AT LEISURE
YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT
Arut Hoimook is living out a long-cherished dream by running his own tour agency in Prachuap Khiri Khan, the province where he was born 28 years ago to a family of orchard owners.
"I had a happy boyhood, growing up close to nature and farm animals," recalled the owner of Exotic So Far, an agency he set up six months back to cater largely to eco-tourism enthusiasts. "My family weren't well off, exactly, but they had enough ... they were comfortable. I learned a lot about perseverance by tending to our cows and water buffalo and the monkeys we used to pick coconuts from high up in the trees. My passion for eco-tourism stems from all the times I used to go trekking through the forest when I was younger. Children growing up in big cities like Bangkok miss out on the simple pleasures of life in the countryside."
Prior to setting up his own business, Arut worked as a tour guide for two years. To succeed in this line of work he says you need to be a responsible person who inspires trust and has sufficient general knowledge to keep clients well informed and entertained as you shuttle them from place to place.
What has been the biggest challenge in setting up Exotic So Far?
As we're still very new, the biggest challenge is making potential clients aware that we exist! Designing a tour itinerary - it mostly concentrates on beauty spots around Hua Hin and Cha-am - was time-consuming because we also wanted to highlight the importance of conserving nature and wildlife. As many tour operators have set up in Hua Hin, there's a lot of competition to survive. The constant need to add new and interesting ecotourism tours to our programme is an added challenge which we take seriously. Elephant-watching in Kuiburi National Park, boat tours through mangrove swamps and bat watching expeditions are a few of our current highlights.
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| Arut Hoimook gets great satisfaction from promoting the delights of his home province. |
How have you set your tour agency apart from your competitors?
We offer highly experienced tour guides and a personalised service. We might be a new company but all of our staff have had over a decade of experience working in the tourist industry and they're also well-versed in ecological matters. This October we plan to donate 10 baht from every booking we get to [fund] the conservation of coral reefs and mangrove forests in Cha-am and Hua Hin.
What are the high and low points of being a tour guide?
The highs involve meeting people from all over the world, practising my English and getting the opportunity to promote the province where I was born. Being a guide also teaches you how to remain calm and composed under pressure. Last, but not least, is not being constrained by the regular hours of a desk job. One of the low points, of course, is sometimes having to work a week or two weeks at a stretch without a proper rest; that can be physically draining sometimes. It's very easy to get sick during those long trips we take clients on, so it's a top priority of ours to look after our health.
Pick your three favourite provinces and tell us why you think people should visit them.
I'd definitely like to start with a short mention of my home province, Prachuap Khiri Khan. It's an enchanting little place where nature and community life are at their best. It's most unfortunate that the only destination that many outsiders have heard of is Hua Hin. For both water- and land-based activities, there's also Khao Luang and Ko Talu. Sam Roi Yod National Park attracts lots of people interested in seeing wildlife.
When I'm in the mood for the beach, I head over to Phangnga for snorkelling and scuba-diving. Reasons why people should visit? There are many, including the white sandy beaches, aquamarine water, colourful fish and coral and the scenery - all those strangely shaped limestone formations jutting up out of the sea. The Surin archipelago is home to manta rays and whale sharks and other unusual marine creatures.
The northern province of Nan is where I head when it's tranquillity and peace of mind I'm after. Apart from its beautiful temples and scenic views, it has very warm and friendly people - which is why I've made quite a few trips up there. I'd recommend visiting Doi Phu Ka National Park, which is known for its limestone caves and waterfalls.
Any suggestions on how to resolve the current
stand-off between the People's Alliance for Democracy and the government?
I think both parties should take a step back and listen to what the other side is trying to say. I don't feel it is right to protest by blocking the streets [of Bangkok], as this inconveniences the general public. But I don't agree, either, with the way the government has been running the country.
If you wish to contact the writer, feel free to email yvonneb@bangkokpost.co.th.
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