How to start playing padel in Bangkok

Bangkok has padel clubs from Thonburi to Bang Na. Start with one that is easy to reach after work: see the club rankings, the map of every club, or the clubs by area. In the rainy season and the midday heat, a covered or indoor court is the safer choice for a first game.

There is no single booking app in Bangkok. Each club uses its own, and the list below shows which. Make an account before your first game, and fill in your level when the app asks (see step 5).

A court costs between 800 and 1,840 THB an hour, shared by four players, so expect about 200 to 460 THB each. Weekday daytime is cheapest. The price comparison has every club side by side.

Most clubs have rackets you can rent or borrow, so ask when you book rather than buying one straight away. Wear court shoes with a herringbone or clay-court sole, not running shoes. Bring plenty of water: Bangkok heat is serious. More in our guides to padel shoes, what to pack and playing in the heat.

Players and events in Bangkok often describe levels on the Playtomic scale from 0 to 7, even though clubs book through several different apps. Most people who have never played start around 0.5 to 1, and tennis or squash players often start a little higher. Playtomic levels explained shows how it works. Learn the basics of the serve, the walls and scoring before you go.

An Americano is a social event where you change partners every few games, so you meet several players in one evening. Many clubs run beginner and low-level ones every week, listed below and on the events page. Americano or Mexicano? explains the formats.

A couple of lessons early on will help you learn the walls and the volley faster. See coaching in Bangkok and what lessons cost. To find people to play with, post your level and area in our Facebook group.