Thailand’s diverse terrain has some breathtaking views and some equally breathtaking experiences to enjoy for sports and adventure enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. The jungles offer elephant treks, white water rafting, and off-road biking; elsewhere there’s freefall parachuting, bungy jumping, and much else besides to make the adrenalin rush. And that’s before we even get to the open seas and experiences like sailing, diving, paragliding, game fishing and deep-water climbing of the jagged limestone karsts that jut from the seas off Thailand’s southern shores.
Rock climbing on Burnt Offerings.
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Responsible tourism
Thailand has been very proactive in preserving areas on both land and water as national parks, although policing the resources within them has to a wide degree failed. Fish, coral, wildlife and forest areas are all under threat from illegal poaching, logging, development and poor environmental practices. Nonetheless, recent developments in ecotourism leave some scope for optimism in the tourism industry.
Parasailing at Ko Hae, off Phuket.
John W. Ishii/Apa Publications
While some operators are only concerned with profit, more proactive companies realise that long-term profits depend on environmental sustainability. Good practice ranges from using reusable containers on nature tours to training and hiring local guides. If you are concerned about damaging the environment, ask the operator about the preservation measures it takes before signing up for an outdoor adventure.
On water
Thailand’s mild, clear, aquamarine waters are ideal for water-borne activities. The more populous beach resorts of Phuket, Pattaya, Ko Samui, Hua Hin and Ko Chang are typically enlivened (or plagued, depending on how you see it) by noisy jet-skis. The family-friendly inflatable banana-boat rides are always a hoot as well, but be sure to wear a life-jacket for those inevitable bouncing spills.
The relatively calm seas are well suited to water-skiing and the trendier wakeboarding, though novices may first prefer to refine their technique at a cable-ski lake in Phuket, Pattaya, or on the outskirts of Bangkok. More environmentally sound (minus the speedboat), and even more ‘in’ than wakeboarding, is kite-surfing. Costing around THB4,000 for a day, surfing behind a wind-propelled kite is a sport that has become increasingly popular at beaches in Hua Hin, Cha-am, Phuket and Ko Samui.
For a unique and lofty perspective of Thai beach life, a 15-minute parasailing ride, floating high above the sea strapped to a parachute, is exciting yet safe. Back at sea level, windsurfing equipment and instruction is widely available.
Deep-sea fishing trips can be as laid-back or as rod-pumping as the fish decide to make them. Most major resorts can arrange charters, where the evening meal depends on how well you do battle with a resistant giant tuna, a powerful barracuda or marlin.
For the unique opportunity to interact with the ocean’s most developed species, Oasis Sea World in Chanthaburi Province offers the family the chance to swim with dolphins (www.swimwithdolphinsthailand.com).
Considering that jet-skis are the cause of frequent accidents and occasional deaths, it is no surprise that some beaches ban them. If you hire a jet-ski, be careful where and how you ride it.
Sailing
Prices for sailing in Thailand are still reasonable compared with many established international centres, with a day’s outing running from around THB1,500 per person, including crew and hotel pick up. As more charter companies emerge, there’s an increasing variety of boats available, from day sailing in dinghies to longer trips with facilities for fishing, diving and sea canoeing. It’s even possible to get butler service. Weather conditions are generally favourable, and with relatively low boat traffic you can enjoy a large degree of solitude amid the south’s dramatic scenery, possibly dropping anchor in the silvery bay of an uninhabited isle.
There are marinas in Pattaya, Ko Chang and Krabi and several in Phuket, with more in the pipeline. Increased interest has brought greater publicity for December’s annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, which has won several awards, including Yachting Event of the Year at the Christofle Asia Boating Awards. Other popular highlights include Pattaya’s Top of the Gulf Regatta and the Ko Samui International Regatta, both usually held in May. All attract sailors from around the world, have opportunities for crewing and, of course, involve many parties.
Watersports at Patong Beach.
