When you realise you've checked in at shopping malls way too many times within the past 60 days on Foursquare, it's a sign that you should perhaps diversify your port of call by exploring Thailand in new ways. We've gathered interesting tour experiences that should offer something new whether you're a local, expat, or first-time visitor.
Going Local
Withlocals (www.withlocals.com, fb.com/WithLocals), a Netherlands-based tour company, offers a unique service for both travellers and locals by connecting them through food and experiences. They currently operate in seven Asian countries. For Thailand, there's a wide range of activities on offer in places such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket. You can enjoy home-cooked meals with your Thai or expat hosts, participate in cooking classes, create your own Lanna lantern, learn Muay Thai, stay in a Akha hill tribe village, join a leather workshop, learn traditional massage, shop like a local at Chatuchak weekend market and more. Check the website to read reviews from other travellers to help you decide on an activity, and book and pay online. On the other hand, if you think you have what it takes to become a guide, join Withlocals as a host.
Going Out While Giving Back
Local Alike (100/1 Soi Jindatawin, Si Phraya Road, 083-076-3593, 089-897-9454,
www.localalike.com, fb.com/Localalike) is an award-winning travel agency with a social mission. They promote community-based tourism, aiming to preserve the local culture of different Thai groups while helping to bring revenue to them. In March, they offer three trips:
- Between Mar 5-7, "In The Heart of Social Enterprise, Chiang Mai" offers a visit to an organic and CSA (community-supported agriculture) farm, a massage from a blind masseur, a tram tour around the city, a Lanna dinner and more. The three-day trip (B4,000) includes accommodation, seven meals, transport, and a local guide but you have to pay for the cost of travel to Chiang Mai yourself.
- "The Living History: The Original Community of Bangkok" will take place on Mar 8. This excursion will be a cultural experience with visits to different places of worship, museums and the Kadeejeen community. You'll also get to try your hand at making Thai desserts. The trip (B300) includes one lunch, a local guide and boat transportation.
- On Mar 9, "Hidden Trails-Unknown Tales" allows you to explore Bangkok on bicycle. The stops include Suan Spirit Publisher, Pak Klong Talad, Kadeejeen community and more. Bikers will get to relax at Rooftop Place next to the Chao Phraya River at the end of the trip. It includes snacks, drinks and a local guide (B950 per person if you bring your own bike, B1,250 if you need a bike provided).
Love Boat
Plajapian (083-990-1180, 083-051-6461, 086-368-5693, fb.com/plajapian) aims to connect local communities and city dwellers through community-based tourism. They offer various trips such as a rice-planting experience in Chachoengsao, or canal tour at an untouched community in Bangkok. Their upcoming trip entitled "Love at the Boat Sight" takes place on Mar 2 (8am-4:30pm. Khlong Lat Mayom Community, Bang Ramat Road. B850 per person). It is open to any type of couple, platonic or romantic. Fun teamwork challenges await. Also learn to make a Thai dessert and a miniature boat. Part of the proceeds will be forwarded to the community and spent on their development. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming trips.
Bike and Beyond
Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours (River City Shopping Centre, 23 Charoen Krung Soi 24 or 30, Si Phraya Pier, 02-639-7351, www.covankessel.com) started Bangkok's original bicycle tour over 30 years ago. Their tours allow you to rediscover Bangkok using bicycles, longtail boats, and your own feet. You'll get to explore nooks, alleyways, sub sois and hidden wonders you don't find at the usual tourist sites. "Co Combo" five-hour bicycle/boat tour and "Co Classical" three-hour bicycle tour start in Chinatown and continue across the Chao Phraya River to explore the diverse landscape of Thon Buri. For something more adventurous, consider "Co All Day" nine-hour bicycle/boat/train tour which takes you to various communities along the canals of eastern Bangkok. Go to their website for more details.
Roads Less Travelled
Expique (www.expique.com, fb.com/expique), a portmanteau of "experience" and "unique", is a new tour operator in town. They're offering two tours during their soft launch. The first one is a nighttime tuk-tuk tour to well-known tourist stops in Rattanakosin Island such as Wat Pho and Pak Klong Talad. The second is a walking tour on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok. It starts from Tha Din Daeng to Wat Kanlayanamitr, home to different ethnic communities. More tour options are coming soon.
Picture Perfect
Photography and travelling go hand-in-hand. Many classes at Bangkok Photo School (www.bangkokphotoschool.com) offer an on-location field trip to one of Bangkok's photogenic locations if you want to learn to take pictures like a pro while travelling. Their classes, for all levels, are led by experienced and professional photographers. A three-week beginner's package teaches students how to make the most of their camera gear. Other classes include "Natural Light Portraiture", "Reportage" and "Street/Travel" and the school also offers a digital post-production course with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Classes run from one to four days and are priced between B3,000-B9,000 with private, one-to-one workshops also available.
Tasty Trip
Food Expedition Bangkok (Daily 9am-2pm. Starts at BTS Phra Khanong. Asia 4 You, 14/4 On Nut 53, Yaek 1-7, 02-321-2973, www.thai-cooking-class.com. B2,000) is a tour with a cooking class that takes place every day. After the welcome drink, the trip starts at a local market in Phra Khanong to discover all the ingredients essential to Thai cuisine. This is followed by a long-tail boat ride, a stop at Wat Mahabut where Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine is located and sightseeing. The cooking then takes place at an urban Thai house. You'll get to make four Thai dishes — som tam, tom yum goong, larb moo and panaeng curry with chicken — sans MSG. Each participant will be presented with a certificate, an apron and a CD containing recipes at the end.
