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About i-to-i What i-to-i trips and TEFL are, how and why we do what we do!
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Today you'll fly into busy and bustling Bangkok airport and be collected by our local i-to-i team who will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding our logo!
You'll be transferred to a guesthouse in Bangkok for your first night in Thailand. Depending on what time of the day you arrive and how tired you are, you can explore the area on foot or jump in a taxi.
Tonight though, you'll most likely be needing a good night's sleep, so relax and we'll check in with you in the morning.
Dinner is included.
This morning will have a few hours after breakfast so you can have a wander around the local area but you will need to make sure that your bags are packed and you are ready for your transfer to the bus station after lunch. You will be able to take in the sights as you journey to Surin, the bus is fairly modern with food, drinks, massage seats, TV and air conditioning!
Your trip will be unaccompanied but our team will meet you off the bus in downtown Surin at around 20.30hrs where you will have your in country orientation and a welcome meal. The orientation is a crucial part of settling in to life in Thailand and will take you through what it's going to be like at your project, do's and don'ts, how to stay safe and it's your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven't yet had answered.
You will then transfer to the elephant village where you will be able to settle in to your accommodation for a well earned good nights sleep! It will have been a long day so you will be needing your bed!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.
This morning you'll probably want a nice lay-in after your long journey last night. Then you'll wake up to a delicious Thai breakfast before heading out to explore your new home town!
You'll be taken to the elephant project to be paired up with a mahout (those who care for the elephants) and your mahout will introduce you to your very own elephant. There are so many elephants here ranging in age, shape and size; just make sure you have a wash before meeting your elephant as they remember your smell for ages – so make sure it’s a nice smell!
Depending on what time you arrive at the centre, you may start your activities today and you can work with the team to decide what you can help the project with during the time that you are there.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.
Today is your first full day of getting stuck in with some serious elephant fun. You’ll be shown around and given a routine each day to follow with your mahout and elephant. Take time to get to know your new friends around you - both those with two feet and four feet. It’s your quickest way to get settled in and feel part of the family.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.
Over the next couple of days you’ll be getting stuck in – literally stuck in with some activities! You’ll learn the aims and wishes of the project and what you’re part of. Build up a bond with your lovely elephant and take lots of photos!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is included.
Well it’s the weekend and time for you to let your hair down. You have the weekend free to explore more of the area or just relax if you like. Go for a hike, take an elephant for a walk or just enjoy being in this beautiful area.
Why not go to Surin and visit Buddhist temples, the local museum or one of the many stunning and intriguing Khmer ruins around the city?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed your weekend of sightseeing? It’s time to get back to your routine and get up close and personal for some elephant related work! Hope you haven’t missed your elephant too much over the weekend!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Today you’ll be leaving your long nosed friend and indeed, all your other new friends in Surin, because it’s time to head back to Bangkok on the lovely bus again. This time you’ll be journeying through the day though! Lots of sights to see and take photos of!
When you get to Bangkok, you’ll be taken to a guesthouse where you’ll spend the night and you’ll have free time to explore and find your way around the city – you definitely need to try out the nightlife!
Now it’s time to head off into the mountains for a week of hard earned fun! You will take a comfy overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Enjoy the incredible views as the city of Bangkok fades away into mellow villages and lush vegetation. (Please note that the train journey is unaccompanied but you will be met at the destination station.)
Chiang Mai is a lively city full of charming temples and plenty of sites worth visiting. In the late afternoon you’ll have a short overview of your trek so you know what to bring and can start mentally preparing for the challenges ahead.
In the morning you will travel by pick-up truck to Huay Nam Dang National Park, known for its breathtaking mountains and colorful flora and fauna. In the afternoon the real fun begins as you trek 5 to 6 km through forested, hilly terrain. Once you reach your destination, a Karen hill-tribe village, you will enjoy a traditional dinner and experience life as a local. You will even spend the night resting your weary limbs in a small bamboo hut in the Karen village.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Wake up in the comfort of your bamboo hut and greet the day. Enjoy a deliciously simple breakfast before setting off on a 7 to 8km trek through the forested mountains. You will arrive at an elephant camp around lunch time.
