After a few down years due to the economy, political unrest and floods, Chiang Mai tourism bounced back stronger than ever for the 2012 / 2013 High Season, with hotels and golf courses largely fully booked from mid-December through February. As a result many golfers are now asking when would be a good time for both weather and avoiding the crowds? I like to suggest the ‘shoulder’ seasons just before and after High Season. The weather is still pretty good (though April is rather warm) and the courses are MUCH less crowded.
The primary wet season ends earlier in northern Thailand than the central and southern regions, around mid-September. This makes October a great month for golf particularly as you can take advantage of low season prices. And though prices go up in November, the weather gets even better as temperatures moderate and the main tourist crowds don’t start arriving until after mid-December.
No new golf courses to report in Chiang Mai though Chiang Mai Inthanon Golf Resort is starting to look better as is matures. And over in the sister city of Chiang Rai there are now 3 courses for international golfers with the 2012 opening of Happy City Golf Club. While it is still growing in and operates with a temporary clubhouse, the design is a good one and the course will only improve with age.
After a building boom the previous decade not many new hotels have opened in Chiang Mai the last few years. One of the oldest hotels though, the Surawongse, has recently acquired by Moevenpick and major renovations are expected soon. And the always popular De Naga is currently putting finishing touches on an extension and renovation program to add a spa and give their ‘corner café a major facelift.
Connectivity via Chiang Mai airport continues to improve. There are now direct international connections with Hong Kong and Luang Prabang, Laos, in addition to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Taipei and Kunming. More direct domestic flights with Phuket have been added as well.
Looking for something ‘active’ to do on a non-golfing day? A zip-line tour through rain forest tree tops, a Segway tour around the Old City, or a hike to the top of the 10 level Mae Rim Waterfalls National Park might be just the ticket!
- Just returned from a great 2 week golf break in Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long, Danang, Ho Tram and HCMC) and generally the logistics etc were excellent with great attention to detail by GA. I've just completed the survey and made a few comments about what did go wrong and how perhaps a few things could be improved such as transport routings, driver wayfinding, caddie expertise, hotel ratings, etc. but generally an excellently organised trip and can't wait for the next one!!
Alan Davies - Thinking of going to Asia and not sure where to start??? You can put your mind at ease if you connect with Golfasian Just spent 12 days in Amazing Thailand and everything was handled to a tee! http://travelinggolfer.net/2019/10/30/asia-on-your-mind/
Claudio DeMarchi - Incredible service and staff. I couldn't believe how easy it was and not one issue at the hotel or the golf courses.
Marc Jolicoeur - Perfect!! Fixing everything from transport, greenfee, buggy, caddie, checking in and everything with a smile. 5 rounds in Hua hin with my wife and some friends.
Daniel Hojas - great coarses get to meet people from everywhere,and very well organised by mark penfold and his staff.if your thinking of doing it just do it you wont regret it.i'm doing my 4th trip in march2016
Kelvin Harvey - Great team, great service. I will definitely go to Golfasian again for my next trip.
Thank you
Craig Jenkins - I would like to joint golfasian
Jimmy Siow Quey Sang - Our golfing trip of 8 people to Vietnam has just finished sadly. We started off in Ho Chi Minh City, then Danang and finally Hanoi with a two night HaLong Bay cruise to have some R & R after 7 golf games plus some sightseeing. Thank you to everyone at Golfasian from the first enquiry, finalising an itinerary and then our time in Vietnam. Everything ran so smoothly and professionally that we didn't need to stress over any of the arrangements at all. Miss Huong was so helpful with all aspects of our tour and also in organising catering for non seafood eaters wherever we went on our itinerary. The drivers during our stay were friendly and obliging from Tony in Ho Chi Minh, Lucky in Danang and Mr Simon in Hanoi was especially helpful and informative and more than happy to answer any questions plus also give suggestions which we were grateful for. We could not fault the service from Golfasian and would not hesitate to recommend them and use them again.
Marilyn Powell - Just spent two weeks traveling Thailand with Golf Asian, everything was perfect great courses, great service seamless pick up. I will use them again for sure very professional and very knowledgeable. There was one course I wanted to play that they said not to because it was in bad shape, I played anyway but they sure where right, was worth it for the views anyway :)
Andrew Wood - A Great golfing partner in Asia ... a partner that must be part of your itinerary when golfing in Asia. Golfasian is a very professional organization that will ensure that your golfing holidays will be the best ever !!!
I have been golfing in Thailand with Golfasian for 10 years !!!
Barrie Magda van Zyl
