Compared to a lot of other sports golf is time consuming. Not just the playing of the game itself, but also the fact that it often requires a little bit of travel. Plenty of people come to Thailand for golf holidays with the intention of traveling around a bit to check out the courses they're interested in; but there are also a lot of golfers who come to the kingdom on business and might not have time to travel too far outside of the city but would still like to be able to play a round or two of golf in Bagnkok while they are there. And while some of the best golf in Thailand is out in places like Hua Hin, Koh Samui, and Chiang Rai, Bangkok has some great courses of its own (34 of them to be exact) and the Pattaya golf scene (only about an hour from Bangkok) is second to none.
Greg Norman designed Thana City Golf Club just 15 minutes from the airport (about a half hour from downtown Bangkok) is one of the best maintained courses in the country and has recently seen a series of generous funding injections that went into gussying up the course and building an all-but-opulent clubhouse; but it's best hit early in the morning or during the low season for tourism (April through Septemberish) if you're concerned with time because they've pumped money into advertising too and it can get a little crowded.
Muang Kaew Golf Course is without a doubt the closest to the center of the city and Bangkok's main business district. This is one of the best rounds of golf in Bangkok, not only because the course is immaculately maintained and interestingly designed, but because the course is so conveniently located you won't be stressed about getting in and out in the time you have and can relax enough to play properly and enjoy yourself. They also rent poolside apartments so you can make sneaking a few holes in as pain free as possible.
With the incredible Laem Chabang International Country Club and Siam Country Club's two courses in Pattaya golf is never too far away from the business traveler in Thailand (only about an hour farther than golf in Bangkok). Check out the course details for yourself or look into having an agent help you work a few rounds into your schedule next time you have to make a trip to Bangkok; golf can't, and in fact shouldn't, always have to wait until you get home.