Science Center for Education Banana Pool | ศูนย์วิทยาศาสตร์เพื่อการศึกษา สระบ้านกล้วย

I arrived at 10 AM on a Tuesday and indeed there were school children - about 100 of them, and, yes, there were swimming across the pool width-wise... no way for adult lap swimming at this time of day.

On the weekends in the afternoon it is either totally empty or may have a small group of swimming lessons. They don't take up a lot of room and can always get a lane to myself.

The water could certainly be cleaner, just try not to take a big mouthful. It hasn't put me off.

I go to this pool three times a week: On mornings during the week (before 10 AM) and in the weekend between noon and 2 PM.

Water:
The water is in good condition, most of the time; some days it can be green but usually that doesn't last very long. When it's green, drinking a coke after swimming does the trick.

Facilities:
The facilities aren't the most luxurious you will ever see, but I don't consider that a problem. At least they're there. There are separate male and female changing rooms, both with two showers, toilets and sinks.
There are showers outside, as well, and floats by the pool are available to use.

Other:
After 9:00 AM or so, there is no more shade in the pool.
There is a small corner shop next to the pool, which sells drinks, some food, ice cream, and some swim gear (recreational), I've only seen it open on weekends.

Metro:
It's a walkable distance from the BTS Sukhumvit Line's Eekkamai station.

Price:
An annual membership is 500 baht, a single visit for members is 40 baht. (But to be honest, they don't check that often...)

I was there on a Saturday at around 6 PM and swim classes were on; they were swimming width-wise across the pool. The water visibility was fair, but there was no chlorine (0 ppm) and the pH was below 6.5. They have lockers at the gym area next to the office, bring your own lock.

The pool is basically as described above. The water appeared to be cleaner than I expected. There is a small restaurant-cafe on the grounds of the pool, behind the stands on the far side of the entrance, and there are two shower rooms. In the one nearest to the entrance there is no locker room to store your things in securely--people just leave their belongings somewhere along the side of the 50 meter pool. I was told there is another shower room at a distance, but I did not see that one and do not know if it has lockers or not.

While there, I talked to an Aussie who has been using the pool regularly for two years and he said it is wonderful. I also talked to a North American in the cafe, and he said the same thing about the gym and track that are part of this complex.

Pool water quality has deteriorated markedly and visibility is down to a few feet. It may improve as it has in the past, but the pool is overdue for major renovation. Still, if you like your hair to have a green tint, this is the spot for you!

Hours are: Tuesday -Friday: 6:30 AM to 8 PM; weekends: 6:30 AM to 6 PM; closed Mondays. Best times are early morning or afternoons before 4:30 when the school kids swim. There are no lane markers and many kids swim cross-pool. The water used to be afunky green but they have cleaned it up so it is fairly clear now. Staff are nice; they speak no English, but will figure out what you want. Also there is no roof and little shade. But this pool is convenient to get to and in the middle of Bangkok.