Give your legs a rest and let the elephant do the walking as you ride 3 to 4km to a rafting camp near a Karen village. Cool down with a luxurious swim in the river and lay in the bright afternoon sun to dry.
You will spend another night snuggled in your bamboo hut, letting the sound of the river lull you to sleep.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Fill up on a tasty breakfast and then board your bamboo raft for a 20 to 25km jaunt down river. You’ll stop at several villages along the way for some rest and stretch time. This will be such a unique way of seeing the sights!
The rafting can take between 3 to 4 hours with fast rapids in the rainy season and up to 6 hours in the dry season when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch you will set off to Chiang Mai by pick-up truck.
Breakfast and lunch are included.
Today is reserved for exploring Chiang Mai. Why not take a Thai cooking class, visit the Doi Suthep temple or spoil yourself with a relaxing Thai massage? Optional activities are not included in the tour price but are easily arranged with the help of our team. In the evening you’ll board the overnight train to Bangkok were you will catch some rest in comfortable, air-conditioned sleeping berths.
Breakfast is included.
Wow it’s your last full day on the trip! How quickly has that come around? Take advantage of this free time to stock up on last minute souvenirs, eat lots of Thai food, take plenty of photos and go sightseeing – exhausted yet? Sleep well!
We’re sorry to say it’s your last day on the trip and we’ll be sorry to see you leave. If you’re heading back to the airport, we’ll make sure you’re taken back there in plenty of time to make your flight.
If you are heading onwards for more travels overland, don’t forget to check in with our in country team for any advice, suggestions or tips they have for you!
You will be working at a well-respected elephant foundation in Ta Klang village in Tha Toom district of Surin. The village was established in 2006, under the supervision of the local provincial government in order to put into practice the philosophy of “bringing the local elephants home for the development of their hometown”.
The aim of the foundation is to encourage mahouts (the elephant carers) from various parts of Thailand to return to their home town with their elephants. Currently, the foundation houses over 80 elephants. You can help by working with the elephants and also teaching English language to the mahouts.
The project is based in Surin, capital of the Surin Province situated approximately 450km North East of Bangkok. The village is located in a fairly rural area of Thailand so be prepared for a quiet and relaxed pace of life during your stay. Everyone who is involved with the project is obsessed with the well-being of the elephants and works together to ensure a sustainable habitat and steady future here.
Living in rural Surin is fantastic for anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and see more of Thailand, meet local families and, obviously, gets in close contact with elephants. There’s no shortage of activities to get involved with and the highlight of most people’s trips are hand washing the elephants at the end of the day! Wow!
Surin is famous for being home to the annual elephant roundup, normally held in November, a huge celebration of these majestic creatures. Please be aware though that due to the sheer size of the animals they can be dangerous and it is not uncommon to see the elephants chained to ensure safety.
It is believed that around 1,300 elephants have left Surin province due to a lack of traditional work as a result of the extensive de-forestation in the region. Some of these elephants are now working and living in the busy streets of Bangkok - used as a tool for 'begging'.
In Surin, the local government has opened the Elephant Village in Ta Klang village, to encourage mahouts to bring these elephants back to their home province. The elephants and mahouts are re-trained to demonstrate various humane techniques to show to visitors and also for the Surin Elephant festival, the biggest elephant festival in Thailand.
International visitors are needed to raise the profile of the village and volunteers are required to help reach the village’s goal to be the biggest 'elephant village' in the world and to provide a sustainable place for humans and their elephants to live alongside each other.
Your help will be greatly appreciated between Monday and Friday for around eight hours a day. The weekends are yours to use and spend as you please. Normal working hours are usually between 8am-5pm with plenty of breaks.
Each day will be completely different to others, but you can generally get involved in cleaning the elephant compounds, grass planting and watering, showering and scrubbing the elephants and learning how to effectively control the elephants is also very important!
