Although this blog is meant to be about the weird side of things, what’s normal to some of us is weird to others. Presenting the first mini golf course I’ve found in Thailand at the Golden Elephant Resort, just outside of Chiang Mai.
For the mini-golf aficionados out there, this is a fairly easy course with a few caveats. First, there’s plenty of real grass on the sides, but your actual playing surface is a rubberized sort of concrete. The ball rolls faster than it would on Astroturf, and the course itself makes no mention of mini golf rules.
The first few holes are easy enough, but before long you’ll find yourself aiming for a 8 inch (20 cm) opening from several meters. If you’re good, a steady hand will guide you closer to the gap for an easier shot, but putt too hard and you’ll find the ricochet bouncing off the wall and out of bounds.
And then comes the inclined holes… Depending on which ground rules you play by, you may find yourself taking the maximum strokes just to move onto the next hole.
My personal favorite — when you think of mini golf, you don’t ordinarily need a full swing or lots of power. This is one case where you get carte blanche to THWACK the crap out of the poor ball. The hole is about 30 meters away through natural grass (read: rough), but the ‘green’ manages to slope towards the hole once you reach it.
Next up is a restored royal home — a hidden treasure in Mae Rim close to Chiang Mai:
Born in 1873, Phra Ratchachaya Chao Dararasmi was the youngest princess of the 7th Lord of Chiang Mai. She became a Royal Consort of King Rama V when she traveled to Bangkok in 1886. Yep, the tender age of 13 years. She bore a royal child, which in the hierarchy of things promoted her. After the King passed away, she received permission and traveled back to Chiang Mai in 1914. She had a house built, called Phra Tamnak Darapirom (Darapirom Pavilion). After her death in 1933, the mansion was purchased by Chulalongkorn University in 1949, renovated in 1995, and opened as a museum in December 1999.
Since no photos are allowed inside (and CCTV cameras are watching), let’s go with some descriptions instead…
The sitting / reception room starts with the delicate pastel pink runner carpets, makes the feminine tone seen throughout the house eminently clear. A bust of the princess herself and an ample book collection complete the room. Plenty of black and white pictures line the walls — along with some of the more modern touches, there are plenty of reminders this isn’t ancient history here.
Now in the kitchen, dozens of dishes with the same fuchsia-white patterns filled the dining room and the cabinets, while a terrace outside offers a place to enjoy nature while someone plays the baby grand piano nearby. While it was somewhat hidden and cordoned off, the bathroom appeared modern, as early 20th century facilities go.
The highlight, in my humble opinion: several breeds of flowers growing outside — King Chulalongkorn Roses. Part of the Hybrid Perpetuals species and the Old Garden Roses family, there’s plenty of them around the statue of the princess.
There’s plenty more going on around Chiang Mai, of course — consider this a family-friendly day trip if you have your own transportation, or a chance to get off the beaten path without going too far down the rabbit hole.
Name: Darabhiromya Royal Mansion (also called Darapiram Palace — พิพิธภัณฑ์พระตำหนักดาราภิรมย์ in Thai)
Address: along route 107 inside the Dara Rasamee Military Camp, Chulalongkorn University, Amphur Mae Rim, Chiang Mai (GPS: 18.91327,98.941915)
Directions: From the northern part of Chiang Mai’s Old Town, head north on route 107 and go 14 kilometers. You can also head north from the superhighway (route 11) — about 12.2 kilometers. You’re getting close when you see the signs for route 1260 (but don’t take that road)
Hours: 9am-5pm Tuesday — Sunday (closed Monday)
Admission: 50 baht
Phone: 053–299–175
Website: chula.ac.th
Name: Golden Elephant Resort and mini golf course
Address: 176 Moo 8 T.Tonpao A.Sankampaeng, Chiang Mai 50130 (GPS: 18.747059,99.065431)
Directions: Get on the superhighway (route 11), then take a left when you get to route 1317. Go 4.5 kilometers, then look for the right-turn and the sign
Hours: 10am-8pm
Admission: 100 baht
Phone: 053–391–093
Website: www.goldenelephantresort.com
