Unseen Tours in Thailand

Thailand is home to many different kinds of street food and every street in every city will have various different stalls selling their wares. From Pad Thai to Som Tam (papaya salad) to grilled meats it is all available at any time of the day. Thai’s rarely cook at home as the cost of eating out is so low compared to cooking at home, when looking for a food stall to eat at a good choice is to follow the locals to see where they are eating.

Kanchanaburi province, an area of lush forest and a haven for backpackers, has a dark past hidden beneath the surface.
Here, you'll find the start of the infamous Death Railway (which links to Myanmar), and the bridge over the River Kwai. Both are haunting relics from the Second World War, constructed by prisoners of war. It's a chilling spot, but essential on any Thailand itinerary.
Close by is what's left of the controversial Tiger Temple, which was the focus of some damning animal welfare reports, and began closing down in May of 2016, after the Thailand Wildlife Conservation Office intervened. As of 2020, the site is no longer a visitor attraction, with few animals remaining on site.
As with anywhere in the world, there are always tempting opportunities to experience close-up encounters with wildlife. Thailand will have its fair share. As always, consult other travellers for advice, read reviews, and follow your conscience before booking.
 

The point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River is known locally as Sop Ruak, but to the rest of the world it's the Golden Triangle: the point at which Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand meet. 
Even standing on the Thailand river bank, you can look across to Myanmar and Laos, though you may wish to hire a boat for an even closer look. You won't get lost: there are plenty of market stalls, Buddha and elephant statues, and plenty of signage to confirm that, yes, this is in fact the Golden Triangle. 
Sop Ruak was once known as a prolific opium-growing area, and the exhibitions at the Hall of Opium in Golden Triangle Park, offer a solid introduction to the local history and effects of the industry, as well as the potency of the drug.
If you fancy venturing further off-course, see our guide to alternative itineraries in Thailand. Likewise, once you've seen all Thailand has to offer, keep cruising along the Mekong to visit Myanmar or Laos. The choice is yours...

Akha, Lisu, Hmong and Karen tribes are found all across the north of Thailand. Take a break from the tourist trail, and spend a day or a few nights with a local family to learn and experience their way of life.
Choose your tour guide wisely – ensure that they operate in an ethical and sustainable manner. 

What better way to see a bit of jungle life than hopping on board a bamboo raft and floating down a river. While it may not be the most stable of transportation, it certainly is the most fun. Tackling the rapids and battling to balance it’s a test in teamwork and is sure to provide a few laughs. Hold on tight.

Khao Yai National Park was the first national park to be established in Thailand and is the third largest in the country. Covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers it is a huge site to visit. The park comprises of rain forests as well as grasslands which all adds up to the large number of animals you can see. There are an estimated 300 species of birds in the park as well as bears, elephants, deer’s, gibbons and macaques. There are a couple of waterfalls in the park which are well worth a visit as well and are easily accessible by car.

Flight of the Gibbon is a session of zip lining through the tropical rainforest. It’s a unique way of seeing the forests of Chiang Mai without all that long walking. Be a gibbon for a day and whizz through the trees, we can pass it off as site seeing too.