Bangkok Women’s Football

If you’re that rare type of Bangkok girl who loved PE class back in high school, chances are there are very few other women who’ll kick a ball around with you—and the men’s leagues are too cliched and too rough. Why not join Bangkok Women’s Soccer? Initially started in 2008, the group has gained a great deal of momentum this year, with weekly meet-ups at the Arsenal Soccer School in Phra Khanong and a more or less consistent group of both Thai and expat professional women, mostly in their 20s and 30s, showing up for a casual game after work. The fields may be Astroturf, but on the bright side, that means you don’t need special soccer boots to play. Any old sneakers will do. That and you do have an open sky overhead. Members are from diverse backgrounds, ages, professions and, best of all, skill levels, so feel free to shriek and curl up if someone kicks the ball at you. The spirit is very non-competitive and the shouting is all of an encouraging sort. Newcomers are welcomed, and both English and Thai are spoken, so don’t worry about showing up alone. Sometimes, dinner and drinks will take place after the game.
The group meets every Thursday at 7pm at Arsenal Academy (17/1 Pridibanomgyong Soi 21, Sukhumvit 71). Find them on Facebook (“Bangkok Women’s Football”) to receive invitations to weekly games and to RSVP. They usually need a headcount to ensure use of a pitch. Membership is free, but expect to pay B120-150 each time to cover the cost of using the pitch. Lockers and a women’s changing room are available, too.

Q&A: Peunjai “Hen” Potepanao, event coordinator

BK: Why did you want to join this group?
Hen: Because it’s hard to find enough ladies to play soccer every week, and these girls are very committed. It’s a good way to keep fit. And it’s a mixed ability group. We don’t care if you are not good. You can just run around after the ball and meet some friends.
BK: Have you made any new friends?
Hen: Yes, and I’ve gotten some of my friends to join. I just asked around after some girls who like to exercise.
BK: Did you come alone your first time?
Hen: Yes. I saw them playing when I worked at Arsenal, so I asked if I could join. I was shy because I hadn’t kicked a ball for a long time, and when I first played I missed the ball so much. But they are very friendly, and they kept talking to me and keeping me motivated.
BK: Do you go out afterwards?
Hen: Sometimes. We have plans to go out before we break for long holidays.
BK: With your job, do you come to soccer regularly?
Hen: Yes, because I make it a priority. I fix it in my schedule, almost every week.
BK: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about joining?
Hen: Don’t be shy! We can practice before getting started. Some of us come fifteen minutes early and do some practice dribbling.

Velayenn Fixed Gear Bike Group

With an increasing number of regular fixed-gear bicyclists in our fair city, it’s probably crossed your mind to give it a try yourself. But apart from the hip-factor, the appeal of fixed gear bikes has created little communities of creative young profesionals. Wararat “Wi” Puapairos and Rathapol “Aon” Treerath are two of the three owners of the bicycle shop Velayenn, a kind of gathering-point for other fixed-gear enthusiasts who come to chat, tune their bikes and order food from Sugarlust right next door. They also meet up once a week and take off on rides at night, to avoid the worst of the traffic and the heat. These guys are mostly designers, musicians, artists and freelancers and although the group is largely male-dominated, more women are taking up fixed gear biking as well—so don’t be shy ladies.
This is an unofficial gatheting of friends and acquaintances, so there are no membership fees or any obligations (except to have your own bike and gear, of course). Swing by Velayenn (59/27 Sukhumvit 26, 080-900-2610) to get a feel for the place and to introduce yourself. Night rides take place every Monday from 9pm-1am and start at the shop. Post-ride hunger pangs are abated and socializing happens afterwards at Sugarlust.

Q&A: Wararat “Wi” Puapairos and Rathapol “Aon” Treerath

BK: Where do you usually ride?
Wi: We usually bike down Sukhumvit Road to Siam and out to Ratchadamnoen and Lan Praroob. Our group consists of 4-5 people but sometimes new people come and tag along. We meet other groups at Lan Praroob.
BK: Where do fixed gear bikers usually hang out?
Wi: The meeting point is usually Lan Praroob and Lan Pol Muang. And also Yaowarat. But their purpose is to eat! They bike around and stop at all these different food stalls.
BK: What do you get from biking?
Aon: You get to relieve stress and practice focusing. There’s no time to think of anything else because you have to concentrate on dodging holes or buses so you don’t die.
Wi: I get to meet people I never would have met if I didn’t do this. You get to talk to them, to exchange different life stories, and it’s very enriching.
BK: Anything else?
Aon: Most importantly, it destroys self-doubt. People are stunned when I tell them that I have biked from a faraway place. It feels great to make it across a great distance that you never thought you could cover. Once you do it, you feel you can go anywhere. People should try new things more.
BK: What are some advantages of riding in groups?
Wi: Safety. You don’t get mugged when you go in groups.
Aon: Cars will see you clearly. They’ll see a big blob of people as opposed to one tiny biker that the bus could squish flat easily.
BK: What suggestions do you have for newcomers?
Wi: The best place to start is the internet. Start talking to someone who rides. Friends of friends or anyone. Or go take a peek at Lan Praroob to see what sort of bike you would like.

The (Real) Social Network (2)

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BK Asks: What’s the weirdest way you’ve made a friend?

HOW TO Keep Your (Un)Official Club Running Smoothly

Club Listings

A GROUP APART: The Dan D2B Fan Club