Southern Thailand Tribes and Tide
Southern Thailand Tribes and Tide
Designed for eco-conscious travellers, this inspirational multi-day excursion focuses on preserving the local marine environment in the southern Thai province of Ranong. Arranged in partnership with Swiss social enterprise #Tide, this journey enables guests to give back to the local community while exploring cultural landmarks on the Andaman Sea coastline.
The #Tide project helps to keep the beaches clean by collecting waste and transforming it into everyday objects – from watches to furniture and automotive parts to apparel.
Along the way, guests enjoy a visit to Waree Ban Phot, a stunning Thai-Burmese style temple; a speedboat trip to Ko Chang to interact with resident indigenous groups; and a delicious seafood lunch caught by local fishermen. There is also time to swim and sunbathe.
Itinerary
The journey begins in Ranong, a southern province that sits on the border with Myanmar. We have lunch at a local restaurant before stopping to visit Waree Ban Phot, a stunning Thai-Burmese style temple that sits close to Ranong town.
In the late afternoon, we visit the #Tide plastic collection centre in Ranong and learn about the impact of this social enterprise on the community and surrounding environment. This organisation helps to keep the ocean clean by arranging activities to collect plastic waste from coastal areas. Today, we take part in some of these activities with the workers of #Tide. After getting involved in the clean-up, take a break with local snacks and drinks.
The experience at #Tide includes a presentation on plastic pollution where we gain a more in-depth understanding of the organisation and how it creates a circular economy by recycling waste collected from nearby islands. Return to Ranong and have dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer to Ranong pier to board a speedboat bound for Koh Chang. On arrival on the island, we are greeted by representatives of #Tide and take a five minute walk to the warehouse. Explore the #Tide plastic collection centre on the island and learn about the activities that take place in the warehouse. Get a sense of island life and discover the diversity of cultures and ethnicities that exist in the community, including Thai, Myanmar and Moken people.
Learn more about the issues caused by plastic pollution and the solutions that #Tide offers. The organisation supports Moken women who create handicrafts using discarded fishing ropes.
We then travel in vintage motorbikes with sidecars from the warehouse to a bungalow on the beach. Here, we have an opportunity to swim or relax. Our lunch today will come with the Moken fishermen who arrive by boat, bringing their catch of the day. Enjoy a meal of fresh seafood prepared by the local community.
After lunch, we take part in farming activities at a nearby resort. Experience roasting and cracking locally grown cashew nuts. Later, we have time for more relaxation or a swim at the beach. Return to Ranong by speedboat and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests;
- Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this;
- Tours and excursions often include obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control.
- Tours and transfers with licensed English-speaking guiding services / assistance. Other languages are on request and are subject to availability;
- Accommodation in sharing twin / double room with air-conditioning;
- Transportation for transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the programme;
- All applicable taxes and service charges;
- All meals as indicated in the programme(food only).
- Voluntary Carbon Offset Compensation: THB 50 per person per day;
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement;
- Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers.
This is one of our Sustainable Trails, an excursion that maximizes positive impacts on local communities and minimizes negative impacts on the environment.
