Thailand ECO-TOURISM
A positive choice
The most rewarding way to holiday in Thailand is to make sure your visit has a low environmental impact and a positive benefit for the local community. Fortunately there are all sorts of fun green activities to try, the full range of accommodation from luxury to basic, and initiatives to help you make positive choices
Eco-activities Royal Projects These schemes introduced by the King of Thailand 40 years ago help communities which formerly relied on opium crops to grow rice, tea, roses and spices. Mainly situated in Thailand’s North, you can visit them on a trek, and help by buying produce or handicrafts. Contact TAT for details.
Elephant sanctuaries Thailand once used elephants in the logging industry. The now redundant animals are sometimes found in poor conditions, like posing for photographs on Bangkok streets. Responsible places where you can meet an elephant and learn how to be a mahout include:
National Elephant Institute, Lampang near Chiang Mai
www.thailandelephant.org
Maesa Elephant Camp near Chiang Mai
www.maesaelephantcamp.com
14 Thailand Travel Guide 2012
Chian Dao
www.chiangdaoelephantcamp.com
Four Seasons Tented Camp
www.fourseasons.com
Elephant Hills, Khao Sok
www.elephant-hills.com
Cycling tours Several short and long cycle itineraries are offered by Spice Roads
www.spiceroads.com and Bike & Travel.
www.cyclingthailand.com
National Parks Thailand has more than 80 national parks and 20 marine parks. Among them, Khao Sok is home to six species of hornbill and Khao Yai National Park in the up and coming North East region of Isan is UNESCO-listed for its rich fauna and flora.
Eco-accommodation Sustainability-minded retreats include:
Elephant Hills African-style jungle camp in Khao Sok national park, north of Phuket. Trek with, feed and bathe the elephants and take canoe trips down the river to look for birdlife. Accommodation is in tents with
proper beds in the jungle or, new this year, a floating platform on Cheow Larn Lake – a scenic area with 100 limestone islands.
www.elephant-hills.com
Thanyamundra Organic Resort A sustainable resort on a working organic farm adjacent to the Khao Sok National Park, two hours’ north of Phuket. It comprises two luxury villas, seven suites and two rooms. There’s an organic cooking school and farm tours and work experiences are offered.
www.thanyamundra.com
Soneva Kiri Six Senses, Kok Kood Natural wood and wicker décor combines with private infinity pools, BOSE hi-fis and espresso machines at
this luxury retreat. Accommodation includes a self-sustaining eco-villa.
www.sixsenses.com/soneva-kiri
Ko Yao Noi homestay Stay in a basic cabin at a family home on Ko Yao Noi, an island off Phuket and, with your host, learn more about the life of the Muslim fishing community.
www.koh-yao-noi-eco-tourism-club.com
Baan Mae Kampong community village homestays This village near Chiang Mai uses income from tourist visits and homestays to compensate for a decline in income from its tea production. The funds help it to run a number of community and forest protection projects.
www.mae-kampong.com
Centara Villas at Karan Beach in Phuket has been awarded certification by EarthCheck in recognition of its environmental protection practices.
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