.jpg) There are plenty of things for children to enjoy in Thailand. In fact, Thailand gives way for people of all ages to feel like a kid again. The Thais have a very fun-loving nature and adore children. You may find a host of free babysitters at your disposal. Children will love playing in the warm water at beach destinations, checking out the bizarre markets, watching monkeys climb trees and get coconuts for their owners, and in some rural locations, seeing gibbons freely swinging and running around in the jungle. Alternatively, Bangkok’s Dusit Zoo houses over 1300 animals for children to observe.
Sports:
Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
Muay Thai: is a national form of martial art that has become increasingly popular worldwide. Bouts are five, three-minute rounds separated by two-minute breaks. Boxers wear gloves and trunks (always red or blue) and their bare feet are taped. Matches take place on a 78-square-foot canvas floor, with rope retainer supported by four padded posts. Fights are preceded by a wai khru dance, in which each contestant pays homage to his teachers. Each boxer wears a headband, mongkol, which has been blessed by his teacher, and armbands.
Visit this website for further information about Thailand : www.tat-la.com
Where to see? (Bangkok)
There are Muay Thai stadiums in all towns across the country. The main tourist spots often provide twice-weekly shows, but the real thing is best seen in Bangkok:
Lumpini Stadium
Rama IV Road, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 252-8765, 251-4303, 253-7702, 253-7940
Fight Nights: Tuesdays and Fridays from 6.30 p.m, Saturday afternoons 5-8 p.m., Saturday nights from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside)
Visit website www.muaythailumpinee.net
Ratchadamnoen Stadium
Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
Tel: (662) 281-4205, 280-1684-6
Fight Nights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, starting at 6.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 500, 1,000, 1,500 Baht (ringside); special discount on Sunday nights
Channel 7 Stadium
Behind the old Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit), opp. Chatuchak Park, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 272-0201
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 1.45 p.m., third Wednesday of each month starting at 12.00 noon.
Ticket prices: Free admission
Rangsit Stadium
336/932 Prachathipat Road, Rangsit, Pathumthani
Tel: (662) 992-0099
Fight Nights: Wednesdays & Thursdays from 8.30 p.m.
Ticket Prices: 110 (women only), 220 Baht
Rangsit is famous for holding international girl fights.
Samrong Stadium
Samrong Road, Samutprakarn (just East of Bagna District, Bangkok)
Tel: (662) 393-3592
Fight Nights: Fridays and Sundays, from 8.30 p.m
Ticket Prices: 100 Baht for women, 200 Baht for men
Omnoy (also spelt Omnoi) Stadium
74 Moo 12 Tumbon Omnoy, Amphoe Krathumbaen, Samutsakorn
Tel: (662) 420-4317
Fight Schedule: Saturdays from 11.45 a.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
International Stadium, Chachoengsao
23/22 Moo 6 Thepkunakorn Road, Tumbon Sothorn, Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao
Tel: (66-38) 821-746-50
Fight Schedule: Sundays, from 4.00 p.m.
Tickets: 200 Baht
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Scuba Diving:
Scuba diving is Thailand’s most popular water sport. The country boasts some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world – the water is clear, the sea life is plentiful, and transport and accommodations are readily available. Diving in Thailand is comparatively cheap, and once you have achieved your certification in Thailand, you can use it to scuba dive all over the world.
 Why Thailand?
The Andaman Coast – A world of stunning natural beauty
 155,213 square miles of marine environment
Over 500 islands
Year-round diving
Unique characteristics rarely found elsewhere
One of the few sites in the world where whale sharks and manta rays can be found
Twenty percent of world’s coral reef fish, with over 800 species
Well-developed diving tourism
Affordable and safe
When to visit & dive?
 Andaman Sea
November to May is the dive season in the Andaman Sea. If you would like to fully experience the tropical skies, sunlight, and clear undisturbed water, February to April is best.
Gulf of Thailand
April to October is the main dive season in the Gulf of Thailand. However, the best time is between August and September.
Where to dive?
North Andaman Similan Islands – One of the Top 10 most beautiful dive sites in the world
The charm of the soft corals and sea fans make this area one of the top 10 most beautiful dive sites in the world. It also has the greatest diversity of marine life. Many species of fish are found only here, and with over 100 convenient live-abroad boats ready to serve, no one can deny that these islands are in a league of their own. Popular dive sites are East of Eden, Island No. 5, Shark Rock, Christmas Point, and Hin Pusar.
Richelieu and Surin Islands – Best for Whale Shark
Richelieu is a world famous site to encounter the world’s largest fish: the whale shark. The area also has the most abundant soft coral reefs of any site in Thailand. Giant cuttlefish and grouper are always divers’ underwater companions here. Surin Islands’ deep-water areas of the reef slopes are the habitat for several rare creatures, such as ribbon eels, crocodile fish, leaf fish,  and so on. Sharks and sea turtles are plentiful in these islands as well.
Ko Bon and Ko Tachai – Best for Manta Ray
Located in Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park, divers head out to Ko Bon to see manta, the largest ray in the world. Ko Tachai is an island surrounded by a vast expanse of sea. Underwater rocks are one of the most diverse habitats for soft corals and sea fans in Thailand. Whale sharks and manta rays often visit. The beauty of the 65-foot-deep underwater rocks is a sight not to be missed.
Hin Muang – Hin Daeng – Best for wall dive
“Muang” (purple) and “Daeng” (red) indicate the colors of the soft corals that adorn these islands. There are also sea fans, large black corals, and fishes that range in size from tiny to enormous, such as whale sharks, manta rays, great barracudas, and small rare animals like the harlequin shrimps.
