Thailand Golf Holiday, Thailand Tours, Golf Resorts & Vacation Information

In Thailand Golf Respect "The Elders" (Part 4 of 4)

Here is the final part of Respect “The Elders”: A British expatriate golfers favorite Thailand golf courses.

Siam Country Club, Pattaya

Set in the rolling hills behind Pattaya, this layout always gives me a lift. Being the first golf course in the area, of course the architect, I. Izumi, had the pick of prime locations and he did select well. The long driveway through the gentle hills past the reservoir and the sprawling mausoleum of the founding father builds the anticipation for a special day out. I particularly like the opening hole on each nine. Driving down hill always gives you the essential feeling of power to commence a good round. If there are weak points it’s certainly not the scenery which is breathtaking - it’s always breezy and to be honest the caddies are perhaps the happiest, friendliest bunch in the land. There is nothing lacking in hospitality and good cheer.

If only the greens could be redesigned and laid by a top knowledgeable contractor. If only the lies on the fairways were more consistent. If only there was less traffic (but then perhaps the fees would go up!). If only one of the big name golf architects could surely make it, once again, a real treasure capable of holding the biggest of professional golf tournaments.

Golf Villas In Thailand: A Dream Or A Drag

In an earlier posting about living in Thailand so that you can golf here year round, I referred briefly to the pro’s and con’s of buying golf course property. Nobody loves their golf more than me but, personally speaking, the last place that I would want to live is on a Thailand golf course – and that goes double for my wife.

OK, you have easy access to golf whenever you want; particularly if a golf membership  is included in the golf course real estate. Some Thailand golf courses have a good range of other facilities such as restaurants, massage, gymnasium, tennis courts, driving range and swimming pool.  Also you can have the quiet of the often beautiful setting of a Thailand golf course far away from urban development. Buying a golf housing estate creates an instant social network of friends and you will never be short of a neighbor in search of a round. Golf properties also offer good rental potential.

But, consider the practicalities too. If your wife does not play golf, what will she do with herself whilst you are out gracing the fairways? And after you have eaten in the club restaurant for seven nights in a row, or you have simply run out of beer, you may well have a 30-minutes-plus ride to the nearest restaurant or seven eleven – indeed, at some Thai golf housing estates like Lakewood or Summit Windmill in Bangkok, it can take 20 minutes just to reach the exit!  For me, it is just too quiet.

Thailand Guest House, Is It Suitable For A Thailand Golf Vacation

Some of you planning a golf trip to Thailand may wonder about staying in a guest house to save costs during your Thailand golf holiday. Unless you specify a particular location, I usually suggest that you would be better staying in a recommended and, if possible, internationally branded hotel. Let me explain.

In Europe and the USA you are likely to find a wide selection of bed and breakfasts, which are most always clean and comfortable at a reasonable cost. This is not the case in Thailand. In the first place, hotel rooms, even at 5 star properties, are already much less expensive than in Europe and the USA. In addition, most of the lower cost Thailand guest houses have some combination of unsanitary conditions or bug infestations and almost always located in the least desirable parts of town, thus making them unfit for western golf tourists. This is because, unlike in the more developed countries where the lodging industry is heavily regulated, including periodic inspections, there are few such safeguards in Thailand.

River Kwai / Kanchanaburi Golf: Conclusions

Golf in Kanchanburi is staring to see a resurgence as the weather has now turned cooler and we are in the mist of probably the best Thailand golf season ever! Over the last 2 days I had discussed the various golf options in the region by reviewing 5 best Kanchanburi courses. Here is the final post in my River Kwai golf series, covering accommodation selections as well as mentioning a great local dining tip, regional culture and history.

If you want to stay in the area, you basically have three options:

1. In Kanchanaburi itself. The River Kwai Hotel is a comfortable, reasonably priced hotel suitable for golfing groups being centrally located not far away from tourist bars and restaurants, with a lively discotheque next door.

Phuket Golf: Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course

Here is the continuation of my Blue Canyon Country Club review.