The mahouts also love it when you can help them to learn English! By learning English, the mahouts have a greater chance of employment and therefore, a greater chance of a better wage. Their families will also love spending time with you and may ask you for dinner at their home, which is always a fun evening!
As you’ll more than likely be spending a lot of your time here around elephant dung, it’s a good idea to bring either wellington/gum boots or old shoes that you don’t mind throwing away after you finish!
You’ll also need to bring clothes that you don’t mind getting wet! When you wash the elephants, it’s almost impossible to stay dry, so bear this in mind when packing.
It may seem like a strange concept to pay for your volunteer experience. You'd be right if you think you shouldn't and the truth is you actually don't! Your placement is free; it's the benefits around it that you pay for. It's important to note that i-to-i is a travel company and not a charity. We provide a professional travel service. We are responsible for finding and assessing worthwhile projects across the world, preparing you fora the volunteering experience and supporting you whilst you're there.
Here’s some more information about what your placement fee covers….
We work with hundreds of locally run partner projects around the world and are constantly sourcing new opportunities. We visit all projects to check that they are worthwhile and legitimate and we also conduct a thorough safety assessment before we'll send volunteers there. More
Almost everyone who works for i-to-i has traveled extensively or worked overseas. This means we're a goldmine of information; we're always available to offer support and guidance before, during and after your trip.
Once you book on to a project you'll receive a Welcome Pack that contains loads of general information about volunteering, about your chosen country and how to have fun and stay safe. We'll also give you advice on visas and inoculations.
It can be pretty daunting arriving in a different country for the first time - especially after a long flight! If you arrive on your project start date, there'll be a welcoming face at the airport to pick you up and take you to your accommodation.
Soon after you arrive you will attend a thorough orientation with our in-country team. This is to cover important safety and security information. You'll also get some tips about sight-seeing options for your time off and maybe even learn some of the local lingo!
Accommodation is included with all projects and meals are even included with some. We only use locally-owned and operated accommodation so that part of your placement fee is filtering back into the local economy. Most projects offer homestay, guesthouse or shared volunteer houses as standard accommodation, but some offer the chance to upgrade to a more comfortable living standard. More
Your in-country team will arrange a pick-up for you at the airport and will conduct your orientation upon arrival. All coordination teams are English speaking and are locals of your destination country. They won't be at your project every day, but will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need them. More
Aside from the local support from your in-country team you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line manned by our response team in case any problem should arise while you're overseas. We also hire crisis management professionals to be on hand in case of a situation that requires additional expert support. More
The safety and security of our volunteers is paramount. For this reason we provide ongoing crisis management and emergency response training to our local teams around the world. We also fly in our in-country coordinators to the UK regularly for thorough training to help them offer the best safety to the thousands of volunteers they support each year. More
We don't fund our projects directly from the project fee that you pay us. Instead we choose to support a number of projects every year through a grant scheme for tangible long-term initiatives. In the last 3 years we have distributed over US$250,000 to our most needy projects to help them in the great work they do.
We make no secrets of the fact that part of your placement fee is reinvested in to recruiting volunteers just like you! The volunteers recruited in one week will typically deliver over 2000 man-days of service. The difference this makes to projects overseas is immeasurable. Many of our overseas projects rely on assistance from international volunteers, so it's necessary for us to put together brochures and websites to find the people who can support them. This recruitment process is vital to ensure programs have a constant stream of reliable volunteers.
Volunteering through a company like i-to-i has a lot of intangible benefits to developing overseas communities and the individual projects that we work with. To find out more about our placements. click here
We aim to provide you with a safe and soft landing into your destination by picking you up from the airport, giving you an orientation that helps to settle you into the country as quickly as possible. It's also the best time to ask any questions you have about your time in Thailand. Here's what will happen:
You will arrive on the Arrival Date - Friday and will be met at the airport on that day. You will be taken to the Forum Park Hotel 1 (see contact details below) where you will have the first day/night to recover from your flight. There will be a welcome dinner on the Friday evening at a local restaurant.
