Step inside the storied Royal Bangkok Sports Club, a Bangkok institution of more than 120 years

The Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) and later the RBSC Polo Club have served the Bangkok community for more than 120 years, becoming a popular mainstay on the city’s sports and social scene.

Created by royal decree more than 120 years ago during the reign of King Rama V, The Royal Bangkok Sports Club was founded for the purpose of “improving the standard of horse breeding and various other field sports”, according to the Royal Charter. The club was situated on a piece of land in Prathumwan, where it is still located to this day.

Horse racing started at the club in 1903 and various other sports were gradually added over the next few years, including cricket, golf, rugby and squash. In the early 20th century, the club grounds also served as the country’s first air field, before the construction of Don Mueang Airport.

In 1978, The Royal Bangkok Sports Club took over Bangkok Riding and Polo Club, which was located nearby on Thanon Witthayu, and changed that club’s name to RBSC Polo Club. The RBSC Polo Club is today a subsidiary of The Royal Bangkok Sports Club, however memberships are kept separate.

Over the years The Royal Bangkok Sports Club has expanded greatly and today is one of the largest sports facilities in the country. Members can enjoy a variety of sports, including?Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, Cricket, Dance Sports, Equestrain, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing, Jogging, Lawn Bowls, Martial Arts, Physical Fitness, Pickleball, Qi Gong & Yoga, Rugby, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis. The club also has bridge and chess facilities, and a restaurant and bars.

Membership of The Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the RBSC Polo Club has been notoriously difficult to obtain. New members go through an application process and be approved by existing members, and membership is non-transferrable.

Non-members can still go and watch the races, on select Sundays most of the year, by paying a fee.

The Sponsorship Experts, Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. will be managing sponsorship and partnership marketing for The Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) and RBSC Polo Club 2024-2027. A number of commercial sponsorship and partnership opportunities will be available for brands and businesses wanting to integrate with these high profile and esteemed clubs.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. is an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, Thailand specialising in commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing, working with both rights holders and brands - acting as a catalyst by bringing them together and maximising the relationship.

We have packaged, sold and managed sponsorship and partnership opportunities for a wide range of rights holders and worked with many of the world’s leading brands to source and engage the right sponsorships and partnerships for them to maximise.

Please contact us for more information: Tel./Fax:?+66 2622 0605 – 7?Email: [email protected]

This article was first published in PP(SEA)CL's May 2024 newsletter.