Category Archives: Thai Culture and Thailand Country Information

Posted by - July 3, 2007

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...

Posted by - June 28, 2007

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...

Posted by - June 26, 2007

Retiring To Thailand To Play Golf

From time to time, clients of my Thailand golf travel company, after visiting Thailand for a golfing holiday, tell me that they so love the country, its culture and its people, and naturally the golf that they would like to retire to live permanently in Thailand. This is good news for me, as I take personal pride in knowing that others can enjoy the rest of their lives here, and the seed for this decision was initially planted or prompted by them having a memorable Thailand golf vacation. In the...

Posted by - June 21, 2007

Thai Hospitality, It Makes Your Golf Day

I have been traveling to Thailand now for just over 15 years and, during this time, have made many friends both Thai and farang (foreigner). As a avid golf traveler, most of these friends are linked to the Thailand golf scene – or maybe a local bar, but that is another story. Also, as an owner of a golf travel agency I regularly get asked to play golf at many different courses throughout Thailand and in particular the Bangkok area. A couple of weeks ago, I, and a visiting friend from Phuket, wer...

Posted by - June 19, 2007

Newest Thailand Golf Blog

Have you ever wanted a place to share your Thailand and Asian golf stories or just read about the antics of an expatriate Thailand golfer who knows more about golf in Thailand than anyone in the world? Well look no further. The word is out; Thailand’s newest golf blog can be read at where else than http://www.thailandgolfblog.com, what an appropriate name indeed! The Thailand Golf Blog author has lived, worked and played golf for over 30 years all around the Far East, with spells in Hong Kong, ...

Posted by - April 11, 2007

Ladies Golf in Thailand

Whenever I am traveling overseas and extolling the attractions of golfing in Thailand, sometimes I hear men whining, “Oh, my wife would not let me go on a Thailand golf trip”.  In fact, I am seeing a growing trend where couples are favoring a Thailand golf tour over more traditional destinations. Also, my Thailand golf travel company is hosting more and more dedicated lady golf groups. Thailand is indeed a ‘Paridise For Lady Golfers‘, not just because of its wide range of golf ...

Posted by - April 3, 2007

Bangkok, Thailand: What Is So Special?

I am always asking myself why I like Thailand so much. Previously, when living in New York and Singapore, I couldn’t wait to get out of town every weekend, as I found myself to be much happier on the golf course. So what is so different about Bangkok? 1. It can not be the terrible traffic jams although this seems to be becoming the norm in all major cities of the world. 2. It can not be the smog that periodically envelopes the city. 3. It can not be the pedestrian walkways that break a western...

Posted by - March 27, 2007

Happier Family Life and Better Golf In and Out of Thailand

One of my pet dislikes is when money is spent on so-called research by scientists, only for them to come up with what was already blindingly obvious, or if in Thailand the not so obvious. You may have come across a recent example of this. Sports psychology researchers at Exeter University in the UK have pronounced that a happy home life can make you better at golf. They found that the emotional support a golfer receives off the course is directly linked to the quality of his performance on it. ...

Posted by - March 20, 2007

Thai Golf Societies

As with many other places in the world, Thailand has its fair share of golf societies (clubs). There are many regular golf groups in the main Thailand golf destinations for travelers, especially Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Hua Hin. Apart from the natural tendency for golfers to play with the people they socialize with, there is one other very good reason for this. Thailand golf club memberships can be very expensive, even though memberships can be traded or sold. In any case, most golfers wan...

Posted by - March 16, 2007

Phuket Golf Road Show

Are you planning a Phuket golf holiday and do you live in one of the following countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Korea, Hong Kong, UK, Sweden, Russia or India? If so, read on! Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit announced recently that to promote Phuket to foreign tourist markets the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will be going on a 14-country road show. If you can attend this, you will have every opportunity to find out all a...

Posted by - March 9, 2007

Thai Golfers Stomach

Sometimes, I as an amateur golfer in Thailand together with my professional golfer friends often look for new local talent at the driving ranges around Bangkok. This week, continuing with my regular visits,  I once again bumped into this Thai lady, who is the girlfriend of a very good friend of mine.  An attractive 28 year-old lady, Nok (Thai for ‘bird’) is of slightly larger stature than the traditional Thai but by no means does that mean she is a big girl. Nok possesses a talent that...

