Teen Tours in Thailand
RUSTIC PATHWAYS IN THAILAND
Rustic Pathways has been operating student travel and community service programs in Thailand for over a decade. With 60 full-time employees from incredibly diverse backgrounds, our connections here ensure access to places that aren't open to most visitors, allowing for truly special experiences. Our Southeast Asian administrative headquarters are based outside of Chiang Mai, and David Venning – Rustic Pathways' Chairman and Founder – also 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 Hill Tribe region, our year-round facilities are proof of our commitment to the communities and people we love and support in Thailand.
AIRLINE INFORMATION and PROGRAM CONNECTIVITY
Weekly escorted flights for Rustic students from New York and Los Angeles to Southeast Asia run throughout the summer. U.S. students meet at JFK or LAX and travel together with their flight leader to and from Southeast Asia. Please see rusticpathways.com/flights for details. All programs in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Burma, and India connect seamlessly. Departure dates listed show physical departures from the United States.
| FACT FILE | |
| Population | 66 million happy Thais |
| Capital City | Bangkok |
| Currency | Baht – 1 U.S. dollar buys about 30 baht (as of September 2010) |
| Language | Thai is the official language, although dozens of other languages and dialects are spoken throughout the country. |
| Well-Known Attractions | The Grand Palace, pristine beaches and teeming coral reefs, colorful Hill Tribes, the ruins of ancient Ayutthaya, the Golden Triangle region, the Mekong River, Muay Thai boxing, and Asian Elephants. |
LOCAL LINGO
| Kor yeum chang hai noi, dai mai? | Can I please borrow your elephant? |
| Dai, mai pen rai! | Sure, no problem! |
| Chawp somtham phet maak, na! | I like my papaya salad really spicy! |
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. Thai cuisine has become world famous for its unique flavors and aromatic qualities, but surprisingly chili peppers – one of the cornerstones of Thai food – were not in Asia until European traders brought them to the region in the 17th century. The people of Thailand are best known for their legendary hospitality, gentle nature, and deep commitment to the teachings of the Buddha.
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MEDICAL SERVICE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
