Laem Chabang International Country Club

Overview

Laem Chabang International Country Club is the most highly regarded golf course in the Pattaya region and one of the most respected championship courses in Thailand. A 27-hole Jack Nicklaus design opened in 1995, it sprawls across 700 acres of dramatic terrain in Sriracha district, Chonburi, 30 minutes north of central Pattaya and 109 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. The course is one of only six Nicklaus designs in Thailand, all completed between 1991 and 1994, and is the only one widely considered the best layout in the Pattaya golf region.

The course has been nominated for Best Course in Thailand every single year of the World Golf Awards — a level of consistent recognition matched by very few Asian courses. For golfers traveling to Pattaya — a region with 30+ courses within an hour of central Pattaya — Laem Chabang is the default top-of-the-list pick for serious players who want a championship-caliber Nicklaus experience.

The Designer — Jack Nicklaus

Few designers carry more weight in golf course architecture than Jack Nicklaus — the "Golden Bear", winner of 18 major championships (the all-time men's record), and one of the most prolific course designers in modern golf. Nicklaus Design has produced over 400 courses worldwide, with a recognizable architectural philosophy emphasizing:

• Natural integration with terrain — fairways follow existing land contours
• Strategic risk/reward angles — multiple playable lines for different abilities
• Heavy bunkering — well-placed sand traps as primary defenses
• Water-feature drama — lakes, streams, creeks integrated into hole design
• Pristine maintenance standards — Nicklaus courses are known for premium conditioning

Laem Chabang was designed during what is considered Nicklaus's peak Asian-design period in the early 1990s, when he was simultaneously developing six Thai courses. The course represents one of the strongest expressions of his philosophy in Southeast Asia.

The Three Nines — Lake, Mountain, Valley

Laem Chabang is structured as three distinct 9-hole courses that can be combined into any 18-hole round. Each nine has its own character driven by the terrain it occupies:

Mountain 9 — 3,446 yards

Routes around mountain-style hills with significant elevation change. The course makes the most of the natural topography, with elevated tee shots and strategic doglegs around hillsides. Generally considered the most dramatic of the three nines, with the strongest visual impact and the most demanding tee-shot decisions.

Lake 9 — 3,419 yards

Built around a stream that runs through multiple holes, plus larger lakes and water features. Water in play on most holes — strategic water-carry decisions and forced layups define the playing experience. Generally considered the most demanding for shot precision.

Valley 9 — 3,619 yards (the longest)

Routes through valleys surrounded by picturesque mountains. The longest of the three nines, offering more length-driven holes and broader fairways. Often considered the most playable for a wider range of abilities while still presenting championship-quality challenge.

Recommended Combinations

The Mountain + Valley (also known as B&C combination) is featured on Top 100 Golf Courses lists as Laem Chabang's signature 18-hole experience. Lake + Valley is also commonly played; Lake + Mountain offers the most varied terrain experience.

Course Conditions & Quality

Reviews consistently highlight the pristine condition of Laem Chabang:

• Lush fairways — premium grass strain, dense and resilient
• Fast and true putting greens — championship-quality green speeds, consistent roll
• Immaculate clubhouse — the property infrastructure matches the course caliber
• Top-class caddies — ranked among the most knowledgeable caddies in Pattaya golf
• Heavy bunkering — well-maintained sand traps as primary course defenses
• Natural beauty — coconut trees, lakes, streams, creeks, exposed rock formations

Multiple sources describe the course as the best layout in Pattaya with course conditioning to match. World Golf Awards' annual nominations confirm the consistency of this assessment.

Caddies — Mandatory & Important

Caddies are compulsory on all Pattaya golf courses, including Laem Chabang.

• Caddy fee: ฿450 (typically included in golf packages)
• Caddy tip (separate): ~฿300 recommended after the round, paid directly to the caddy
• Caddy quality at Laem Chabang is ranked top-tier — knowledgeable about reads, distances, course strategy
• Caddies handle clubs, distance reading, line-of-play guidance, and ball-finding
• This is part of the Thai golf experience — embrace it; the caddies elevate the round

Green Fees & Pricing

Laem Chabang publishes detailed pricing on its Golf Charge page. Indicative tier structure:

Standard Visitor Green Fees

• Weekday round (18 holes): typically ~฿4,000-6,000
• Weekend round (18 holes): ~฿5,000-7,500
• Twilight rates available for late afternoon tee times
• 27-hole packages available for full-property experience

Add-Ons (per round)

• Caddy fee: ฿450
• Golf cart: ~฿700-900 (optional but recommended on hot days)
• Club rental: ~฿1,500-2,500 depending on set quality
• Caddy tip: ~฿300 (after round, in cash to caddy)

Discount Packages

Multiple booking platforms (Golf Pattaya, Thailand Golfers, Golftripz, Golf Tours Thailand, Golfsavers, Pattaya Golf Courses) offer discount tee time bookings at Laem Chabang — often 20-30% below walk-up rates. These typically bundle green fee + caddy + cart and are the recommended way to book unless playing during peak holiday weekends.