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Kayaking and white-water rafting
Blessed with thousands of kilometres of pristine waterways and shoreline, a kayaking tour is the most rewarding, eco-friendly and scenic way to explore the many limestone crags, secluded lagoons and tidal caves (known as hong) that are scattered in the waters around Ao Phang Nga and Trang in the Andaman Sea, or Ang Thong Marine National Park near Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand.
Embark on a day-long or several-day adventure at a gliding pace that even the least physically fit will find comfortable. It’s a great way to view undisturbed wildlife and meet new friends. Paddle from the coast and listen to the cacophony of sounds made by small animals and birds that permeate the dense growth as you negotiate the kayak through sinewy mangrove swamps. If an organised tour sounds too ambitious, then sea kayaks are also available for hourly rental on the beaches of Ko Chang, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Phi Phi. Those who regard kayaking as too tame can tumble over bumpy rapids on a dramatic knuckle-clenching white-water rafting expedition along the rivers that flow through wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Phang Nga Province and elsewhere.
Rock climbing in Railay.
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On land
Energetic, exercise-minded visitors are well catered for in Thailand’s forests, with experiences such as hiking, rock climbing or mountain biking all very popular. A good guide will ensure you not only witness the native flora and fauna, but also learn about it and the surrounding habitat.
National parks of South Thailand
Thailand has more than 110 national parks, sanctuaries and marine parks to investigate. Most are low on accommodation, but organised birdwatching and hiking tours, as well as boat trips to deserted islands, are a way to explore these protected areas.
Apart from Khao Sok National Park (for more information, click here), the following are worth highlighting. Located some 60km (40 miles) from Petchaburi, Thailand’s largest park, Kaeng Krachan (for more information, click here) is a haven for numerous species of large mammal, including tigers, elephants, leopards, bears, deer, gibbons and monkeys.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (for more information, click here) translates as ‘Three Hundred Mountain Peaks’, in reference to the limestone pinnacles jutting up from the park’s mangrove swamps to heights above 600 metres (2,000ft). Wildlife includes crab-eating macaques and the rare serow – a mountain goat-antelope. Birdwatchers shouldn’t miss a trip to Thailand’s largest wetland bird reserve, Thale Noi Waterfowl Park. At the tip of Songkhla Lake, it is home to nearly 200 species of waterfowl.
Mu Ko Lanta National Park (for more information, click here) and Ko Tarutao Marine National Park (for more information, click here) are island chains whose waters teem with marine life such as sharks, whales and the rare dugong.
Thailand’s rock-climbing sites are well known the world over, and the towering limestone karsts that have made the Krabi coast so famous are the perfect challenge for both novices and experts. There are several climbing schools operating along the Andaman coast, especially at Krabi, and Ko Tao also has some climbing and bouldering sites.
If teetering against the rock face attached to a rope sounds too nerve-wracking, a steady hike though forest trails presents a relatively gentle up-close-and-personal experience of Thailand’s wildlife. The best hikes are made in national-park land (for more information, click here) and should only be undertaken in the company of an experienced guide. Park rangers, who offer their services for a fee, are one option, although most will not speak much English. Otherwise, several tour companies organise day and overnight treks into the bigger parks.
Elephant riding in Phuket.
Nikt Wong/Apa Publications
Elephants are the symbol of Thailand, and in the past played a very important role in the country, transporting heavy goods such as logs, and carrying mounted troops into battle. Riding an elephant on treks gives a small hint at age-old modes of travel, when much movement through the jungle involved climbing on an elephant’s back. A few minutes will give you an appreciation of travel when it often took days or weeks to reach your destination. Capitalising on this exotic image, elephant rides are also widely available at all major beach destinations, although the experience is somewhat less romantic, with elephant camps or villages conducting hour-long to half-day tours around well-worn trails.
In the shadow of the mighty pachyderm, horse riding has been slow to catch on in Thailand and is still largely a pursuit of the wealthy. However, the most accessible spot to saddle up is on Hua Hin beach, where a stable of old nags are led up and down the sands. Riding clubs in Pattaya and Phuket are open to non-members, with reasonable hourly and daily rates.
