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{contactfield=firstname|Hi}, welcome to the November Asian Golf Insider The rainy season is now behind us and high season has arrived in Southeast Asia. This is the best time of year for a golf holiday here: the courses are in immaculate condition, the weather is fantastic, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone who has already booked with us for the coming weeks and months.
Still looking for a golf holiday? We would love to prepare your itinerary, whether you are dreaming of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines or Laos. We still have some really good special offers available, so contact us soon to take advantage of them.
This month we head north to Chiang Mai: cool mountain mornings, the 27 holes of Chiangmai Highlands, a riverside stay at RatiLanna and a local's guide to the city during Yi Peng, its festival of lights.
One quick question: where are you hoping to play golf this high season? Just hit reply and tell me – I would love to hear from you. Mark Siegel
Managing Director, Golfasian |
 | IN THIS ISSUE
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai: Chiangmai Highlands, RatiLanna and a local GM's favourite hidden walk
🎁 Golfasian Rewards: earn points on every round you play
🎬 New video: Rick Shiels on the Vietnam course that reminded him of Augusta
⛳ Thailand Golf Swing 2027: Phuket + Pattaya, up to THB 12,000 in bonuses |
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DESTINATION OF THE MONTH Chiang Mai: mountain golf in Thailand’s coolest seasonFrom November to February, Chiang Mai is at its best. Mornings are cool and fresh, the skies are clear and the mountains frame almost every fairway – golf here feels very different from the coast.
Most of the region’s best courses are 20 to 60 minutes from the city, from Chiangmai Highlands and Alpine Golf Resort to The Royal Chiang Mai and North Hill, so it is easy to play somewhere new every day.
Off the course, Chiang Mai has more than 300 temples, lively night markets, superb Northern Thai food and the slow-moving Ping River. This month the city celebrates Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, when thousands of lanterns rise into the night sky and candlelit krathong float down the river. It is also one of Asia’s best destinations for golfers travelling with a non-golfing partner: spas, cooking classes, temples and day trips to Doi Suthep keep everyone happy. |
| PLAN MY CHIANG MAI GOLF TRIP |
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COURSE OF THE MONTH Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
Set in the foothills east of Chiang Mai, Chiangmai Highlands is one of Thailand’s most awarded golf resorts. It has been named Best Golf Resort in Asia and has just celebrated 20 years since opening in December 2005.
Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley designed 27 holes across three nines – Valley, Highlands and Mountain – so every combination plays differently. The 18th is a short, downhill par 5 with a river crossing the fairway. Lay up, or go for it? Paspalum fairways, TifEagle greens and more than 130 bunkers reward a well-planned approach. The resort stands on the former hermitage of the revered monk Khruba Siwichai, and its calm is something golfers remember long after the round. The caddies receive some of the warmest reviews from our clients. |
| EXPLORE CHIANGMAI HIGHLANDS & ASK FOR A TEE TIME
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ACCOMMODATION OF THE MONTH RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort
Timeless Lanna elegance on the Ping River. RatiLanna sits on a quiet bend of the river, yet the Night Bazaar is five minutes away and the Old City less than ten. Built by Chiang Mai people, from the owner to the architect, it tells the story of the historic Wat Ket riverside community through teak, Lanna artistry and local craftsmanship.
Each morning a monk arrives at the resort’s pier by rowboat for the traditional alms-giving, and guests are welcome to take part. Explore the river by Lanna-style boat, enjoy sunset drinks on the Dip & Sip boat or learn Northern Thai cooking with the resort’s chef. At Mira Restaurant, do not miss the signature Lamb Hung Lay with ginkgo and crispy roti. After a round in the mountains, the RatiLanna Spa and the infinity pool are the perfect way to unwind, and non-golfing partners will find plenty to fill a relaxed day. |
| ADD RATILANNA TO MY CHIANG MAI TRIP |
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INTERVIEW Meet La-iad Bungsrithong
Khun La-iad Bungsrithong, General Manager of RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort , is a Chiang Mai native whose whole career has been in her hometown. “Chiang Mai is not only where I work,” she says. “It is home.” |
| In our conversation she shares her perfect slow day by the river, the Lanna curry every visitor should try, a hidden riverside walk most tourists miss, and what non-golfing partners can enjoy while their golfer is on the course. Her advice for Yi Peng? Slow down and take in both the beauty and the meaning of the festival. Her advice for Chiang Mai? Start with the Lamb Hung Lay. |
| READ KHUN LA-IAD’S FULL INTERVIEW |
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BEYOND THE FAIRWAYS Three Chiang Mai experiences worth making time for
1. Walk the old river port of Wat Ket. This is Khun La-iad’s favourite hidden gem. Visit the small community museum at Wat Ket Karam, cross the Chansom Memorial Bridge and finish at Warorot Market for Northern Thai street food. 2. Join a khantoke dinner. Sit around low rattan tables, share a spread of Northern Thai dishes and watch traditional Lanna dancers perform. It is a classic Chiang Mai evening.
