South-western Thailand is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the Kingdom, ranging from spectacular mountains and intriguing cave networks to pristine beaches and postcard-pretty islands.
While Phuket Island is the most well-known destination, the mainland provinces of Phang-Nga and Krabi complement their famous neighbour with a veritable smorgasbord of attractions and activities, including golf – and these are now accessible to tourists via under the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s ‘Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension’ programme (details below).
Phang-Nga’s coastline offers some of the best beaches in the region
PHANG-NGA
Phang-Nga’s myriad of attractions include a stunningly beautiful coastline, rugged mountains and intricate limestone cave networks.
Off the Phang-Nga coastline lie many stunning islands, including the famous Similan archipelago accessible via a one- to three-hour boat ride from Tab Lamu port. There are 11 islands, each boasting eye-catching rock formations and crystal-clear waters, along with abundant marine and birdlife. North Surin and South Surin island are renowned for their beautiful bays and beaches, the most well-known being Aow Mae Yai bay.
Boat trips to Phang-Nga’s many outlying islands are a must, such as the Similan Islands (left) and Ko Tapu (James Bond Island)
Phang-Nga Bay National Park is a geological wonder filled with pretty islets, sunken caverns and spectacular rock formations that rise vertically out of the sea. Ko Tapu aka ‘James Bond Island’, a 20-metre high limestone outcrop featured in the 1974 Bond flick ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, is located here.
One of the inland must-visits is Khao Chang, a hill shaped like a crouching elephant (‘chang’ in Thai means elephant). At the foot of the hill and within the Wat Phra Paht Phra Chim temple compound, is Phung Chang or ‘Elephant Belly Cave’ which has intriguing stalactite and stalagmite formations.
For golfers, Phan-Nga offers three golf courses, each with its own unique characteristics:
Aquella Golf & Country Club
Forming the centrepiece of an ambitious 425-acre resort and residential development, the spanking new Aquella course is located on a stunning beachside site in Thai Muang district. The par-72, 7003-yard course is crafted by Pacific Coast Design and is partially built on the defunct Thai Muang course by Andy Dye, just 45 minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport.
Signature Hole – Aquella’s pretty par-three 11th
While the layout has been re-designed and re-routed to open up beach-fronting space for the other facets of the project, Dye’s signature railway sleepers have been retained to shore up bunker edges. Opened for preview play on August 1, the resort-style course is turfed wall-to-wall with Platinum Paspalum which is a salt-tolerant turfgrass renowned for its superb playing qualities and deep green hue.
Aquella’s signature hole is the pretty par-three 11th, which plays to a beachside green set against the azure backdrop of the Andaman Sea. Measuring just 150 yards, the hole can play in excess of 200 yards due to the strong winds coming off the sea.
The well-designed miniature golf course at Aquella
The eye-catching clubhouse blends traditional wooden features with modern styling, with facilities including a state-of-the-art gymnasium, spa, proshop and restaurant – plus an excellent 18-hole putting course. Developed by two Hong Kong companies, the Aquella project will eventually include pool villas, a lagoon pier, beach club and resort hotel.
Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
Golfers who enjoy challenging golf will love the Katathong course, built in a valley not far from Aquella but offering a totally different golfing experience.
Spectacular view of the Katathong course from the clubhouse, with the 10th green on the right
The par-72, 7023-yard layout opened for play in 2015 and is located about an hour’s drive from Phuket International Airport. The course is built on the site of a defunct open-cast tin mine and consequently has water in play on many holes.
The layout climbs and falls with the undulations of the site, offering great views of the surrounding hills. While the course is not long, narrow fairways and smallish greens place a premium on accuracy from tee to green.
Katathong’s signature hole is the spectacular par-three 10th, which plays 215 yards from elevated tees to an island green. Even a slight miscue will wind up in the water, which is not an uncommon occurrence due to the added pressure of golfers watching the action from the clubhouse. Hole 18 is a great finish and photo opportunity as the dramatic par-four plays over part of the tin mine lake to a narrow fairway.
Katathong’s dramatic 18th hole
The full-facility clubhouse features memorabilia and artefacts from the mining era. Katathong also has an excellent spa and accommodation is available at an adjoining hotel wing.
