Community:
By running tours in non tourist areas we are supporting these places and giving them income from tourists.
The houseboat is built like a modern version of the traditional Thai houseboats, which the local population live on, so it is entirely in accordance with the local tradition. The house boat is run by local staff and the tour guide is also local. Food on the boat is cooked from local products bought at the market in Sangklaburi.
Elephant riding is on local working elephants from the jungle, so if there are no customers they work in the jungle. Every elephant have their own mahout, so he and his family will benefit from the money paid for elephant riding. The elephants are well taken care of and they look healthy and strong.
The visit to the Karen village is very short on this trip, on the way we pass a rubber farm where the guide will explain about how the locals make money on the rubber trees. At the same time customers are instructed not to disturb anyone in the village when we walk to the elephants. Generally the locals in this Karen village are very shy, so they keep to themselves.
Environment:
The house boat is floating on the lake, so we will not have any contact with wildlife in the jungle during the time on the boat. Customers can only watch and enjoy the quietness. When kayaking into the caves, customers are told to keep quiet and gently flow in the kayaks, so they wont disturb the bats.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