Hin Muang – Hin Daeng is the best for wall dives in Thailand.
 Adang – Rawee – Secret of Thailand’s blue world
At the southern tip of Thailand are located some remote dive sites that very few people have visited. However, it is one of the three most diverse dive sites, comparable to the Surin and Similan Islands. Eight-Mile Rock is the best in the area. Whale sharks and manta rays often visit. It is also an interesting historical site for both sea gypsies, who consider the sea as their home, and the legendary of Tarutao, who were sunk for good by British troops in 1947.
Phi Phi Islands – Best for wreck dives in the Indian Ocean
 The world beneath the waves of Phi Phi is no less enchanting than the mainland. Diving alongside limestone cliffs and into water caves, and encountering large and small marine creatures such as leopard sharks, frogfish and ghost pipefish are popular here. If you want more excitement, the King Cruiser wreck is one of the most famous wreck dives in the Indian Ocean. Phi Phi is a year-round dive site, though best from December to April.
Phuket Island – Convenient and year-round
Phuket is an island where Thailand travelers must visit at least once. Its dive sites can be reached so easily, quickly, and conveniently. The Racha Islands and the underwater rocks around Phuket are full of soft corals and sea fans. It is a year-round dive site, though best from December to April.
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Gulf of Thailand - East
Pattaya and Ko Chang – Convenient and affordable
Closer to Bangkok, Pattaya and Ko Chang offer fun, convenient, and affordable diving experiences. Pattaya’s near-shore islands, such as Ko Lan and Ko Sak, are accessible within 20-40 minutes. Sea horse, sea moth, Indian walkman and crocodile fish are easily found here. Ko Rin, an offshore island, provides better visibility, with three shipwrecks to be explored.
Hin Sam Sao and Hin Look Bath, located to the south of Ko Chang, is an open sea area where the visibility is better than any other part of the east. For aquatic scenery, there are hard corals, sea whips, and a few species of soft corals. A greater diversity of fish can be found here, especially reef fishes like damselfish and angelfish, as well as large pelagic fish such as barracudas and sharks.
Gulf of Thailand - West
Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao – Most popular on Thailand’s Gulf coast
More than 70 islands, including the three world-famous islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao, make this area one of the most famous dive sites in Thailand. To really enjoy the underwater world, Ko Tao should be the first choice. It is the best place to learn diving as well. Experienced divers, meanwhile, can encounter large creatures like the whale sharks, manta rays, potato cods, and so on.
What about friends & family?
For groups or family travelers, good live aboard operations will take non-divers along at a substantially reduced fee. Friends and family can relax, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and still enjoy the food, scenery, and experience of sailing in some of the world’s most beautiful waters.
Visit this website for further information about Thailand : www.tat-la.com
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Golfing
Golf: With modern facilities, internationally designed golf courses, and an excellent infrastructure, Thailand has become a natural attraction for golfers. Golf has been played in Thailand for 100 years now, with matches reported at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club as early as 1905. The first recognized 18-hole course, Royal Hua Hin, was built by a Scottish engineer in 1924 in the aristocratic seaside resort of Hua Hin. Thailand now has more than 200 courses throughout the country and hosts many tournaments, including international renowned Honda LPGA and the Royal Trophy – Europe vs. Asia Golf Championship. With ease and extraordinary service, Thailand is a golfer's paradise.
 Why Thailand?
Value for money
Wide choices of golf courses and accommodations
Shopping paradise
Fantastic variety of dinning and entertainment
Climate
Tropical and sunshine
All year round playing condition
Golf courses
More than 200 courses
Superb facilities
Choices of unbeatable courses designed by leading professionals including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Destination diversity
Busting city of Bangkok
Mountainous countryside of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Glorious beaches in Phuket and Samui to the bright lights and nightlife of Pattaya
Quieter seaside town of Hua Hin to the waterfalls and dramatic scenery of Khao Yai
 Caddy services
Greeting upon arrival at the clubhouse
Taking care of arrangements before tee off
Guiding around the course
Giving the distance to the green
Mark balls
Calling the lines of the putts
Exceptional value services
The Thai people
Known to be some of the friendliest in the world
Very welcoming to visitors
The Thai food
Wide choices from local dishes to cosmopolitan cuisine with all price ranges
 Diverse activites outside golf
Awe-inspiring temples and shrines
Cheerful local markets and street stalls
Marvelous beaches
Spectacular waterfalls
Breathtaking mountain scenery
International shopping malls
World-class spas
Exceptional cuisines
What’s the best time to play?
Golf can be played in Thailand every day of the year. The cool and dry period from November to February is the best time of the year. The summer season, from March to June, is also a good time for playing golf and getting a suntan. During the rainy season, from July to October, downpour can be severe, but they rarely hold up a game for more than an hour or two. Golfers still enjoy their rounds during rainy season, as it is usually greener and cooler.
Where to play?
In Bangkok, there are several great courses around the city and its suburbs, mostly within an hour’s driving time. Some of these are rated the best in the country--so good that they are often chosen to host many international competitions, including the prestigious Johnny Walker Classic, Johnny Walker Super Tour, Asia Honda Classic, Volvo Masters Asia and the 13th Asian Games.
The popular seaside resorts of Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket and Samui have a good array of layouts, many with views of the ocean. If you prefer mountain scenery, the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast, and Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai in the West are excellent alternative.
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