Thailand


Rustic Pathways has been operating student travel and community service programs in Thailand for over a decade. With over sixty full-time employees from incredibly diverse backgrounds, our connections here ensure access to places that aren't open to most visitors. Our Southeast Asian administrative headquarters are based outside of Chiang Mai, and Chairman and Founder David Venning has a home here. With our legendary Ricefields International Service Base in the northeast, the Hill Tribe Orphanage Project along the Burmese border, and a number of other bases throughout the country, our year-round facilities are proof of our commitment to the communities and people we love and support in Thailand. We offer summer programs for high school students, fantastic Gap Year programs, and year round customized itineraries for private groups and families.
 


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    Come With Nothing, Go Home Rich

    Cost: $3,695
    Length: 25 Days
    Service: 96 Hours
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    Elephants and Amazing Thailand

    Cost: $3,295
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 28 Hours
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    Introduction to Community Service

    Cost: $1,495
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 32 Hours
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    Introduction to Veterinary Service Program

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 18 Hours
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    Island Hopping and Diving

    Cost: $3,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Life on the Margin

    Cost: $2,195
    Length: 15 Days
    Service: None
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    Medical Service Certification Program

    Cost: $1,895
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 22 Hours
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    Pat’s Southeast Asian Odyssey

    Cost: $5,295
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Refugee Soccer and Service

    Cost: $2,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 36 Hours
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    Ricefields, Monks, and Smiling Children

    Cost: $2,895
    Length: 18 to 74 Days
    Service: 64 Hours
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    The Amazing Thailand Adventure

    Cost: $1,495
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: None
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    The Golden Triangle Adventure

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: None
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    The Hill Tribe Orphanage and Refugee Camp Experience

    Cost: $2,895
    Length: 18 to 67 Days
    Service: 72 Hours
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    The Hill Tribe Orphanage Project

    Cost: $1,295
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 32 Hours
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    The Thai Elephant Conservation Project

    Cost: $1,895
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 28 Hours
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    Tribal Issues: A Study of Marginalized Teenagers in SE Asia

    Cost: $3,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 64 Hours
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    Tribal Shooters

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: None
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    Wilderness First Responder Medical Certification

    Cost: $3,495
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 18 Hours
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    Women Speaking (Delayed until Summer 2014)

    Cost: $3,695
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 60 Hours
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    Wonders and Riches of Southeast Asia

    Cost: $5,695
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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Fact File

Population
66 million people
Capital City
Bangkok
Currency
Baht: 1 USD buys about 31.4 THB (as of August 2012)

Language
Thai - the official language, although dozens of other languages and dialects are
spoken throughout the country.
Attractions
The Grand Palace, Ayutthaya, The Golden Triangle

Local Lingo

สวัสดี (Sà-wàt-dee) Hello!
ราคาเท่าไหร่ (Raa-kaa tâo rài?) How much is this?
เข้าใจแล้ว (Kâo jai láew) I understand.

Did You Know?

  • Home to the world's longest reigning monarch, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonized by a Western country.
  • There are an estimated 2.5 million people living in migrant border camps in Thailand.
  • There are over 5,000 varieties of rice in the Royal Kingdom.

Contact Us: For more information about Thailand you can email us at thailand@rusticpathways.com.

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends… The mind can never break off from the journey.”

Pat Conroy

Packing List

 

To Help You Come Prepared...

All of us here at Rustic Pathways Thailand are getting psyched for the summer, and we can’t wait to let the adventures begin in the Land of Smiles. The packing list below is designed to help you prepare for your trip, making sure you’ve got everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Thailand is warm, tropical and sunny where days will be in the high-80s to mid-90s.

Dressing respectfully is very important in Thailand. Please don’t wear short shorts and low-cut tops while out in public areas. This includes cropped tops and off-the-shoulder, bra-reavealing tops. In most cases, shorts that cover just above the knees are fine. When working in schools or classrooms, all students should be decently dressed and female students must cover their legs completely.

You may want to bring one suitcase for the things you will wear and use yourself, and another for any gifts, recycled clothing, or other donations you will be making to the service projects. Then use that extra bag to take home all the cool gifts, clothing, and crafts that you buy here.

