swimming pools

[gorcum-old]

Does anyone know of good public swimming pools in Bangkok? I will be spending 5 weeks in Bangkok and I find swimming to be a good exercise. Also in which pools is some good eye candy?

[lonelywombat]

Does anyone know of good public swimming pools in Bangkok? I will be spending 5 weeks in Bangkok and I find swimming to be a good exercise. Also in which pools is some good eye candy?

Might I suggest you use the search function at top of page to find out more about this notice in Lumpini park

[Beachlover]

What does the "medical health certificate" bit mean?

[krobbie]

Isn't that a lovely picture? Another welcome sign from Tai foreigners.

I use the hotel pool. By the number of people that use them, there just has to be less urine than a public bath.

[Hmmm]

For a city as big as Bangkok, in a tropical climate, the dearth of 'walk up' public swimming facilities is somewhat surprising. But the Thais are not keen swimmers.

The options are basically:
- a small number of public pools that require a doctor's certificate, several photos, and an annual membership (albeit usually dirt cheap). Some have suggested that the medical certificate may also be required of Thais. You may have such a pool entirely to yourself, or have to share it with mothers and their non-toilet trained infants, or various levels of relative inconvenience in between.
eg Lumpini, Benchasiri Parks
- a small number of expensive fitness clubs that do not usually have day rates
- university pools that are mostly miles from anywhere. Chula is the exception, but access is uncertain.
- hotels / condos that allow casual swimmers in their pools (generally unsuitable for lap swimming) at rates designed to discourage use (eg 300-500 baht/time)
- a few shopping malls with rooftop pools, mostly on the outskirts of the city, and generally not suited to lap swimming

A lot of the information on the net is unfortunately out of date (eg the YMCA has been gone for years), but try these:
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Swiimming ... 33546.html (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Swiimming-Pools-Swimmers-t133546.html)
http://www.swimmersguide.com/

The National Stadium pool re-opened a year or so back after lying idle for a few years. It looks like it might be a possibility again, but I haven't tried it yet. Its showers apparently used to have a certain 'reputation'. If you look across from the Skytrain station, you can see a concrete soccer field in the forecourt, behind which is a basketball stadium, behind which is the pool (50m and 25m diving pool). Go through the front gate at street level and walk straight down past the basketball stadium. Take the cross street between it and the pool over to the MBK side, which appears to be where the front entrance to the pool is. A Thai speaking helper would probably come in handy here.

Please report any positive results.

If in Silom, Trinity Fitness Centre is worth a look:
http://www.trinitycorp.com/html/fitness_center.html

The Pattumwan Princess Hotel has a salt water pool of near Olympic proportions. It can be used by residents and members of the excellent health club there.

[TrongpaiExpat]

Siam City Water Park. The amusement park is separate from the water park and you can just pay for the pools. The amusement rides are quite expensive by Thai standards and most Thai families come and only do the water park.

Weekdays not many people if school is in session. Taxi from central Bangkok is about 300B.

www.siamparkcity.com/EN/E_HOME.html (http://www.siamparkcity.com/EN/E_HOME.html)

You mean Suan Siam? If you say Siam City, I'm afraid some lesser genius might end up at Senora Kamala's hotel instead.

[mahjongguy]

I concur with Hmmm's very accurate post. It's a pity. One of my bigger disappointments when living in BKK for 3 years. I had hoped for something like Kowloon Park in Hong Kong. An excellent place to swim and to observe. Note: Speedo type swimwear is required, no long baggy shorts allowed.

I hope someone will check out National Stadium.

[gorcum-old]

thank you every one for your input. I will be in BKK in November/December, My special boy works during the day, swimming would be a nice way to spend some time while he is working. National Stadium seems to be the best thing, I will check it out first. I will report on my findings.