Note: If you're arriving early we can arrange a meet and greet for you. If you require this please contact us to arrange this service. If you wish to make your own way please arrange to be at the address below on the arrival date:
Forum Park Hotel 1
Soi Chan 2
Thungwatdon Sathorn
Bangkok 10120
Thailand
Tel; +66 (0) 2 678 7800
You will transfer to Surin the following day (Saturday) by bus and will have your in country orientation on arrival which will introduce you to Thailand as a destination, health and safety responsibilities and getting to know the rest of the group. After the orientation and welcome meal you will taken to your accommodation to settle in for a good nights sleep.
Bangkok: shared room in guest house or hostel
Surin elephant camp: shared room in home stay
Trekking: shared basic bamboo huts, you will sleep on a floor mat with a sheet
Hill tribe community: shared room in basic home stays or at the school
During your time at the elephant project, you’ll have a shared bedroom with another participant of the same gender as you. If we aren’t able to place two people together, we’ll make sure you’re as close together as you can be. Each bedroom has two single beds and storage space for your luggage. Basic bedding will be provided but you are welcome to bring a sleeping bag if you plan to go travelling at the weekends. We’d recommend that you bring your own padlock to keep your valuables secure.
There is a shared family living space so you might like to take items such as playing cards or books to bring in to the family space. Your new family will be keen to spend time chatting and getting to know you and we’d encourage you to get as involved in family life as much as possible. The bathrooms will be on a shared basis with the family and have running water, shower and Western style toilet (although you may need to flush the toilet with a bucket of water). There isn’t a huge demand for hot water because the weather is already hot, and you’ll find that you won’t miss hot showers all that much!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on certain days of the itinerary; expect traditional (and delicious!) Thai meals such as: rice, beans, salad, meat, poultry, pasta, fish, etc. The guesthouse when you arrive into Bangkok is outside of the city in a quieter area, but close enough to jump into a taxi to see more of Bangkok. You’ll have a swimming pool to cool down in and air conditioning in your room.
The bamboo huts on the trekking part of the trip will be basic but are a unique experience and opportunity to live a local and get back to basics! As the huts consist of a single all-purpose room in which the villagers live and sleep, participants will sleep on the covered balcony or a bamboo bed inside the hut. A mat, a sheet and a blanket will be provided but for additional comfort you may wish to bring a sleeping bag as in mountain areas it can be quite cool at night, especially in December/January.
As you will be carrying your own equipment then you should avoid any unnencessary items, however additional luggage can be stored in the hotel in Chiang Mai during the trekking.
The home stay accommodations that we use are all located a short walk away from each other. They are located in the village of Amphur Muang, within the Surin province.
There are telephone and internet facilities nearby. Banks, ATM and the doctor are a short drive away. You don’t have to bring bags and bags of clothes either – laundry facilities are available locally.
Oh yes, did we mention that the accommodation is on site at the elephant project? So you’ll have a lovely short walk to the project each day! Much nicer than your commute back home we’re sure!
Today’s Thailand, formerly called Siam, is the product of a plethora of peoples, cultures and kingdoms, culminating in a 10,000 year history of human triumphs and tribulations. Long before the Thais established the kingdom of Thailand in the 13th century, bronze and iron Age civilisations existed and the following centuries saw the Mon, Malay and Khmer kingdoms stamp their presence on the land. The founding of the modern Thai nation, however, is marked by Thai chieftans overthrowing the Khmers in 1238 to establish the city of Sukhothai as the first Thai Kingdom. During this period other Thai kingdoms were established and alliances were made that enabled Sukhothai to expand and prosper. From 1350, Ayutthaya grew to become the dominant kingdom, and most powerful force in Southeast Asia, as its borders grew to represent the Thailand of today. By the 16th century, Burma’s invasion ended Ayutthaya’s reign and it was eventually destroyed after the Burmese attacked again in 1767.
