Bangkok + Pattaya 5-Day Golf Getaway: Championship Courses & City Nights — Outline
Why this trip works: In just five days you can pair Bangkok’s polished, tour-grade golf and world-class dining with Pattaya’s dense cluster of championship layouts—without a single domestic flight. The two hubs are ~2 hours apart by motorway, tee sheets are efficient, and evenings can be as low-key or lively as you like.
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Why This 5-Day Combo Works
Efficiency: Bangkok and Pattaya connect via a straight-shot motorway in around two hours (traffic-dependent). That means less transit, more golf.
Depth: In Bangkok, expect service prestige—immaculate greens, top caddies, and refined clubhouses at places like Thai Country Club and Alpine. In Pattaya, the Siam Country Club complex and Chee Chan deliver a championship cluster with minimal drive times.
Lifestyle: Bangkok nights can swing from river cruises to Michelin Thai dining; Pattaya ranges from beachfront dinners to buzzy bars. If you want 3–4 quality rounds plus real city flavor, this is your tight, high-yield plan.
5-Day Itinerary Overview (Table)
| Day | Base | Plan | Golf (if any) | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok | Arrive BKK/DMK, city check-in, light warm-up | — (optional range, Top Golf) | Rooftop cocktails & Thai dinner |
| 2 | Bangkok | AM round | Thai Country Club or Alpine | Fine dining or river cruise |
| 3 | Pattaya | Transfer to Pattaya (AM) | PM round: Siam CC – Plantation or Rolling Hills | Beachfront dinner |
| 4 | Pattaya | AM round | Siam CC – Old Course or Chee Chan | Night market or low-key bars |
| 5 | Bangkok | Return to BKK for flight | — | Departure |
Notes: For Mar–Oct, choose AM tee times (06:30–08:00). For Nov–Feb, book Fri–Sun mornings 6–8 weeks ahead.
Course Shortlist — Who They Suit
Bangkok picks
- Thai Country Club — Service benchmark with pristine greens and a polished clubhouse; ideal for client rounds or a “treat yourself” day. Suits: low–mid caps, prestige seekers.
- Alpine Golf & Sports Club — Championship test with rolling landforms and a demanding finish. Suits: single-digit players, architecture nerds.
- Riverdale (alt) — Modern risk-reward, contoured fairways, great visuals. Suits: mixed-ability foursomes.
- Thana City (alt, airport-easy) — Greg Norman design near BKK; convenient first/last-day option. Suits: tight flight windows.
Pattaya picks
- Siam Country Club – Old Course — LPGA host and the area’s prestige must-play. Suits: everyone, book early.
- Siam CC – Plantation / Rolling Hills — Elevation, slick greens, modern shot values. Suits: confident mid/low caps.
- Chee Chan Golf Resort — Photogenic under Khao Chee Chan Buddha; pristine, contemporary presentation. Suits:golfers who love scenery + solid challenge.
- Laem Chabang (alt) — 27-hole Nicklaus variety—great for foursomes who like to mix nines. Suits: groups needing tee-time flexibility.
Hotels by Neighborhood & Vibe
Bangkok (2 nights total across the trip)
- Sukhumvit (Asok–Phrom Phong): Eats/nightlife + tollway access east to most courses. Examples: Waldorf Astoria (nearby), Park Hyatt (Ploenchit), Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park.
- Riverside: Resort calm and views; slightly longer to some courses. Examples: Capella Bangkok, Avani+ Riverside.
Pattaya (2 nights)
- Wong Amat / Naklua: Quieter upscale pockets for couples. Examples: InterContinental Pattaya Resort (Pratumnak), MASON Pattaya (design-forward).
- Central Pattaya: Walkable to dining and nightlife; fast run to the Siam corridor. Examples: Hilton Pattaya (atop Central Festival).
- Jomtien/Na Jomtien: Calmer beachfront, easy route to Chee Chan/Siam CC. Examples: Renaissance Pattaya Resort & Spa; U Jomtien.
Choose Bangkok Sukhumvit/Ploenchit for expressway access; in Pattaya, Jomtien/Na Jomtien puts you closest to the championship cluster.
When to Travel (Best Months & Strategy)
- Nov–Feb (cool/dry): Peak comfort and demand—book Fri–Sun AMs 6–8 weeks in advance.
- Mar–May (hot): 06:30–08:00 starts are best; lighter crowds and occasional rate relief.
- Jun–Oct (rain/green): Mornings often clear; short PM showers; greener fairways; expect occasional cart-path-only days.
- Holiday weeks: Demand and pricing spike—either commit early or choose less-central courses and weekday slots.
Deep-dive seasonal guidance: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/guides/best-time-to-golf-thailand/
Budgeting with TCR (Total Cost of a Round)
Planning rate: ฿36 ≈ US$1 (refresh quarterly).
TCR = Green fee + Cart + Caddie fee + Customary tip. Budgeting on green fee alone underestimates true cost by ~25–30% at premium venues.
| Region | Typical HS TCR (pp) | USD (≈) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (premium) | ฿5,900–8,800 | $164–$244 | Thai CC/Alpine upper band; Riverdale/Thana City mid band |
| Pattaya (premium) | ฿6,400–9,200 | $178–$256 | Siam CC/Chee Chan upper band; Laem Chabang mid band |
Tip norms: ฿400–600 per 18 (more for rain/exceptional service). Carry small bills. Add a 10–15% contingency for weekend surcharges or delays.
