When it comes to leisure, we’ve noticed a couple of trends in Thailand. First, the golf scene in Thailand is booming. No surprise, really. The diversity of courses alone is reason enough to attract any golf fanatic to the region. With tropical beach resorts, dramatic mountainous backdrops and year-round tropical temperatures, Thailand’s natural charms play a major part in this growing popularity.
There are over 250 courses in Thailand, which can be found as far north as Chiang Rai and as far south as Phuket. Many courses have also been designed by some of the game’s great players, including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo — further adding to the country’s credibility as a premier golfing destination.
Green fees are also relatively low, as is the cost of hiring your own personal caddie — a luxury in many countries but a practice that’s completely affordable in Thailand. And when you also consider the countless other tourist attractions away from the fairways, it’s easy to see why golf in Thailand is well and truly on the up.
Also hugely popular in Thailand are its range of nature safaris. Elephant safaris are perhaps the biggest attraction, but more than ever, people are scrutinising the ethical credentials of any operation they book with. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is a non-profit organisation that rescues mistreated elephants. You can volunteer here for a week or book a day trip, which involves meeting and feeding the herd before accompanying them into the depths of the nearby forest.
Khao Yai National Park offers bird watching tours, with over 350 varieties to spot, while jungle safaris in places such as Khao Sok National Park are a great way to come face to face with some of Thailand’s more retiring creatures. Night safaris in the area are highly recommended, providing the opportunity to spot deer, wild pigs, slow lorises and the elusive leopard cat.
Away from the jungle, diving safaris at world-class dive sites, such as the Surin Islands, offer the chance to explore flourishing underwater worlds teeming with exotic marine life and over 200 species of coral.