Today, the country is ruled by the Chakri Dynasty, which have been in power since 1782 and is the only Southeast Asian country to have avoided colonisation. The Chakri achieved economic and social progress, increased foreign trade and consolidated its territorial boundaries. The monarchy’s stable position was uprooted when in 1932 a bloodless coup rid the monarchy of its absolute powers and it was converted into a constitutional monarchy and a mixed military and civilian government gained power. For most of the 20th century the country was under military rule who gained the upper hand over brief periods of civilian rule, sometimes via coups and counter coups. In the 1980s the country enjoyed economic growth and employed democratic civilian rule. In 1997, Thailand adopted a new Constitution set out to enforce ethical electoral procedures, strengthen the political party system and promote human rights. Its political stability, however, remains to be seen following the bloodless military coup in September 2006.
Thailand’s economy has also been tested to the limit, it hit a low point in 1997 as economic crisis hit Southeast Asia and the Thai currency lost mightily against the US dollar. In recent years, it has achieved economic growth. The Asian Tsunami of December 2005, however, hit the country hard in many ways, but it has bounced back and is on the road to recovery.
The delights of Thailand are as diverse as they are abundant. From relaxing with total abandonment on its fine beaches to exploring its temples and beyond, it caters for city dwellers, culture vultures and beach bathers.
Northern Thailand is an historical and cultural mecca and is home to the nation’s first capital Sukhothai. On the ‘to do’ list of many, a visitor must take a trek through the northern hills to explore the region’s tribal groups. This popular pursuit offers a unique insight into the distinctive dress, language and customs of various tribes and the treks can last anything from a few days to a couple of weeks on an organised tour. The tours have gone upscale in recent years with elephant rides and plush accommodation thrown into the equation by some tour operators. While Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are popular starting points, treks in the Mae Hong Sorn and Tak provinces are relatively uncharted territory, though growing in popularity, and are worth exploring.
Sukhothai offers a look back at the past and features a host of ruins and temples. Be sure to go to Old Sukhothai not New Sukhothai which has few, if any, authentic features. In the old city, you’ll find plenty of wats (Buddist temples). Rakhamhaeng National Museum offers an insight into the city’s ancient cultures with an array of ancient finds, while Wat Mahathat is the largest in the city and includes original Buddha images offset by a large ornamented pond. For a slightly less touristy experience, the old city of Si Satchanalai has well preserved ruins such as Wat Chang Lom which features Buddha and elephant imagery.
Bordering with Laos and Cambodia, the north eastern region (known as Isan) isn’t as tourist heavy as other parts of the country but nonetheless it has historic sights together with a mix of Lao and Khmer cultural influences. One of the area’s highlights is Prasat Hin Khao Phanom Rung Historical Park which sits on the rim of a volcano and is known for its range of Khmer ruins; the restored temple dates from between the 10th and 13th centuries.
With beaches and tropical islands galore, the south of the country harbours a series of extremes from party atmospheres to chill out zones, tourist traps to secluded gems. Phuket and Ko Samui have long been two of the main hotspots in the south. Thailand’s largest and most developed island, Phuket, is a top travel destination for its beaches, nightlife and general easy going, friendly attitude. Ao Patong is the Island’s liveliest beach and also the most developed, though there are some secluded beauty spots to be had on the island. Although relatively close to the airport, Nai Thon beach is one of the few undeveloped beaches remaining on the Island and is ideal for a stress-free sunbathing session. Ultimately, the south’s best kept secluded secrets can be discovered by venturing out to the many islands that are easily accessible on ferries and long boats that leave from the main islands like Phi Phi Island and Phuket.
Thailand is also a divers’ paradise with the marine national park of Koh Similan renowned as a world class diving site. It comprises nine islands with lush forests, picturesque sandy beaches and a mix of marine life including Manta Rays. There are no regular boat services to the islands but it’s possible to get a day trip boat from Phuket or Khao Lak that can take anything between 45 minutes and 3 hours depending on the type of boat. Also, trips to the Island can be restricted and sometimes cease altogether from May to October due to weather conditions. Ko Tao is also a popular divers’ haunt and can be reached by boat from Ko Pha-Ngan and takes around 3 hours.
