Archery in Bangkok

Although archery is not as popular as muay thai or takraw, there are still several private and university archery clubs where amateur and professional archers can train. The biggest outdoor archery field in Bangkok is the one located in Hua Mark Sports Complex on Ramkhamhaeng Road, where the Thai archery national team trains under the supervision of the National Archery Association of Thailand (NAAT). But, of course, as a total beginner (and foreigner), it was literally impossible for me to train with the archers in the national team.

So, the most recommended thing for me to do was to join one of the few clubs that operate at the Hua Mark Archery Field and start my basic training. The clubs are quite small, made up of around ten archers each, who shoot both recurve bows (Olympic style) and compound bows (Rambo style). You’ll strat with the very basics of archery, from posture, bow grip, drawing position and arrow releasing techniques. Apart from a sense of achievement and fulfillment, my fellow archers, both Thai and foreigner, are also a good bunch of people to be with.

If, by now, you’re still not convinced that archery might be the next great thing for you or your children, here are some of the major benefits of archery:

• it keeps you physically fit (especially your upper-body);
• corrects your body posture;
• helps you clear your mind (through meditation and visualization);
• creates a good self-image;
• boosts you attention span;
• gives you a feeling of freedom and empowerment;
• increases your self-confidence; and
• teaches you teamwork skills.

Unfortunately, archery can be an expensive sport, with equipment ranging from 6,000 baht for a beginner’s bow to almost 100,000 baht for a professional one.

Update: NAAT organizes free archery lessons for beginners every Saturday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 at Hua Mark Archery Field in Bangkok. Absolutely all equipment is provided free of charge but a yearly fee of 300 baht must be paid to the Association. Once the archers pass the beginner’s course, they can shoot on their own any time they want.

Initially published in Bangkok Trader (vol. 4, no. 2, January 2010)