Fitness

Most hotels, certainly the finest five-star properties, support quality fitness centers complete with personal trainers and top equipment. California, just along Silom Road near Patpong at Liberty Square (tel. 02631-1122), is a large convenient facility open to day visitors. The riotous Hash House Harriers (the drinking club for people with a running problem) holds regular events and is very active throughout Thailand. Check their website at www.bangkokhhh.com.

Golf

Enthusiasts will be happy to know that you don't have to go far to enjoy some of Thailand's best courses; there are a number of courses, some of championship quality, in or near the city center.

Kantarat, Thai Airports Authority Gate, 1km (2/3 mile) south of the airport domestic terminal (tel. 02534-3840), also known as Don Muang or the Old Royal Thai Air Force course, because this long 18-hole course sits between the two primary runways at Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport. As if putting isn't nerve wracking enough, you'll have planes landing and taking off all around. Tough course, and full of potential laughs. Best to make reservations for weekend play (greens fees: weekdays 600B/$15; weekends 800B/$20).

Pinehurst Golf & Country Club, 73 Paholyothin Rd., Klong Luang, Pathum Thani (tel. 05321-1911), sports three nine-hole courses at par 27 each. This prestigious club served as the venue for the 1992 Johnnie Walker Classic (greens fees: 1,500B/$36 weekdays, 2,000B/$49 weekends).

Rose Garden Golf Club, 53/1 Moo 4, Petchkasem Highway, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom (tel. 02253-0295), an esteemed par-72 course offers a pretty game, with scenery enhanced by wooded surrounds (greens fees: weekdays 450B/$11; weekends 1,110B/$27).

Unico Golf Club, 47 Moo 7, Krungthep Kretha Road, Prawet, Bangkok (tel. 02377-9038; fax 02379-3780), is a well-established city course with many challenging holes (greens fees: weekdays 535B/$13; weekends 1,070B/$26).

Royal Thai Army Golf Club, 459 Ram Indra Road, Bang Kaen, Bangkok, (tel. 02521-1530), has both an old course and a new course to choose from. This well-maintained course was host to the Thai Open (greens fees: weekdays 600B/$15; weekends 800B/$20).

Horse Racing

The prestigious and private Royal Bangkok Sports Club holds horse racing events that are open to the public every second Sunday of the month. It occupies a prime spot on Henri Dunant Road, opposite Chulalongkorn University, north of Rama IV Road (tel. 02251-0181). Admission is 150B ($3.40) and betting begins at 50B ($1.20) on a win-place basis only.

Yoga

Bikram Yoga, the famous "sweaty yoga" of athletic Hatha postures done in a room heated-up like a sauna, has a branch in central Bangkok. There are numerous daily classes from 10am until evening. Walk-ins for the rigorous 1 1/2-hour sessions pay 500B ($12). Wear loose workout duds and bring a big bottle of water (or buy one there) and be ready to sweat buckets. The studio is at 29/1 14th Fl, Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Rd (tel. 02652-1333), just down the street from the Chit Lom station on the BTS skytrain.

Yoga Elements offers daily classes from different traditions. A very professional outfit and walk-ins pay just 350B ($8.50). They're near the Sala Daeng BTS station at the Kitpanit Building (2-18 Patpong Road, suite 401 tel. 02634-3095).