For the most current 2026 rates and tee time availability: call +66 82 222 3031-3 or book through Golf Pattaya / Golfsavers / Thailand Golfers.

Clubhouse & Facilities

• Immaculate three-story clubhouse
• Locker rooms, showers, sauna
• Pro shop (clubs, apparel, balls, accessories)
• Restaurant — fine dining and casual options, panoramic views
• Driving range and short-game practice area
• Putting green
• Halfway house mid-round (snacks, drinks, restrooms)

The clubhouse is widely cited as one of the finest in Pattaya golf — a destination in itself, not just a tee-off point.

Tournament History

The course's tournament credentials reinforce its championship standing:

• Annual nomination for "Best Course in Thailand" at the World Golf Awards — every year since the awards began
• Hosts Asian PGA Tour events and major regional tournaments
• Top 100 Golf Courses listing for the Mountain + Valley (B&C) combination

For tournament-grade experience, this is the Pattaya course.

Location & Getting There

• Address: Laem Chabang International Country Club, Sriracha district, Chonburi province
• Distance from central Pattaya: ~30 minutes by car (north along Sukhumvit)
• Distance from Bangkok: 109 km (~1.5-2 hours by car)
• Distance from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): ~80-90 km / 1-1.5 hours
• Distance from U-Tapao (UTP): ~50 km / 45 min
• Most golfers travel via pre-arranged minivan transfers (~฿1,200-1,800 round-trip from Pattaya hotels) or rental car

Pros

• Designed by Jack Nicklaus — one of golf's greatest architects, in his peak Asian-design period
• Best course layout in the Pattaya region (universal consensus)
• Annual World Golf Awards nominee — most consistent recognition of any Pattaya course
• 27-hole flexibility — three distinct nines with different character (Lake, Mountain, Valley)
• Pristine course conditions year-round
• Top-class caddies — among the best in Thailand
• Immaculate clubhouse with full amenities
• Strategic multi-line design — playable for varying abilities while challenging top players
• Multiple discount booking channels available (often 20-30% off walk-up)
• 30 minutes from central Pattaya — accessible for day trips
• Hosts Asian PGA Tour events — proven tournament-grade conditioning
• Beautiful natural integration — coconut trees, lakes, streams, mountains

Cons

• Premium pricing — among the higher green fees in the Pattaya region
• Caddy + cart + tip add up — true cost is meaningfully higher than headline green fee
• 30 minutes from central Pattaya — requires transport, less convenient than in-Pattaya courses
• Demanding for high-handicap players — Nicklaus designs reward strategic play; beginners may struggle on certain holes
• Booking essential during high season (Nov-Feb) — walk-up tee times limited
• Dress code enforced — collared shirts, golf shoes required (no problem for serious golfers, surprise for casual visitors)

Reputation Summary

Laem Chabang International Country Club is the consensus best golf course in Pattaya region and one of the top championship courses in all of Thailand. The combination of Nicklaus design pedigree, 27-hole layout flexibility, pristine course conditioning, top-tier caddies, and immaculate clubhouse infrastructure puts it in a category of its own among Pattaya's golf options.

For the golf-focused traveler with one round to play in Pattaya, this is the choice. For multi-day golf holidays, Laem Chabang typically anchors the itinerary — usually paired with Siam Country Club Old Course (the other Pattaya marquee), and supplemented with mid-tier rounds at Burapha or Phoenix Gold depending on preference.

Best For

• Serious golfers wanting Pattaya's flagship course experience
• Multi-day golf-holiday travelers anchoring an itinerary
• Tournament-style players wanting championship-grade conditioning
• Nicklaus design fans — one of his signature Asian projects
• Companies and groups hosting golf events or tournaments
• 27-hole players who want layout variety in a single visit

Not Best For

• Beginners struggling with strategic course design (try Phoenix Gold for friendlier layouts)
• Pure budget golfers — cheaper options like Treasure Hill exist in the region
• Walk-up casual players without bookings during high season
• Travelers without transport to Sriracha (no direct walking access)

Quick Reference Card

| Field | Value | |---|---| | Designer | Jack Nicklaus (one of 6 Thai designs 1991-1994) | | Opened | 1995 | | Layout | 27 holes — Lake (3,419 yd) + Mountain (3,446 yd) + Valley (3,619 yd) | | Land | 700 acres / 283 hectares | | Phone | +66 82 222 3031-3 | | Website | laemchabanggolf.com | | Location | Sriracha district, Chonburi | | Distance to Pattaya | ~30 min (~25 km north) | | Distance to Bangkok | 109 km | | Caddy fee (compulsory) | ฿450 | | Caddy tip recommended | ~฿300 | | Awards | Annual World Golf Awards Best Course in Thailand nominee | | Reputation | Best layout in Pattaya region (consensus) | | Verified | 2026-04-27 |