Thailand, From Bangkok to Phuket

Golf Escape and Wonders of Thailand 4^*

Arrival in Bangkok. At the airport, once you have collected your luggage, make your way towards the exit. Your French-speaking guide will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name (in front of GATE 3), ready to give you a warm welcome. Together, you will meet your private vehicle for a transfer to the hotel, offering a first glimpse of Thai city life, between glittering skyscrapers and lively side streets.

Optional, payable locally: on the evening of arrival, it is possible to add a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, with a selection of several dishes served throughout the evening. It is a wonderful way to start the journey gently, with a first welcome dinner in Bangkok’s unique atmosphere.

Overnight at the hotel.

For this first day, the focus is on a gentle introduction to Bangkok, with no golf, so you can slowly soak up the atmosphere of the capital and recover from the journey. You will start on foot with a visit to the must-see sights of the historic centre: the Grand Palace and its sacred temples, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha, then Wat Pho and its majestic Reclining Buddha. Along the way, we suggest stopping at a local market to sample Thai street food, with the option of enjoying a traditional foot massage (at an extra cost).

In the afternoon, a boat trip along the klongs reveals an intimate and authentic side of Bangkok, with wooden houses, small shrines and peaceful neighbourhoods, including a memorable passage in front of the majestic Big Buddha, which appears unexpectedly around a bend in the canals. At the end of the day, Wat Arun is bathed in a soft golden light and, from a terrace facing the temple, you can savour a cocktail before enjoying a free evening, either unwinding back at the hotel or diving into the lively atmosphere of Chinatown and its night market.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart at 7.30 a.m. for Siam Country Club Bangkok, located around 1½ hours’ drive from the hotel. A benchmark for golf in Thailand, this 18-hole course is renowned for the impeccable quality of its fairways, its fast, technically demanding greens, and a challenging layout that calls for precision, strategy and consistency. The whole course is set in carefully maintained, harmonious surroundings, offering a premium playing experience that is highly appreciated by both experienced players and seasoned golfers.

In the early afternoon, return to Bangkok. The rest of the day is at leisure and can be tailored to individual preferences: a relaxing break at the hotel, a traditional massage, a swim in the pool, or another urban adventure to explore the capital at one’s own pace after this first day on the golf course.

Overnight at the hotel.

An early morning departure from Bangkok to the Alpine Golf & Sports Club, one of the country’s most renowned courses. Set in gently rolling terrain, between water features and perfectly maintained fairways, this 18-hole course combines technical challenge with elegance. The fast greens, strategically placed water hazards and high-quality facilities make for a demanding yet smooth round of golf, appreciated by both experienced players and keen enthusiasts. The game unfolds in a peaceful atmosphere, far from the bustle of the city, ideal for easing into the rhythm of the journey.

In the early afternoon, drive to Khao Yai and transfer to the hotel located at the gateway to the national park. The scenery gradually changes: the city gives way to hills, forests and wide green open spaces for which the region is famous. Check-in and free time to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace, relax by the pool, savour the tranquillity or simply soak up the natural atmosphere. End of the day at leisure, dedicated to switching off and enjoying the gentle pace of life.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day at leisure in Khao Yai, accompanied by your private driver and French-speaking Thai guide, to follow whatever you feel like doing. You can choose to discover the region’s vineyards, explore Khao Yai National Park with its waterfalls, wildlife and forest trails, or simply opt for a day devoted to wellbeing and relaxation. A tailor-made interlude, combining nature, gentleness and freedom, to make the most of this unspoilt region.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel with your luggage and head to Kirimaya Golf Club, one of Khao Yai’s most iconic courses. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this 18-hole course blends seamlessly into the landscape, with rolling hills, forested areas and wide-open views over the national park. It is both strategic and visually striking, with each hole inviting you to savour the game as much as the scenery. A superb way to round off your golfing interlude in Khao Yai, combining nature, elegance and the pure pleasure of play.

In the early afternoon, set off by road towards Bangkok. On arrival, complete the formalities for your domestic flight to Chiang Mai. By late afternoon, there is a complete change of atmosphere: the northern mountains, fresher air and a calmer pace signal the start of a new chapter in the journey, where golf, culture and discovery come together. Transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, the guide will collect you from the hotel for a half-day excursion to an ethical elephant sanctuary. There is no intrusive interaction here: the experience focuses on the respectful observation of these majestic animals in their natural environment. You will learn about their way of life, their history and the initiatives in place to protect them, as you watch them move around freely, feed and interact with one another. It is a powerful, genuine and educational experience that offers a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and elephants in Thailand, far from any staged performances.

Back in Chiang Mai, the afternoon continues in the hills above the city. You begin with a visit to Wat Pha Lat, a discreet temple nestled in the forest, a true haven of peace where time seems to stand still. The road then climbs up to Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most important spiritual sites. Towards the end of the day, the golden light enhances the chedis and reveals a spectacular view over Chiang Mai and the surrounding valley. It is a moment filled with calm and spirituality, the perfect way to bring the day to a gentle close.

Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, departure for Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort, located about an hour’s drive from the city. Nestled in the northern hills, this 18-hole course is one of the most renowned in the region. Designed by Schmidt-Curley, it offers a technical and varied layout, perfectly integrated into the natural landscape, with rice fields, lakes and mountains as a backdrop. It is a demanding yet very enjoyable course to play, recognised for the quality of its fairways and greens, in a peaceful, lush green setting.

In the afternoon, return to the hotel and free time. Guests can choose to unwind by the pool, enjoy a wellness treatment, or simply rest after the morning on the greens. Chiang Mai naturally invites visitors to slow down, to savour the tranquillity and gentle northern atmosphere, before continuing their journey combining golf, culture and discovery.

Overnight at the hotel.

Departure in the morning with the 10:40 flight to Surat Thani, leaving the northern mountains behind to reach the tropical landscapes of the south. On arrival, you head by road to the hotel on the edge of the jungle and the karst formations. Check-in is in the early afternoon, followed by some free time to soak up this wilder atmosphere, surrounded by lush nature and a real sense of complete disconnection.

The rest of the day unfolds at your own pace. Depending on what you feel like doing, you can simply relax at the hotel, enjoy the natural setting or, as an option, head to the Ratchaprapha Dam Golf Course for a 9-hole round in the late afternoon. Playing golf in this unique setting, overlooking the lake and the limestone cliffs of Khao Sok National Park, offers an experience that is both unusual and memorable – a perfect way to bring the day to a gentle close.

For dinner, you can choose between a romantic dinner served in the villa or one of the “jungle dinners” offered by the hotel, for an immersive experience as close to nature as possible.

Overnight at the hotel.

Early in the morning, head to the lake pier to board a private boat with a French-speaking guide, who will take you cruising through the heart of this spectacular landscape. Very soon, limestone cliffs rise out of the emerald water while the morning mist still clings to the hills, giving the place an almost mystical atmosphere. The rest of the day unfolds to the gentle rhythm of Khao Sok: a boat trip through the coves of Cheow Lan Lake, lunch in a floating restaurant, a short hike in the jungle to explore the dense vegetation and sometimes caves, swimming breaks in crystal-clear water, or a quieter moment by kayak.

At the end of the day, leave the lake and return to the riverside resort, after an immersive experience in one of Thailand’s most beautiful natural settings. Here, the experience is not just a series of activities: you simply let yourself be carried away by the magic of the place, where time seems to stand still.

Overnight at the hotel.

Early in the morning, enjoy a gentle immersion in the heart of Khao Sok National Park with a peaceful bamboo-rafting descent of the river. Carried by the current, you glide silently through the jungle, as close to nature as it gets. By mid-morning, you head off towards a more secluded side of Thailand, with rolling landscapes and dense forests, until you reach Katathong Golf Resort & Spa, a truly distinctive stop on the journey.

You arrive in the early afternoon to check in at the hotel, before making the most of this unique place, with its 18-hole course set in a wild, unspoilt environment. The technical, undulating layout blends seamlessly into the landscape, and the late-afternoon light accompanies the final shots through to sunset. It is a highlight of the trip, where golf becomes a genuine nature experience.

Overnight at the hotel.

If they wish, the day can start very early, at sunrise, with another round on the course. Depending on their preferences, they can play the 18 holes again or opt for an optional 9-hole round at an extra charge, in a soft light that enhances the contours of the landscape and the surrounding tranquillity. A special, almost meditative moment, before closing this interlude devoted to nature and golf.

Late in the morning, they set off towards Phuket, the final stage of their journey. The scenery gradually changes, giving way to the coastline and sea air. It is a perfect transition between the unspoilt hinterland and a beach-style end to the stay, dedicated to relaxation and the sea. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

The morning is devoted to Red Mountain Golf Club, the final course of the stay and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular. Set on a former mining site, the course offers a unique, undulating and technical layout, with impressive views over the red rock formations, jungle and lakes. A wonderful way to round off this golfing journey, in a setting that is both demanding and unforgettable.

The rest of the day is at leisure, so you can make the most of this final stop at your own pace: beach, massage, sunset or simply relaxing. And if you would like to extend the experience and spend a few extra days in Phuket, this is of course entirely possible. The end of the stay is flexible, depending on what you would like to do (at an additional cost).

Overnight at the hotel.

Day at leisure in Phuket to enjoy the beach and relax.

Overnight at the hotel.

Make the most of this final morning at your own pace, taking the opportunity to reflect on the courses you have played and the highlights of your golf holiday. Depending on the departure time of your return flight from Phuket, take a last moment to soak up the island’s atmosphere before your transfer to the airport. We hope this golf trip has offered you exciting challenges, outstanding courses and the perfect balance between play and relaxation.