A complete change of scenery can be found at Khao Sok National Park, located in the province of Surat Thani, which boasts the largest area of virgin forest in Southern Thailand. Its huge limestone cliffs, lush jungle and flowing rivers are home to a range of species including gibbons and barking deer. A good way to enjoy it in all its glory, including the noise of the rattling jungle, is by staying in a tree house.
One of the country’s biggest and most loved parties is the Full Moon Party at Haard Rin on the island of Koh Pha Ngan. Enjoyed by over 10,000 people every month, this all night beach party has Djs spinning a mix from techno to reggae, while fire-eaters and fireworks add to the hedonistic atmosphere.
Generally, Thailand’s seasons can be categorised as hot (March to May), rainy (June to October) and cool (November to February), though the best time to go can depend on the area of the country you plan to visit. The north of the country is at its most glorious during the cool season when the scenery is accentuated with flowers in bloom and the climate is cool and dry; mountainous regions, however, can see temperatures dip to as low as freezing.
The centre and east of the country, including Bangkok, are witness to hot temperatures year round and can reach over 40 degrees during the hot season; April tends to be the hottest month. Although the south doesn’t have a cool season as such, it makes up for it by having the most rainfall in the country during the rainy season. Areas lying close to the Thai Peninsula, such as Phuket and Koh Samui, are best visited March and April to avoid the monsoon season. However, there are differentiations between east and west of the peninsular outside of these months; the west (Phuket) is best November to April to avoid the monsoons, while May to October is better for the east side (Koh Samui).
The peak seasons are July and August, November and December, and January to March, during which the most tourist driven areas like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, experience high visitor numbers, though it’s still possible to find less crowds in off the beaten track areas. April to June and September to October are the best times for solitude seekers.
Thai currency is the Baht;1B makes up 100 Satang. The current exchange rate is $1 to 37.2469 THB. Check www.xe.com or equivalent for the most up to date exchange rate.
The average costs of life’s little essentials are as follows:
Chiang Mai is the capital of the north, a major visitor hotspot and home to over 300 temples. From gold plated shrines to stone carvings, there’s a lot to see in the city’s temples with some dating back to the 13th century; highlights include a 500 year old bronze Buddha at Wat Suan Dawk, while Buddha Sila and the Crystal Buddha are housed at Wat Chiang Man, the oldest wat in the city’s walls. One of the most visited temples is the hill-top Wat Phra That at Doi Suthep, which takes in some of the best views of the city.
Retail therapy is one of the country’s biggest draws and Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar is happy to satisfy the urge to spend. It runs from around 7pm to midnight at Chang Klan road between Tapee and Loh Kroh roads and has stalls selling everything but the kitchen sink, from tourist trinkets to clothes you might actually want to wear.
One of the liveliest times to visit Chiang Mai is during Songkran (Thai New Year) which takes place in April over several days. Processions line the streets with Buddha statues from each wat on parade and it’s seen as a time of cleaning and renewal which has traditionally been symbolised with the sprinkling of water. In Chiang Mai, water is thrown left, right and centre in a celebratory fashion and if anything, gives you sense of the community spirit.
Bangkok (known in Thai as Krung Thep) is a full on experience. On the surface it can seem like a diluted westernised Asian metropolis with never-ending traffic jams, pollution and bright lights. But beneath its tourist heavy veneer, the city and its surroundings have managed to hold onto their cultural allure. With over 400 temples, it’s possible to find calm in the sometimes intrusive urban sprawl. The city’s oldest and largest wat is Wat Pho which is renowned for its huge reclining Buddha. The one-time royal residence, the Grand Palace, is a major visitor spot, and deservedly so. Dating from the 18th century, the palace complex offers a step back in time and also includes Wat Phra Kaew which contains the scared Emerald Buddha. It’s best to visit later in the day to avoid the crowds and the queues.
Bangkok also promotes the temptation to delve into the purse strings. Chatuchak Market is the largest market in the country, if not the world, with over 15,000 stalls selling everything you could possibly need or want, at low prices with bargaining banter thrown in. There’s almost everything on sale from food and clothing to pedigree pooches and plants; Saturday and Sunday are the main market days and over 200,000 shoppers arrive daily. While the busy crowds and heat are not for the faint hearted, it offers a genuine insight into Bangkok life.
