Badminton & Squash Courts in Phuket: Expat Guide 2026

Badminton is enormous in Thailand. Walk past a community sports hall on any evening and you'll likely hear the familiar sound of shuttlecocks and the squeak of court shoes. It's the national sport in all but official designation — played by everyone from schoolchildren to retirees, at government sports centres, private clubs and makeshift courts in village car parks. For expats arriving in Phuket with a badminton habit, the good news is that courts are accessible, affordable and the local playing community is welcoming.

Squash has a smaller but real following, primarily among the expat community and returning Thais who picked up the game abroad. Dedicated squash courts are less abundant than badminton, but they exist — and if you play, connecting with the Phuket squash community will set you up quickly.

Badminton Courts in Phuket

Saphan Hin Sports Complex — Phuket Town

The Saphan Hin (สะพานหิน) public sports complex in Phuket Town is the most accessible and affordable place to play badminton in Phuket. This government-run facility has multiple badminton courts alongside football pitches, a running track, and other sports facilities. Court hire is priced at Thai government rates — essentially nominal — and the facility is open from early morning into the evening. The standard of play ranges from beginner kids to adult recreational and competitive players.

Foreigners are entirely welcome at Saphan Hin and in my experience, showing up, watching for a few minutes, and asking politely to join a game works reliably. Thai badminton players are generally happy to include newcomers regardless of language — the game speaks for itself. This is also one of the best ways to genuinely mix with local Phuket residents rather than staying in the expat bubble.

Private Sports Clubs and Gyms

Several private sports clubs across Phuket offer indoor badminton courts in air-conditioned halls — a significant advantage in Phuket's heat and humidity. These exist across different areas:

• Bang Tao / Laguna area: Multiple sports clubs and resort facilities in the Laguna complex area have badminton facilities, often as part of broader multi-sport memberships.
• Chalong area: Several private sports halls near the Chalong intersection offer badminton by the hour alongside other sports. These tend to be less expensive than north Phuket venues given the area's more local-facing character.
• Rawai / Nai Harn: Courts exist through various private clubs in the south. The south Phuket expat community has an active badminton culture — asking in the Rawai expat Facebook groups will quickly surface current active venues.

Cost of Badminton in Phuket

Squash Courts in Phuket

Squash has a dedicated but smaller following in Phuket compared to badminton. Dedicated squash courts exist primarily at private sports clubs and hotel facilities, concentrated in the north and west of the island where expat density is highest.

Where Squash Courts Exist

The Bang Tao and Kamala areas have the most established squash infrastructure, with a handful of private sports clubs that have maintained squash courts for many years. Some Laguna-area resort properties have squash facilities available to members and sometimes day visitors. The Patong area previously had squash courts through hotel sports facilities, though availability changes as hotels renovate or repurpose facilities.

The best current information on squash court availability in Phuket comes from other squash players — the community is small enough that active players know where the courts are. Post in the main Phuket Expats Facebook group or search specifically for "Phuket Squash" to find current active members and venues.

Squash Court Costs

Court hire for squash at private clubs runs approximately 200–500 THB per hour per court. Some clubs include squash in monthly membership packages (typically 2,000–5,000 THB/month for multi-sport access). A racquet (Dunlop, Head or Wilson) can be sourced from Bangkok or online; expect to pay 1,500–5,000 THB for a decent club-level racquet delivered to Phuket via Lazada or Shopee Thailand.

Playing Sports in Phuket's Heat — Practical Tips

Both badminton and squash are high-intensity sports, and playing them in Phuket's climate requires some adaptation:

• Timing: Early morning (06:00–09:00) and late afternoon (17:00–20:00) are the practical windows. Playing at midday in a non-air-conditioned hall is genuinely unpleasant and potentially risky in terms of heat exhaustion.
• Hydration: Bring significantly more water than you'd consider necessary at home. 1.5–2 litres for a 90-minute session is a reasonable baseline; more in humid conditions. Electrolyte drinks (LEMON, Pocari Sweat or similar, widely available in Phuket) help replace what you lose.
• Acclimatisation: New arrivals to Phuket typically take 3–6 weeks to adjust to playing sport in the heat. Take it easier than you would at home for the first month — it's not weakness, it's physiology.
• Court shoes: Court shoes are essential for badminton and squash. Running shoes don't provide adequate lateral support and can cause ankle and knee injuries on hard courts. A good pair of Yonex, Victor or ASICS badminton shoes costs 1,500–4,000 THB and is worth every baht.

Finding Badminton or Squash Partners in Phuket

Beyond the courts themselves, connecting with other players makes the experience significantly more enjoyable. The Phuket Expats main Facebook group is the best starting point — search for posts about badminton or squash, or post your own introduction mentioning where you're based and your level. You'll almost always get responses within a day. Thai badminton players at public courts are welcoming to foreign players — simply showing up and watching signals availability, and an invitation to join is rarely far behind.

For squash specifically, the community is small enough that you can connect with essentially every active squash player in Phuket within a few posts. The active players often organise their own informal ladder competitions and social sessions.

Related Sports Guides

• Pickleball courts in Phuket — the fastest-growing expat sport
• Padel courts in Phuket for expats
• Tennis courts and clubs in Phuket
• Running clubs and routes in Phuket
• Phuket Lifestyle Hub — sports, community and activities