Flight TG 917 has left therunway of Terminal 3, HeathrowAirport. It is destined forBangkok, Thailand.
The flight time is 11 hours, 15minutes.
Three more 747 jumbo jets takethe same journey every day,carrying around 500 passengerseach. Many other airlinesoperate indirect flights daily fromthe UK to Thailand.
Paradise
Culture
One popular visit fortourists staying in theNorth Western part ofThailand is to the Kayanvillages near to Mae HongSon
What threequestions wouldyou like to ask me?
Mae Hong Son
•Nestled in a deep valley amongstthe mountains in northwestThailand, Mae Hong Son isbecoming a new destination forthose that enjoy peace and quiet,and its melting pot of culture. Asthe town lies close to the borderwith Myanmar (Burma) manydifferent ethnic groups gather inMae Hong Son. The women ofone group, the Padaung arerenowned for the rings they wearround their necks. In Novemberthe mountain slopes turn goldenthanks to sunflowers.
George, 68, Bowes Village,County Durham
•“I am really enjoying myretirement. At last I can visit someof the places that I have only readabout before. I am not a beachlover. I prefer historicalmonuments and buildings,museums, and finding out howdifferent people live. Last year, Iwent on a package tour to visitEgypt. It was marvellous to seethe pyramids, but that’s the lasttime I travel in a group. Somepeople make dreadful travellingcompanions. This year, I want tosee some of the temples anddifferent cultures of Thailand. Onmy own”.
Should George visit a Kayanvillage?
•George is worriedabout whether or nothe should visit theKayan village. Readthe article and makeyour decision. Youmust explain why.
Should George visit a Kayanvillage?
•A "George should definitely keep away from a Kayan village. The wayKayan women are treated is like modern day slavery".
•B "George should ask the tour operator first before he visits a Kayanvillage. He needs to be sure that if he does visit it is the Kayan womenthat make the most money from his visit. He should also ask first beforehe takes a picture of someone".
•C "George should go on his own, not with a tour operator and perhapsstay in the village rather than a big hotel in town. That way he can spendlonger there and learn about the Kayan way of life from them, rather thana tour guide. He can also make sure any money he spends goes straightto the Kayan people.
•D "George should visit a Kayan village with the tour group. The Kayanpeople are much better off than if tourists like him stay away becausethey bring money to the village".
Imagine a coach full of Thai tourists arrives in your neighbourhood.They want to see a real British neighbourhood and start takingphotographs of everything.
•What do you think about this?
•What rules or etiquette should be in place?
•Write 5 guidelines that tourists should follow wherever they go.
Task: Design a board game
•You are going to work in pairs to design aboard game about the impact of tourismon Thailand.
•Your game should include things likeetiquette such as behaviour and dress.