Thailand golf vacations leave you suffering from reverse sticker shock

PATTAYA, Thailand - Two days into our Thailand golf trip, and I’m already nervous about returning back home to the United States and the land of western prices.

I can see it now:

“Six bucks for lunch? Are you kidding me?”

“Caddies are $60 plus $30 tip? C’mon!”

In a lot of areas, from transportation to accommodation to services, Thailand is almost laughably inexpensive. I’m of the belief that those who take a vacation are going to end up spending a finite amount of money. It’s just that here, that allocated vacation budget is going to leave you spoiled. Daily massages, nice dinners, and five-star accommodations can be had on two-star budgets back in America. Heck, some people do two massages a day: Thai in the morning, foot before dinner.

One person in our group took a taxi from Bangkok airport to Pattaya, about 140 kilometers southeast, for $40. I took a $20 cab about five miles to the airport in Austin. Maybe when I get home I’ll try my bartering skills with the Texas cabbies.

Goods that are bottled, like soft drinks and beer aren’t noticeably cheaper, especially if you find yourself in a Go-Go bar. But the caddies are a steal. You’ll get their smiling services for under $20 a round - and that includes a very healthy tip.

We’re spending two days here in Pattaya before heading up to Bangkok for a few days. Pattaya is smaller and a bit less hectic I’m told, but take a stroll around Walking Street and it’s hard to believe this is tame Thailand.

Caddies cost 300 bat, plus a usual 300-500 bat tip at golf clubs in Thailand like Siam Country Club’s Old Course.

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