Heavy rain is forecast across northern Thailand from October 5 to 10, 2026, and on the afternoon of October 5 a flash flood swept through Mae Sa Noi Waterfall in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai. Golfers should expect wet fairways, cart-path-only rules and possible weather holds this week. Plan your main rounds for after the advisory window closes on October 10.
What is happening with the weather in Chiang Mai this week?
On October 1, Chiang Mai Governor Thotsaphon Phueanudom held a disaster command meeting ahead of rain forecast for October 5 to 8, as Chiang Mai Citylife reported on October 2, 2026. The heaviest falls were expected on the 5th and 6th, with rain covering roughly 60 to 70% of the province.
The forecast proved right. At around 4 p.m. on October 5, a flash flood swept through Mae Sa Noi Waterfall inside Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Mae Rim. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned of thunderstorms and continued rain from October 5 to 7, Khaosod English reported on October 5, 2026. Earlier, The Nation reported on September 29, 2026 that the Thai Meteorological Department had flagged a new storm system for October 5 to 10, with Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son named among the northern provinces at risk.
Is Chiang Mai flooding, or is this a short wet spell?
So far it is a wet spell, not a city flood. At the October 1 briefing the Ping River stood at a normal 1.30 m. Mae Ngat Dam was 93% full and Mae Kuang Dam 71%. The province has 222 temporary shelters on standby, plus "FloodBoy" water-level sensors that give 6 to 12 hours' notice of rising water.
For travellers, the risk sits mainly with waterfalls, hill roads and low crossings, as the Mae Sa Noi flood showed, not with hotels in the city.
Which golf courses will feel the rain most?
Mae Rim took the flash flood, so courses there and on hillier ground are the ones to watch. Summit Green Valley Country Club sits in Mae Rim, and Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort plays across rolling terrain east of the city. Expect cart-path-only rules, soft lies and slower greens, plus lightning holds when storms pass over.
In our experience, flatter courses in the Lamphun valley recover faster. Gassan Legacy Golf Club and Hariphunchai Golf Club are sensible swaps if Mae Rim stays wet. See the full Chiang Mai course directory to compare locations.
When should I book tee times if I arrive this week?
Plan your main rounds for after October 10, when the Met Department's advisory window ends. If you are already here or landing before then:
- October 6 to 7: inside the heaviest rain and the DDPM thunderstorm window. Treat these as travel, spa or city days.
- October 8 to 10: still inside the storm advisory. Book morning tee times; the Mae Sa Noi flood hit around 4 p.m., and afternoon storms are the bigger risk.
- From October 11: the advisory has passed, and fairways firm up with each dry day.
Cart-path-only rules mean more walking and slower rounds, so leave extra time between golf and dinner. A lost day costs you a round, so a flexible schedule protects your budget better than a packed one.
Which CMGT packages fit an October trip?
A longer stay gives you room to work around the weather. Our Lanna Signature, 7 nights with 5 rounds, spreads five rounds across a week, so one wet day can move without dropping a round. The Highlands Classic, 5 nights with 4 rounds, suits arrivals from October 9 onwards, with rounds falling after the advisory window.
If you are booking for mid to late October, the Weekend Warrior, 3 nights with 3 rounds, is a good short break. Tell us your dates and we will order your courses so the valley layouts come first and the hill courses later in the week.
See our golf packagesFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel a Chiang Mai golf trip planned for early October 2026?
No. The Thai Meteorological Department's storm advisory runs from October 5 to 10, and the Ping River was at a normal 1.30 m at the province's October 1 briefing. Keep the first days of your trip flexible, put your main rounds after October 10, and favour courses on flatter valley ground. We can move tee times within your stay where courses allow.
Which Chiang Mai golf courses are most affected by this week's rain?
Mae Rim is where the October 5 flash flood hit, so Summit Green Valley there is the course to watch, along with hillier layouts such as Chiangmai Highlands. In our experience, flatter Lamphun courses such as Gassan Legacy and Hariphunchai recover faster after heavy rain and make a sensible swap if conditions stay wet.
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel a Chiang Mai golf trip planned for early October 2026?
No. The Thai Meteorological Department's storm advisory runs from October 5 to 10, and the Ping River was at a normal 1.30 m at the province's October 1 briefing. Keep the first days of your trip flexible, put your main rounds after October 10, and favour courses on flatter valley ground. We can move tee times within your stay where courses allow.
Which Chiang Mai golf courses are most affected by this week's rain?
Mae Rim is where the October 5 flash flood hit, so Summit Green Valley there is the course to watch, along with hillier layouts such as Chiangmai Highlands. In our experience, flatter Lamphun courses such as Gassan Legacy and Hariphunchai recover faster after heavy rain and make a sensible swap if conditions stay wet.
