Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and EVA Air hosted its first joint famil out of Australia. Seven lucky Agents were treated to a week-long amazing Thailand experience.
Some highlights include Elephant Nature Park, Doi Suthep, Thai Farm Cooking School, roaming around the trendy Nimman precinct in Chiang Mai, and Grand Palace, exploring Rattanakosin Island (Bangkok Old City) on Tuk Tuk, discover the unseen parts of Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) and Talad Noi.
One consultant said she has never had any type of massage in her life, and now she has had three massages in the span of one week in Thailand and she loves it! 😉 The first day we arrived, we were pampered by Thai massage and some foot massage at the Women Massage Center by ex-prisoners in Chiang Mai. What a wonderful initiative helping ex-prisoners to make fresh start in life after their release. They were gentle and professional; we all felt very much welcomed.
Liv Clear from Webjet commented, “Visiting the Elephant Nature Park and hearing about how well the elephants are cared for, and how to lookout for non-ethical nature parks was super insightful for me. This will go a long way when the opportunity to promote Elephant Nature Parks in Thailand focussed eDMs comes forward.”
Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai is a leading elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre, established by the esteemed elephant rights advocate, Saengduean Chailert, known as Lek. We enjoyed half day here which include time at their special ‘Hands Off’ project, observing rescued elephants living in their chosen herd and learning about their individual histories. At the park, the elephants are free to interact and play in natural surroundings including the nearby river, custom built pools and mud pits. What’s more, the sanctuary rescues other animals, including buffaloes, dogs, cats, horses, goats and birds as well.
At the Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School, the group learned how to cook Tom Kha, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, red/green curry and last but not least mango sticky rice. We started with a visit the main local Thai market, then explored their organic farm while learning about herbs and all must have ingredients, before cooking. We pounded and made curry paste from scratch in our own mortar. Finally, time to enjoy our own masterpiece!
In Bangkok, we explored the Old City (Rattanakosin Island) with Electric Tuk Tuk, visited the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), enjoying the outdoor Asiatique The Riverside’s shopping and dining.
Last day of the trip, we went on a walking tour in Chinatown and Talad Noi. Talad Noi is a very local neighbourhood where you’ll find some of the city’s oldest surviving mechanic shops as well as street murals, hip cafes, and religious shrines.
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