Royal Lakeside Marina: Golf & Yacht Club in Bang Pakong

Positioned on the tidal banks of the Bang Pakong River near the Gulf of Thailand, Royal Lakeside Marina provides private boat-docking facilities integrated into an 18-hole championship golf complex. Established in 1993 and updated with a comprehensive renovation in 2011, the venue occupies an expansive coastal estate in Chachoengsao province, roughly midway between Bangkok and Pattaya.

The marina acts as a distinctive nautical gateway, enabling boaters to cruise across the gulf from Bangkok or Pattaya and navigate up the river estuary directly into the property. Dedicated moorings set along the riverbank accommodate visiting craft and member yachts, marked from the water and adjacent fairways by a navigational entrance lighthouse. Stepping off the pontoons brings sailors straight into the grounds, where steady sea breezes sweep over surrounding lagoons, manicured greens, and the domed clubhouse.

Whether arriving by highway along the Bang Na–Trat corridor or sailing inland on the tide, the marina provides a practical riverside haven for boaters who want secure moorings combined with fairway access and waterside dining.

What's There

Situated on the estuary of the Bang Pakong River, the private marina is the complex's defining nautical feature. Designed as a sheltered yacht basin, it provides moorings and pontoon berths for private craft arriving from the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok, or Pattaya. A working navigational lighthouse tower beside the 9th tee marks the entrance from the river, guiding boats into the club's harbour. Boaters can disembark directly at the pontoons and walk through the Yacht Club onto the grounds, stepping straight from the water to their tee time without navigating highway traffic.

The marina directly borders the 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Sumitomo Construction and upgraded with fast ultra-dwarf Bermuda greens and Zoysia grass fairways. A 20-metre-wide perimeter lagoon wraps around the layout, acting as a water hazard and a protective buffer for waterside residential villas. Sweeping waste bunkers and consistent coastal river breezes shape play, particularly on the holes bordering the river perimeter.

Between the river berths and the fairways sits the palatial clubhouse, crowned with a distinctive yellow dome. Inside, visitors have access to conference rooms, a well-stocked pro shop, and dedicated locker rooms containing 280 lockers for men and 48 for women. Two restaurants prepare Thai specialities and Japanese set meals, accompanied by an outdoor terrace overlooking the 1st and 18th greens.

Getting There and Logistics

Royal Lakeside Marina sits at Kilometre 51 on the Bangna-Trad Highway (Route 34) in Tambon Tha Kham, Bang Pakong District, Chachoengsao Province. Positioned beside the mouth of the Bang Pakong River where it enters the upper Gulf of Thailand, the marina is located approximately 35 kilometres south-east of Suvarnabhumi Airport, 55 kilometres from central Bangkok, and roughly 70 kilometres north of Pattaya.

For road arrivals from Bangkok, the most direct route follows the elevated Burapha Withi Expressway (Route 34) to the Bang Pakong exit. A metered taxi or pre-booked private hire car from downtown Bangkok takes 50 to 60 minutes in normal traffic and typically costs 700 THB to 1,000 THB (£16 to £23) one way, plus approximately 100 THB (£2.30) in expressway tolls. From central Pattaya, driving takes between 60 and 75 minutes via Highway 7 or Sukhumvit Road, with private taxi fares averaging 1,000 THB to 1,300 THB (£23 to £30). Public buses along Route 34 drop passengers on the highway shoulder, but walking into the riverfront grounds is impractical in the heat; private transport or taxis are strongly recommended. If arriving by taxi, arrange return transport in advance, as hailing a metered cab along this stretch of highway is difficult.

Unlike standard inland clubs, Royal Lakeside is also accessible by water. Yachts and motor cruisers can navigate directly from the Gulf of Thailand into the Bang Pakong River estuary, making it possible to motor or sail in from Bangkok or Pattaya. Navigating the river approach requires attention to tidal currents, with low-water depths in the marked channel generally exceeding 3 metres. The complex operates daily from 06:00 to 18:00. Because berthing is private, visiting boat owners must coordinate dockage permissions with club management prior to arrival.

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