Bangkok Triathlon Club

If you’re seriously considering participating in a major athletic event such as a triathlon (that’s swimming, biking and running rolled into one race), chances are you don’t know anyone else as deranged as you to train with. That’s where the Bangkok Triathlon Club, or “TriNerds”, comes in. And don’t worry if you’ve never done a triathlon before. The group started when a bunch of beginners signed up to do the Laguna Phuket Triathlon in 2004, but found no one to answer their many questions on how to train. Many members are now seasoned Ironmen and Ironwomen, but many are beginning to train for their first triathlon. Some just show up for the running training or swimming training if you have no intention of doing a full triathlon event. Outside of training, regulars meet up for dinner and drinks every few weeks, as coordinated by the organizer.
Join “TriNerds” on Facebook or visit bangkoktriclub.com and sign up to their mailing list for notifications on when and where people are meeting up to bike, run or swim. It’s as simple as that. Additionally, the website offers other resources, such as a list of places where you can train properly, the contact information of trainers and a list of sports doctors.

Q&A: Lookpetch “Beer” Nielson, 33, business development manager

BK: How did you get into this crazy hobby?
Beer: I started out running four years ago. I was always into sports, but I never enjoyed all this training. I actually gave up drinking five years ago so I took up running, and running got boring, so I took up triathlon training.
BK: Did you have any goals?
Beer: Back then I was smoking, too. When I started out, I had no goals. My first goal when I started running was to do a 10K run. Then I said let’s go for a half-marathon, let’s go for a marathon, and I thought, “That wasn’t too bad.”
BK: How did you come to join the TriNerds?
Beer: I’d been going to running events and triathlons, and it’s not a big group of people that show up to the same races, so you start remembering their faces. That’s how I met the organizer.
BK: So how does the group work?
Beer: We have a googlegroup, and people send emails about places and times they will train, to see if anyone’s interested too, like a run on Saturday morning, or going for a long bike ride on Sunday.
BK: Why don’t you train alone?
Beer: Lots of people train alone, but it’s not my thing. You should have fun and talk to other people. For me, the first real challenge is getting out of bed, so it helps to know someone’s expecting you. Some people even call you up if you’re late.
BK: What would you say to someone who was interested in getting involved?
Beer: It’s a nice social network of people who are into training and triathlon stuff. It’s for people who have a similar passion and want to meet new people. It’s also a good forum if you want to sell your old bike, for example—not commercial, just helping friends in a community. Every couple of months, we get together to talk and hang out too.

Queen’s Park Skateboarding Group

If you’ve ever taken a walk around Benjasiri Park in the afternoon, you’ll have probably seen the skateboarders practicing their tricks. They may look like confident and intimidating professionals, but really they’re a diverse and open group of 40-50 regulars, many of whom show up after work several times a week. While this isn’t an official club in the traditional sense with meetings and events, the group is large and meets daily, so it’s a lot easier to fit into your schedule. And if you start now, you may even be able to feature in the skate video they’re currently working on.
You’ll need your own board, of course, but other than that, there are no fees or obligations. Regulars get together at the skating area at the very back of Benjasiri Park (next to Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd.) from 5-9pm every day. Just show up.

Q&A: Janchai Montrelerdrasme,23, freelance videographer

BK: Why did you start coming here?
Janchai: The group has been around for more than 10 years or so. I mean, really skating groups are everywhere. I used to skate near MBK, but since this place is closer to my house, I switched about eight years ago. Because I’m a freelancer, I can do my work when I want, so I come five or six times a week.
BK: What do you like about it?
Janchai: I just love skating, and the feeling of landing a new trick is awesome. It’s not easy: some tricks take months. And it’s unlimited—you can never know it all.
BK: What’s this video you’re working on?
Janchai: Queen’s Park is where we come to skate and learn new tricks, but to skate for real, we go out to different places, like universities, and video ourselves skating at real spots like handrails and staircases. I put together a video of us a couple of years ago, called Loosen. We sold it at Siam and put it online.
BK: What’s the vibe like? Isn’t it just for school kids?
Janchai: There are a lot of young kids, like middle schoolers, but we do have people in their 20s and 30s, who are professionals. I think it’s really friendly and anyone can come and skate. There are lots of international people, so most speak English or Thai. Whenever anyone comes in, everyone says hi or sawadee.
BK: What if you’re a total amateur?
Janchai: The skill level here is pretty high, compared to other places where skaters hang out. But I really suggest coming and just asking people nicely for tips. You’ll learn a lot faster than if you practice at home by yourself. Everyone is nice and open to teaching.
BK: Do you guys hang out after skating?
Janchai: It depends on the group. Queen’s Park is such a big group, so we have our smaller groups that hang out afterwards.

Bangkok Network of Women

They may have women in their name, but the Bangkok Network of Women has never been closed to men. In fact, the inclusion of men will be a major aim for the group in 2011. Initially started in 2003 as an offshoot networking group, it now consists of around 2,600 mostly female professionals from all over Asia and beyond, in fields ranging from marketing to Ayurvedic therapy. The monthly hangouts are diverse and include networking nights, seminars on professional topics, FCCT talks, social nights for charity, garage sales, meditation retreats and more, so there’s something for everyone, even if you aren’t into professional schmoozing.
Regular membership is B1,200 per year. Find out more at www.bnow.org. Aside from special events, BNOW does a luncheon for small business owners the first Thursday of every month (except Jan 2011), held at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. B500 for members.

Q&A Kittima Sethi, 40, freelance writer

BK: How did you become involved with BNOW?
Kittima: I used to do PR and when I sent out press releases to different places, BNOW was the only one to feedback, which was impressive. I met the founder through a mutual friend and we hit it off.
BK: What sorts of BNOW events do you attend?
Kittima: There was one talk about social marketing and how to grow your website. I thought I knew a lot, being in PR, but the speaker was a big eye opener for me. I also attended the retreat early in March called REVA, which combined elements of Ayurveda and meditation.
BK: Who is a good candidate for BNOW membership?
Kittima: Anyone who is interested in connecting with professional women, who would like to grow their business connections. A lot of events have a lot of men attending the events as well. At some events I saw more men than women!  I told the founder she might have to change the name!
BK: What are the business luncheons?
Kittima: It’s not just an exchange of business cards. Everyone gets to speak for a minute about their enterprise and what kinds of professionals
they’re looking to connect with. By the end of the lunch, people go up to each other with helpful tips and contacts.
BK: Would you say BNOW is mostly for expats?
Kittima: There are a lot of expats, yes, and the events are in English, but I think Thai people can definitely benefit if they’re looking to expand their business.