3. Soak in the San Kamphaeng hot springs. In the same Mae On hills as Chiangmai Highlands, the natural mineral pools are an easy stop after your round and a great way to rest tired legs. |
| ADD THESE TO MY GOLF HOLIDAY |
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GOLF PACKAGE OF THE MONTH One Week Chiang Mai Golf Package7 days / 6 nights · from THB 24,700 · fully customisable
Four of the north’s best courses at a relaxed pace, with a free day midweek to explore the city. Play North Hill, The Royal Chiang Mai, Alpine Golf Resort and Chiangmai Highlands. Includes six nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, green fees, a caddie per golfer, airport and golf transfers, local support and Golfasian’s 24/7 golf hotline. We tailor it around your preferred hotel (including a riverside stay at RatiLanna), your dates and your pace. |
| SEE THE ITINERARY & PRICES |
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NEW Signature golf tours across Asia
We have launched a new series of signature golf trips, and we are especially excited about them. You travel with fellow golfers on a carefully planned itinerary while our experienced team takes care of the arrangements along the way – a relaxed, social and very enjoyable way to experience Asia. |
| SEE THE SIGNATURE TOURS |
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MAGAZINE Asian GOLF & More – Edition 5 is hereOver the past six months we have travelled across Asia, visiting exceptional golf courses, discovering new resorts and destinations, and finding plenty to enjoy away from the fairways.
If you have not read it yet, all 108 pages are waiting for you online. |
| This edition takes you from Northern Vietnam and West Java to Phuket and Phu Quoc, with destination features, course reviews and resort recommendations – plus interviews with Sir Nick Faldo, one of the LPGA’s best-known players, and golf’s No. 1 YouTuber, Rick Shiels, on Vietnam.
We would love to hear what you think – just reply to this email. And if you have friends who enjoy golf and travelling around Asia, please feel free to forward the magazine to them. |
| READ ASIAN GOLF & MORE – EDITION 5 |
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 | NEW VIDEO
Rick Shiels on the course that gave him “Augusta vibes”Rick Shiels has played Augusta National, so why did a golf course in Vietnam remind him of it? In this exclusive Asian GOLF & More interview, Rick tells editor Mike Bridge what stood out on his first golf trip to Vietnam.
He talks about Ba Na Hills, the Greg Norman-designed Bluffs Grand Ho Tram, the caddies who made a lasting impression, the food, and a flooded course that was playable again in about an hour. He also reveals why Thailand is next on his list. |
| WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE |
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CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
What our golfers say“Our trip to Thailand was smoothly curated by Golfasian and they gave us a great memorable experience. Organized our hotel stays, golf rounds, transportation and great customer service throughout our entire trip. … The courses chosen by the team were exceptional and wouldn’t have changed a thing!”
– Christopher C., October 2026
“A wonderful golf tour for our group of 9 lads in Danang. We were very well taken care of and organising and selection of golf clubs and accommodation was superb.”
– Martin A., October 2026 |
| READ ALL RECENT REVIEWS |
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FEATURED OFFER · 2027 Thailand Golf Swing: play Phuket, then PattayaDoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Golf Invitational · 26–31 Jul 2027
Pattaya Men’s Open Golf Week · 1–7 Aug 2027
Two back-to-back weeks of tournament golf in two of Thailand’s favourite destinations. Book both and receive a complimentary night in Pattaya on 31 July (worth THB 3,000) and a THB 3,000 bonus credit. Book before 30 November 2026 and the early-bird discount of THB 3,000 per room at each event comes on top – up to THB 12,000 in bonuses with the Thailand Golf Swing.
Early-bird codes: PHK3 (Phuket) and PMG27 (Pattaya). Early-bird offer ends 30 November 2026. |
| DISCOVER THE PHUKET INVITATIONAL |
| EXPLORE THE PATTAYA MEN’S OPEN |
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GOLFASIAN REWARDS Earn points on every round you play
Every round of golf you play with Golfasian now earns you rewards: 50 points per round, and 100 points per round at our tournaments. Every 10 points is worth US$1 towards your next stay & play package or tournament entry. Through the Golfasian Rewards program we have already awarded more than USD 100,000 to loyal customers.
✓ No sign-up needed if you have travelled with us since 1 April 2026
✓ 50 points per round, 100 points per tournament round
✓ Points credited automatically after your trip
✓ Redeem on stay & play packages and tournament entries
✓ Points valid until 31 December of the following year
✓ Check your balance in the My Golfasian app, where you also get a free eSIM for every trip |
| DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE |
| DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID |
Already have the app? Update your profile and contact details. |
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MEET OUR TEAM Axel, Sales Manager – Vietnam
Axel joined Golfasian in July 2026 as our Sales Manager for Vietnam. Based in Da Nang , he loves building new partnerships and introducing international golfers to Vietnam’s fantastic courses and unique experiences. |
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Axel grew up in Switzerland, with a Vietnamese father and an Italian mother. He speaks French, Italian and English, and has lived in Vietnam for more than ten years, first in Saigon and now in Da Nang. Before joining us, he was Sales & Marketing Director at a destination management company, where he helped build its inbound tourism business from the ground up.
For Axel, golf is the perfect mix of sport, nature, strategy and good company, and a wonderful way to discover beautiful places and bring people together. Away from work he loves travelling, discovering new restaurants and spending time with his wife and their young son. His favourite food? The incredible variety of Vietnamese cuisine, with a soft spot for Italian. |
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