Even with our eagle-eyed caddies here when golfing in Thailand, for some golfers it is not unusual to lose lots of golf balls, especially on golf courses where there is an abundance of water hazards, such as Summit Windmill Golf Club in Bangkok or Phuket Country Club, the New Course in particular. At last weeks golf tournament at President Country Club in Bangkok one chap lost 8 balls in the “klongs” (water hazards). But, to lose fourteen balls before you reach the first tee?!

A pal of mine joined up with a group of long-time friends on a golf tour to Hua Hin / Cha Am last month. One member of the group had not noticed a small slit in the pocket of his golf bag where he stored his golf balls (mostly new Titleist Pro V1s). On the first tee, he asked his caddie for a ball only to be told “mai mee” (don’t have). The caddie had to run back to the Pro shop to stock up.

The round cost him, not only for the new balls, but by unanimous vote won the “Tok Nam” (most lost balls) award for the day and had to buy beers après round for all.

Incidentally, the eight of us who stayed on, travelled back to Bangkok via a Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft from Siam General Aviation (SGA Airlines). With a seating capacity for 12 passengers the aircraft has been fitted out with plush leather seating. The Cessna is a light aircraft well-suited to low-altitude flights. That afternoon the Thai lady pilot afforded us an opportunity to enjoy an aerial view of the landscape along the 40 minute route which passed over Samut Prakarn province, the Gulf of Thailand, the Chao Phraya River and Samut Prakarn, before touching down in Bangkok.

With a steady increase the numbers of affluent golfers going to the ‘royal paradise’ of Hua Hin, the air shuttle service is a convenient and welcome alternative to the three-hour drive from Hua Hin to Bangkok. The airline has its own lounge in Hua Hin, where we were able to relax and enjoy ice cold Singhas and light snacks before taking off.

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