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

The Thailand Golf Experience

Here is a Thailand golf post by Gerry Norquist, former Asian Tour star.

There is a special magic about playing golf in a Kingdom.  It has been said that the golf experience in “the land of smiles” is like no other anywhere in the world.   The many diverse courses available to the golf enthusiast throughout the nation cater to the beginner and the expert with equal delight.

A round of golf in Thailand typically begins with a friendly greeting at the club drop off area near the front entrance of the clubhouse.  This often times serves as the player’s first meeting with the caddie who will provide guidance, support and countless smiles throughout the coming round.Thai caddies are usually pleasant females who are trained to help with club selection and reading the lines on the putting greens.  While not perfect, these caddies are not often wrong and their advice should be trusted by novices and experienced players alike.

Why Bangkok Was Rated Best City In The World?

Bangkok was recently rated as the 2008 World’s Best City by “Travel + Leisure”. Here is my take on the eight reasons why.

1. Abundance of world class hotels and resorts. I can not think of another city with more 5 star resorts, readily available vacancies, and costs for luxury accommodations as low as Bangkok.

2. Some of the regions best shopping including both local centers like MBK (clothes and telephones), Chatuchak Market (everything under the sun), Pantip Plaza (computers) , and Thaniya Plaza (golf equipment) and luxury shopping malls like Siam Paragon and the Emporium.

3. Mind-blowing, spicy, and healthy cuisine such as Som Tom (papaya salad), tom yum goong (spicy soup with coconut milk and shrimp), rice noodles with minced pork (a golf course favorite).

4. Efficient transportation including the sky train, subway, highways and links to airports and Bangkok golf courses.

Thailand Political Situation

For those of you planning on a Thailand golf holiday, here is the real situation as of 12:00 noon on Wednesday September 3.

A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok city as a result of clashes between pro- and anti- government protestors which have turned violent. A number of state enterprise labor unions are to stage strikes and to selectively cut water and electricity to government offices, halt buses and disrupt train service throughout the country.

The Bangkok protests have been confined to a small area around the main government buildings and the capital's major tourist sites and all golf courses remain open as usual.

Where I live and work in Bangkok life goes on as usual. We are watching the political situation closely and hope that will continue to be the case. While it is impossible to forecast what the situation will be in the future, the history of this country is that when there is any political turmoil it is settled quickly and life goes on with minimal or no impact on golf or tourists. Lets hope so this time as well!

In the meantime I will continue to post updates as the situation further develops. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mark@golfasian.com.

Where Is The Clubhouse?

What would you do if you were on the way to a Thailand golf course and came across this sign?

Well I came across this sign at Lakewood Golf Club in Bangkok on Friday and it made me chuckle. Guess it put me in a good mood because I shot 3 under my handicap. The Bangkok golf course was in the best condition that I have ever seen it in and that probably helped a bit as well. Fast greens, well defined fairways, and even consistency and firmness of the sand bunkers made playing at Lakewood a joy. For those looking for a fun round of golf in Bangkok, take note; the golf course was practically empty on a Friday!

If you ever came across any amusing tales or signs playing golf in Thailand drop me a line or send me the golf image and I will get it posted for you.

Have a great round and remember, think positive and you will shoot par!

Useful Thailand Golf Expressions

Do you want to be admired and respected by golf club staff, caddies and other local Thais on your Thailand golf vacation? Here’s a tip: learn a few words of Thai golf vocabulary!

Aside from hello and goodbye (sawadee), are you well? (sabai dee mai), and what is your name? (khun chue arai), good luck (chok dee) is a nice thing to say when you are leaving someone, or when having a drink and raising your glass to someone (like “Cheers!”).

Remember, though, to be polite by ending with krap if you are male (even if this grates on western ears), or kaa if you are female.

Thailand golfing terms include: golf course (sanam golf), go to play golf (bai len golf), wood (maai), iron (lek), left (sai), right (gwaa), straight (trong), uphill (tee lum), downhill (tee soong), and small or little (nid noi).

Dress For Success On The Thailand Golf Course

Do you want to be admired and respected by golf club staff, caddies and other local Thais on your Thailand golf vacation? Here’s a tip – wear the right color clothes on the right day!

