| Golf |
| Golf is one of the most popular sports in
Thailand. It arrived here a century ago and was quickly taken up by the
elite and fashionable.Among the first sponsors of the game were the Armed
Forces and government institutions, which built and continue to own some
of the finest courses in the country.
Golf's popularity rose dramatically after
the country hosted its first international tournament-the 1975 World
Cup. The number of courses rose sharply in the past decade, in step
with the country's economic boom. The world's top designers have come
and left their marks, so have many world-class players. Now there are
at least a few courses in or within easy reach of all major cities.
Most courses built in the last 10 years offer accommodations on site
or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the
more adventurous, there are older, natural courses in remote areas around
the country owned by the Royal Irrigation Department, the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand and the State Railway of Thailand,
all offering good value. |