Golf in Thailand The Masters and The Servants

Growing up in Australia, golf was fun and relatively affordable for people across all walks of life.
It’s one of the many, many reasons why people call Australia the lucky country.

But golf in Thailand is completely different.

If you’re an international visitor on holidays in Thailand, it’s incredibly fun.  Sunshine, well maintained courses, pretty and professional caddies, what else could you ask for!!!

For a Thai native, the game is seen as “HighSo” and only within reach of the middle to upper class.  Managers, Business Owners, Company Directors and their families, these are the people playing golf regularly in Thailand.

It's not uncommon to see professional drivers either standing beside their car or sleeping inside their car, waiting for the boss to finish their round of golf.  These drivers will be permanent employees of the golfers company, earning as little as 300 baht (US$8.70) per day.

From balls and gloves, to clubs, to membership, in Thailand it’s ALL expensive.

My wife can buy a dress at the local market for 60 baht (yes, she’s great at hunting down a bargain).  A USED golf ball at Thaniya Plaza will cost 40 baht.  If you're a Thai, which one are you going to buy?  (Assuming that you wear dresses or you know someone who does).  Used clubs that are up to 20 years old are still readily available to buy in Bangkok.

https://youtu.be/tRhisK8TBx0

Video tour of a 4 story shopping centre / mall in Bangkok, Thaniya Plaza, which is dedicated to the game of golf.

In Thai, you can buy a new motorbike for the same cost as a new set of Ping irons.

The law of supply and demand.  In a country where only 1,000,000 of the 75,000,000 residents play golf.  Things are going to be expensive.

I’ll break it down a bit further for you.  Let’s say that you’re a Thai golfer that already owns all the equipment.  18 holes at my local course (it’s a middle of the range course) will set you back a minimum of 1,800 baht (not including a golf cart).  Remembering; that caddies are compulsory for all who play.  The average income for an office worker, hotel front of house or even police officer is approximately 12,000 to 15,000 per month.  A single game of golf is therefore going to cost them at least 10-15% of their monthly income.

My local course, to their credit, has built "housing" for their employees and their families.  Ground staff, general maintenance staff, security staff, caddies, etc are living there.  However, the standard of the "housing" is of a very low standard.  Only 1 year after completion, they're already looking like old farm sheds of the side of the road.  A slum in the making.  Scary.....

This is the real reason why your caddie may be flirting with you.  You didn't really think it was because you were sooo irresistible!!!!
She wants a wealthy boyfriend, husband, benefactor.  She wants a better life than living in the shed along the side of the road can provide.  There's been numerous times that I've been out riding my bicycle and seen caddies leaving their home.  Their heads are down and they refuse to make eye contact.  However, if I saw them at golf, they'd be doing everything in their power to gain my attention.  It's sad......

I hope that you found this information interesting.

Please put any questions that you might have in the comments section below.  I will do my best to answer as quickly and as accurately as possible.

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/OurLifeThai/
YouTube video tour around the golf course, including the staff accommodation
https://youtu.be/_2T59P9HKpA

Take care
Brad & Ta