It seems like pickleball is taking over the world, and Phuket is no exception. When it comes to paddle sports, tennis has always ranked as one of most popular globally, whileThailand has had a soft spot for badminton. While those sports may still dominate the scene, the relatively newer sport of pickleball is quickly taking hold with new courts sprouting up all over the island. Pickleball is a social racket sport that is relatively easy for beginners to pick up, making it easily approachable for most ages and athletic abilities.
What Is Pickleball
Pickleball is basically a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a smaller court than tennis with smaller, solid paddles, and a light, perforated plastic ball. Think of tennis, but not having to run around as much and at a slower pace – this is what makes it easier for anyone to learn and have fun quickly without needing lessons or years of practice. It’s most often played as doubles with four people which makes it more of a social experience.
In the popular expat area in and around Cherng Talay, there are several options for sports facilities with pickleball courts. Although the Warehaus emphasizes padel – similar to pickleball in many ways and played on an enclosed court – pickleball is offered as well. It’s a new facility which instead of being just utilitarian courts for playing, is a bit of a lifestyle hub with weekly tournaments, coaches, a fitness center, basketball courts, as well as a restaurant with a bar and a pool for post-game hangouts.
In nearby Bang Tao, PTP Phuket is a great option offering pickleball, padel, and tennis all in one location. Online booking makes it easy to reserve a time for you and your friends to play. In addition to six courts with plenty of tournaments and special events, PTP Phuket also offers
coaching, equipment rental, changing rooms and lockers, a restaurant and cafe, pro shop, ball machine, sauna, as well as recovery facilities including ice bath and sauna.
One of the island's dedicated venues is the aptly named Pickleball Phuket centrally located in Kathu. The club has four outdoor courts, so it’s best for morning and evening matches, and welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced players. Open-play sessions are particularly useful for newcomers who don't already have a group to play with, with players rotating between games. Overall, it’s a more barebones setup, they do offer equipment rentals, online booking, a ball machine, and an onsite cafe for post-game libations.
Heading down south in Phuket, FifteenLove is a fairly recent dedicated padel and pickleball facility with three high-quality courts. Equipment rentals are available in the small cafe and showers are provided. Shark Bites is another option in the Rawai area, and while it’s not a dedicated venue, they do have a couple pickleball courts. It’s actually a great spot for families as they have a food court, pool with a climbing wall and diving platforms, and air sporting events at the bar.
