Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi
Overview
Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao is the most remote, mountain-set, and visually distinctive golf destination in the Pattaya extended golf circuit — a Dennis Griffiths-designed 18-hole championship course in the Khao Soi Dao Mountains approximately 3 hours drive from Pattaya in Chanthaburi province. Where most Pattaya-area courses sit in coastal lowlands within 30-50 minutes of the city, Chatrium Golf is genuinely a destination golf experience — far enough that golfers stay overnight at the on-site 4-star Chatrium-managed 47-room hotel rather than commute.
The course was originally designed by Dennis Griffiths — the same architect responsible for Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in the Pattaya area — and redesigned in 2015 by local Thai architect Pirapon Namatra of Golf East with hole rerouting and refinements. The result is a 7,144-yard par-72 course that runs through 395 acres of mountain terrain with emerald-green landscapes, water hazards, and the signature par-3 14th as its defining hole.
For golfers who want a genuinely distant, mountain-set, multi-day golf experience that combines golf with hospitality and nature — and for Pattaya-based golf travellers who want a 3-day weekend escape from the coast — Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao is the most distinct experience available within the broader Pattaya golf circuit.
Position in the Pattaya Extended Golf Market
Pattaya's golf circuit by drive distance:
| Course | Distance from Pattaya | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya Country Club | 15-25 min | Mid-tier value |
| Phoenix Gold | 25-30 min | Mid-tier strategic |
| Chee Chan Golf | 25-30 min | Premium 2018 |
| Treasure Hill | 50 min | Value jungle |
| Khao Kheow | 35-40 min | Pete Dye premium |
| Mountain Shadow | 41 min | Strategic mid-tier |
| Bangpra International | 35-45 min | Heritage value |
| Pattana Sports Resort | 40-45 min | 27-hole resort |
| Laem Chabang Int'l | 40-50 min | Nicklaus premium |
| St Andrews 2000 | 45 min | Architectural drama |
| Chatrium Golf Soi Dao | 3 hours | Mountain destination resort |
Chatrium's specific position: the only 3-hour-distant mountain destination — fundamentally different value proposition from same-day Pattaya golf.
The Soi Dao Mountains Setting
Geographic Context
Khao Soi Dao Mountains (เขาสอยดาว) is a mountain range in Chanthaburi province, eastern Thailand:
- Mountain range running through Chanthaburi
- Forested upland terrain with elevation gain
- Cooler temperatures than coastal Pattaya — meaningful relief in hot months
- Rural setting — limited tourist density
- Adjacent to Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary — protected area with wildlife
- Chanthaburi province is famous for fruit (durians, rambutans, mangosteens) and gem mining (rubies, sapphires)
Why It Matters for Golf
The mountain setting delivers:
- Cooler playing conditions — significant in March-May hot season (often 5-8°C cooler than Pattaya)
- Visual drama with mountain backdrop on every hole
- Less commercial development intrusion
- Wildlife and bird presence — natural environment integration
- Elevation variation in course routing
- Genuine destination feel — not a commuter golf course
Course Designer — Dennis Griffiths
Original Design
The course was designed by Dennis Griffiths, an American architect with significant Asia portfolio:
- Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya — same designer, allowing comparison
- Multiple courses across Asia
- Mid-tier American school approach — strategic but not extreme
2015 Redesign by Pirapon Namatra
In 2015, Thai architect Pirapon Namatra of Golf East undertook a significant redesign:
- Holes were redesigned for improved playability
- Routing was altered to refine the experience
- Modernization of agronomy and infrastructure
- Local architectural input vs. import-only design
This 2015 refresh keeps the course modern despite its 1990s-2000s origins.
