Golf in Thailand 2007-2008: A Guide to Great Golfing Holidays in the Land of SmilesPrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
Thailand is, aside from a land of enchantment, a land of elephants and golf courses. Had you been in the Kingdom a couple of seasons ago, you’d know why. All you had to do was go to the Alpine Golf and Country Club in Bangkok, glance down the fairway, and you would have seen a herd of elephants milling about amidst the crowd. Both were real, the crowds and the elephants. The elephants, however, weren’t the major attraction. There was something else: A golfing personality.
Who was it?
Tiger Woods was in town, promoting golfing and elephants. The occasion was the grand 10th Johnnie Walker Classic Golf Tournament. For golf-crazy Thais, the tournament was not only prestigious, it was the biggest sports attraction in this part of the world and had placed Asia on the world golfing map.
And for Thailand, it has something to say about golfing in the Kingdom. The fact that Thailand has had the distinction of hosting three of the nine competitions already held, speaks eloquently for this golf-loving nation. And for the record, Tiger Woods, who calls Thailand his second home, had taken part in two of these three Johnnie Walker Classics.
Away from the golf action on the Alpine course, there was one novel event, the second big attraction, the Johnnie Walker Elephant Alliance Gala Charity Dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel. The charity dinner brought the plight of Thai elephants into focus by staging the charity dinner before the tournament when six elephants were nominated for adoption by six top golfers including Tiger Woods.
Thailand has long been considered by golfers everywhere as one of the world's top golfing destinations. Not only can the Kingdom boast of some 200 golf courses, with more than 4,000 greens - many of them of championship standard - it also provides exceptional facilities and services for players seen nowhere else in the world. But that's not the whole story. Where else can a player look up from the putting green and see a beautiful hillside Buddhist temple overlooking the greens, its many tiered roofs and gold leaf catching the morning rays of the sun? How many fairways can boast a view of shimmering, sparkling turquoise sea framed by a canopy of graceful palms nipping at the blue of the sky? What delightful beauty.
With all this in mind, Royal Orchid Holidays decided to come to the aid of golfers. With so many golf clubs and so many greens, how does one choose the right club? Thus, ROH put golfing on its programme which has just been published: GOLF IN THAILAND 2007-2008. It’s a 22-page booklet that is now available at all Thai Airways ticketing offices and with designated travel agents around the world.
Let me quote from the introduction to the booklet:
“If you've ever dreamed of taking a golfing holiday, then you've come to the right place. With this brochure as your guide, you can create the perfect itinerary to suit your needs and budget. From tee to green, you can rest assured that Royal Orchid Holidays will be on hand to help you make your dream come true.
“As a Golfing Kingdom Thailand has long been regarded as one of the world's finest holiday destinations, but these days it's also recognised for its outstanding golf courses. Wherever you go in the Kingdom - from Chiang Mai to Phuket, Kanchanaburi to Rayong - you'll find pristine fairways and challenging greens waiting for you. So why not create your own private tour in the Land of Smiles?”
The best thing about taking a golfing break with Royal Orchid Holidays is that ROH will do everything for you. Once you've decided where you want to play, they will do the rest - from booking your accommodation, to reserving tee times and even arranging transport to the course. So, while you may not be able to play like Tiger Woods, at least you'll be treated like the world's Number 1.
As I mentioned, the Kingdom has over 200 golf courses and, from these, ROH has chosen more than 30 first-class courses spanning the length and breadth of the country. GOLF IN THAILAND 2007-2008 is your passport to a great golfing holiday. So whatever your level of play, however long you plan to stay, you'll find everything you need right here in Thailand.
ROH offers the Complete Package. Here's what’s included with every tour featured in this brochure:
- Your choice of accommodation, inclusive of a full American breakfast. In some cases your hotel will be located on the golf course.
- A minimum of 18 holes of golf at your chosen course(s).
- Guaranteed tee times. Green and caddy (or twin-sharing buggy/cart) fees.
- Airport/hotel/golf course transfers, where applicable.
- Your choice of day on which to play. Most tours operate daily, but please note the few exceptions.
- Equipment for rent at most courses. If time pressures make it difficult for you to spend a week or two on the golf course, don't worry. With Royal Orchid Holidays you can enjoy a single day at any of the courses that are featured.
- Each package includes a reserved tee time, green and caddy (or twin-sharing buggy/cart) fees, and 18 holes of golf. ROH can also arrange transport to and from the course, should you need it.
Tips from the brochure:
“Golf is a fascinating game to play, but as every golfer knows, it can also be incredibly frustrating. So if you're getting tired of hitting the rough instead of the fairway, bunkers instead of greens, then maybe it's time you picked up a few tips from the top.
“With our Golf Lesson Programme, you'll spend two or three days (course lengths vary) on a coaching and assessment course run by a fully qualified PGA professional. Under their expert tuition you'll get a detailed breakdown of your game and be given invaluable tips on how to improve it.
“Each course includes:
- Three hours' tuition per day.
- Video analysis.
- Range balls.
- Caddy, green fees and use of a golf cart.
“Please note that to enable us to provide you with the exact holiday you want, all golfing tours must be booked at the time of making your reservation. Everything you need to make your selection(s) is in this brochure, so take your time and we'll see you on the course.”
Royal Orchid Holidays knows that not everyone in your tour group is as crazy about golf as you are which is why, as well as providing unbeatable golfing packages, ROH offers a complete range of sightseeing trips, days out, and all manner of non-golfing related activities to keep everyone happy. Your representative or agent will be happy to give you details of the options available.
Royal Orchid Holidays has chosen seven destinations which are as follows: Bangkok with nine courses; Kanchanaburi, two courses; Hua Hin/Cha An, three; Pattaya, seven; Rayong one; Chiang Mai, four; and Phuket, five.
GOLF IN THAILAND 2007-2008 describes each course, has a map for each destination and beautiful photographs of each course. The booklet is free.
Next week we will be travelling to the Philippines in memory of the fall of Corregidor in May 1941. I will take readers back to that infamous day. QUESTIOINS & ANSWERSQ. Dear Mr. Stephens. My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand, and when he asked what I wanted to buy, I said a Siamese cat. He laughed and said there are no such cats and that’s it’s only a name, like French fries. Do you know if he might be right? By the way, I do enjoy reading your stories each week. Beatrice Rice, Orlando, Florida
A. Dear Mrs. Rice. You may tell your husband that Siamese cats are real, and truly a produce of Thailand. I have been told they are known for their air of aloofness, brilliant blue eyes, regal bearing, and sharply contrasting colors. Siamese cats make delightful pets, being fastidiously clean, extremely intelligent, and affectionate. The first official reference to the Siamese species occurred in five poems discovered in 1830, but dating back to the days of Ayutthaya. You might want to take your husband to the Rattanakosin Room at the National Museum. The nicely illustrated Samut Thai book is on display there. I wanted to take a photo for you but cameras are not permitted. I did check with a Thai friend who has several Siamese cats. She claims they are born pure white, but display their variegated coloration within the first month. She also insists that their movements are graceful like Siamese classical dancers, and that they are born Buddhist and never convert to another religion. There are pet shops around Bangkok that sell Siamese cats, if you are interested, but don’t tell your husband I told you. —HS
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited | 
