Golf holidays in Khao Yai

Khao Yai is a spectacular national park in central Thailand.  You may have seen some images of the shopping villages and hotels in Khao Yai and been mistaken for thinking it is Italy or Spain, as they are very decorative and colourful.

As this is a national park, many of the activities and attractions are nature based, so if your interests outside of playing golf surrounds nature, booking a golf tour in Khao Yai is the perfect solution.  A golf holiday in Khao Yai combines the best of Thailand’s most natural golf courses and stunning landscapes.

Booking a golf package in Khao Yai means tremendous golf but also the opportunity to see a different side to Thailand, away from the bright lights of Bangkok and the other busy areas of the country.

Geography and Travel

Khao Yai is just 3 hours away from the Thai capital of Bangkok.  It is a large area which encompasses four different provinces.  These are Saraburi (west), Nakhon Nayok (east), Nakhon Ratchasima (north) and Prachinburi (east).  It’s the third largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand and one of the most popular national parks.

Situated in the western part of the Sankamphaeng Mountain Range, Khao Yai covers an area of 300 square kilometres and much of this is made up of tropical forests and grasslands.  The highest mountain in the park is Khao Rom, which stands at 1,351 metres high and you can expect to see a lot of wildlife in the region.  The Asian black bear, Indian elephant, gaur and gibbon are some of the animals which live in Khao Yai.

Getting to Khao Yai for a golf holiday could not be easier thanks to the train and buses running from Bangkok.  However, thanks to the road between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, its an easy drive and having touched down in Bangkok, you can expect to be in Khao Yai within a few hours. 

Where to Stay

Khao Yai is unlike many other regions of Thailand and when booking a golf tour, you will have a choice of various styles of accommodation. 

Kirimaya Resort is a 5-star golf resort in Khao Yai National Park. Area golf courses are nearby, which maximizes the enjoyment of a Khao Yai golf holiday. Kirimaya Resort combines the natural charms and rustic feel of the outdoors of Khao Yai with the lifestyle of contemporary luxurious living.

Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residences is an integrated golf resort set in the hills just past Khao Yai. Enclosed by natural surroundings, jungle, wildlife and local fauna, the resort has a distinctly African feel. The 24 modern villas are large and beautifully decorated.

Weather and Best Time to Travel

Khao Yai has three main seasons, with the cool season of November to February being the best time for a golf holiday.  Between these months the average temperature is 22 degrees during the day, with clear, sunny skies.  You may need a jacket in the evenings when the temperature can drop to 10 degrees but an umbrella will rarely be used.

If you would like to visit Khao Yai for a golf break when the weather is warmer, the months of March, April and May are the best times to visit.  The temperature can reach 30 degrees and remain as high as 17 degrees at night.The third season is called the rainy season and falls between May and October.  The day time temperature remains high but you can expect to see rain on a daily basis.

Things to Do Away from the Golf Course

You will not struggle for things to do away from the golf course in Khao Yai.  If you want to enjoy some shopping, head to Palio Village, which is a picturesque shopping centre built to resemble a traditional Tuscan village.  You will find everything from clothes, gifts, food and live entertainment.

A visit to Khao Yai national park is a must and it is full of hiking routes and waterfalls.  Due to its elevation, the park remains cool for much of the year and you can often see monkeys relaxing along the paths.  There are five scenic routes to choose from and you can collect maps from the visitor centre.

If you have seen or heard of the Jim Thompson silk brand, you can visit the source of the fine quality silk in Khao Yai.  If you are planning to play golf in December and January, which is a good choice, you can see the cultivation of silk worms and visit the vegetable orchards, botanical gardens and Isaan village.