuket. Sailfish season runs from mid-May to November, while
marlin and tuna bite during the months of late November to May.
The main gamefishing centre is Chalong Beach, on the east coast
of Phuket.
Canoeing :
Increasingly popular among ecological - minded travelers is the
sport of sea canoeing, which offers adventure while also
conserving the environment. Sea Canoe Thailand in Phuket and Sea
Canoe Krabi both offer memorable trips in nearby bays, through
spectacular scenery that includes huge caves only accessible by
water.
Kayaking :
Specially constructed inflatable kayaks are now widely available
in southern Thailand, especially in Phangnga Bay, where they are
used in expeditions to discover the many extraordinary scenic
features of the limestone islands and mountains that
characterize this region. A number of tour companies offer a
variety of expeditions, some of which last several days with
overnight accommodation in tents on secluded beaches.
Golf :
We
have over two hundred golf courses, many of them championship
standard. So for golfers who not only appreciate a challenging
course, but an exotically different one too, Thailand offers an
unbelievable choice.
Some are just a short chip and putt from Bangkok, such as the
Navathanee Golf Course, which was created for the 1975 World Cup
and the Ekachai Golf Club, reckoned to be one of the country's
most testing courses. Outside Bangkok, there are numerous
courses offering high quality facilities, including The Rose
Garden in Nakhon Pathom, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, the
Phuket Golf and Country Club on the lush island of Phuket, and
the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, probably the oldest in Thailand.
Mountain Biking :
The north of Thailand is most suitable for this activity because
of its cooler temperatures, especially from November to
February. A number of companies offer well organized biking
tours, most include guides and, on certain tours, back-up
vehicles carrying food and overnight equipment. Bikes are also
widely available in major tourists destinations, where they can
be rented at extremely reasonable rates on a daily basis.
Cliff Climbing :
The most popular area for climbing is the southern province of
Phangnga, where towering limestone cliffs provide the perfect
challenge.