tour Thailand

Thailand Travel Information

A leader's perspective...

I’m originally from Australia and I’m very proud of that fact, but for the past four years I’ve been working for Intrepid in Thailand and now I can't imagine living anywhere else. I love the amazing contrasts and wonderful people I encounter every day. In the frenetic buzz of Bangkok I can go to some of the best restaurants and nightclubs in the world, but I can also go to a traditional rocket-launching festival in the heart of the countryside and eat wonderful village food with home-brewed rice wine! I can chill out on the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see, or go trekking in the mountains, enjoying the warm welcomes of the hilltribe people. I never get tired of experiencing the world-famous Thai smile and travelling with Intrepid,you experience it all too!

Lachlan Burnet - Intrepid Leader

Thailand Travel Information

real life experiences...

Thong Nai Pan

Most people head to Ko Pha Ngan to join the famous full moon parties, but there is so much more. So if you grow weary of the nightlife, get yourself some transport and head for the north-east side of the island.

At the end of a rough dirt track, 13 kms from Ban Thai, you will find a beautiful, remote wide stretch of sand. The beach is completely unspoiled, with just a couple of guesthouses and several hammocks. If the ocean is a bit rough or you're ready to wash the salt off, follow the river upstream and explore the series of swimming holes and waterfalls. For lunch, head to the lone cafe. The friendly couple will whip up the perfect sticky rice and pawpaw salad. If you're lucky they may have some handmade amber-scented coconut oil in stock, if not, it is worth coming back for.

Martine Troedel - Intrepid Team

Resurrecting your backpack

I know a man in Bangkok who fixes things - anything that is made of material, he can fix. He sets up on the side of the street with his little stool and a table with his sewing machine and busily repairs clothes for the locals. Every time I am in Bangkok I have something else that needs attention. He loosens waistbands, take up hems, darns socks and when the zips on my backpack finally died after ten years of wear and tear, he replaced every one of them. All too often we throw out our clothes when they don't fit, or when they have a hole or a tear, but knowing a good tailor has meant I have been able to get another few good years out of my beloved backpack.

Andy Darren - Intrepid Leader

Hammocks in Thailand

The best part of my trip in southern Thailand was when we went across on a boat to this tiny little island and got to set up hammocks for the night where we were completely alone. It was a unique experience that I'll never forget. We had a guitar with us and no-one else was around so we sang as loud as we wanted. It was brilliant. Our Thai guide went and caught us a barracuda to eat for our dinner. It was massive and fed ten of us with no problems. We wrapped it in tin foil and cooked it over the fire - it smelled amazing. It really was the best fish I've had in a long time as it was so fresh and delicious.

David Llayton - Intrepid Traveller

Thailand Cooking School

I knew after I visited Thailand for the first time that I had to learn to cook Thai food so on my return I did just that in Chang Mai. I attended the cooking school, which really was a hidden treasure. We were first taken round the local markets to be shown what foods to buy then we were taken back to the chef's workshop who would be teaching us how to cook it all up. The chef spoke English perfectly and I learned to cook in the traditional way, which was brilliant, and now my efforts on my own are not to far off the fantastic Thai meals that I had so much enjoyed.

Douglas Mayne - Intrepid Traveller