Adventures in Thai Cooking & Travel

Trip to Southern Thailand
2008 & 2009 Trips

Travel Excursions by Kasma
* Southern Trip
* Trip Information
* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
* Itinerary 08 Trip
* Itinerary 09 Trip
* General Trip Conditions/Contract
* Brochure (PDF Format) 2008 Trip
or 2009 Trip

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Options:   Itinerary 2009   |  Itinerary 2008   |  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)   |  General Trip Conditions/Contract (pdf format) 2008 Trip or 2009 Trip   |  Brochure (PDF format) – 2008 Trip or 2009 Trip   |  Kasma's Biography   |  So. Photos   |  Contact Kasma

Note: Click on each picture to see a larger image.

Kasma's trip to Southern Thailand is a truly "off-the-beaten-track" adventure. Although the people of the south share many of the characteristics of the Thai people, the south has a very different flavor reflecting its higher concentration of Muslim people and its proximity to the ocean.

Let's start with the beaches. You'll spend much of your time either on beautiful, white sand beaches or on boats getting there. Kasma is an avid snorkeler and takes you to the best snorkeling spots in Thailand. You will have several full days where all you do is eat, snorkel and then eat and snorkel some more. (If you do not have experience snorkeling this trip is not for you. To go on this particular trip you need to know how to swim well, know how to snorkel and love the ocean.) (Check out Kasma's snorkel pictures here.)

In addition to the lovely beaches, much of the rest of the trip is spent in nature. The picture just below and to the right is from one of the best-kept secrets in Thailand, a lovely, mysterious lake with jutting limestone karsts. You will also take rain-forest walks, visit waterfalls and do a bit of cave exploration. This is a trip for physically fit and active people who don't mind climbing in and out of boats when the occasion calls for it – and it will!

This trip is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy camping. Because so many of our spots are chosen for their beauty, either above or below the water, the accommodations can be rustic. On one national park island we may need to camp (it's happened once before). Even if we don't camp, we'll stay in cabins without air conditioning or hot water and with electricity available only for certain hours in the evening, night or morning. There won't be amenities such as room service – the consolation is that we're staying in paradise, at least by Kasma's definition!

And then there's the food. Whenever possible, we'll explore Thai markets, with their delectable offerings ready to eat or cook. Street food is some of the most delicious food in Thailand and we'll do our share of grazing. If you like seafood, be prepared for many delicious meals with seafood as fresh as you can wish. Most dinners we'll eat 5 or 6 dishes, family-style. In Krabi we'll have 4 meals at Kasma's favorite restaurant in all Thailand. Just be warned, on the islands the food may not be quite as good as on other occasions as we are dependent on the national park service while there.

Jefferson, who went on two of the Southern trips, has posted his food photos from two Southern trips (goes offsite, opens in new window).

Note: Food is an important part of the trip and participants must love spicy Thai food ‐ at least 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. We cannot accept anyone who has special dietary needs – including food allergies, strong food preferences or not eating a specific food be it animal (pork, chicken, fish, shellfish), vegetable (such as onions or peanuts) or grain (wheat, for example).

When we're not swimming, lying on the beach or eating, we'll get a varied and interesting introduction to Southern culture. In Nakhon Si Thammarat we'll visit one of the most revered temples in all of Thailand, with its 100s of Buddha images – there's one for everyone. We'll visit interesting sites, such as a museum in Songkla that showcases the traditional, southern way of life. The south is full of coconut plantations, and we'll make a visit to a school where they train monkeys to pick coconuts.

Oneof our most fun days is when we visit a school where we get to see a manora dance exhibition by some of the students. It is one of the highlights of the year for the students there and we are definitely made to feel welcome as we enjoy the demonstration.

We'll travel around Thailand in two mini-vans with drivers who became part of the family. Our other main mode of transportation will be boats, both larger boats and the famous long-tail boats (see first picture at the top). At some point we can almost guarantee a beautiful sunset that will be one of the other memories you take home with you.

Note: Click on each picture to see a larger image.

Trip C – Southern Thailand – 28 Days

This special trip of the South explores rainforest preserves, hidden caves, ancient sites of the Srivijaya Buddhist empire and countless idyllic islands in the enchanting Andaman Sea. Includes visits to two remote marine national parks with exceptional and biologically diverse coral reefs. An excellent opportunity to explore many wonderful beaches and to see firsthand the culture of southern Thailand.

• Dates: Thurs. Jan. 24, 2008; returns: Thurs. Feb. 21, 2008.
  (May be offered in 2010.)
• Price is $3,700 (subject to change). (For groups of 9 persons or fewer, add $250 per person.)
• There are still spaces remaining on this trip.

• Dates: Thurs. Jan. 29, 2009; returns: Thurs. Feb. 26, 2009.
  (May be offered in 2010.)
• Price is $3,950 (subject to change). (For groups of 9 persons or fewer, add $250 per person.)
• There are still spaces remaining on this trip.

Above trip prices include – airfare to Thailand from San Francisco, lodging (double occupancy), all meals and local means of conveyance while in Thailand. They are subject to change as necessitated by unanticipated increases in airline and room rates.

Group size is limited to fourteen participants for each trip.

More details found in Trip Conditions/contract (pdf Format).

All trip members must read the Frequently Asked Questions

We do interview all potential trip members to insure compatibility.

If you are interested in going on this trip, we ask that your thoroughly explore all of the information on the website first. You will want to follow each of the links below:

• General Trip Information
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Southern Trip Itinerary – 2009 Trip   |  2008 Trip
• Trip Conditions/Contract (PDF format) – 2008 Trip   |  2009 Trip
• Southern Trip Photos
• Snorkeling Photos Here
• Food photos from the Southern Trip – goes offsite, opens new window

Your next step will be to contact Kasma. We're happy to answer any questions or put you in touch with a previous trip member.

These trips are not for everyone! You must like spicy Thai food, rice and seafood, eat food of all kinds, be physically active, be open to new experiences, get along with people, be willing to get going early on some mornings, be open to new experiences, and be open to "roughing it" on occasion.

In addition to our Southern Trip Photos, there are three sets of photos online from the January/February 2003 trip to Southern Thailand.

• Kasma's Photos.
• Nigel & Lynn's Photos.
• Theresa & Brett's Photos.
• Jefferson's Food photos from the Southern Trip

If you are interested in the trips, please read all the information available online and then contact Kasma.

Options:  Main trip page   |  Itinerary 2009   |  Itinerary 2008   |  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)   |  General Trip Conditions/Contract (pdf format) 2008 Trip or 2009 Trip   |  Brochure (PDF format) – 2008 Trip or 2009 Trip   |  Kasma's biography   |  So. Photos   |  Contact Kasma   |  Return to top

About this site
Watercolor Copyright © 1995 Toby Goodenough. All rights reserved.
All material on this website is Copyright © 1995 to 2006 Kasma Loha-unchit. All rights reserved.
For comments, feedback or questions, contact Kasma.
Last Updated 15 October 2007.