Birds eye view at Intercontinental Khao Yai.
THREE hours from Bangkok and perfectly positioned for golfers with a dozen quality courses within easy reach, the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, is part fairytale, part feat of engineering, in delivering a one-of-a-kind escape.
Following the drive to Khao Yai the resort announces itself quietly, featuring manicured lakes, towering trees, and heritage-style station motifs that nod to the golden age of rail. Staff meet guests with warm Thai grace and before long they are gliding by buggy past lily-flecked water and impeccably kept lawns to their “carriage.”
Accommodation is the headline act, with many rooms and suites fashioned from actual train carriages, thoughtfully reimagined as immersive, design-forward hideaways. Step inside and guests are greeted by rich timbers, brass fittings, cleverly concealed storage, and generous beds dressed in crisp linen, while windows frame lake or garden views like moving postcards.
The designers have had fun with the details, the bathrooms are spacious, some categories add soaking tubs and crucially, the rooms are whisper-quiet.
An outdoor seating for afternoon tea set at Tea Carriage at InterContinental Khao Yai Resort.
Between rounds, the resort makes it very easy to do nothing in style. Breakfast is a highlight, an abundant spread with Thai favourites and Western classics, best enjoyed slowly. Throughout the day, cafés and bars keep the railway theme rolling – think polished counters, marble tabletops, and a cocktail list that tips its hat to grand journeys. Dinner leans seasonal and local, showcasing the region’s produce with the service hitting a sweet spot being attentive, but never fussy.
Lakeside paths and shaded pockets invite gentle laps on foot or bicycle, the pool is serene and beautifully integrated into the landscape, and the spa is exactly what’s needed after a long day walking fairways. Skilled therapists, unhurried pacing, and treatments aimed at resetting the body. Families are well catered for with open spaces and activities, yet the resort maintains an air of calm that couples will love.
The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort boasts 12 courses on its doorstep, with Toscana Valley Country Club and Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club the standouts.
Toscana Valley Country Club is a photogenic stunner with generous views and strategic bunkering, a course rewarding thoughtful tee shots and confident approaches. The par-3s are especially memorable, framed by dramatic backdrops and the conditioning is strong.
Planet Trekkers – Kids Club.
And the Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club is said to be effortlessly enjoyable and immaculately presented, balancing playability with bite. Fairways tempt golfers to open the shoulders, while green complexes test touch and imagination. Clubhouse hospitality is exactly what can be hoped for – efficient, friendly, and geared to golfers who want to relive the round.
The address is gold for golfers, the 12 courses within comfortable striking distance allow for crafting a multi-day itinerary without repeating a layout unless desired. The region’s terrain of rolling hills, mature trees, and breezy elevations make for rounds that feel varied and scenic.
Whether a low handicapper or a social group mixing golf with gourmet, the Khao Yai cluster delivers. Schedule 36-hole days or alternate golf with resort downtime, with transfers straightforward and the courses accustomed to welcoming international visitors.
InterContinental Khao Yai Resort is for couples seeking romance with a twist, for golf groups wanting variety without exhausting travel, for families mixing golf with nature with the Khao Yai National Park near enough for hikes and wildlife spotting and for design lovers who appreciate destinations with a strong narrative and sense of place.
King Premium Pool Lake View.
The resort’s location makes it an easy long weekend or an elegant add-on to a Thailand golf itinerary.
InterContinental Khao Yai isn’t just a base for golf, the railway-inspired design adding character without compromising comfort, the service is on song, and the surrounding golf ecosystem is deep enough to satisfy every style of player.
In a country brimming with excellent golf stays, this is one to consider. Meticulously built over six years, steeped in story, and perfectly poised for golfers who want both sense of place and sense of play..
LEFT: Heritage Railcar 1 Bedroom Villa – Living Room. RIGHT: King Classic Garden View Special Brown Bedroom.
To book at the Intercontinental Khao Yai Resort and unbelievable golf nearby please contact the following Australia tour operators:
Golf Corner Travel
Paul Deans – 0411 111 554
www.golfcorner.com.au
Prestige Golf Tours
Dean Page – 0402 185 658
www.prestigegolf.com.au
Go Golfing Travel
Peter McCarthy – 07 5508 2250
www.gogolfing.com.au
Golf Tourism Australia
Simon Cummins – 03 9787 1110
www.golftourismaustralia.com
For more information or reservations:
Tel: +66 044-082-039 or
Email : reservations.khaoyai@ihg.com
Sam was a guest of the Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2025 with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
