
The Royal Chiangmai Course
The Royal Chiangmai Golf Resort
About this course
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.
Quick facts
- Location
- Maefak, Chiang Mai, TH
- Access
- Public
- Designer
- Peter Thomson
- Year built
- 1996
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
Getting there
The journey to The Royal Chiangmai Golf Resort begins at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), Thailand's second-largest hub, typically a two-to-three-hour flight north from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or a direct arrival from select Asian capitals. From the airport, the drive northeast toward Maefak unfolds across the gentle foothills of northern Thailand, a scenic forty-five-minute passage through rice paddies and small villages that marks the gradual transition from urban Chiang Mai into the quieter valleys of the highlands. Private aviation options via Chiang Mai's general aviation facilities offer a more discreet arrival for those seeking seamless connectivity. The final approach winds through lush countryside before arriving at the resort's gates, where the mountain-framed fairways and serene Thai landscape signal the beginning of a distinctly regional golf experience, far removed from the commercial rhythms of the lowlands below.

FAQ
Common questions about The Royal Chiangmai
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
The Royal Chiangmai was designed by Peter Thomson.
Yes. The Royal Chiangmai is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at The Royal Chiangmai is 72.
The Royal Chiangmai is a 18-hole course.
