Thailand Golf Holidays, Phuket Golf Packages, Hua Hin Golf Vacations

Is Thailand safe for a golf holiday?

I regularly get asked this question regarding a golf holiday in Thailand.

While Thailand has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, it still surprises me of people’s reluctance to travel to Thailand.

Thailand is much more than Bangkok and Bangkok is more than just the two streets that was involved in the political unrest in May. Also, there are so many destinations in Thailand that make great golfing holidays in Thailand, all where life and golf have been and continue to go on normally.

For example, Phuket is the most popular area of Thailand for golf holidays.  It is a beautiful tropical island with nice beaches, countless options for hotels, dining and nightlife, and perhaps the best and most varied golf in all of Thailand. Phuket has its own international airport with direct flights from most Asian and European capitals. Phuket is a one hour flight from Bangkok for those who prefer to connect or combine a Phuket golf vacation with other Thailand golf destinations.

Thailand Golf Free & Independent Travel (FIT) Versus Group Golf Tours

No doubt, any Thailand golf holiday is an exciting time, no matter what the itinerary. Most of the 600,000 golf holidaymakers who golf in Thailand each year come to Thailand as free independent travellers (FIT) whose agenda, destination, Thailand golf course line-up, and Thailand golf resort is totally up to their own discretion. This insures that the Thailand golf travellers’ budget and style of travel is exactly as the golfer prefers. Travelling alone also ensures that you can set your own schedule (e.g. golf early one day and golf in the afternoon the next). Golfers enjoy a fair amount of privacy, especially those who prefer more luxurious 5* golf resorts.

On the other hand there are some disadvantages to FIT Thailand golf packages. Golfing alone or in a small group is generally more expensive that as part of a large group. In the case of a group transportation costs can be shared among a larger number of players and the event organizer can usually negotiate lower group green fees with the Thailand golf courses. This is especially true for singles or those travelling as only a two-ball.