5 Tips for a meaningful Thailand adventure

At Rickshaw, we’re all about experiencing the authentic culture of a place, on a trip that has real meaning. Our style of travel isn’t about interacting with the same people that every other tourist sees. We can even arrange for you to stay with a family in their home, not some run-of-the-mill hotel you could book from anyone. Not only will you get to taste some truly authentic Thai cooking, you’ll be giving back to the community, and having a cultural exchange to boot.

To help find even more real and authentic experiences, we’ve partnered with TAT, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and supporting Community Based Tourism. These experiences aren’t just a fantastic way for you to score some epic memories, you’ll be experiencing them alongside Thai people and contributing to sustainable development at the same time.

We select charity projects in each of our destinations and encourage our Rickshaw Ramblers to make a donation when they book. In Thailand we support Save Elephant Foundation; all donations help give the herd healthy food, care from professional vets and allow for chain-free enclosures to be built. Elephants aren’t there to be tamed and ridden, they should be given the freedom to roam.

Here are some of our top tips on being responsible and some of our favourite Thai trips that are particularly community-based!

1) Protecting wildlife and fauna

When protected animals are exploited or killed and ecosystems plundered for commercial gain there is a devastating effect on the local environment. You can help stop this illegal or irresponsible activity by thinking twice before interacting with captive animals or buying a souvenir made out of an exotic plant or parts of a wild animal. We don’t think you should avoid the majestic wildlife of Thailand; in fact, we encourage our Rickshaw ramblers to explore nature, just make sure you do so in a respectful way.

Recommended trip: Elephant Encounters in Chiang Mai

Spend three days getting up close and personal with majestic Asian Elephants, rescued from the logging industry and cruel tourist shows. You’ll learn lots about life in the herd and feed them fruit. Unlike some tourist traps, this park is really very special, it helps rehabilitate elephants and doesn’t allow any riding. It is supported by the Save Elephant Foundation we mentioned earlier.

What makes it great?

• Your visit helps more elephants get rescued in future
• The centre is own and ran by local Thai people, so you’re supporting them too
• You learn about the elephants from the experts looking after them

2) Living and buying local

Help the local community by getting much-needed money directly to those who will benefit from it most, you can do this by buying from local shops and eating at local restaurants. Not only will you be doing something good with your money, you’re bound to have a more authentic and meaningful experience too. You can also stay with local people during your trip; make sure you prepare by reading about the local customs, dress code and culture, you wouldn’t want to accidently cause any offence. To help you avoid awkward moments we’ve added lots of details to your ‘Know before you go’ document, for example taking your shoes off at a Buddist temple will really help you connect with the locals.

Recommended trip: At Home with the Thai

Come and stay in the home of this wonderful Dutch-Thai family, the whole experience is eco-friendly and is a unique opportunity to experience often unseen glimpses of rural Thailand. The three-day homestay includes visiting a local village, cycling through pristine countryside and the chance to wake up for a sunrise ritual where monks are given rice and fruit.

What makes it great?

• Your money will go straight to locals
• You’ll help ensure traditions and customs are preserved
• You’ll be seeing a part of Thailand that most visitors miss

3) Respect the privacy of the locals

It isn’t really the done thing to secretly snap someone’s photo but we all know it can be hard to pluck up the courage to ask. Make sure you remember that in some cultures and places people might have very strong views about this. By asking you’ll avoid any upset and will almost certainly get better photos as a result. Showing people your photos also goes a long way to forging friendships and having experiences you’ll never forget.

Recommended trip: Giant trees and Lakes of Khao Sok

You’ll certainly need your camera when you venture into the wildest parts of Thailand for four days of swimming in pristine lakes and exploring verdant rain forests. In the jungle, you’ll be bunking in the Anurak Community Lodge and being shown around by local guides. The lodge was built alongside the local community and is committed to recycling and minimising their impact on the environment. On Lake Racha Praba, you literally stay on the lake! Yes, a floating raft house is just as cool as it sounds.

What makes it great?

• Staying in eco-friendly places encourages more to be setup
• Supporting local guides helps the economy

4) Don’t be a wastrel!

We have an abundance of resources at home in the UK, but when travelling it is important to remember that others might not be so fortunate. For example, some destinations may lack food or water. You can make sure you don’t add to the problem by being careful about how much water you use and trying not to take food that you won’t finish.

Recommended trip: Discover the Flavours of Ko Lanta

One great way to appreciate your food is to don your chefs’ hat and learn how to make authentic dishes like fresh papaya salads, crispy spring rolls and spicy coconut curries before sitting down to eat your hard work. Every day the menu is different, but you’ll become an expert at using Thai herbs and spices, no matter what delicacy you’re whipping up. We’re also happy to say that profits from the cookery school go directly towards the charity Lanta Animal Welfare.

What makes it great?

• Profits are used to help animal welfare
• Sharing traditional techniques helps them survive for future generations
• Cook Thai food like-a-boss when you’re home

5) Keep the world beautiful

There are so many beautiful places to visit in the world and many of them can be found in Thailand. When we’re exploring, we owe it to nature to be responsible and help keep these places pristine for generations to come. You can do your bit by always taking your litter away, leaving plants and rocks where they are and encouraging your fellow travellers and locals to do the same. After all, none of us would want to be that careless traveller who causes a forest fire by dropping a lit cigarette!

Recommended trip: Thailand with the Family: Elephants & Islands

Take your family to see the varied beauty of Thailand on this 14-day itinerary; it is a superb choice for a supercharged summer holiday adventure. You’ll visit two of the amazing places we’ve mentioned earlier; the Chang Mai Elephant Nature Park and the fantastic Anurak Community Lodge. The variety of the activities means you’ll keep the whole family entertained for the duration of your trip.

What makes it great?

• You’ll be helping rescue elephants in Chang Mai
• Staying in a community lodge encourages more to be setup

Our Thailand itineraries

If you don’t fancy building your travel plan from scratch, you can choose one of our ready-made Thailand itineraries instead. With our Exploring Northern Thailand: Remote Hills & Rescued Elephants 9-day itinerary you’ll trek to remote villages and learn all about the lives of hill tribes. You’ll visit Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park and get under the skin of Thailand’s bustling capital.