Golf holidays in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is both the name of a town and province in the west of Thailand.  It is the largest of the western provinces and while there are other, more popular locations in Thailand, Kanchanaburi is a fantastic place for a golf holiday.

Kanchanaburi is perhaps best known as the location for the World War II Bridge over the River Kwai.  Many books have been written and films created about his bridge and it holds a special significance in the history of the region.

However, Kanchanaburi is moving away from the past and the town has become a modern place for tourists to stay and makes a great base for a golf package in the region.

Geography and Travel

Kanchanaburi is the capital city of the province of the same name and the city is situated on the confluence of the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai.  Set in the west of Thailand, the province is 130 kilometres from Bangkok and is the third largest province in Thailand.

Thanks to the rivers and forests, Kanchanaburi is home to several national parks, including Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Kanchanaburi does not have its own airport, so you will need to travel from another destination in Thailand.  However, this provides the opportunity to enjoy a golf holiday in more than one region of Thailand.  Bangkok is where many travellers arrive thanks to the international airport.  You can take a first-class bus from an office off Thanon Saengchuto in Bangkok, which takes just two hours to reach Kanchanaburi.

Other options include buses from Pattaya and Ayutthaya plus the train from Bangkok.  If you wish to catch the train from Bangkok, aim for the 10:30 as this features a special carriage which has air conditioning, drinks and runs to the River Kwai Bridge. 

Where to Stay

There are many resorts, hotels and guest houses to choose from when booking a Kanchanaburi golf holiday.

A great example is Blue Sapphire Golf and Resort, which is located just 30 minutes from the city of Kanchanaburi.  There are two 18-hole golf courses to enjoy plus a choice of great rooms in which to stay.  You can choose from the Boat House, the Resort or the Blue Hotel and make Blue Sapphire Golf and Resort your base for the duration of your Kanchanaburi golf holiday.

If you would like to stay more centrally and explore the various golf courses in Kanchanaburi, you should book a stay in one of the city hotels.

There are over 100 4-star and 3-star hotels in Kanchanaburi but you will struggle to beat Away Kanchanaburi Dheva Mantra Resort and Thai Garden Inn, which come highly recommended.  Both are located close the river and within easy reach of the local sights.  You will also find it very easy to travel to the wealth of Kanchanaburi golf courses by staying centrally. 

Weather and Best Time to Travel

Boasting a lovely tropical climate, it’s possible to travel to Kanchanaburi for a golf holiday at any time of the year and have a great time.

However, it pays to be aware of the monsoon season which falls between May and October.  This is when the region sees the most rain, with cooler temperatures during the day.  Despite the possibility of heavy downpours, you can still enjoy a tremendous golf holiday between these months and the cooler temperatures make playing golf during the day a delight.

For the best weather, you should aim to book your Kanchanaburi golf holiday between November and April.  These months see the least amount of rain and the average temperature is between 26 and 30 degrees. 

Things to Do Away from the Golf Course

There are many things to occupy your time away from the golf courses in Kanchanaburi, with the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre being one of the highlights.  This museum tells the story of the history behind the railway and while it is a sombre place to visit, it provides a great insight into the people who lost their lives.

Away from the railway and the war cemetery, Kanchanaburi is the perfect place for nature and wildlife tours.  Options include kayaking, bamboo rafting, waterfalls, floating markets, hot springs and the elephant sanctuary.

You should definitely try and leave a couple of days free to appreciate Kanchanaburi and the surrounding countryside.