Golf Southern Information: Golf Courses in Phuket, Golf Courses in Samui, Golf Club in Phuket, Golf Club in Samui, Golfer Guide Thailand

Phuket and can be reached by road and air. Koh Samui can be reached by road, air and sea and indirectly by rail.

By air: There are direct flights to Phuket International Airport from a number of neighbouring countries and direct domestic flights between Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Pattaya. Flights to and from Chiang Rai and Hua Hin are via Bangkok’s Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Koh Samui International Airport is directly accessed from Hong Kong, Singapore, Phuket with Bangkok Airways and Bangkok Suwanabumi International Airport with Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways International.

For further information contact:
Bangkok Airways: Within Thailand, Tel. 1771.
Outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 265 5555.
Nok Air: Within Thailand, Tel. 1318.
Outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 900 9955.
Thai Airways International: Tel. +66 (0)2 356 1111

By road and car ferry to Koh Samui: The drive to the car ferry services at Donsak takes around 9 hours from Bangkok. There are two ferry lines only a few hundred metres apart and boats depart every hour or so for the 90-minute crossing. Vehicles generally join a queuing system to board the ferries, which can be quite arduous during weekends and public holidays. An advanced booking system does take away some of the pain. For reservations contact Seatran, Tel. +66 (0)77 251555.

By train and boat to Koh Samui: Trains depart Bangkok Hua Lumphong Railway Station to the mainland town of Surat Thani with a travel time of between nine to 12 hours, depending on which service is taken. Express boats regularly depart Surat Thani for the two and a half hour journey to Koh Samui. For further information contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station, Tel. +66 (0)2 223 7010

Taxis and limousines can be arranged through most hotels or at the island’s airports and are ideal for getting to and from the golf course and exploring the beaches.

Self drive car hire: There are several local car hire companies around the tourist beaches of both islands and a couple of internationally established agencies. An international or local driving licence will be required as well as valid passport.

Hertz: Phuket International Airport, Tel. +66 (0)76 328545, Koh Samui International Airport, +66 (0)77 425011 Avis (Thailand): Phuket International Airport, Tel. +66 (0)76 351243-4.
Koh Samui International Airport, Tel. +66 (0)84 700 8161.
Budget (Thailand): Phuket, Tel. +66 (0)76 205396.
Koh Samui International Airport, +66 (0)77 427188-9.

There are countless restaurants across both islands; for the best up-to-date information on Phuket’s eateries, look out for Image Asia’s pocket publication ‘Where to Eat in Phuket’ – it’s very comprehensive. There is also an online version: www.wheretoeat-phuket.com.

On Koh Samui the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai has a selection of International restaurants. Service can be slow but the food is good and reasonably priced. The island is particularly noted for its delicious seafood and coconut dishes. Resorts also have their own restaurants and the majority are well worth patronising.

In 1989 Phuket Country Club was established and, since then, has added a very challenging extra nine holes. Laguna Phuket Golf Club, also on Phuket, is currently undergoing a redesign, including a new clubhouse. Tublamu Navy Golf Course is an interesting place, just up the road to the north of the course at Thai Muang, which is currently undergoing a completely new layout, accommodation and even the addition of a marina. This will be a place to look out for in the coming years.

Further south in Hat Yai is Southern Hills Golf & Country Club, another Dye Design Inc. layout, which is worth a game if you‘re in the area.