Pattaya Monkey Hash House
Harriers.

Pattaya Monkey Hash House Harriers

Overview

Pattaya Monkey Hash House Harriers ("Monkey Hash" or "PMH3") is the longer-form, more demanding sister kennel of the foundational Pattaya Hash House Harriers — a Hash House Harriers chapter that runs only on odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, November) on the 3rd Saturday, with each run requiring participants to walk at least 8 kilometres over moderately difficult terrain in approximately 2 hours. Where the Pattaya Hash House Harriers (PH3) runs every Monday with a mainstream 5-10 km mixed-pace format suitable for runners, joggers, and walkers, Monkey Hash filters for the more committed segment of the Pattaya hashing community — those who want longer routes, harder terrain, and a more dedicated 6-times-per-year monthly tradition.

The bi-monthly schedule (every other month) and the explicit minimum 8km / 2-hour requirement mean Monkey Hash is fundamentally different in character from typical hashes. Most HHH chapters globally welcome casual walkers and slow joggers. Monkey Hash sets a clear bar: you need to be capable of moderate hiking-level activity for 2+ hours over varied Thai countryside terrain.

For the Pattaya hashing community, Monkey Hash provides the deeper-engagement option alongside PH3's weekly mainstream gathering and Pattaya Jungle Hash's Sunday-jungle-focus offering. For visiting hashers from international kennels who happen to be in Pattaya during a Monkey Hash weekend, the run is a memorable Thai countryside adventure of meaningful athletic substance.

Position in the Pattaya Hash House Harriers Ecosystem

Pattaya hosts multiple Hash House Harriers chapters:

Monkey Hash's specific niche: the bi-monthly committed hasher's longer run.

The Bi-Monthly Schedule

Frequency

• Every other month (odd-numbered months only)
• January, March, May, July, September, November
• Six runs per year
• Skips even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December)

Run Date

• Always the 3rd Saturday of the run month
• Predictable scheduling — easy for members to plan
• Longer interval than PH3's weekly format = more anticipation per event

Why Bi-Monthly?

The bi-monthly schedule reflects:

• Smaller, more dedicated membership — not casual weekly drop-ins
• Longer planning for harder routes and terrain
• Special-event feel — each run has more buildup
• Parallel without competition to PH3 — different days, different formats

The 8km Moderate-Difficulty Format

What "8km Moderate Terrain in 2 Hours" Means

The minimum standard:

• 8 km — meaningfully longer than typical hash runs (5-10 km range)
• Moderate terrain — hills, trails, varied surfaces (not pavement-only)
• 2 hours — implies ~4 km/hour pace (walking speed for hilly terrain)
• Walk at least — running encouraged but not required for the harder sections

Implications

• Fitness baseline required — couch-to-hash newcomers will struggle
• Hiking shoes recommended — running shoes inadequate for Thai countryside
• Hydration critical — 2 hours in tropical heat
• Self-pacing skill needed — managing energy across 2 hours
• Trail experience helpful — reading terrain, picking lines

Comparison to PH3

• PH3 typical: 5-10 km, mixed terrain, accommodates walkers + slow joggers
• Monkey Hash: 8+ km, moderate terrain, 2-hour minimum, fitter participants

This is a different self-selection — Monkey Hash filters out the casual walker.

Run Format

Pre-Run

• Meet at the announced location (varies)
• Hare(s) for the day pre-set the trail with paper / chalk markings
• Hash fee typically ฿200-400 for visitors (covers run + drinks + snacks + meal)
• Sign in — visitors and returning members
• Briefing on trail and any specific safety concerns

The Run

• Hare's chosen route through varied terrain
• Trail markings (dots, checks, false trails)
• Pack moves through trail following markings
• 8km minimum with possible longer sections
• Moderate terrain including hills, trails, possibly water crossings
• Pace varies by participant fitness and terrain

The Circle

After the run, the standard hash circle ceremony:

• Beer and snacks
• Songs and down-downs
• Hash naming for new members
• Religious Advisor (RA) runs proceedings
• Visitors recognized if international

Post-Circle

• Group meal at local restaurant or BBQ
• Continued socializing into evening
• Strong social bonding typical of hash culture

Run Locations

Monkey Hash runs in varied locations across the Pattaya extended region:

• East Pattaya farmland
• Khao Mai Kaew area
• Sattahip hills
• Bang Saray countryside
• Buddha Hill jungle trails
• Hilltop forest reserves
• Coastal cliffside trails

The terrain selection prioritises moderate-difficulty trails — meaning the Hare seeks out routes that provide the 8km+ challenge.

Participant Profile

Who Joins Monkey Hash

• Long-stay expat residents of Pattaya
• Fit hikers and trail walkers
• Visiting hashers from international kennels
• Repeat PH3 members wanting harder challenges
• Pattaya Jungle Hash participants rotating between groups

Demographics

• 30+ years old typical — younger members rare
• Western (British, Australian, German, Scandinavian, American) dominant
• Both genders participate — typical Pattaya hash demographic
• Long-term Pattaya residents — short-stay tourists rare at Monkey Hash given infrequent schedule
• Fitness-aware members who have experienced PH3 first

Pricing & Membership

Run Fee

• ~฿200-400 per run for visitors
• Includes: trail use, drinks at circle, snacks, meal
• Higher fee than PH3 typical due to bi-monthly format

Annual Membership

• Combined PH3 + Monkey + Jungle memberships sometimes available
• Annual fee typically ฿500-1,500
• Member discount on per-run fees

Pros

• More demanding format for committed hashers
• 8km guaranteed minimum — substantial athletic outing
• Bi-monthly = special-event feel
• Strong member bonding through shared challenge
• Varied terrain across Pattaya extended region
• Filters for fitness — likeminded participants
• Established hash culture — songs, traditions, ceremony
• Visiting hasher friendly — IKO-style international cred
• Saturdays = different from PH3's Mondays — additive not competitive

Cons

• Bi-monthly schedule — only 6 runs per year
• 8km minimum filters out casual walkers
• Moderate terrain demands fitness and equipment
• 2-hour duration in tropical heat is challenging
• Less social density than weekly PH3
• Visitors may not align with Pattaya stay dates
• Bawdy hash culture may not suit conservative travellers
• Trail terrain unpredictable — bring shoes ready for mud/hills

Best For

• Fit Pattaya residents wanting bi-monthly hiking challenge
• PH3 graduates wanting harder format
• Visiting international hashers during odd-month 3rd Saturday
• Trail-walking enthusiasts appreciating varied terrain
• Long-stay expats building Pattaya outdoor community
• Fitness-aware mid-life adults

Not Best For

• Casual walkers — PH3 better fit
• First-time hashers — start with PH3 to learn culture
• Short-stay tourists — schedule rarely aligns
• Pure runners seeking pace — try standard running clubs
• Very fit speed athletes — moderate terrain limits pace
• Mobility-limited travellers — terrain is demanding

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