The Royal Chiangmai at The Royal Chiangmai Golf Resort

The Royal Chiangmai Golf Resort sits in the Mae Rim valley north of Chiang Mai city, designed by five-time Open Championship winner Peter Thomson and opened in the late 1990s. Thomson, who became one of Asia's most prolific golf architects after his playing career, routed the course across relatively flat agricultural land with mountain views toward Doi Suthep and the surrounding ranges. The layout incorporates water features throughout, with lakes and canals coming into play on multiple holes, and mature trees that frame fairways and define strategic options from the tee.

The course measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees and features wide fairways that accommodate varied skill levels while still presenting strategic choices for better players. Thomson's design philosophy emphasized playability and natural flow, and The Royal Chiangmai reflects this approach with generous landing areas balanced by well-placed hazards that reward accuracy on approach shots. The greens are typically large and undulating, consistent with Thomson's preference for surfaces that allow multiple pin positions and require thoughtful club selection.

The facility operates as a resort course and welcomes visiting golfers, making it one of the more accessible championship-length layouts in the Chiang Mai area. The clubhouse provides standard amenities and dining, and the course benefits from Thailand's year-round playing season, though the cooler months from November through February offer the most comfortable conditions. The Royal Chiangmai represents Thomson's extensive design work throughout Southeast Asia during the region's golf development boom.