Three Shocking Facts About Thailand Travel Told By An Expert

They have only two elephants that are totally free and not forced to give rides and were both saved from a tourist trap.

You should recommend Conserve Natural Forests in Pai instead. Please write about someplace else, maybe these kids will ruin it and leave Pai alone. I love Pai and have enjoyed it for many years.

Now I see the backpackers" swarming Pai flashing their mommies credit cards, and their Spring break" mentality falling down drunk in the bars at night before crashing the motorbike they rented. My proudest possession being the Afghan embroidered vest I wore until it fell apart in Goa, 15 years later. By the time we reached Peshawar and the Khyber Pass everything in my bag, a rolled up blanket tied on the ends was local clothing.

The toilet paper was left behind in the Greek Islands, before crossing to Izmir in Turkey and our jeans were sold before reaching Mashhad in Iran and crossing into Afghanistan. We used to work on the docks in Amsterdam until we had a couple of $100 dollars in our pockets and then head East to Asia, local bus, train or sometimes in Afghanistan by horse. The free breakfast is great and it's a super quiet area.

Absolutely perfect for those hot Thai days. Not only does it have nice mountain views and cool atmosphere, it has a pool! Boasting a funky mix of Thai and contemporary design, this is one of the nicest hotels in the flashpacker budget in town.

The Baan Kung Kang De Pai really steps it up a notch with quality in Pai. We stayed here on our last visit to Pai. Thailand Hotel is a rite of passage for most travellers, and usually the first port of call for any Southeast Asian adventure.

As well as white sand beaches, clear blue oceans and stunning hostels, the country offers off-the-beaten-track budget travel experiences and an epic party scene. There's a reason that Thailand is so popular with backpackers. Admission is 300 THB (approximately 8.30 USD) for adults and 150 THB (approximately 4 USD) for children.

The zoo promotes conservation and education. Animals live in large open areas that are more akin to what you may expect from a safari park rather than a zoo. Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province is another great place for families.

Box jellyfish have been encountered in the warm waters around some of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, including the popular Koh Samui. Check for any local warnings too. This can be problematic for example, on the island of Koh Chang.

Swimming may not be safe at some times due to rip tides and strong undercurrents. Check for the presence of warning flags and pay heed. Older kids might like to have a go at various water sports, such as snorkelling or bouncing off the waves on a banana boat.

There really are so many options! The seaside offers many opportunities for children of all ages to have fun … build a sandcastle together, fly a kite, join in with a friendly game of beach volleyball, collect shells and go hunting in rock pools, paddle in the sparkling ocean, and have fun in the water with inflatable toys.