Thailand - Southeast Asia's Top Golf Destination

For most Americans, Thailand does not pop up as a must visit golf destination. Little did I know before visiting this past fall, Bangkok, the capital, is the most traveled to city in the world. After experiencing the land of smiles for fourteen days, I am letting the secret out of the bag. Thailand should be on every golfers travel bucket list.
Mark Siegel, the president of GolfAsian, the largest dedicated inbound golf tourism company in the region, shares that a trip to Thailand is a cultural vacation with golf along the way.

"Truth be told, this is not your typical '36 hole a day golf vacation'. Thailand's ¬¬exotic culture along with magnificent temples and palaces, mouth watering cuisine, and pristine white sand beaches are too good not to experience. Don't get me wrong, the country features world class golf from designers like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player."

Due to the length of travel time, sixteen to twenty hours from the states, Seigel recommends a minimum trip length of fourteen days. With a twelve-hour time difference from CST, jet lag lingers nearly 36-48 hours. The voyage is worth the journey. Below are 10 reasons Thailand should be on your bucket list.

1) Value & Affordable
Thailand is an emerging country and is known for being one of the most affordable places to travel. From the cost of a cab (tuk tuck) ride to the price of a five-star hotel room your money will stretch far. For example, you can eat like a king for $5 in the street markets or be rejuvenated with a 90 minute Thai Massage for less than $20. The US Dollar is very strong with a conversion rate of $1 US Dollar to 30 Thai Baht. Major credit cards are accepted at shopping malls, golf courses, restaurants and hotels. Cash is king in the street markets and ATM's are located everywhere.

2) Destination Diversity
First time travelers typical pair the bustling capital of Bangkok with another region. Choose from the quiet seaside town of Hua Hin to the historic Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi; From the pristine beaches in Phuket to the bright lights and amazing nightlife of Pattaya; Thailand has secondary vacation location for everyone.

3) Bucket List Golf Courses

Bangkok Region:
Nakanti Golf Club, rated the top course in Bangkok featuring an all-inclusive rate that includes golf, cart, caddy fee and buffet style meals before and after your round. Thai Country Club home to Tiger Woods' 1997 Asian Honda Classic victory. The Royal Gems Golf City - Dream Arena, Asia's first and only replica course showcasing iconic holes from the postage stamp, the blue monster and the island green at TPC Sawgrass. The entire back nine replicates the back nine at Augusta National. For most, it will be the closest you get to playing Amen corner.

Hau Hin Region:
Black Mountain Golf Club, opened in 2007, consistently ranked on Golf Digest's World Top 100 and Top Golf Course in Thailand. Banyan Golf Club, voted 2009 Best New Course in Asia.

Pattaya Region:
Siam Country Club, Old Course host of Honda LPGA Thailand on February 20-23, 2020. Siam Country Club, Rolling Hills Course, Thailand's newest golf course. The Schmidt-Curley Design coursed opened in January 2020.

Kanchanaburi Region:
Grand Prix Golf Club, home to an Asian Tour event on March 12-15th, 2020. Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club, a hidden gem where wild monkeys roam the forest and fairways.

4) Weather
Thailand has a tropical climate with extremely hot summers where temperatures exceed 105F. In the cool season, from November to February, Thailand has fantastic golf weather with light breezes, constant sunshine, and temperatures in the 80-90's. Despite the warm temps in the summer months, golf can still be enjoyable provided you have an early or late tee time.

5) Female Caddies
Taking a caddie is mandatory at every golf course in the country. Yes, you read that right - mandatory female caddies. The ladies are more than just eye candy. Think of them more as golf companions who drive your cart, provide you distances, clean your equipment, repair your divots and keep you properly hydrated. Your four-hour round will be significantly enhanced and worth every penny. Recommended gratuity 300-400 Bat ($10-$13)

6) Thai Massage
Getting a traditional Thai massage is a must-do for golf travelers, especially if you want to loosen up to make a big full turn. Thai massage is very different in comparison to traditional Western massage. In Thai massage, the therapist utilizes deep-pressure point techniques while assisting you in a series of yoga-like stretches. Thai massage is performed on a padded floor mat, which allows the therapist to easily manipulate the body of the client. Working from the feet up, the therapist stretches, flexes, and bends the body to free up tension and promote flexibility. Thai massage would not be classified as relaxing due to the pressure and stretching intensity, but it will fully rejuvenate the body.

In Bangkok, the Wat Pho Temple is home to Thailand's oldest traditional massage schools. After touring the temple, travelers can get a student massage or take a class to learn the art of Thai massage.

7) Vibrant Night Life
Bangkok's is known for its red-light districts, the prominent locations are Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza, and Soi Twilight. I will leave the details to your imagination but everything imaginable is on display and for sale.

If go-go bars is not your gig, Bangkok has quite the roof top bar scene. Most notable is Hyatt Regency's Spectrum Lounge and Bar - a three story roof top bar. Each level climbs in intensity starting at causal lounge music rising to a heart thumping discotech. Spectrum's signature drink is a "hole in one" served by a bartender, who is an avid golfer, named Khun Golf.

Belga Rooftop Brasserie and Bar offer's up Belgium beers 32nd floors above the city at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel.

Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queens Park specializes in gin and tonics at ABar Rooftop.

In Pattaya, the world famous Walking Street mirrors a similar vibe to downtown Las Vegas. Here you will find a quarter mile stretch of bars and pubs, street acts, live music, peep shows and massage parlors.

8) The Thai People
Thai's are known to be some of the friendliest in the world. Always with a smile on their face - it's called the "land of smiles" for a good reason. Thai's are extremely welcoming towards Americans.

9) Thai Food
Thai cuisine is world renowned and incorporates a balance of flavors between sweet, salt, bitter, sour and spicy. Thai dishes typically are served with rice with the main protein either seafood, chicken or pork.

Must eats while in Thailand: Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup); Pad Thai (Stir-Fried Noodles); Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Green Chicken Curry); Tom Kha Gai (Chicken in Coconut Soup); Yum Phet Mu (Thai Spicy Pork)

If you are going to drink like a local. Singha Beer is the original Thai lager and can be found everywhere. Kristall (gin, rum or vodka) is a Thai-crafted-spirit produced in Chiangmai from locally grown organic grains and botanicals.

10) Easy To Book
US golf travel is typical arranged by the individual golfer or a golf group leader. When traveling abroad, especially Southeast Asia, golfers should utilize a golf tour operator to plan a golf trip. GolfAsian handles all the details from booking tee times/hotel rooms, arranging transportation and tour guides, and planning activates outside of golf. Being local they have the inside information to provide a first-class golf vacation. For more information visit GolfAsian.com or call 800-550-2284.