If you’re looking to go skateboarding in Thailand, there are several places to visit. Here are a few spots worth checking out: Geng, Rama 9 Park, Hua Mak Skatepark, and Preduce shop in Siam soi 1.
Geng
As a teenager, Geng took up skateboarding and has since honed his skills. He has skated on the streets of Thailand and competed in competitions in China, Singapore, South Africa, New York City, and more. His impressive videos have helped promote the sport and put Thailand on the map as a skateboarding hotspot. Today, Geng is the ambassador for the sport in Thailand and is working hard to raise awareness among young skateboarders.
Despite being 6ft tall, Geng is not your average skater. He was initially a basketball player and attended school on a scholarship. But, when the time came for Geng to pursue his dream, his mother was surprised and eventually gave in to his skateboarding passion. He is still surprised by the many places he’s been able to skate in his short career. Although he started skateboarding at an early age, he says that his first board was a standard kids’ model.
The world of skateboarding is vast and diverse, but no place is truly a good place to start. While many skateboarding cultures have existed for decades in the US, Thailand is just starting to make it international. As a result, skateboarding culture has grown exponentially in the last few years in Thailand. Jasper Geng, who is half Thai and half American, has been involved in the growth of the skateboarding culture in Bangkok for a couple of years now.
Rama 9 Park
If you love the rush and thrill of freestyle skating, you’ll love Rama 9 Park in Bangkok, Thailand. The biggest park in the city features luscious gardens, a lake, and the futuristic Ratchamangkhala Pavilion. Unlike other parks in Bangkok, it is less crowded and costs only ten baht for an adult. You can also find skateparks near central Bangkok such as Roller Dome Emporium and Rama 9 Park. Both of these parks have great skateboarding terrain with leveled tiled floors.
Although skateboarding in Bangkok is relatively new, there are already several skate parks and other facilities for it. A new skate park opened on Charoenkrung Soi 35, and it is open for four sessions each day. You can also rent skateboards and helmets at Rama 2 Road Arena, which is open every day from 10am to 8pm. If you’re on a tight budget, you can also rent a skateboard and helmet at this skatepark.
Another popular outdoor skatepark in Bangkok is Hua Mak Skatepark. It is a large skate park with a few reasonably-sized ramps and rails. It is an ideal location for skating in the rainy season as it is covered. Rama 9 Park also features flat and wooden banks, quarter pipes, boxes, and stair sets. Its free outdoor nature makes it an ideal spot for skateboarding in Bangkok.
Hua Mak Skatepark
There are several ways to get to Hua Mak Skatepark in Thailand, but one of the easiest is to take a taxi. Moovit can help you find a cab, find alternative routes, and show you where the closest bus stops are. Moovit is the best way to navigate public transportation in Bangkok, and it has over 930 million users! Download it today to start exploring Bangkok’s skateboard culture!
If you are an amateur skater, don’t be put off by the lack of professional skaters. Skateboarding is a global movement, and skateboarding is becoming more accepted as a lifestyle than a sport. Switzerland has even started a skateboarding school, and authorities support skateboarding events. However, Thailand is not a developing country, and is nowhere near China, the skateworld’s marble spots.
The state railway park has an outdoor skating park for both beginners and experts, including a dedicated training ground. The skatepark also has night-lit facilities, and there’s a surf skate school where you can learn the tricks of surfing. You can even borrow a surf skateboard for as little as THB180. There’s also a cafe on the property where you can grab a snack or a beverage.
Glue Bag Skateboards
Founded by a Welshman named Kane Nugent, Glue Bag Skateboards are handmade by a team of skilled craftsmen in Bangkok. Nugent immersed himself in the local skate scene, documenting the faces of Bangkok youth culture through his photographs. Originally from Stockport, Manchester, Nugent started taking skate pictures and filming with his VCR when he was only 14. His DIY aesthetic is evident in the images he produced.
COVID
Since the third coronavirus wave hit the country in June, COVID skateboarding in Thailand has been on the rise. The government’s restrictions on the sport are causing an uproar among Thai skaters. In response, the government has closed down dozens of locations, including skate parks and shops. Many skaters are angry and frustrated with the lack of respect the government gives extreme sports, especially skateboarding.
The first thing to understand is that the sport in Thailand is different from skateboarding in the U.S., so some basic planning is required. Because Bangkok is more crowded than New York, sidewalk space is limited. The infrastructure in Bangkok is also different from New York, making it more difficult to skate around. However, the sport is not as complicated as it sounds. Besides, COVID skateboarding is setting the pace for a new and exciting hobby.
Another location to skate in Bangkok is the rooftop of the Fortune Town mall. Located on the 10th floor, the Sky Park BKK is a popular venue for skaters of all levels. Skaters of all levels perform tricks on ramps and complete laps of the track. A store is on site to buy skate gear, and you can also shoot some hoops. As for other locations, COVID skateboarding in Thailand has plenty to offer.
Patrik Wallner
Photographer Patrik Wallner has been skating all over the world and took a lot of great photos. While the images are not political, they show the freedom skateboarders have in exploring the world. He feels a connection to the skateboard lifestyle because he has the freedom to think and act like a skater. It is his passion that drives him to continue skating. This video shows the amazing sights he’s been able to capture on film.
Patrik Wallner skates in some of the most unusual locations, like Thailand. He’s known for discovering new and skateable spots around the world. Wallner’s skateboarding videos and photographs highlight his creative side. He’s also been in sketchy situations, but has managed to capture them with his camera. It’s a fascinating look into the life of a professional skater. You’ll feel inspired when you watch his videos and photos.
Patrik Wallner is a German/Hungarian skateboarder, photographer, and filmmaker. His skating style is similar to that of Russell Houghten, Thad Croskey, and Ty Evans, and he focuses on extreme places. His latest video Meet the Stans features skateboarders such as Dave Bachinsky, Walker Ryan, and Gosha Konyshev. Check out the video below to see the full-length film!