Posted by - February 13, 2007

Thailand Golf Pigs

No, I do not think Thailand golfers are “pigs”, read on: A popular time to be in Thailand for a golfing holiday is in February, which often coincides with Chinese or Lunar New Year. This year is the Year of the Pig and the start of the New Year falls on February 18. The first-time Thailand golf visitor may register a bit of confusion as to why the timing of some important Buddhist and traditional holidays seems to float across the calendar rather than occurring on fixed days each year as is cust...

Posted by - February 12, 2007

Pok Daeng; A Thailand Golf Game For Thais

Further to my recent post, Thailand Golf Gaming, the Thais love to gamble and all over the Thailand golf courses’ gaming is prevalent. A few years back I learned a hard lesson when, playing at the old Natural Park Hill Golf Course in Chonburi, near Pattaya  and now called Mountain Shadow Golf Club. That day a Thai friend of mine introduced me to a golf gambling game the Thais all play called Pok-Daeng, the same name as a popular Thai card game. Pok-Daeng is best described as a sort of var...

Posted by - February 6, 2007

My Winter Golf Life Over 20 Years

The other day I was thinking about my Thailand golf life today and that of 20 years ago. Boy how time flies (but that is the subject of another post entirely)! February 3, 1987 San Jose, California It’s 7.30am on a Sunday morning. I jump out of bed looking forward to my regular Sunday Stableford match with friends at San Jose Municipal Golf Course. Opening the curtains to check the weather, I find an overcast sky with a smattering of rain, a howling wind and the temperature somewhere around 45 d...

Posted by - February 1, 2007

Songkran Festival Golf in Thailand

If you are thinking of a Thailand golf trip in next few months, why not aim to be here in April and join in Thailand’s Songkran Festival. Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration which starts on April 13, when the sun moves into Aries. This national holiday customarily lasts for three days, and even longer in Chiang Mai and Pattaya. The word ‘Songkran’ originates from the Sanskrit meaning ‘beginning of the solar year’. So, the holiday-loving Thais get to celebrate New Y...

Posted by - December 21, 2006

Best Tips For First Time Thailand Golf Visitors

When playing golf in Thailand it’s not always necessary to do as the Thais do. Indeed certain Thai customs such as resting on one’s haunches for hours at a time, or sleeping atop a motorcycle, might present some physical difficulties to the average Western golf traveler. However, if you are planning your first golf tour in Thailand, or even if you have stayed and played golf in the Land of Smiles in the past, here is a list of 10 things for you to avoid doing – and some you s...

Posted by - November 29, 2006

Golfing in Chiang Mai During Special Festivals of Northern Thaila

Chiang Mai is now one of the best cities to visit in Thailand for both golf and culture. There are now over 9 championship courses in the area to ensure balanced golf variety, scenic beauty, and challenge. In addition, the Northern Lanna, people of Chiang Mai  love celebrations and holidays and Chiang Mai has more occasions to celebrate than all other destinations. If you are quick, you can catch the International Horticulture Exposition. This is scheduled from November 2006 through Januar...

Posted by - October 31, 2006

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 t...

Posted by - October 21, 2006

Thailand Golf Tips Or Giving Tips in Thailand? (Part 2 of 2)

Thailand golf is what you are all here for and in today’s continuation post I will cover common tipping practices on the golf course, in bars, and while traveling on the road here. On the golf course, tips are one of the main ways the caddie generates their income. Although you pay a caddie fee in the cost of your green fee, only a portion of this goes to the caddie so the emphasis is then on them receiving good tips. At my golf travel company a 300 baht minimum is suggested to all Thaila...

Posted by - October 20, 2006

Thailand Golf Tips Or Giving Tips in Thailand? (Part 1 of 2)

I bet you thought I would post another golf tip. The next 2 articles deal, not with golf advice, but rather with gratuities. I find this an even more appropriate discussion topic since many golf travelers to Thailand may be wondering about local practices. Although not traditional in Thailand, you should plan to tip drivers, porters, and restaurant and bar staff and of course your golf caddies. However, please note that the level of tipping is still extremely small in comparison to that in the ...