A second 18 holes, the Blue Canyon Lakes Course, was opened a couple of years ago and presents an equally demanding challenge. It has been closed for the past six months for extensive maintenance work and is scheduled to re-open in two weeks on November 13.

I can not wait to play the Lakes. The last time I was in town I had the good fortune to be given a preview of the upgrading and I fully expect the course to be as good as, if not better than, it's more famous sister, Canyon Course.

The Lakes site has basically the same make-up as the Canyon: a mix of rubber plantation and water filled canyons created by open-cast tin mining, but combined with more water hazards – water comes into play on 17 holes.  Gradual undulations make for a generally easy walking course, although golf carts are now compulsory . The 18 holes run continuously rather than two loops of 9. Only holes 17 and 18 flow consecutively in the same direction.

Thailand Golf Joiners at the Hard Rock Pattaya

Nick, a good Thailand golf buddy of mine who had recently returned from a long weekend Pattaya golf trip with six of his best friends was in a state of shock when he saw his Thai wife looking through his credit card bills. Being a curious and non-trusting type, his wife asked him to explain a 1,500 baht charge marked “joiner” from the Hard Rock Hotel in Pattaya (see photo at left).

Fortunately my friend was quite fast on his feet, maybe due to other past and similar occurrences, and explained that he and his friends had engaged in some play boxing which accidentally damaged the hotel room where they were staying. Upon checking out and learning of the room damage, the hotel management demanded the big foreigner pay the repair bill. The room needed a new joiner to “fix the door” my fiend told his now slightly confused Thai wife, who, by all accounts, accepted the explanation, albeit reluctantly.

Thailand Golf Packages: How to Compare and Select One? (Part 2 of 2)

Thailand golf vacations can be some the best the world consisting of great hotels, golf courses, and transportation. While yesterday's post focued on accomodation ooptions, today I will finish up by discussing about golf course selections and transportation options.

The selections of golf courses are  very important, especially for the first time visitor who has no experience of the courses. The standard, dfifficulty level, location and green fees can vary significantly. Once again, care should be taken when considering any package with regards to this as any qualified operator should be glad to work with you to customize your package to your needs.

Thailand Golf Packages: How to Compare and Select One? (Part 1 of 2)

The Thailand golf high season is fast approaching and many of you maybe looking to take the golf holiday of your dreams. Therefore, I thought it appropriate timing to write on this important topic over the next 2 days. Much of the information I will cover is applicable not only to Thailand, but other destinations as well and I hope you find it useful.

When arranging your golf holiday in Thailand, it is always wise and recommended to compare offerings from more than one tour operator.

Unless you are getting quoted an exactly similar package, where upon the choice would purely be down to price, then you must take care in evaluating and comparing the different products you are being offered.

Thai Military Coup Update

What would you do if you were to bump into these guys at the train station on your way to the office (I really did yesterday) ?

Here is my up-to-the-minute Thailand situation report as well as my assessment of how things will progress going forward and advise for travellers coming to Thailand.

The military coupe d’etat in Thailand has been reported worldwide in the last 24 hours and I trust you are aware of the main events. I am glad to report that the situation in Thailand is very calm and peaceful as of 8:44 AM Thursday morning.

In the last 24 hours the following has occurred;

Thailand Hotels: Accomodation Selection Factors (Part 2 of 2)

For beach resorts such as Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket, then there is a huge choice of accommodation available. In Phuket in particular, there are many stunning resorts located on the shore of the many beautiful beaches, which can be a totally idyllic and relaxing way to spend your holiday. Obviously, they are at the higher end of the price scale, and equivalent properties away from the beach will be less expensive.

Luxury beach resorts such as the Laguna Phuket shown at left with it's excellent and accompanying golf courses are available for as little as $125 US per night, while off beach 4 star accommodations can be found for as little as $75 US per night. Obviously, these prices will vary depending on the season, November to April being the most expensive high season, and  when advanced booking is required  to avoid the disappointment of your selected hotel being unavailable.