For those who prefer horsepower of a different kind, try out the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tours that are becoming more common at the major resort areas. Unfortunately, some ATV operators restrict their rides to unexciting fenced-off circuits. More thrilling tours venture through thick muddy forest. Alternatively, mountain biking is another great way of navigating the dense undergrowth behind Thailand’s beaches.
Eco-friendly tours
While Thailand is only just waking up to the impact of ecotourism and environmental conservation, more and more people visit the country expressly to participate in conservation activities.
In Phang Nga Province, one can volunteer to monitor sea-turtle breeding grounds (http://lnx.naucrates.org). On Phuket, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project prepares rescued and abused gibbons for reintroduction to the wild, and is in constant need of volunteers (www.gibbonproject.org). When volunteering in Thailand it’s important to organise ahead as officially a work permit is required whether or not you are being paid.
Golf
Golf remains a popular pastime for Thailand’s middle and upper classes, as well as being a lure for dedicated visitors to the wide choice of internationally designed championship courses. The history of the sport in Thailand dates back to the 1920s, when King Rama VI and members of the aristocracy played their first rounds at the country’s first-ever golf club, the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course. Aside from being a relaxing way to improve your swing while on vacation, golf on Thailand’s fairways provides incredible locations and lush backdrops and often reasonable course and caddy fees for visitors.
Most of the country’s fairways are located in the central region around Bangkok and along the Eastern Seaboard region towards Pattaya. Hua Hin also has several golf courses, as does Phuket. Ko Samui currently has one 18-hole course.
Diving and snorkelling
With long coastlines skirting either side of the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand is a major international diving and snorkelling destination.
It’s not difficult to see why Thailand is popular with divers and snorkellers. The waters are clear and warm year-round, and a plethora of colourful coral reefs attract a huge variety of marine life, including turtles, sharks and rays. With dive shops and live-aboard tours accessing more remote dive sites as far as Malaysia to the south, Burma to the west and Cambodia to the east, Thailand is one of the most affordable places in the world to discover subaquatic vistas.
The Thai coast is split into three shores. Sharing the waters of the Gulf of Thailand, the Eastern Seaboard stretches from Bangkok to Ko Chang, while the Gulf Coast runs down from Bangkok to the deep south. To the west, the Andaman Sea is a part of the expansive Indian Ocean, licking the shores of Ranong, near Burma, all the way down to Satun on the Malaysian border.
The Andaman Sea is generally considered better in terms of reef and marine diversity, water clarity and its wealth of idyllic islands at which to anchor. Reached primarily via live-aboard trips from Phuket, the remote Similan and Surin island chains are considered the country’s premier sites, while the waters off Phuket, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta are also popular drop points. For an even greater sense of adventure, live-aboard trips sail into Burmese waters to dive the less-explored reefs of the Mergui Archipelago and the deep, shark-abundant Burma Banks.
Many overseas visitors learn how to dive while holidaying in Thailand. A number of these head to Thailand’s dive capital Ko Tao, which has a large number of dive schools, as do more experienced divers, as there are plenty of employment opportunities for wannabe dive instructors.
Dive sites
Most dive trips from the neighbouring islands of Ko Samui and Ko Phangan head to Ko Tao for the better sites, which unfortunately makes for frequent sightings of other dive groups as well as fish. Pattaya’s waters offer little in terms of coral and water clarity, although this is compensated by a number of wreck dives. Ko Chang is now a mature dive destination, with several dive schools running excursions to the 50-island archipelago’s many dive sites.
The majority of dive schools offer PADI Open Water certification courses from around THB10,000. Fun dives for qualified divers cost from THB1,000, discounted if you bring your own equipment. Before embarking on any dive trip, ask the operator if they operate their own boats, offer insurance, hotel pick-ups, and if there is an instructor or dive master who speaks your language.
Remember that the cheapest dive shops available are not always the safest. If you should get into trouble while submerged, there are emergency hyperbaric chambers situated in or around all of the major dive centres
A diver jumping into the water at Ko Tao.
John W. Ishii/Apa Publications