Posted by - October 19, 2006

Thailand Golf Caddies Re-loaded (Part 2 of 2)

In yesterday’s post  I wrote about what to expect from your caddie. In return, she will appreciate being treated with politeness and respect. It is normal to offer your caddies refreshment when you stop at a drinks kiosk. Find out from your Thailand golf travel agent about the ‘going rate’ to tip your caddie and, if she has performed well, double it – remember, her tip may be all she is earning that day. Most especially, the spirit of sanuk sanuk, which translates as "fun and g...

Posted by - October 18, 2006

Thailand Golf Caddies Re-loaded (Part 1 of 2)

Thailand golf caddies raise so many questions for golf travelers here that I thought to completely re-write, including some original photos,my prior Thailand Golf Caddies article. As regular golfers in Thailand know, one of the undoubted joys of playing golf here is being aided and abetted by our delightful lady caddies. Yet, first time visitors are sometimes nervous about having to take a caddie (even when they rent a golf cart), perhaps feeling that their standard of golf is not up to being o...

Posted by - October 2, 2006

Golf History Thailand (Modern Times)

Thailand golf history is steeped in tradition as covered in last Friday’s post. Here is my information about the modern times golf history in Thailand. You can recognize many of the courses mentioned, and feel proud when you step up to the tees there, not only are you playing a a great course, but one with a royal history. Modern times golf was introduced into Thailand at the beautiful Navatanee Golf Course in Bangkok, which was purposely constructed in 1973 and hosted the World Cup of Go...

Posted by - September 29, 2006

Golf Thailand History (Ancient Times)

Thailand golf history is very interesting and I am sure some aspects of it will surprise many of you. Take a look at this and then when playing on some of the mentioned links, you can appreciate not only the beauty and challenge, but also the full story of where you are playing. On this first of 2 parts, I will cover Thailand’s ancient golf history, from the 1906 to 1965. Although Thailand is perceived by many as a very new golfing destination, history shows that golf was actually played...

Posted by - September 26, 2006

Thailand Square Club (and Final Coup Story)

I promised to get back to posting about golf, but before starting today I wanted to make everyone aware of  this great article summarizing the series of events that took place in Bangkok last week and authored by one of my favorite writers. By the way, if you need any more information about the situation in Thailand, you can contact me anytime at my Thailand golf vacation company or just leave a comment. Now on to to the main post of the day. Have you ever been on course and hit one that f...

Posted by - September 22, 2006

Thai Coup 9-22-06 Update

Here is the latest status in Bangkok, Thailand: Today has been a totally normal day in the city, with business going on as usual. Banks, Stock Exchange and Government Offices were open. Some business news: The opening of the stock exchange was successful. After a sharp fall minutes after opening, the market stabilized and closed just 1.42% lower, or 9.99 points. The Thai Baht had weakened in the last days, however strengthened to 37.41 to the US$ dollar, back from US$ 37.76 to the US$ on Wednes...

Posted by - September 21, 2006

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 pe...

Posted by - August 30, 2006

Thailand Golf Etiquette – Special Do’s and Don’t’s (Part 2 of 2)...

Here is the final part of the unique points to consider when playing golf in Thailand. I hope you find this interesting and useful. Caddies are a unique feature of Thai golf, and predominantly female, they perform a great task in very tiring conditions. Always be polite and courteous to your caddy, and you are sure to get a great service. Although the language can be a problem, there are ways to get around this. Tips are greatly appreciated by the caddies and I recommend 300 baht (around 7 US) ...

Posted by - August 28, 2006

Thailand Golf Etiquette – Special Do’s and Don’t’s (Part 1 of 2)...

Thailand has no doubt become one of the leading destinations in the world for visiting tourists. There are now over 200 courses with new one’s appearing on a regular basis to accommodate the large numbers of visiting tourists. Over the next 2 posts I will provide some special information that is unique to Thai golf and if well understood will ensure that you have an excellent time on the links here. Golf in Thailand can be a bit different to what you are used to, and certain aspects of etiquett...

Posted by - August 18, 2006

Nighttime activities, will they influence my golf in Thailand? (P

Here is the second and final part of my post. Hope you enjoy and please do comment on anything shown or mentioned. Whether you want to play pool, sit and joke with the girls in the many beer bars, enjoy the numerous go- go bars and shows on offer, or sample a special type of massage, then it is all readily and openly available. On many occasions I have witnessed both first time visitors, and many people who know Thailand well, caught up in the amazing atmosphere which certainly adds to an addit...