Sand Volleyball in Bangkok (with the option of Beach Volleyball in Pattaya)

In the past few months, more and more people living in Thailand (especially the Thais) have rekindled their pride in the Thai volleyball national team. The media exposure the women’s team has received during and after a few major regional and international events is equivalent to the effort they had put into winning the gold medal at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. On top of that, they achieved a well-deserved fourth place at the 2011 Asian Championships and a sixth place at the World Grand Prix. The men’s team has done equally well, bringing home the gold at the 2011 SEA Games but with a modest tenth place at the 2011 Asian Championships.

But what if you’re a foreigner living and working in Thailand and fancy a game of volleyball? How about joining the wonderful people at the Bangkok Beach Volleyball Social Group who play regularly both in the capital and in Pattaya. According to Don Donchuanchom, a 45-year-old Thai-American volleyball lover, “there’s nothing better than to be on a beach and play some ball.”

Don is one of the pillars of the Bangkok Beach Volleyball Social Group and, although he’s not a permanent resident of Thailand, he brings along 25 years of experience. Don had the idea of starting this group from his experience organizing the Marina Park Volleyball group in the San Francisco Bay Area, but since he’s started to come regularly to Thailand since 1992, he found it “convenient” to set up a similar group on the other side of the world.

Using the online MeetUp.com platform, Don has gathered together over one hundred members who have an interest in beach volleyball. Although they do not participate in all the games organized, as most of them have both a job and a family they have to give priority to, the Bangkok Beach Volleyball Social Group is quite an active one. And since Bangkok is such a cosmopolitan city, it is not surprising that apart from Thais, there are also Malaysian, Chinese, Filipino, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Australian, Indian, British, German, Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Peruvian, Irish, Canadian, American, plus many more nationalities in their group.

Don is the Main Organizer of the group, being the person who started the group and who pays the fees to MeetUp.com to host the group’s activity. He is in charge of most of the game planning and postings when the games are held in Bangkok. An Assistant Organizer holds inventory to most of the volleyball equipment. All of the volleyball net systems, boundary lines, tournament quality beach game balls, and other volleyball equipment have already been purchased by Don. Also, a team of Event Organizers post specific game details of when to play and at what venue.

Having in mind that the members’ ages vary from 22 to 60+ and that they are of different abilities when it comes to beach volleyball, the levels of play range from beginners who need instruction and coaching to advanced beach doubles players. “The level of play is very wide since many of the players here come from different types of volleyball backgrounds. Many played only indoor sixes before coming here. Other prefer grass quads to indoor or sand. Still others play beach, but mainly play 4s or 6s and not 2s,” explained Don. Having said this, you can still play at a higher level on your preferred surface and player configuration, but play at a lower level when you move to a surface or configuration that you are not use to.

Regarding the formats of play, the Bangkok Beach Volleyball Social Group currently plays beach/sand doubles, triples, and quads. When they have many players, they play 5s and 6s on the sand. Speaking of the group’s future plans, Don confessed: “We are hoping to find a park where we can set up grass nets. We are also looking to play indoor.” When it rains, they still play sand or beach as long as there is no lightning!

Although they do not play against other teams or provinces and are not part of any volleyball organization or league, the beauty of it all is that you can join the group anytime by yourself or with some friends and just play.

Unless the weather (or the floods) don’t allow it, the Bangkok Beach Volleyball Social Group plays at the Arsenal Soccer School in Bangkok, usually on a Saturday. They’ve also just started adding a one-weekday game. When they feel like getting out of town, they also play on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. Here, the players play with and compete against the local Thais and the foreign tourist players. “In the future, the idea is to play at other beaches and islands in Thailand too,” said Don.

Like all social groups the players oftentimes like to go out to eat and get some drinks after the games. When in Jomtien Beach, some of the players go clubbing after the games.

To join the group, sign up with MeetUp – it’s free of charge -, or email Don at [email protected] if you require more details. The costs involved depend on the number of players attending each game. At Arsenal Soccer School the hourly fee for renting the sand court is 1.080 baht. Of course, at Jomtien Beach, it is free to play but then you have to cover the costs of transportation and accommodation by yourself. In case they’ll be able to find parks to set up grass nets, the play there should also be free. Basically, there is not much cost to play and, according to the organizers, there will never be a fee to join the group or to pay for the equipment!

Arsenal Soccer School is located on Sukhumvit Road 71 (Soi Pridi Banomyong 21) with the nearest BTS station being Prakanong (between Ekkamai and On Nut). Visit their website for a detailed map.

Originally published in “Bangkok Trader” (Vol. 6, No. 5, April 2012)