Chiang Rai, capital of Thailand’s northernmost province, lies in the heart of the exotic Golden Triangle. Chiang Rai has two international golf courses, both set in beautiful valleys, surrounded by hills and mountains. Chiang Rai is 785 kilometers north of Bangkok and has an average elevation of 580 meters above sea level, making for pleasant golf weather and cool evenings year round. The province, which is located where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, is renowned for its beautiful mountain scenery, the romantic Mekong River, hill tribe villages, temples and ancient sites and ruins.

The two Chiang Rai golf courses are Santiburi Country Club designed by Robert Trent Jones and Waterford Valley Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai’s second golf course at nearly 7,000 yards playing from the back trees.

Chiang Rai, which was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai, was the first capital of the Lanna Thai Kingdom (Kingdom of a million rice fields), which was later conquered by Burma. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became a Thai territory and was proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910.

Today, Chiang Rai is a golfer’s paradise endowed with 2 championship golf courses and many varied natural tourist attractions and antiquities; the province itself is evidence of past civilization. Attractions range from magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines and ethnic villages as the province is also home to several hill tribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking or a visit to a working elephant camp is recommended along stopping along the way at hill tribe villages.

Chiang Rai is more laid back than its more famous northern sister city, Chiang Mai. However, it is fast becoming a popular option for those wanting to include the two top Northern Thai cities into their Thailand golf package.

Stay at the excellent Dusit Island Resort and play the two courses in Chiang Rai. Various sightseeing packages are also available that can easily be combined with golf.

Distance from Bangkok is 1 hour 15 minutes by air with several flights daily. Distance from Chiang Mai is 3 hours over land, with several stops at interesting sights and mountains along the way making for a very interesting journey across real Thailand!