On some programs you will need to pack additional items that are not on this general packing list. Please make sure you read the notes for every program you are participating in which can be found on each specific program’s webpage. Students who are participating in multiple programs should pack the contents of the general Thailand packing list, plus any special items listed for their specific programs. 

Bring with you any medications that you will need while you are away. You will need to tell staff what medications you have brought during your orientation period. This is done privately, but it is essential that you disclose to your staff all medications you are carrying.

Pack lightly for your journey! Airlines in Southeast Asia will not allow a checked bag weighing more than 15 kilos, so please pack accordingly. Your carry-on bag must also be under 7 kilos. You must be able to carry and load your own luggage, and space in the vehicles is limited.

Laundry is available at least once a week on most trips in Thailand. The cost, per load, ranges between $7 - $12.

Carry-On Luggage

A small backpack is the best carry-on bag and will be useful on your program day-trips.

  • Passport - you can not get on the plane without this!
  • Airline tickets - you can not get on the plane without these either!
  • Wallet - with about $100 emergency money
  • 2 Photo copies of your Passport - 2 additional copies should be kept in your checked luggage.
  • Sunglasses
  • Toothpaste (under 3 oz.)
  • Toothbrush
  • Medications - Must alert staff, but keep these with you in case of lost luggage!
  • Journal and pens
  • Refillable, durable - but empty - water bottle. Fill up at the gate and stay hydrated on the plane!
  • Snacks
  • Books - Suggested reading: Siddhartha by Herman Hesse & The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  • Cameras - Don't forget to bring your chargers, batteries and memory cards! You can also bring your USB cords for downloading pics for emails.

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry-on regulations of the TSA.

Checked Luggage

A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.

CLOTHING ITEMS

  • Long Pants (1-2, something lightweight)
  • Underwear (7-10)
  • Socks (7)
  • Swimsuit
  • T-Shirts with sleeves (7-10)
  • Tank Tops (2-3)
  • Long Sleeve T-shirt (1-2)
  • Lightweight, waterproof rain jacket
  • Shorts (3-4) - not too short or tight, as this is offensive in Thai culture.
  • Pajamas (1)
  • Tennis Shoes (1)
  • Sandals that are strapped (Chacos or Tevas are recommended) - Thais live in sandals
  • Flip-Flops (1) - really cheap, lightweight ones you can slip on and off easily

TOILETRIES
Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag

  • Soap or body wash
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Contact lenses and solution, in a plastic bag
  • Sunscreen (lots of strong Sunscreen) - we suggest that you bring two completely different types. alternate between them to avoid having any allergic reactions.
  • Lipbalm - with sunscreen in it.
  • Sunburn cream or aloe
  • Insect Repellant - bring one that is heavy in DEET and one that is natural Citronella - 2 cans or bottles minimum. Remember that the mosquito is your enemy wherever you travel in the world.
  • Hand Sanitizer (1-2 small bottles per week) - Always keep this with you!
  • Wet-wipes or towelettes - also good for cleaning hands when there is no water readily available
  • Small packs of Kleenex Tissues - public toilets in most of Asia do not supply toilet paper - you are meant to bring your own.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

  • Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
  • Watch or Clock with an Alarm
  • Heavy-duty garbage bags (2) - for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
  • Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will always have a comprehensive kit on hand, but having a personal kit is always helpful)
    • Band-aids
    • Triple Antibiotic Ointment
    • Anti-itch Cream (1 Benadryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
    • Medical Tape
    • Moleskin or preferred blister care
    • Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
    • Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
    • 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
    • 2 Gauze dressing
    • 5-8 Sterile wipes

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • Thai phrasebook
  • Deck of cards, or other easily explained games.
  • Pictures of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet rock, etc. Thais love to see what your life looks like back home!
  • Frisbee, Aerobee, hacky sack, football, soccer ball or other things that are fun and easy to carry!

PLEASE NOTE – Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.

Extra Information

All students coming to Thailand will also want to read the section on cultural information and customs in Thailand. This will give you valuable information about how to understand and respect Thai culture, and thus avoid causing offense while living in such a unique place.

Here's an introduction to the Thai language, along with a few words and phrases that you might like to learn prior to coming over. While this is not required for anyone, many students in the past that have taken the time to learn 20 or 30 words of Thai have found that it's a lot of fun to use! Learn some of it before you come, and ask your staff once you are here if you want to polish your pronunciation.