Southern Thailand Tribes and Tide
Southern Thailand Tribes and Tide
Explore southern Thailand’s coastal communities and get involved
with a social enterprise that is cleaning up Thai beaches.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Designed for eco-conscious travellers, this inspirational multi-day excursion focuses on preserving the local marine environment in the southern Thai province of Ranong. Arranged in partnership with Swiss social enterprise #Tide, this journey enables guests to give back to the local community while exploring cultural landmarks on the Andaman Sea coastline.
The #Tide project helps to keep the beaches clean by collecting waste and transforming it into everyday objects – from watches to furniture and automotive parts to apparel.
Along the way, guests enjoy a visit to Waree Ban Phot, a stunning Thai-Burmese style temple; a speedboat trip to Ko Chang to interact with resident indigenous groups; and a delicious seafood lunch caught by local fishermen. There is also time to swim and sunbathe.
TRAIL ITINERARY
DAY 1
Ranong – #Tide Ranong – Ranong [L, D]
The journey begins in Ranong, a southern province that sits on the border with Myanmar. We have lunch at a local restaurant before stopping to visit Waree Ban Phot, a stunning Thai-Burmese style temple that sits close to Ranong town.
In the late afternoon, we visit the #Tide plastic collection centre in Ranong and learn about the impact of this social enterprise on the community and surrounding environment. This organisation helps to keep the ocean clean by arranging activities to collect plastic waste from coastal areas. Today, we take part in some of these activities with the workers of #Tide. After getting involved in the clean-up, take a break with local snacks and drinks.
The experience at #Tide includes a presentation on plastic pollution where we gain a more in-depth understanding of the organisation and how it creates a circular economy by recycling waste collected from nearby islands. Return to Ranong and have dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 2
Ranong – #Tide Koh Chang – Ranong [B, L, D]
Transfer to Ranong pier to board a speedboat bound for Koh Chang. On arrival on the island, we are greeted by representatives of #Tide and take a five minute walk to the warehouse. Explore the #Tide plastic collection centre on the island and learn about the activities that take place in the warehouse. Get a sense of island life and discover the diversity of cultures and ethnicities that exist in the community, including Thai, Myanmar and Moken people.
Learn more about the issues caused by plastic pollution and the solutions that #Tide offers. The organisation supports Moken women who create handicrafts using discarded fishing ropes.
We then travel in vintage motorbikes with sidecars from the warehouse to a bungalow on the beach. Here, we have an opportunity to swim or relax. Our lunch today will come with the Moken fishermen who arrive by boat, bringing their catch of the day. Enjoy a meal of fresh seafood prepared by the local community.
After lunch, we take part in farming activities at a nearby resort. Experience roasting and cracking locally grown cashew nuts. Later, we have time for more relaxation or a swim at the beach. Return to Ranong by speedboat and have dinner at a local restaurant.
