Uttaradit is a small northern Thai province that most travelers pass through on the way between Sukhothai and Nan. That is exactly why it works for golfers who want a round somewhere genuinely off the standard circuit. Nobody flies in specifically for the courses here, but if you are already exploring northern Thailand on an overland itinerary, a quiet morning at Sirikit Dam Golf Course is easy to slot in and costs almost nothing by Thai standards.
The province sits between the historic plains of Sukhothai to the south and the quieter mountain provinces of Phrae and Nan to the north. It does not have the resort infrastructure of Chiang Mai or the cultural weight of Sukhothai, but the surrounding landscape has its own character: the Nam Nan River flows through the valley below the Sirikit Dam, Phu Soi Dao National Park to the east offers one of the better multi-day treks in northern Thailand up a peak above 2,000 meters, and the provincial town is small enough to walk across in an afternoon. Thailand’s Tourism Authority notes the Sirikit Dam area as one of the region’s scenic highlights, and the reservoir landscape is part of what gives the golf course its setting.
Uttaradit suits golfers already moving through the north on a road trip who want to add a round to their day. It also suits budget-conscious travelers who want to play somewhere in Thailand where the fairways are quiet, the caddies are local and knowledgeable, and the green fees are low enough that you can play two rounds without thinking twice.
Best golf courses in Uttaradit
There is one course in the province, which makes the decision simple.
1. Sirikit Dam Golf Course
Sirikit Dam Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 71 layout measuring 6,248 yards, located about 55 kilometers from Uttaradit town behind the Sirikit Dam on Route 1045 according to publicly available course information. The course sits near the reservoir created by the dam on the Nam Nan River, and accommodation is available nearby at Ruean Rim Nam Resort at the dam, which makes an overnight stay practical for golfers who want to play in the morning and move on the following day.
At 6,248 yards from the tips, the course plays shorter than a full championship layout, which makes it accessible for all handicaps without feeling like a pushover. The dam and reservoir setting provides a backdrop not found at any other course in the region, and the drive out from town along Route 1045 through the valley is itself a pleasant 45 to 60 minute road trip. The course is managed professionally with caddies available and a functional clubhouse, though the facilities are more in keeping with a regional club than a resort venue.
Green fees are in the 800 to 1,500 THB range on weekdays according to publicly available sources, making this among the most affordable 18-hole rounds available anywhere in Thailand. Walk-on play is usually possible on most days, and tee time availability is rarely an issue outside of public holidays.
It suits all handicap ranges, travelers passing through on northern overland itineraries, and golfers who specifically want the experience of playing somewhere that has not been optimized for tourism.
Best time to play golf in Uttaradit
Golf timing in Uttaradit follows the northern Thailand seasonal pattern. Thailand’s Tourism Authority notes that this part of the north has a cool dry season from October through February, a hot season from March through May, and a wet season from June through September.
October to February is the comfortable window. Daytime temperatures sit around 22 to 30 degrees Celsius, mornings can be genuinely cool, and rain is infrequent. The Sirikit Dam reservoir is at its most scenic in this period, with clear water and good visibility. This is also when driving the mountain roads between Uttaradit, Phrae, and Nan is most pleasant for an overland itinerary.
March to May gets progressively hot, and agricultural burning across the north creates haze that affects air quality and reduces visibility. Golf is possible with early morning tee times, but the combination of heat and haze makes this the least appealing window for outdoor activities in the region.
June to September is the wet season with regular afternoon rain. Morning rounds at Sirikit Dam are usually still playable, and the reservoir is fullest and most scenic during this period. Rates at nearby accommodation drop, which suits budget travelers who can plan around weather windows.
Uttaradit golf holidays and package tours
Uttaradit works best as a one to two night stop within a longer northern Thailand driving itinerary. The most natural route is Sukhothai to Phitsanulok to Uttaradit to Phrae to Nan, covering a quieter slice of the north with a round or two of golf woven through. This format gives a week-long road trip with genuinely different scenery and culture at each stop, golf at Sirikit Dam and Wiang Ko Sai in Phrae, and a Chiang Mai or Lamphun base at the end for more substantial golf.
A simple Uttaradit golf package covers one or two nights at accommodation near the dam or in the town, a tee time at Sirikit Dam Golf Course, and private transfers if arriving from Phitsanulok airport or connecting from a nearby province. Because the province has no commercial airport, most travelers arrive overland, which aligns well with the road trip itinerary format.
For couples and mixed groups, the Sirikit Dam area has enough to fill a day beyond just the golf. The dam viewpoint, the reservoir boat trips, and the surrounding mountain scenery mean a non-golfing partner is not waiting in a hotel lobby but has something worth seeing. Browse Thailand golf packages or create a custom northern Thailand itinerary to incorporate Uttaradit into your route.
Golf with Sirikit Dam and northern Thailand’s quiet interior
The Sirikit Dam is the most significant landmark in Uttaradit province. Built across the Nam Nan River in the 1960s and named after Queen Sirikit, it is one of the largest dams in Thailand by reservoir volume according to publicly available infrastructure records. The lake behind the dam extends through a mountain valley with forested hillsides on both banks, and the surrounding area has been developed with a small resort, boat rental, and viewpoints that make it a practical half-day excursion for anyone staying in the province.
The fact that the golf course sits behind the dam, about 55 kilometers from Uttaradit town, means the drive to the course is itself part of the experience. Route 1045 follows the river valley through the hills, and the approach to the dam and course is noticeably more scenic than the standard industrial-estate golf transfer you get in Bangkok or Pattaya.
Phu Soi Dao National Park, in the eastern part of the province near the Laos border, is Thailand’s Tourism Authority’s main natural attraction listing for Uttaradit. The park’s highest peak reaches above 2,000 meters and the multi-day trail through cloud forest is one of the more demanding and less crowded trekking experiences in northern Thailand. Waterfalls and wildlife including barking deer and various hornbill species have been recorded in the park
Book tee times in Uttaradit
Tee time availability at Sirikit Dam Golf Course is open on most days with very little advance booking required. The remote location and low visitor numbers mean walk-on play is a realistic option outside of Thai public holidays. A phone call the day before or booking through GolfLux when organizing the wider itinerary is sufficient for almost any travel date.
The key logistical consideration is transport. Uttaradit has no commercial airport, so getting there requires either a road transfer from Phitsanulok Airport, around two hours south, or an overland connection from Sukhothai, Phrae, or Chiang Mai. Building the transfer arrangements into the wider itinerary booking is the most practical approach, since Uttaradit is rarely a destination in isolation.
When organizing your visit, confirm the tee time at Sirikit Dam, private transfer arrangements from your previous stop or airport, whether you want accommodation at the dam or in Uttaradit town, club rental requirements, and how the round connects with your onward travel to Phrae or Phitsanulok.
Green fees are publicly listed in the 800 to 1,500 THB range on weekdays, with modest weekend premiums. At this price point, Uttaradit is one of the most affordable 18-hole experiences in Thailand and requires minimal forward planning beyond securing the transfer. Start planning here or view Thailand golf packages to build a northern Thailand road itinerary that includes Uttaradit.