Thailand fair trade tour

country:	Thailand
location:	Southern Thailand, Northern Thailand
departures:	2008: 30 Oct 2009: 9 Apr, 30 May, 19 Jul, 26 Nov
price:	From £1425 (13-15 days) excluding flights for 2008. £1550 - £1585 for 2009. Price depends on choice of trip. We can help arrange flights from the UK.

Community based tourism

Thailand holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Thailand is a country rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. We have a long relationship with Thai producers, and regularly sources craft products from ThaiCraft, one of the country’s fair trade producer organisations. When this tour was originally planned it was designed to include visits to ThaiCraft producers and a range of other activities, including two days at a beach resort in Khao Lak. However, Khao Lak was one of the worst hit areas in Thailand when the devastating tsunami hit in December 2004.

This tour has been redesigned to include a visit to local communities affected by the tsunami to understand the rehabilitation work and to support the local economies.

Southern Thailand Tour
From £1425 (13 days) excluding flights - 30 Oct 08
This tour will be led by Rosalind Salmon, with the help of her partners Stephen and Suwadee, who have between them a lifetime’s experience working in fair trade in Thailand. You will have the opportunity to meet the people behind the products and experience the amazing variety of this beautiful country first hand.

Highlights of the tour include:

time with producers and other projects of broad development interest
tours to sites of historic interest and temples to learn more of the culture
the chance to spend time on the beautiful coastline and inland countryside of the peninsula
the chance to visit tsunami affected communities and learn about the rehabilitation of the area
the chance to stay with people in their homes
opportunities to discuss and learn about a wide variety of issues
the chance to be part of a small group of like-minded individuals

After an overnight stay in Bangkok, the tour moves through Nakorn Sri Thamarrat, the cultural and historical centre of Thailand’s south where we will meet craftsmen and visit the Royal temple of Phra Mahathat, before making our way inland to a homestay village. On the way, we’ll visit a community of disabled weavers who make household utilities and crafts from coconut shells. Staying in Ban Khiri Wong, an ancient community who live at the foot of Mount Luang. We will have the choice of trekking in the lush rainforest of the adjacent national park, or learning about village life at a leisurely pace, visiting the orchards, monastery and school. From there we'll make our way to the western coast and the province of Trang, a spectacularly beautiful coastal area where we’ll visit a traditional weaving community. A stay in a small fishing village, we'll meet the fishermen and eat fresh seafood by the water's edge. This will be following by 2 days in the tsunami affected areas spending time with local communities. From there the tour will proceed on to Phuket island, where we'll have a relaxing end to our sojourn in the South with a sea canoe tour. The final leg of the tour brings us back to Bangkok where we will finish with some unforgettable cultural visits and a chance to explore the capital city.

Northern Thailand Tour
From £1425 (15 days) excluding flights - 24 May 08
Thailand has a remarkable heritage of ancient crafts of all kinds. We source a large percentage of its craft products from Thaicraft and Y Development, two of the country’s fair trade producer organisations. You will be led by our in country partner Phu Piang which was started and is run by Rosalind Salmon. Phu Piang organises journeys through Thailand that visit artisans of fair trade crafts in their villages. Rosalind and her parents, Stephen and Suwadee have been involved in fair trade for many years through the Thaicraft Association which works with nearly 100 communities around the country. With them you will have the opportunity to meet the people behind the products and experience the amazing variety of this beautiful country first hand.

Highlights of the tour include:

time with producers and other projects of broad development interest
tours to sites of historic interest and temples to learn more of the culture
the chance to see the beautiful countryside and rural life of Thailand
the chance to visit people in their homes
opportunities to discuss and learn about a wide variety of issues
the chance to be part of a small group of like-minded individuals

this tourism business was Highly Commended

In our 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine. The idea behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.

how this holiday makes a difference

If you’re interested in fair-trade and are looking for an opportunity to meet the people behind the products then these are the holidays for you. Global adventures start with a local perspective – that's our philosophy. Whether abroad, or just as importantly at home, the start point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment.

This is the UK's leading fair trade organisation which is engaged in innovative and effective trade and has been fighting poverty through trade since 1979. We work at the national and international level advocating changes in trade rules to make them work in the interests of the poor and mobilise public opinion to support fairer trade practices. Our sales are now worth more than £12 million a year, providing vital income for producers in over 30 countries.

Working with a local partner on fair trade terms, these itineraries offer an opportunity to see first hand how fair trade works and how effective sustainable development can improve the lives of the local craftspeople while providing a general insight into Thailand, its culture and its people. Being able to participate and connect with the local culture provides a richer holiday experience. Accompanied by a local knowledgeable guide who truly knows the area, our guests are able to get more of a feel for the place and the environment.

In selecting accommodation in small hotels, private homes and guest houses we make sure that the local communities benefit. By collaborating with locally based people when visiting wildlife areas we are able to contribute to the regional economy.

We provide guests with Travellers’ Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our holidays have a maximum group size of 12 to 14 people minimizing both the social and environmental impact.

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'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left).

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