Logistics & Transfers (Grab vs Uber; Vans; Timing)
- Airport & city base: Arrive BKK (or DMK). Sukhumvit/Ploenchit hotels offer quick access to tollways heading east to courses and to Pattaya.
- Bangkok → Pattaya: Private van via motorway in ~2 hours (traffic-dependent). For a same-day PM round, depart Bangkok by 07:00–08:00, check into Pattaya hotel, then head to Siam CC – Plantation/Rolling Hills for an afternoon tee time.
- App rides: Thailand uses Grab (Uber doesn’t operate). Grab works similarly with transparent pricing, GPS pickup, in-app payment—and you can request SUVs/XL for clubs and schedule rides in advance (great for dinners/short hops). For golf days, pre-book private vans that wait at the club; it’s smoother and often cheaper than two one-way app rides with waiting time.
- Time buffers: Bangkok courses: leave 90–120 min pre-tee (tolls, warm-up). Pattaya courses: 60–90 min is usually sufficient thanks to cluster proximity.
- Bags: Use a travel cover and consider a club protector. Confirm hotel storage and porter tipping norms.
Day-by-Day Plan (Narrative)
Day 1 — Bangkok Arrival & City Night
Land at BKK/DMK, check into Sukhumvit/Ploenchit, and take a light walk or quick gym session to reset. If you want to swing the rust off, book a nearby range for 45 minutes—keep it easy. Dinner is modern Thai or a riverside spot; end on a rooftop with a view. Hydrate, sleep early.
Day 2 — Bangkok Championship Round
Play: Thai Country Club (benchmark service and greens) or Alpine (championship breadth).
Tee strategy: 07:00–08:00 slot; arrive early for a proper warm-up.
After: Spa or power nap; evening choices include a dinner cruise or a Michelin-leaning Thai tasting menu. Pack and stage bags for tomorrow’s transfer.
Day 3 — Transfer to Pattaya + Afternoon Round
Morning: Private van to Pattaya (~2 hours). Drop bags at the hotel, quick lunch.
Afternoon Golf: Siam Country Club – Plantation (elevation, slick complexes) or Rolling Hills (modern risk-reward, dramatic features).
Evening: Beachfront dinner in Na Jomtien or Naklua; low-key bar if you want a nightcap.
Day 4 — Pattaya Flagship Round
Play: Siam Country Club – Old Course (LPGA pedigree) or Chee Chan (stunning visuals beneath the Buddha mountain).
Tee strategy: Morning round for best greens and pace.
After: Market stroll or quiet cocktails; pack for departure. If you squeezed Old Course in the morning and still have legs, cruise the seafront at sunset—no need to over-schedule.
Day 5 — Return to Bangkok & Fly Out
AM: Van back to Bangkok with buffer for traffic and airport formalities. If your flight’s later, slot in a short spa visit or café stop near the airport corridor. Bags: confirm club handling and any oversized-baggage steps with your airline.
Optional Course Menu (At-a-Glance)
| Base | Primary Picks | Alternates | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Thai Country Club; Alpine | Riverdale; Thana City | Prestige polish; modern risk-reward; airport-easy |
| Pattaya | Siam CC – Old; Plantation/Rolling Hills | Chee Chan; Laem Chabang | LPGA pedigree; variety; iconic scenery |
Practical Tips (Bookings, Caddies, Pace, Dress)
- Booking windows: For Nov–Feb, secure Fri–Sun AM tee times 6–8 weeks ahead. March–October is more flexible, but early starts are still wise.
- Caddies: One per player is typical. Trust their reads on grain and speed; tip ฿400–600 per 18 (more for rain or exceptional service).
- Carts: Often mandatory at premium clubs—confirm sharing rules and fees before you arrive.
- Pace & conduct: Let faster groups play through; keep voices low on tees/greens; phones on silent; no club throwing—marshals value rhythm.
- Dress code: Collared shirts, proper shorts/pants, golf shoes; avoid denim and sleeveless tops.
- Rental clubs: Many clubs rent sets; reserve in advance and specify handedness, flex, and preferred brand.
- Payments: Some pro shops require payment before play—carry a card and cash for tips.
Full etiquette guide: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/tips/golf-etiquette-in-thailand/
FAQs
How many rounds fit in five days?
Three to four comfortably with good evenings and minimal rush.
Is the drive between Bangkok and Pattaya easy?
Yes—motorway ~2 hours. Depart early for reliability.
Are caddies mandatory?
Usually yes. Budget the fee plus a customary ฿400–600 tip.
Best months to travel?
Nov–Feb for comfort; Mar–May for early starts; Jun–Oct for green-season value with AM rounds.
Night golf options?
Bangkok: Summit Windmill (lit). Pattaya: focus on AM rounds for pace and conditions.
Bottom line: This 5-day sprint packs Bangkok’s polish and Pattaya’s championship density into one efficient loop. Book AM tee times, plan using TCR, use Grab SUVs for short city hops and pre-booked vans for golf days, and keep evenings flexible. You’ll fly home with three or four marquee rounds—and the feeling you beat the clock without cutting corners.