By Laurel Angrist
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These days, untouristed beaches are few and far between, so we can all see the appeal of a story like The Beach, which follows a utopian community on a remote Thai island untouched by tourism. The blockbuster movie – famously starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Danny Boyle – was shot off Phuket, a sun-drenched tropical playground with a well-developed tourism industry. The real-life inspiration for Alex Garland’s best-selling book, however, was the undeveloped paradise of Ang Thong National Marine Park, a stunning 42-island archipelago off the east coast of southern Thailand and most easily reached from the laidback island of Koh Samui.

Connected to the sea through an underground tunnel, the hidden Emerald Lake on Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island) in Ang Thong National Marine Park is a spectacular sight, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs. Photo by Lee Sheridan

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Posted under General, Thailand, countries, local tips

By Ethan Gelber

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Making squid cages on an Andaman Discoveries tour in Phang Nga, Thailand

Wild Asia has announced the finalists for the 2010 Responsible Tourism Awards. The selection of the trim shortlist of six candidates narrowed the focus to endeavours in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

“We received a selection of high-quality checklists and this proves to show that the network and awareness of RT is building up,” said Deborah Chan, Wild Asia’s Programme Manager. “Travel operators from around the region are truly striving to make a difference for a better and greener future.”

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Posted under Cambodia, General, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, countries, responsible organisations, responsible travel, responsible travel news

By Mika Santos

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A young lady from the Akha hill tribe of Thailand sports a traditional headdress, which is one common way of differentiating between different ethnic groups. Photo by Asia World

With a whopping 14 million visitors arriving each year, Thailand is one of the world’s top tourist destinations – often the first port of call for Western travellers in Asia – for good reason. Visitors are assured some of the best sights in Asia and a highly developed tourism industry to boot, from golden temples and ancient cities to postcard-perfect white-sand shores and NatGeo-worthy scuba diving.

As idyllic as it sounds, we believe that there is more to the experience of Thailand than your snapshot taken beside a giant Buddha or a secluded beach, no matter how stunning they may be. In each destination, our local partners connect travellers with a selection of socially conscious tours and experiences designed for real immersion in Thai history and culture. It’s the difference between “I was there” and “I was there and did this… and by doing this I was able to help!”

Consider these alternative tour options around Thailand, all able to deliver an experience that is unforgettable and possibly life-changing, not just for you, but for the communities you visit.
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Posted under General, Thailand, countries, responsible organisations, responsible travel

SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN THAI / สำหรับข้อมูลภาษาไทยดูด้านล่าง

Located 85 kilometres north of Bangkok is Ayutthaya, the World Heritage Site and ancient capital (for 417 years and more than 30 kings) of Thailand. Just a 1.5-hour train ride from Bangkok, this relaxing city seems modern enough, but retains its mysterious shroud of age-old royal history.

"NATTAWARIN ('Wise Man of the River' in Thai) – Ayutthaya Cruise" is an exquisite converted traditional teak rice barge that cruises along the Chao Phraya, Thailand's River of Kings, passing one of Ayutthaya’s many historical sites

The architecture of Ayutthaya’s many temples and palaces – perhaps its most striking feature – is a distinctive admixture of Khmer and Sukhothai influences. History, art and design buffs will easily lose themselves in these aesthetics, as well as the city’s timeless sense of serenity, but there are also a great many other things to see and do in Ayutthaya for any visitor, including cycling, boating and barging.

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Posted under General, Thailand, new local connections, whl.travel news

This article was first published by our friends at Intrepid Travel, who have agreed to its republication here.
View the original article on their Intrepid Express Blog.

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Faced with the daunting experience of landing in a strange city for the first time, sometimes it feels like our fate is in the hands of the gods. So these tips from Intrepid’s Danielle Jeffreson will help your Thailand holiday get off to a great start.

The floating markets of Bangkok draw both locals and tourists in Thailand (photo courtesy of Alison Agnew)

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Posted under General, Thailand, countries, local tips, responsible travel