Golf Courses in Chiang Rai: Green Fees, Tee Times & Why Santiburi Is Worth the Trip (2026)

Chiang Rai has three golf courses, not thirty. It isn’t a golf destination in the way Bangkok or Chiang Mai are. But one of those three — Santiburi Country Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and rated 6/6 by Top 100 Golf Courses — is among the best courses in Thailand. You come to Chiang Rai for the Golden Triangle, the White Temple, and mountain air even cooler than Chiang Mai. Santiburi is the bonus round that makes the trip complete. Green fees from $73.

All prices are in USD from live booking listings as of March 2026 and are subject to change.

At a Glance

Prices from live booking listings, March 2026. Caddy and cart included at both real-time bookable courses.

Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club — $145

This is why you play golf in Chiang Rai. Robert Trent Jones Jr. — the same designer behind Navatanee ($208), Green Valley ($96), and Phoenix Gold ($123) in Bangkok — built Santiburi in 1992, and it shows a different side of his work. Where his Bangkok courses navigate flat terrain and water features, Santiburi uses rolling mountain terrain that gives the routing a natural rhythm Bangkok can’t replicate.

The course stretches 7,026 yards through landscaped grounds with mature trees, elevation changes, and the kind of conditioning that earned it a 6/6 rating on Top 100 Golf Courses. The greens are fast and true, the bunkering is strategic rather than punitive, and the mountain backdrop on nearly every hole adds a visual dimension that makes the round feel bigger than the scorecard.

At $145 including caddy and cart, Santiburi costs less than a mid-range round in Shanghai. It’s also just 24 minutes from Chiang Rai Airport and 18 km from the city center — the most accessible of the three courses. If you’ve played RTJ Jr.’s Bangkok courses and want to see what he does with proper terrain, this is the answer.

Tip caddy THB 300–400 ($8–11) in cash at the end of your round.

Waterford Valley Chiang Rai — $73

The value option and the most scenic of Chiang Rai’s courses. Waterford sits in a mountain valley about 42 minutes from the airport, with a resort that includes pool and accommodation — making it a practical stay-and-play option for golfers who want to combine a round with an overnight outside the city.

Designed by Rathert International Golf Design and operating since the mid-1990s, the course plays 6,961 yards through a gentler landscape than Santiburi. It’s a simpler design — less strategic complexity, fewer elevation-driven decisions — but the valley setting is genuinely attractive and the price makes it a natural complement if you’re playing Santiburi on one day and want a second round. Green fee includes caddy and cart.

Happy City Golf & Resort — Price on Inquiry

A multi-course resort complex with accommodation and practice facilities, located about 28 minutes from the airport. Happy City operates on an inquiry basis — you’ll need to contact the course directly for current availability and rates rather than booking online with confirmed pricing. A reasonable option if you’re in the area and want a third round, but Santiburi and Waterford are the two courses most visitors should prioritize.

When to Visit & How to Get Here

Chiang Rai’s climate is nearly identical to Chiang Mai — the cool season (November–February) is ideal, with morning temperatures around 15–20°C and clear skies. The same burning season warning applies: late February through March can bring haze from agricultural burning. For the full seasonal breakdown, see our Chiang Mai golf guide.

From Chiang Mai: 3 hours by car — the most common route for golfers combining both destinations. A driver or rental car is straightforward to arrange.

From Bangkok: 1.5-hour direct flight to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI). Multiple daily departures.

Local transport: Grab works in Chiang Rai, though less ubiquitously than in Chiang Mai or Bangkok. Most courses and hotels can arrange transfers.

Beyond the Course: Chiang Rai’s Golden Triangle

Golf is the bonus here, not the headline. Between rounds, Chiang Rai offers some of Thailand’s most distinctive sightseeing: the Golden Triangle (where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Mekong), Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple — one of the most photographed sites in the country), the Doi Tung mountain and Mae Fah Luang Garden, the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, and hill tribe culture that’s distinct from anything you’ll find further south. Add tea plantations like Choui Fong and you have a destination that justifies the trip well beyond 18 holes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many golf courses are in Chiang Rai?
Three are bookable online: Santiburi ($145), Waterford Valley ($73), and Happy City (inquiry only). Santiburi is the standout — rated among the best in Thailand.

Is Chiang Rai worth visiting for golf?
Specifically for Santiburi, yes. It’s a genuinely top-tier course at a fair price. Combine it with Chiang Rai’s cultural attractions (Golden Triangle, White Temple) and it makes a compelling 2–3 day extension to a Chiang Mai golf trip.

How much does a round of golf cost in Chiang Rai?
$73–$145 per round, including caddy and cart at the two courses with real-time booking. Budget an additional $8–11 for the caddy tip.

How do I get to Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai?
Three hours by car (the most common route) or a 25-minute flight. From Bangkok, direct flights take about 1.5 hours.

Book Your Tee Time

Browse Chiang Rai’s courses and reserve directly:

→ Chiang Rai Golf Courses on Tiger Booking — Real-time availability, confirmed pricing, instant booking.

→ Playing Chiang Mai too? See our Chiang Mai Golf Courses guide — 10 mountain courses from $79.

Where to Stay in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai’s hotels range from boutique riverside properties in the city to resort stays at the golf courses themselves. Waterford Valley has on-site accommodation; Santiburi is close enough to the city for a hotel-based trip.

→ ChiangRaiHotels.com

Prices shown are from live booking listings (March 2026). Green fees and inclusions are subject to change — always confirm at checkout.