LPGA Stars Embrace Thai Culture Before Honda LPGA Thailand 2026

Pajaree Anannarukarn welcomes Lydia Ko, Muni He and fellow internationals to Pattaya with a playful celebration that blends world-class golf and unmistakable Thai charm

Before the first drive is struck and the leaderboards begin to shift, tournament week in Pattaya has already delivered a scene worth remembering. Ahead of the 2026 Honda LPGA Thailand, five of the game’s brightest stars traded their fairways for tuk-tuks, turning a simple photo call into a celebration of Thai culture with unmistakable personality.

Thailand’s own Pajaree Anannarukarn was joined by Lydia Ko, Muni He, Yuri Yoshida, and Benedetta Moresco for a vibrant pre-tournament moment at Siam Country Club Old Course. Instead of focusing solely on yardage books and practice swings, the players hopped aboard Thailand’s iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuks, laughing as they cruised around the venue under the Chonburi sun.

The tuk-tuk, long a symbol of local life and tourism, offered more than just a colorful backdrop. It was a reminder that this tournament is not only about elite competition but also about place. Golf may be global, but here in Pattaya, it comes wrapped in warmth, street-side energy, and a culture that invites you in.

For Pajaree, competing in her eighth Honda LPGA Thailand, the moment carried particular pride. As one of the country’s leading players and a two-time LPGA Tour winner, she relishes the chance to showcase Thailand beyond the course. Off the record books, she is already planning seafood dinners and local feasts for her international peers, continuing a tradition of sharing Thai hospitality as generously as any trophy moment.

Lydia Ko, Olympic gold medalist and LPGA Hall of Fame member, spoke warmly about returning to Thailand, noting how each visit leaves her struck by the culture and the enthusiasm of Thai fans. Muni He, a familiar and much-loved face among local golf followers, admitted that while she has ridden tuk-tuks before, doing so at a golf course was a first. The verdict? She loves the people and, just as importantly, the food.

For Japan’s Yuri Yoshida, this marks her debut appearance in Thailand, and the atmosphere has already made a strong impression. Benedetta Moresco of Italy, competing in Pattaya for the first time as an invited player, echoed that excitement, describing Thailand’s charm as something she has long wanted to experience firsthand.

From 19–22 February 2026, the focus will return to competition as the 19th edition of Honda

LPGA Thailand unfolds at Siam Country Club Old Course, with a prize purse of USD 1.8 million. Yet moments like these, where elite athletes pause to embrace the spirit of their host country, give the tournament its distinct character.

In Pattaya this week, it is not just about birdies and back nines. It is about the rhythm of tuk-tuks, shared plates of Thai seafood, and the easy laughter that reminds us why sport and travel so often go hand in hand.

[PHOTO: Courtesy of Honda LPGA Thailand 2026]

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