The land of smiles is a great country to play sports. The Thai people have a special place in their heart for sports. Sports are such an integral part of the Thai culture that it goes way back in their history.
Thailand is most well known to their contribution to the martial arts through their national sport, Muay Thai. This form of kick boxing is different from most kick boxing styles because it uses eight points of contact compared to the traditional four and two for western boxing. It is recognized around the world as one of the deadliest forms of martial arts and indeed also one of the most exciting to watch.
When it comes to more contemporary forms of sports, golf is taking quite a foothold in Thailand. It started its popularity in the 1990’s and has become the most popular sport in the country. This is why you will not have a hard time looking for a great course to get your swing back in Thailand. The great weather in the country also doesn’t hurt. Because Thailand has such a varied geography, there is also quite a wide range of sports that one can enjoy in there from mountain biking to water sports.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Thailand. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Thailand
- Football (Soccer), badminton, golf, tennis, weight lifting
Thailand Regional or Traditional Sports
- Muay Thai, Sepak Takraw, Kite Flying
Thailand Sporting Success
Great athletes from Thailand
- Udomporn Polsak (weightlifter)
- Somrak Kamsing (Muay Thai)
- Khaosai Galaxy (Boxing)
- Paradorn Srichaphan (Tennis)
- Kiatisuk Senamuang (Football)
Thailand Sports trivia
Thailand at major events
- Thailand at the Summer Olympics
- Thailand at the Winter Olympics
- Thailand women's football team at the FIFA Women's World Cup
- Thailand at the AFC Asian Cup
Past sporting events hosted in Thailand
- Asian Games, 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998
- 1978 WBF World Championships
- Southeast Asian Games 1985, 1995, 2007
- 1997 World Weightlifting Championships
- 2003 Men's World Boxing Championships in Bangkok
- 2007 Summer Universiade
- 2007 World Weightlifting Championships
- 2007 AFC Asian Cup (soccer)
- 2014 Asian Beach Games
- 2019 Weightlifting World Championships in Pattaya
- 2023 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Bangkok and Chonburi
- 2023 World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima
Upcoming sporting events in Thailand
Annual sporting events held in Thailand
- Thailand National Games