Thailand 2007 report

Thailand Golf in the Kingdom

As many of you may be aware I personally am a big fan of Asia. I like the food the culture and the people, and none more so than Thailand. Known as the "Land of the Smile" it is such a calm and beautiful destination. Often seen as a beach destination for honeymooners, but I can tell you there is so much more and as a golf destination its reputation is growing far and wide.

Eleven hours flight time from London's Heathrow airport direct to the Capital City of Bangkok and their new startling airport. But more about the Capital later. We transfer by coach south long the gulf to the town of Hau-Hin pronounced wah-hin. This is a three hour transfer but you get to see much of the local countryside.

The town of Hau-Hin has everything you need to see if this was your first Asian experience. Night Markets where you can hone you bargaining skills to buy everything from Gucci handbags, top of the range golf shirts and lots of Rolex watches, all for just a few Baht, and of course they are the genuine article.
Tailoring is something worth considering excellent value, high quality and a great experience. There are two options spend time looking through catalogue etc or simply take an article of clothing into a shop chose your fabric and get it copied.

Around Hau-Hin there are many places of interest, the palace of King Rhama the 4th, the real one, not the Hollywood version The King and I. The Kings Summer Palace, the beautiful Teak Palace and many temples and Buddha's. For the more adventurous an elephant safari might be the order of the day. If you ever get the opportunity to become the Mahout and ride on the elephants neck go for it, it really is wonderful to feel the full power of one of these amazing and intelligent beasts.

Food in Thailand can be mild and aromatic or hot and spicy, make your choice when you order as the Thai tend to go for the hot and spicy. Dinning out in the area is great value for money, just through the town you can eat at one of several piers that extend out over the Gulf of Thailand. They are a very popular, and one of our favourite dining experiences. A seafood meal for two including langoustines in a green curry sauce with rice and beer will cost no more than £12. However if you prefer wine, because of the import duty this could add considerably to the cost of your meal, as a very average wine will set you back £19 per bottle.

Within the area of Hau-Hin are five golf courses all very diverse. Royal Hau-Hin, Lake View, Palm Hill, Majestic Creek and Springfield. How you rate them is always subjective, and often based on individual performances.
The oldest course is Royal Hau-Hin opened in 1924, the first course to open in Thailand, very traditional English in design with topiary bushes lining the fairways as a feature. The most modern of the five is Springfield designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus has staged the Thai Open one by Tiger Woods, a course on the must play list, and watch out for the island green par 5 18th hole.
One of the features of playing golf in Asia is the grain on the green; this is the direction the grass is laying, as our group discovered it can take a little getting used to. A downhill putt going into the grain can be slower than an uphill putt going down grain. But a little from yours truly helped I think!

The winners of the six round tournament for the ladies in third place Patricia Brown from Coventry second Jan Rossiter from Hexham and the winner from Blackmore Golf Club in Hampshire Pat Wilson who played exceptionally well winning four of the six rounds.
For the men in third place David Clark from Llandudno, second Joe Papa from London and in first place from Coventry Ed Brown who played consistently to take the title. Well done to the winners and everyone who played.

Following our time in Hau-Hin we travelled back to Bangkok for a further three days, via the infamous Bridge on the River Quai, a very moving and poignant tour, visiting the allied cemetery, a trip to and over the bridge on the death railway, an emotional day. But one none of us would have missed.
On to the bright lights of Bangkok, three days was sufficient time to spend in this great city. A huge contrast from the beachside resort at the Wora Bura Hotel back in Hau-Hin.
A day's tour in rather humid conditions took us to the Grand Palace, a most amazing and opulent buildings. A visit to the Golden Buddha and reclining Buddha and a tail boat trip around the canal system to sample the local life and culture. Not to mention Pat Pong Street which was situated only 300 meters from our hotel, this red light area was an interesting if not magnetic attraction.

Thailand represents great value for money great golf and lovely people, we are heading back next year to just East of Bangkok where there are 22 great courses then onto Cambodia and the temple of Anchor Wat, for information about this or any other holiday please contact us details below.

see Thailand 2007 photos here

2008/2009 CALENDAR
From:		to	Nights	Country & Location:	Price:
05/11/2008	-	16/11/2008	10	Thailand, Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Spa 5«	£ 1553	details
16/11/2008	-	19/11/2008	3	Thailand option 1 additional tour in Cambodia 5«	£ 399	details
16/11/2008	-	19/11/2008	3	Thailand option 2 additional stay in Bangkok 5«	£ 250	details
14/01/2009	-	27/01/2009	11	Argentina, Buenos Aires & Río Negro, 5« ONLY 3 PLACES REMAINING	£2724	details
27/01/2009	-	30/01/2009	4	Argentina, Option 1 Mendoza addition	£547	details
27/01/2009	-	30/01/2009	3	Argentina, Option 2 Iguaza falls addition 5«	£390	details
11/02/2009	-	24/02/2009	11	South Africa, Franschhoek 4« ,Garden Route This is a very popular tour, early booking advised	£1999	details
24/02/2009	-	27/02/2009	4	South Africa, Zimbali Lodge addition 5«	£ *	details
28/02/2009	-	07/03/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
07/03/2009	-	14/03/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
18/04/2009	-	25/04/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5« EXTRA WEEK ADDED DUE TO DEMAND	£799	details	GS
22/03/2009	-	29/03/2009	7	Tunisia, El Kantaoui, Riu Green Park Hotel All Inclusive Hotel 4«	£655	detail
09/05/2009	-	16/05/2009	7	Spain, Benalup; Fairplay Hotel and Spa: Luxury All Inclusive Hotel 5«	£1599	details
16/05/2009	-	23/05/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
23/05/2009	-	30/05/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
01/09/2009	-	08/09/2009	7	Madeira , Casa Velha 5«	£1069	details
14/09/2009	-	27/09/2009	12	USA, PGA Championship Experience	£*	details
03/10/2009	-	10/10/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
10/10/2009	-	17/10/2009	7	Portugal, Western Algarve, Le Meridien Penina 5«	£799	details	GS
				*to be advised
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