Course Architecture
Layout
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- 7,144 yards from black (championship) tees
- 5,306 yards from red (forward) tees
- Multiple tee boxes for varied skill levels (typically 4-5 tees)
- 395 acres of land
Course Characteristics
- Mountain backdrop on every hole
- Emerald-green landscapes of mountain valleys and elevations
- Challenging water hazards strategically placed
- Strategic bunkers
- Tree-lined fairways with mountain forest character
- Elevation changes through the routing
Signature Hole — Par-3 14th
The course's defining hole is the par-3 14th:
- Strategic challenge with tricky play
- Visually striking with mountain backdrop
- Memorable shot for any visitor
- Photographic centerpiece of the round
Practice Facilities
The course offers comprehensive practice infrastructure:
- Excellent driving range — full-size with multiple bays
- Two greens for chipping and putting
- Pre-round warm-up capabilities
- Practice rounds can include driving range time
On-Course Amenities
- Three halfway kiosks on the golf course
- Food and cool drinks at each kiosk
- Beverage service during round
- Mid-round refresh without exiting course
The Modern Clubhouse
- First-class locker rooms
- Well-equipped pro shop
- Large restaurant and bar
- International and Thai cuisine
- Course views from clubhouse seating
- Tournament hosting capability
The Adjacent Resort — Chatrium 4-Star Hotel
Hotel Profile
- Now under Chatrium Hospitality group management
- 4-star designation
- 47 rooms — boutique scale
- Comfortable accommodation for overnight golfers
- Course and mountain views
- Restaurant + bar for non-golf-meals
Why Stay Onsite
The 3-hour drive from Pattaya makes same-day round-trip golf impractical:
- Drive 3 hours to course
- Play 4-5 hour round
- Drive 3 hours back
- Total 10-11 hour day — unsustainable
The on-site hotel solves this:
- Arrive evening before — relax at hotel
- Play full round next morning
- Lunch and possibly second round in afternoon
- Stay second night if multi-round trip
- Return next day at leisure
This 2-day or 3-day golf trip format is the natural Chatrium experience.
Pricing (Indicative)
Green Fees
- Weekday green fee + caddy + cart: ~฿2,000-2,800
- Weekend green fee + caddy + cart: ~฿2,800-3,500
- Stay-and-play packages through Chatrium hotel
Hotel + Golf Packages
- 2-night + 3 rounds: ~฿8,000-15,000+ per person
- Includes: accommodation, breakfast, green fees, transfers possible
- Group / corporate packages negotiable
Pros
- Mountain destination golf — unique in Pattaya circuit
- Dennis Griffiths design with 2015 Pirapon Namatra refresh
- 7,144 yards championship layout
- Cooler mountain temperatures vs. coastal Pattaya
- Adjacent 4-star Chatrium hotel for stay-and-play
- Excellent practice facilities — driving range + 2 chipping/putting greens
- Three halfway kiosks on course for refreshments
- Modern clubhouse with international cuisine
- Visual drama — mountain views every hole
- Less crowded than headline Pattaya courses
- Quiet rural setting — escape from coastal tourism
Cons
- 3 hours from Pattaya — full destination commitment
- Multi-day required — same-day round trip impractical
- Less convenient for short-stay travellers
- Hotel has only 47 rooms — book ahead in peak season
- Strategic difficulty punishes high handicappers
- Far from major airports — U-Tapao 2hr, Suvarnabhumi 3hr
- Limited dining options outside resort
Best For
- 2-3 day Pattaya golf escape travellers
- Multi-round destination golfers wanting multiple courses in one stay
- Mountain-and-cool-weather preference golfers
- Hot-season visitors wanting temperature relief
- Couples or groups wanting hotel-integrated golf experience
- Photography lovers with mountain vista appeal
- Strategic-design appreciators of Dennis Griffiths style
Not Best For
- Same-day Pattaya golfers — too far for round trip
- Short-stay visitors — multi-day commitment needed
- Budget tier seekers — packages add hotel cost
- Beginners — strategic difficulty punishes
- Walking-only golfers — terrain mountainous
Quick Reference Card
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Address | Khao Soi Dao Mountains, Chanthaburi |
| Designer | Dennis Griffiths (original); Pirapon Namatra (2015 redesign) |
| Holes | 18 |
| Par | 72 |
| Yardage | 7,144 (black) / 5,306 (red) |
| Land | 395 acres |
| Hotel | Adjacent Chatrium 4-star, 47 rooms |
| Distance from Pattaya | 3 hours drive |
| Signature hole | Par-3 14th |
| Verified | 2026-04-27 |