In Thailand the days of the week are named after the planets in the same order as some Western countries. In Thai, wan (pronounced wun) means day and it comes before the name of the planet. Each day is also associated with a color. Traditionally, people wear items of clothing according to the color of the day.

A friend of mine’s wife and her family are always appreciative when he wears the appropriate color each day. So for a New Year's present, they have given him a variety of different colored golf shirts. He now has the full set and they try to insist that he wears the correct colored shirt each day according to the following chart!!

Loy Krathong Festival While Golfing In Thailand

The upcoming months are a great time to be golfing in Thailand – and if you are planning to be here this month, try to stay over the weekend of November 24th to take in, and indeed participate in, one of Thailand’s most beautiful and popular Festivals.

The Festival is called Loy Krathong, and it takes place on the full moon in November. During the evening, many people will go down to their local klong (canal) or river or even the beach to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs (small rafts traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk  - although modern-day versions often use Styrofoam) are decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves and flowers, and contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. The people usually make a wish at the same time. Some believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. Overall it is really a memorable evening and a great way to compliment golf in Thailand.

Happy Thai Mothers Day From Pattaya Thailand

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand! August 12th is the birthday of H.M Queen Sirikit and a Thai public holiday. Lucky for golfers, since August 12th falls on a Sunday this year, the holiday is celebrated on Monday the 13th, this giving those who golf in Thailand a chance to get in an extra round of golf as the courses are less busy than normal due to the Thais visiting their families.

This day is also known in Thailand as "Mothers Day" as Queen Sirikit is regarded as the mother of Thailand. Children young and old will also take time this day to pay respect to their mothers, usually presenting them with flowers.

Two Pattaya golf courses, St. Andrews 2000 and Rayong Green Valley,  even have Mother’s Day specials whereby mothers get free green fees on this day.

The Hua Hin Golf Festival is also coincidently held during this time of year. Special green fees are available at all Hua Hin golf courses. The Jack Nicklaus designed Springfield Golf Club can be played for only 1000 baht per round. Even the new Black Mountain Golf Club, while not specifically participating in the Hua Hin golf festival, is offering reduced green fees.

Cars, Kids, and Pets in Thailand

Today, the third and final part of the “living in Thailand for golf” series will cover Thailand car options, Thailand schools, and for those of you who like pets: how to bring your dog or cat to Thailand?

Bringing your car to Thailand is not a good idea. Cars can be shipped, but it very expensive. A more practical solution for getting wheels in Thailand is to rent, lease or buy your own car. Buying a car is around 10% more expensive than in Europe or the USA. I recommend that you look at the new Toyota Fortuner, an excellent SUV and the first automobile designed in Thailand. A popular choice for a sedan is the Toyota Camry. The new model resembles a Lexus and has many standard features of its more expensive cousin. If you are an outdoors type person and like trekking in the countryside you could also consider a pick up truck. Popular models are available from Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and Toyota.

Driving in Thailand is a lot easier for you if you have an automatic transmission, especially if you will live in one of the main golf destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai,or Phuket. Whatever car or truck you chose make sure you purchase first class insurance, which runs about US$600 per year. That way you will be fully insured, whether any accidents are your fault or not.

Buying a Home to Golf in Thailand

Last post covered how to play golf in Thailand everyday by retiring here. Today I will discuss how to buy property in Thailand to live out your golf dream. Thailand land ownership is limited to Thais; however there are 3 common ways foreigners can still “buy” property in Thailand.

1. The most common way to own your home is by being the largest shareholder of a Thai company who owns the property. Of course, this entails setting up a Thai company beforehand.

2. A second option is to engage in a 30 year lease with a Thai individual, including an automatic 30 year renewal. Technically, this is not ownership, but I guess 60 years should be enough for most of us.

3. The third and probably most preferred option for a foreigner wishing to buy a home is to select a condominium, where foreigners can own up to 49% of the units for sale.

In spite of what is reported by the main stream press, I know many people who have followed these proper procedures and don't have problems. I guess it pays to avoid any shady shortcuts or other methods involving Thai “girlfriends” or so called “wives”.