Tublamu Navy Golf Course
The Tublamu course in many ways represents Thai golf at its basic best. Owned and operated by the Royal Thai navy, the rugged par-72 lay0ut plays partly alongside the Andaman Sea and offers stunning views of Phuket Island.
Five holes at Tublamu play next to the Andaman Sea
Measuring 7,160 yards, the golf course opened for play in 2002 and challenges golfers with its tight fairways and strong winds. Five holes are located next to the Andaman Sea, so get your phone ready for some memorable selfies. The rustic clubhouse has a decent restaurant and is a great place to chill with the locals after a round.
KRABI
Bordering Phang-Nga to the south is the province of Krabi, famous for its breath-taking limestone formations and pristine coral reefs which rank among the best in the world.
Pristine vistas and crystal-clear waters await at Krabi’s many beaches
While Krabi’s many attractions include hot springs, wildlife sanctuaries and sea caves, it’s perhaps best known for the sheer limestone cliffs that draw rock-climbing enthusiasts from around the world. Two of Thailand’s most famous islands, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta, are also located in Krabi, and it’s said that the sunsets here are the best in Thailand … best enjoyed from a beachside bar or restaurant!
Krabi’s most well-known town is Ao Nang, a seaside strip hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. This is the main cast-off point for boat trips to the nearby islands and the isolated beach of Phra Nang Cape, where the famous former hippie enclave of Railay Beach is located.
Cave-dining and rock-climbing in Krabi
While Krabi is not internationally known for golf, there are three golf courses in the province – Pakasai Country Club which is the only 18-hole course in the province, the 9-hole Hula Hula Golf Club near Krabi Airport which has two sets of teeboxes on each hole, and the par-28 executive course of the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort which is made up of eight par-threes and one par-four.
PHUKET SANDBOX 7+7 EXTENSION
From August 16, 2021, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s ‘Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension’ programme allows fully vaccinated international travellers from approved countries to reduce the mandatory stay in Phuket from 14 to seven days. Following the seven days in Phuket, another seven nights can be spent in Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay), Phang-Nga (Khao Lak or Ko Yao), or Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao).
The existing entry measures in place for the Phuket Sandbox programme remain unchanged for the 7+7 extension. However, travellers planning to spend another seven nights outside of Phuket must obtain a ‘Transfer Form’ from their hotel in Phuket indicating that they have stayed in Phuket for seven nights, which they will need to show together with the negative results of their two Covid-19 tests (conducted on Day 0 and Day 6-7 in Phuket).
Travelling from Phuket to the selected areas in Krabi, Phang-Nga, or Surat Thai is available only via approved routes and modes of transport:
– Krabi (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, or Railay) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from approved piers.
– Phang-Nga (Khao Lak) can be reached by SHA Plus-certified car transfer services from Phuket direct to the SHA Plus-certified hotels.
– The islands of Ko Yao Noi or Ko Yao Yai in Phang-Nga can be reached via SHA Plus-certified boat and ferry services from approved piers.
– Surat Thani (Samui Plus – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, or Ko Tao) can be reached via Bangkok Airways’ direct domestic flight on the Phuket-Ko Samui route.
Once travellers have completed the seven-night extension in Krabi, Phang-Nga and Surat Thani (Samui Plus), and are tested negative in their third Covid-19 test (conducted on Day 12-13), they will receive a Release Form from their hotel and will be able to continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand.
If the stay in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani (Samui+) is less than 7 nights, travellers must proceed directly to Phuket International Airport on the day of departure. At the port of entry back into Phuket, they will need to show a plane ticket or other proof of their international travel from Phuket.
For regular updates on the tourism-related Covid-19 situation in Thailand, visit the TAT Newsroom at www.tatnews.org.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Malaysia
Suite 22.01, Level 22, Menara Citibank, 165, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2162 3480
Email: info@tourismthailand.my / Website: tourismthailand.my
Royal Thai Consulate-General, Penang
No. 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 10350 Penang
Tel: +604-226 8029 / 226 9484 / 228 6784
Email: thaiconsulate.pen@gmail.com / Website: penang.thaiembassy.org
