Running In Bangkok

[yourauntbob]

Ok so recently i have decided to do some jogging and other cardio before I get too round . I live on the outskirts of BKK and find that running can be challenging because of 1) dogs 2) cluttered sidewalks 3) lack of driving courtesy

I understand there isnt much I can do about the sidewalks other than piss people off by running through/knocking over stuff (which i refrain from), and drivers are lost causes. So my question becomes how do others handle the dogs? I usually keep an eye out and if I see one coming up from behind I face it and make myself look big (not too much of a problem) until i can walk a safe distance away. If a dog is being a bit more aggressive I will put my hand up to make it look like i have something to throw at them and that normally does the trick. When I am approaching one from the front i give plenty of space and if it seems to take interest in me i slow to a walk until i am a decent distance away. It can be annoying stopping several times and breaking my rhythm. Anyone have any better suggestions other than carrying a beating stick (which is tempting)?

Edited April 4, 2013 by yourauntbob

[tominbkk]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

Edited April 4, 2013 by tominbkk

[yourauntbob]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

There is a small park in my village but i dont like using small loops. When I run i like to do 4-6 kilometers at a clip and running around a circle 40 times can be quite boring.

[tominbkk]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

There is a small park in my village but i dont like using small loops. When I run i like to do 4-6 kilometers at a clip and running around a circle 40 times can be quite boring.

Yeah my.6 loop is a bit tedious, though at one point I lived in a village that had a .4 loop...

Any parks outside your village that you can get to?

[tropo]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

There is a small park in my village but i dont like using small loops. When I run i like to do 4-6 kilometers at a clip and running around a circle 40 times can be quite boring.

A boring circuit or getting bitten/inconvenienced by dogs? It's a no-brainer. Go for boredom.

[tominbkk]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

There is a small park in my village but i dont like using small loops. When I run i like to do 4-6 kilometers at a clip and running around a circle 40 times can be quite boring.

A boring circuit or getting bitten/inconvenienced by dogs? It's a no-brainer. Go for boredom.

i'd have to agree with that. I live in the 'burbs and love to ride my bike around exploring, but there are just too many crazy dogs out there...

[robblok]

Hi, I don't run in the streets. I usually keep it in my village, which has a .7 kilometer loop that I will run around 8 times like a hamster. Lots of other villagers doing the same thing so we have kind of a fraternity, haha.

I'll hit the running machine at my gym, but I prefer outdoor running, esp in the evening or very early morning (before sunrise).

Have you checked around your 'hood for parks? What part of town you in? About a 10 minute drive from my house there are two really great parks, that I will go to on the weekend mornings or evenings...but this option might be difficult if you don't have your own transport. One has a 1.25 loop and the other a .8 loop.

There is a small park in my village but i dont like using small loops. When I run i like to do 4-6 kilometers at a clip and running around a circle 40 times can be quite boring.

A boring circuit or getting bitten/inconvenienced by dogs? It's a no-brainer. Go for boredom.

i'd have to agree with that. I live in the 'burbs and love to ride my bike around exploring, but there are just too many crazy dogs out there...

Just bring my dog with you for a run he will take care of the other dogs or hit him a few times and let him chase you... you will set a record time for sure and he gets a chance to chase an other foreigner as me

[MrHammer]

I think there are dog-repellant electronic devices that emit low (or high?) frequency sounds that can scare dogs away. Maybe get one of those?

[tominbkk]

I think there are dog-repellant electronic devices that emit low (or high?) frequency sounds that can scare dogs away. Maybe get one of those?

That would be great. I ran the streets outside the village yesterday for a change and had three close encounters of the canine kind. Maybe a squirt bottle filled with ammonia would work?

Edited April 12, 2013 by tominbkk

[roadrunerboi]

Long run - Q-house Soi convent to Sukhumvit 30 via Rama 4 cutting a left of Soi 36 at the 7-11... 7KM.

Short run - MRT Queen Srikit Convention station to home... 4KM.

General common sense on the roads... check before moving from sidewalk to road (to avoid others)...

Been doing it for years...

[ravip]

I've seen some apps like this on Google play - but never used one to know first hand if it really works.

[Benaud]

Is there a place in Sukhumvit near Asoke BTS that is good for running, like a public park or something? Just moved to Bangkok and haven't had a look around yet.

[partington]

Benjakitti Park very near. Go south 500m or so, down Rachadapisek Road from Asoke intersection and it's on your right. You can run around the lake.