For an alternative shopping experience, floating markets may do the trick. Although once a traditional way of life, these canal and river based markets are now mostly billed as a tourist experience but it does serve as a reminder of how the Thais bought their wares before the supermarket giants took over the city. One of the most popular floating markets is Damnoen Saduak, around 2 hours driving time from Bangkok, which is serviced by regular buses. There are less populated floating markets in Ratchaburi, which is under 2 hours away from Bangkok by train, and the markets can be reached by hiring a long-tailed boat for a few hundred baht depending on your bargaining skills.
Cruising down the city’s waterways is also one of the best ways of experiencing Bangkok. A good route is to take an express riverboat from the Wat Ratchasingkhon pier to Nonthaburi which takes in life along the Chao Phraya River. A river bus from Bangkok to Bang Yai also provides a look at how Bangkok used to be when canals were the mainstay of the city.
As the country’s transport hub, Bangkok is the best place to explore from; it has a host of gems within an easy day’s reach. Highlights include one-time capital Ayutthaya which is entrenched in history with an array of ruins and old temples. Close to the Burmese border, Sangkhlaburi offers a real taste of Thai country life. The town lies on the scenic Vajiralongkorn Lake and is a popular weekend retreat amongst Bangkok based Thais. The laidback lifestyle of the town also takes in trekking, rafting and elephant riding.
A host of domestic airlines serving the country’s main cities and resorts makes flying a popular and attractive option. Some of the most popular routes from Bangkok are to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Ko Samui. The country’s main carriers, Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, serve major routes, while other smaller carriers serve specific areas such as Air Andaman which flies to southern cities only. When budgeting for flights, it’s also worth noting that Thailand charges a departure tax for international flights, currently 500 Baht, which is not included in the ticket price and is charged upon departure.
Buses also provide a convenient long-distance mode of travel. The major routes are served by private, air conditioned buses. As well as running throughout the day, long haul journey’s also run through the night, such as the 13 hour journey from Bangkok to Phuket. Although not as extensive as its bus system, Thailand has comprehensive rail links. Prices vary according to which class you choose. Second class is more than adequate but if open plan berths are a turn off, first class has berths in compartments for two people only. Third class doesn’t have the luxury of air conditioning, just the fresh air of an open window, but it is suitable for short distances of a couple of hours of less.
Local transport is readily available throughout Thailand, from bicycles in rural areas to water taxis on the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok. Tuk-tuks, motorised pedal rickshaws, are noisy little run-a-rounds that feature in large towns and cities like Bangkok. As is applicable for taxis and other unmetered forms of transport, it’s best to negotiate a price before you set off. Samlor’s are the non motorised version, while songthaew work on the same principle as tuk-tuks but have a row of seats down each side. In larger cities, these forms of transport tend to be used by tourists rather than locals as they’re not always the quickest or cheapest way to get to where you want to go. Aside from its boats and river taxis, one of the best ways to avoid the traffic in Bangkok is to take the SkyTrain. It’s an elevated metro system covering over 23km with 23 stations.
www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet are leaders in the travel guide sector and their website is a great source of travel information.
www.fco.gov.uk
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas.
www.bts.co.th
Bangkok’s SkyTrain service.
www.airportthai.co.th
AOT operates five of the country’s main international airports: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai and Chaing Rai.
www.railway.co.th
State Railway of Thailand, government operator of the country’s rail system, offers fares and timetable information on its site.
www.tmd.go.th
The website from the Thai government’s Metrological Department provides daily weather forecasts and climate information.
We work in partnership with hundreds of established projects that are run by local communities. The information on our website comes directly from the projects and we work with them to ensure this information is as accurate as possible. However, due to the very nature of the projects themselves the exact details of what happens on a daily basis can change with little or no notice. If you have travelled with us and have any updates to this information, please let us know.
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* We can be held responsible for any starry-eyed and amazing journeys of enlightenment, discovery and thorough enjoyment...
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