Thailand / 29 posts found
A lifetime of misery – travel experiences with animals
A lifetime of misery – travel experiences with animals facebook twitter google+ pinterest Travel experiences that harm animals are under the spotlight like never before. But are you a part of the problem or the solution ? “It’s five seconds of fun for you, but a lifetime of misery for the animal,” says Philip Mansbridge, CEO of international animal charity Care For The Wild. It’s the controversial Tiger Temples he’s talking about, but the same applies to animal-related activities for tourists around the world, from monkeys forced to play guitars to bike-riding elephants, from captive killer whales to cock fights. […]
Staying with hilltribess in Thailand
Staying with hilltribes in Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest Villages all over the world are starting to open their doors to tourists. Polly Pattullo meets the hilltribes of northern Thailand We were sitting on the floor of a house in Ja Bor in north west Thailand, a three-hour drive from Chang Mai on a road of endless hairpin bends, talking to village women about their traditional black coats. A supper of wild eggplant, pumpkin, pork, chilli paste, rice, omelette and sweet tea had been cleared away and these mountain people of the Lahu tribal group were explaining about the coloured […]
Staying with the locals in Thailand
Staying with the locals in Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest The thought of spending your hard-earned holiday in the home of an accountant is, perhaps, not the most inspiring. Locate that home on a tropical island, mix with beaches, sunsets, platefuls of seafood and some of the friendliest people, however, and it begins to sound more appealing. Then factor in that the accountant is a trained volunteer, working on the books of an award-winning community based tourist initiative, and it suddenly becomes an intriguing prospect. To reach this accountant’s home is easy enough. The small public ferry from Bangrong pier, […]
Community tourism in Thailand
Community tourism in Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest Community tourism often just means gawping at impoverished locals, but in northern Thailand, our writer visits two new retreats that make a real difference to the lives of the hill tribes, and takes a river cruise from Bangkok on a beautiful old rice barge We could hear the children’s excited voices as they approached through the darkened grounds of the lodge. Then they burst onto the terrace in a riot of bright colours and flashing silver, carrying a birthday cake. The candles were lit and everyone – men and women from local […]
Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants In Thailand
Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants In Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest Everyone wants to ride elephants in Thailand. Including me. That was until I spent the day at an elephant sanctuary and learned the disturbing truth about this popular activity. Just imagine how incredible it would be to sit atop a massive 9 foot tall, 4 ton beast while lumbering your way through deep rivers and pristine jungle. This is an experience many dream about when planning a visit to Thailand. I couldn’t wait to get my photo riding on top of a massive elephant. However there’s a dark side to elephant […]
The 10 Best Treks In Asia
The 10 Best Treks In Asia facebook twitter google+ pinterest Southeast Asia offers some wonderful treks, allowing you to spend days walking through dense rainforests, spotting spectacular wildlife, learning about the cultures of the many different tribes who live in the remoter areas, and often staying with them in their homes and sharing their meals. The following ten treks are highly recommended, and also ensure that any communities visited benefit from your presence. Taman Negara, Malaysia There are six observation hides in Taman Negara – one of the oldest rainforests on earth and pictured above – where you can stay […]
The 20 Best Beaches in Thailand
The 20 Best Beaches in Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest On the hundreds of islands on Thailand’s coast, there are thousands of fantastic beaches to choose from. Whether you want to party hard with a vodka bucket, or just relax in a beachside bungalow, Thailand has it all – so here’s our rundown of the best beaches in Thailand. Hat Sai Ree, Ko Tao To the north of the island’s ain landing point, Mae Hat, and beyond a small promontory, you’ll find Hat Sai Ree – Ko Tao’s longest beach. This strip of white sand stretches for 2km in a […]
The 20 Best Islands in Thailand
The 20 Best Islands Of Thailand facebook twitter google+ pinterest Thailand is home to an astonishing array of islands offering all manner of diving, swimming and sunbathing opportunities all year round. The hardest part for any visitor is singling out the best. Here are 20 of our favourites. Scroll down and click the link to see them placed geographically on our interactive map. Koh Chang Edged with a chain of long, mostly white-sand beaches and dominated by a broad central spine of jungle-clad hills, Koh Chang is developing fast but still feels green. It’s Thailand’s second largest island, after Phuket, […]
Guidelines for Ecotravel – Responsible Travel Advice
Guidelines for Ecotravel – Responsible Travel Advice facebook twitter google+ pinterest As an eco- traveller it is your responsibility to prevent or minimise any negative impacts on the environment, local community and economy of the destination you are visiting. Our aim is to provide guidelines that will help you to remember the principles of ecotourism throughout your trip. Before you go Choose your travel provider on the basis of their eco principles and practices. Educate yourself about the destination you are visiting by reading guidebooks and travel articles. Be aware of local history, culture and customs of the locals before […]
Harnessing the Mekong or Killing It?
Harnessing the Mekong or Killing It ? facebook twitter google+ pinterest Dams are rising all along the Mekong. The people of Southeast Asia need the clean electricity—but also the fish and rice that an undammed river provides. Pumee Boontom lives in northern Thailand, but he tunes his television to the Chinese weather forecast. A big storm in southern China means a big release of water from the Chinese dams upstream—and, in turn, a good chance his village will be flooded. The Chinese government is supposed to warn downstream countries. In Boontom’s experience, that warning tends to arrive too late or […]