Hey sports fans! Here's how to catch live action in Bangkok

Tired of watching football on TV in the pub all the time, or waking up at an ungodly hour to catch that NBA basketball game on ESPN?

Scoff you might, but Bangkok plays host to great local and international sporting events throughout the year. And we’re not talking about paying US$50 the next time Liverpool comes to Bangkok for a friendly so you can watch Fernando Torres play for three minutes.

The Thai Premier League is steadily improving and attracting new fans. The 2010 season starts this weekend.

Thai Premier League Football

Like much of the world, one of the most exciting spectator sports in Thailand is football. The Thai Premier League  has come a long way in the past few years and the 2010 season kicks off this weekend, on March 14.

With eight teams based in and around Bangkok, find out which club is closest to you and get behind them. The league’s official website has lots of information on teams and schedules. Other useful sites include Soccerway.com and Thaileaguefootball.com.

Compared to following a team in Europe the price of tickets is minimal. The quality of football is improving every season and since the league’s revamp a few years ago, crowd numbers have swelled. Thai fans get as fired up as any, with plenty of cheering, singing and flag waving helping to make it a great day out. 

Meanwhile 2009 league champions Muangthong United and FA Cup winners Thai Port FC both qualified for the group stages of this year’s AFC Cup, which kicked off last month.  A full schedule of the games is available on the AFC website.

Golf

Top tour events are occasionally held in Thailand, with the LPGA Thailand Open recently held in Pattaya featuring all but one of the world’s top 50 players. The men’s Thailand Open returns this year after a brief absence, joining the OneAsia Tour.

To be held in Bangkok in September, the Thailand Open’s million-dollar prize money is sure to make it a key event on the tour calendar. There are also a number of Asian Tour events in Thailand this year too.

Gilles Simon was the winner of the 2009 PTT Thailand Open.

Tennis

The major event of the year is the PTT Thailand Open. Held annually since 2003, previous winners of the ATP Tour event include Roger Federer, James Blake and 2009 champion Gilles Simon.

Despite some of the top name players pulling out in recent years, the tournament is still definitely worth checking out. This year’s open runs September 27 to October 3. As an added attraction, the ball girls seem to be chosen for their looks rather than agility.

International Boxing

The presence of great Muay Thai boxing is no secret, with top bouts regularly held at Lumpini Boxing stadium. But Thailand also has a long and rich tradition of developing some of the world’s best international boxers.  

For a weekly rundown of international bouts, which usually involve a skilled Thai knocking the hell out of a far inferior ASEAN neighbor, check out Muay Loke magazine, available at most dodgy newsstands. As an added bonus (for some perhaps), each issue includes a sexy picture of a scantily clad girl -- just in case boxing wasn’t testosterone-laced enough.

Great world-title bouts are occasionally held in the capital, but they are often announced only shortly before the actual fight, so keep an eye on boxing websites and the local papers.

The ASEAN basketball league starts in October.

Basketball

The Thailand Tigers is one of only six teams competing in the inaugural 2009/10 season of the ASEAN Basketball League. Managing just three wins out of 15, it appears the Tigers will need stronger support in 2010/11.

The Tigers play at Nimibutr National Stadium, next to National Stadium BTS station. The next season is not due to start until October.

Horseracing

If you like a bit of a gamble then look no further than Sunday horseracing. Unless you foolishly decide to bet your kids’ college funds away, a day at the races can be an exhilarating experience -- kids love the horses too.

Race events are held on alternating Sundays at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club on Henri Dunant Road and the Royal Turf Club on Phitsanulok Road near Chitralada Palace. Info on which club is hosting which weekend is available here.

Thailand's annual Elephant Polo tournament attracts spectators and players from around the world.

Alternative sporting events

There are also some less predictable events out there. Among the more unlikely is a budding local ice hockey league. The Thai World Hockey League season runs from September to April, with matches every Sunday evening at Imperial Samrong. 

Meanwhile, the Six-Red snooker tournament is held each year at the Montien Riverside Hotel and attracts some of the world’s best players. Last year’s winner was old favorite Jimmy White. This year’s competition runs from July 17-25.

Another option is badminton, with the BWF SCG Thailand Open 2010 being held in Bangkok from June 29 – July 4. Rugby, cricket and polo events are also held regularly, but they seem as equally focused on the partying as the actual sporting endeavor.

Beyond Bangkok’s borders, Thailand plays host to scores of other international tournaments and events, from beach volleyball to Rubik’s cubing. For example, this weekend Hua Hin will host the Kiteboarding World Cup.

But of all the events happening in Thailand, the wackiest of the bunch has to be the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament in Chiang Rai, which starts March 22.

Premier League clubs in and around Bangkok

• Bangkok Glass, LEO Stadium, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 
• Bangkok United, Thai-Japanese Stadium, Bangkok Youth Center, 1 Mit Maitri Soi, Din Daeng, Bangkok 
• BEC Tero Sasana. Thephasadin Stadium, Rama I Road, Siam, Bangkok 
• Muangthong United, Yamaha Stadium (Thunderdome), Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi 
• Police United, Thamasat University Stadium, 99 Moo 18, Phaholyothin Road, Klong Muang, Klong Luang, Bangkok
• Royal Thai Army, Thai Army Sports Stadium, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Din Daeng, Bangkok
• Thai Port, PAT Stadium, Na Ranong Road, Klong Toei, Bangkok
• TOT, TOT Stadium, Chaeng Wattana 5, Lak Si, Nonthaburi