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Exploring the hinterland beyond Bangkok and Phuket proved to be a magical mystery tour, an amazing journey of discovery. Let me tell you about it. First, though, a geography primer is required.
What was formerly known as Siam is surrounded, clockwise, by Burma, Laos, Kampuchea, Vietnam and Malaysia. Thailand is an oddly configured chunk of real estate. Imagine an onion with a long stem, bulb uppermost and the crooked stem dangling. That's roughly the shape.
The bottom portion of the stem runs into Malaysia, the left or western half of the top portion of the stem is the southern tip of Burma. To the east lies the Gulf of Thailand beyond which is Kampuchea and, further south, Vietnam. The mountainous northern region of Thailand nudges Laos. Here stands Chiang Mai, the nation's second city. From there to the southern extremity of the country is a distance in excess of 1,500 miles. You wouldn't want to walk it in the rainy season.
The southern- most golf destination is Phuket, an island in the Andaman Sea and an hour's flight south of Bangkok. Here will be found half a dozen resorts, among them the renowned Blue Canyon Country Club, venue for the Johnnie Walker Classic, and the world class Banyan Tree Golf Club, part of the exclusive Laguna Resort. They're both five star in every respect. The others are not too shabby, either.
The highest concentration of golf clubs will be found in the greater Bangkok conurbation, so this would be popular with all-male groups who wouldn't cavil at a spot of commuting. Some courses are within the city limits and about 30 minutes or so from the central hotels; others are slightly further afield although within convenient driving distance. A taxi would do the trick here: they're not expensive and the driver will know the ropes apropos the city traffic, which is never less than heavy.
There's a cluster of resorts with courses on the eastern seaboard, nudging the gulf coast. Among these is Pattaya, home of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and the famed Dusit Resort. Both are in the upper echelon in a region that leans more to the commercial. It's very popular with families.
There's another grouping to the north of those, close to Laos. This is little-known to golfing visitors, which is a pity, and the apres golf attractions are legion, with much history and culture to be enjoyed and a cuisine that is quite different to that found elsewhere in Thailand.
Both eastern regions are about an hour's flying time from Bangkok, as is the northern region where the city of Chiang Mai is the focal point and the attractions, on and off the course, come thick and fast. My tour ended there but it began in the west.
Much happened in between: pour a wee malt and make yourself comfortable. It's a tale to savour. I couldn't recall the Last Rites or the undertaker's arrival so knew I hadn't gone to Heaven but I hope it will be as good when I finally fall off the twig.
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