Nikanti Golf Club
West of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom, Nikanti is the most original golf experience in Thailand. Opened in 2014 to a design by Piraporn Namatra, it is laid out not as a front and back nine but as three loops of six holes, each starting and ending at the clubhouse, and it was the country's first fully all-inclusive club, where one fee covers the round, the caddie, the cart, drinks and two meals.
Photograph: Nikanti Golf Club, via Google
The verdict
Nikanti is the course that does things differently, and does them well. Opened in 2014 and designed by the Thai architect Piraporn Namatra, it sits in Nakhon Pathom province a short drive west of Bangkok, on the way to the river markets and the western temples. Two ideas set it apart. The first is the routing: instead of the usual two nines, Nikanti is built as three loops of six holes, each returning to the clubhouse and each balanced with two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5s. It is the first course in Asia, and possibly anywhere, laid out this way.
The second idea is the all-inclusive model, the first of its kind in Thailand. One green fee covers everything: the round, a professional caddie and the tip, the cart, local drinks throughout, and two meals in the clubhouse restaurant. The result is a round with no nickel and diming, smooth pace of play thanks to the loop structure, and a relaxed, hospitable feel that suits travelling golfers perfectly. The course itself is immaculately conditioned and fair at around 6,850 yards, so while it does not pretend to the championship pedigree of Amata Spring or Thai Country Club nearby, it is one of the most enjoyable and stress free rounds in the Bangkok area, and a clever addition to any Thailand golf trip.
Nikanti at a glance
- Opened
- 2014
- Designer
- Piraporn Namatra
- Type
- Parkland, three loops
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Around 6,850 yds
- Green fee
- Around 5,500 THB all-in
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Nikanti Golf Club and recognized course databases. The course opened in 2014 to a design by Piraporn Namatra and plays as a par 72 of around 6,850 yards, laid out as three loops of six holes. The indicative 2026 weekday all-inclusive rate is around 5,500 Thai baht, covering the round, caddie and tip, cart, local drinks and two meals. Rates are set by the club and change by day and season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The defining feature of Nikanti is the three loop routing, and it shapes the whole round. Each loop of six holes contains two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5s, so the rhythm never settles into a long run of similar holes; you are always moving between a short hole, a driving hole and a reachable or three shot par 5. Because every loop begins and ends at the clubhouse, pace of play is smooth, groups spread out naturally, and you can pause for a meal or a drink, part of the all-inclusive package, without disrupting the day.
The holes themselves are generous off the tee but defended around the greens by water, bunkering and clever contouring, in the modern Thai parkland style. Several of the par 5s are genuinely tempting, reachable for the longer hitter but guarded by water that punishes the greedy line, while the par 3s ask for crisp iron play to well protected targets. The conditioning is a real strength: the fairways and greens are kept in excellent order, and the whole property is beautifully landscaped, so the course photographs as well as it plays.
None of it relies on intimidating length. At around 6,850 yards the back tees give a fair test, but Nikanti is built for enjoyment and flow rather than brute difficulty, which is exactly why it works so well for visiting groups. Play it for the originality of the routing and the ease of the all-inclusive day, and you will understand why it has become a favorite among golfers passing through Bangkok.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A welcoming pay and play club open to visitors who book a tee time; popular with travelling golfers, so reserve ahead at weekends and in peak season |
| Green fee | All-inclusive, around 5,500 Thai baht on a weekday in 2026, covering the round, caddie and tip, cart, local drinks and two meals, all indicative until confirmed |
| What is included | The headline feature: no extra charges for caddie, cart, drinks or food on a standard round, which makes budgeting simple |
| Booking | Book directly with the club or through your trip planner; tee sheets fill up around the cooler high season from November to February |
| Getting there | About an hour west of central Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom, easy to combine with the floating markets and western day trips |
| Best months | November to February for the coolest, driest weather; the course plays year round with rain more likely in the wet season |
Access rules and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from Nikanti Golf Club; they change without notice, so always confirm current details directly before booking with the club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers play Nikanti on a trip based in Bangkok, where the full range of international hotels, dining and nightlife is around an hour away by car. The course sits on the western side of the city in Nakhon Pathom, so a riverside or western suburb base shortens the drive, but the city center works well too and lets you combine golf with everything Bangkok offers.
For a fuller Bangkok golf trip, pair Nikanti with the championship water holes of Amata Spring, the Nicklaus design at Thai Country Club, and the polished Alpine Golf Club. A few days around the capital, then a flight south to Phuket or Hua Hin, makes one of the best value great golf trips in Asia.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Bangkok.
Build a Bangkok golf trip
We pair Nikanti with Amata Spring, Thai Country Club and the best of Bangkok golf, secure the tee times, and handle hotels, transfers and the order of play. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Nikanti questions
How much does it cost to play Nikanti Golf Club?
Nikanti runs an all-inclusive model, so the green fee covers the round, a professional caddie and tip, the golf cart, local drinks and two meals at the clubhouse. The indicative 2026 weekday rate is around 5,500 Thai baht, with no extra charges for those services. Rates are set by the club and change by day and season, so always confirm the current fee directly before booking.
Who designed Nikanti Golf Club?
Nikanti was designed by the Thai architect Piraporn Namatra of Golf East and opened in 2014. The brief was to do something different, and the result is one of the most original layouts in Asia, both in routing and in the all-inclusive way it is run.
Why does Nikanti have three loops of six holes?
Rather than a traditional front and back nine, Nikanti is built as three loops of six holes, each starting and finishing at the clubhouse and each made up of two par 3s, two par 4s and two par 5s. It is the first 18 hole, par 72 course laid out this way in Asia and possibly the world, which means pace of play is smooth, the par balance is constant, and you are never far from the clubhouse.
Is Nikanti good for visitors and beginners?
Yes. At around 6,850 yards off the back tees it is a fair, playable par 72 with generous landing areas and excellent conditioning, and the all-inclusive format with caddie, cart and meals makes it one of the most relaxed and welcoming rounds near Bangkok. It suits visiting golfers of most abilities, especially those who value smooth pace and a hassle free day.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, history, par, yardage and indicative all-inclusive fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.