Melbourne Cup it ain’t, but horse racing at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club is certainly an unexpected novelty in this crazy city.
Welcome to the Sport of Kings, Thailand
Horse racing is known as the Sport of Kings. In Thailand, it was King Rama the Fifth who bestowed the land for the first racecourse, which was the birth of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
The Royal Bangkok Sports Club became the most elite club in the country and yet on horse racing days the public are given access albeit in a general admissions area. It remains egalitarian however with the winning post aligned to the general entrance stand.
The objective of His Majesty and the Club was to introduce and promote the quality of horse racing and breeding in Thailand while providing sporting facilities of international standards for Thais and expatriates.
It is a fascinating day out although it is probably fair to say horse racing in Thailand, still needs some development and the horses’ breeding is not blue blood, meaning not from the top stallions in the world.
They still look pretty good to me!
Horse racing in Thailand
It is a curiously laid-back affair. The races seem to run on Thai Time. We were amazed at how long the horse stayed in the starting stalls for one race. They say that horse racing support is in decline in Thailand, it remains the domain of the mega-rich owners and the punters.
Horse Racing in Bangkok
The race track runs around the outside of the golf course. This is the only horse racing course I know, where the jockeys had to keep an eye out for the other jockey but also low-flying golf balls. Mr Wren said he would be terrified to play golf on racing days!
Although further research seems to suggest that a shortened twelve-hole version of the course, avoiding those holes which cross the race track, is on offer. They say playing the last hole on race day is a fantastic experience with a full grandstand cheering you home!
Racing is usually held at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club on two Sundays per month, this currently alternates with the Royal Turf Club, but recent announcements in the Press seem to suggest the racing days at the Royal Turf Club may be numbered, perhaps in favour of more racing at the RBSC, we wait to see. Occasionally races are held on a Saturday.
The schedule is published but remains flexible as we found out last year when we had all our friends and family booked in for a day at the races and the horse racing was canceled as a mark of respect at the time of official mourning for the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Gambling in Thailand
Nearly all forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand. One of the reasons horse racing is popular is that apart from the National Lottery, betting on horses at a few race tracks is permitted.
A number of betting options are available to the race-goer. This includes the recently introduced combination betting of Trifecta and Quinella.
If you want to know more about what you are seeing it is worth investing a few Baht in the programme.
With no idea about the form of horses in Thailand, we just picked a few names that we liked the sound of. I had a win on a horse named Orchid Queen, following my love of orchids you can read about Orchid Queen at the races here
What to wear
From what I could see this is not the posh hats and fancy frock affairs of Royal Ascot or Melbourne Cup. Unless you are invited into the Members area at the RSBC then men will need long trousers, jackets and women, show wear dresses that are not revealing – no skimpy tops.
If you are in the general admissions area the rules are more relaxed, shorts are fine for men. But as in all areas of Thai life smart and less revealing is the way to go!
The Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) details
1 Henri Dunant Street, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Tel : (66) 2652-5000 E-mail: sportsclub@rbsc.org
For the latest racing dates: See www.rbsc.org/racing
Horse Racing in 2022
Horse Racing between RBSC and Thailand Horse Racing Association at RBSC Racecourse from 12 noon – 4.30 p.m., on Saturday, 17th September 2022.
11 comments
The horses are very nice critters! 🙂
Hi Ella, thank you for stopping by from Saturday’s Critters!
Wren x
Hello, I am surprised horse racing is happening in Thailand. They have a nice looking race track. The horses are beautiful. Love the last view. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Thanks also for the comment on my post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
Hi Eileen – it is a very smart track isn’t it and a lovely view back across to some of the smartest hotels in Bangkok. Thanks for hosting I am happy to join in with you this week.
Happy Saturday too.
Wren x
Very interesting! Great photos!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I enjoy the horse races. They are magnificent animals. The golf course shot is beautiful! Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Betty Thanks for stopping by to admire the magnificent horses here in Bangkok – loved seeing your foals too!
Happy Sunday!
Wren x
What fun! I attended one horse race once and it was very exciting. What a beautiful horse!
Oh Marie, we have had many exciting days at the races over the years, having had a few part shares in races horses. I never imagined we would be going to the races in Bangkok though. Thanks for joining in with the excitement!
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Wren x
There’s something about horse racing that invites betting, especially on horses that you just like the name of. I can’t imagine having it go around a golf course, though.
It is a pretty impressive use of space, isn’t it? Unless your shot from the tee-off happens to be a bit off. We are still recovering as a family when we were watching MR Wren at the driving range in Queensland hitting balls into a lake. We took the kids and everyone enjoyed the ride in the golf buggy and then Daddy’s ball hit a low flying duck… disaster, poor bird. He won’t be playing golf on a horse racing day in Bangkok for sure!
Keeping knitting your Letters Z is in sight!
Wren x