Management & Office

Daniel Fraser - Co-founder & Director

One smile from Daniel and most people are hooked. With an appetite for fun and the energy to match, when something happening, he's there and soon at the center of it. Daniel first came to Thailand in 1995 to work on consulting and teaching projects under the Thai Royal Family. The quintessential host, it was a natural step for Dan to get into the travel business. A well-recognized figure in Thailand, he has appeared in a heap of print, billboard and television commercials across Asia and co-starred in Thailand's first digital feature film The Garuda in 2004. He's worked as a TV presenter in Japan, business advisor in Singapore, team-building facilitator for such companies as Nokia, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and IBM and a Tourism Ambassador for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. His proudest accomplishment to date remains out-eating every Smiling Albino client - watch your plate!

Scott Coates - Co-founder & Director

Scott is a character blessed with a unique sixth sense - the sense for adventure. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he's skilled at capitalizing on possibility, whether it's the prospect of an undiscovered mountain trail or a means to bring English language training to rural children. In 2004 he was awarded Alberta's Provincial Award Celebrating Excellence for his work benefiting the global community, resulting in the establishment of the Scott Coates - Smiling Albino Scholarship. He's written freelance articles for publications worldwide, been a guest lecturer at colleges/universities on eco-tourism and liaised as a team-building facilitator for companies such as Johnson & Johnson, IBM and BP Oil. Special accomplishments include hiking the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, riding his mountain bike through Tibet to Mount Everest and down the west side of the Annapurna Trail in Nepal. Scott's attention to detail and fascination for the next neat thing is sure to make your adventure a special one.

Suphakorn (Koy) Donmuensri – Administration

A native of Saraburi province in central Thailand, Koy is a fun, enthusiastic team player. The person that gets all things done that need doing, she is a key part of our Team and makes sure the office runs smoothly day-in and day-out. She works at Smiling Albino during the week and studies at Ramkamhang University on the weekend where she's completing a degree in accounting. A lover of dogs and fishes, the second oldest of four children, you can find Koy typing at her desk, running around the city buying items and diligently making Client Books for your adventure.

Kornwika (Kae) Urai – Trip Coordinator

With a strong background in community development and volunteer tourism, Kae brings a wealth of creativity and planning skills to our Team. She helps design, price and propose trips to guests, making sure your adventure with us is perfect. Kae is also currently working on a master's degree in Tourism on weekends, leaving her little time to travel, one of her passions.

Thanakran (Bank) Takaeng – Project Manager

Originally from Thailand's northernmost province Chiang Rai, Bank first worked as an intern with Smiling Albino in 2007 while completing a degree in Tourism. He returned as a fulltime Team member in mid-2009 and is the master of all challenging/interesting projects. From designing maps, trip books, sourcing printers and hosting guests on trips, Bank's enthusiasm and passion for travel make him an incredibly well-rounded Team member.

Adventure Team

Mads Mathiasen - Lead Adventure Host (Nepal)

Born in Denmark with an unbroken lineage to the Vikings, Mads wasn't the most likely person to become a mountain man of the Himalayas. After high school he spent a year traveling South Africa, then continued to Asia and fell in love with Nepal. What was to be a one-year trip turned into a new life and adopted home. He began his career as a mountain bike and hiking guide in the Kathmandu valley and the years flew by. Soon he found himself guiding and arranging trips across the Himalayas from Ladakh to Bhutan reveling in meeting local people and learning about their cultures. A veteran in the adventure travel business he has organized and led trips in Turkey, Morocco, Tibet, India, Cambodia and Sri Lanka but Nepal remains his true love, where he spends his time trekking, biking and guiding people through Kathmandu's narrow alleys.

Reakmey (Barang) Chin - Adventure Host (Cambodia)

The son of farmers, Barang looks more like a foreigner than a Cambodian, always has a funky hairstyle and seems more suited to entertaining on stage than guiding. But a great guide he is, having hosted travelers from around the world since 1999. Extremely passionate about his country's history, especially Angkor Wat's temples, he can answer almost anything you could want to know about this fascinating area and then some. An accomplished singer, having competed nationally on Cambodian television several times, winning numerous titles, he attributes these victories to having the total package: voice, looks and moves. He is indeed the total package as you will quickly learn during your time exploring with him.

Rajesh Dharel - Adventure Host (Nepal)

Born in the Ganesh Himal region of Nepal, Rajesh moved to Kathmandu to attend secondary school. Upon graduation he worked as a porter, hauling heavy loads for tourists during treks to earn money and gain experience in tourism. After a few years he graduated to porter manager and then to the position of guide on mountain treks. A natural with people and popular among his peers, he quickly ascended through the ranks and soon was leading treks in the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang regions. After gaining experience in this arena he moved on to leading more sophisticated camping trips to lesser-visited regions of the country. His smile, wonderful sense of hospitality and love of singing Nepali folk songs during treks is sure to quickly make you a fan.

Diep To Le - Lead Adventure Host (Vietnam)

A native of northern Vietnam, Diep is Ms. Tourism. She started her career as a translator for World University Services of Canada, honing her language skills, which led her to become a guide, hosting international guests across Vietnam. Her passion for food took over and she specialized in cuisine and cooking classes, sharing her nation's amazing dishes with foreign visitors. Wanting to help students, Diep moved on to working as a professor teaching Sustainable Tourism in Hanoi, imparting her view of tourism on a new generation. A global traveler, Diep has been around the world several times, loves sharing her encyclopaedic knowledge of her homeland and now calls Edmonton, AB home where she lives with her husband. A senior consultant on all Smiling Albino adventures in Vietnam, Diep ensures true authenticity and maximum fun on each and every trip.

Le Lam - Adventure Host (Vietnam)

Lam loves traveling at street-level, sharing secret nooks and crannies with his guests and introducing them to what he calls, the real Vietnam. Originally from north-central Vietnam, he started as a guide in 1999 and has gone on to become one of the country's premier hosts. A cycling fanatic, Lam is the proud father of two children, and relishes in the memories of his trip to America. After all his travels and in-depth knowledge of his nation, he still loves the simple things. One of his favourite activities is watching it all go by while drinking Bia Hoi (draft beer) and nibbling on authentic dishes at small street-side restaurants. Be sure to join him!

Greg Jorgensen - Adventure Host (Thailand)

Greg has the distinction of being the only member of our Team who was first a client, traveling with us in 2001. With a background in film and stand-up comedy, he found himself at a loss for words when his roommate challenged him to come up with a good reason why they shouldn't go to Thailand for a few months. He never went home and has since worked as a teacher, team building facilitator, journalist, actor, voice artist and in the film industry. He can be found navigating Bangkok's back alleys and hidden temples where he's always a short motorcycle taxi ride away from a Subway sandwich or movie theatre. A firm believer that life shouldn't be lived without laughter, Greg will make sure your time spent with SA is as fun as it is rewarding and as memorable as it is unique.

Mark Isenstadt - Adventure Host (Thailand)

Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Mark loved home, snow boarding in winter and working in community health, which he studied at university. After working in the same job for what he describes as too long, he decided to try something different and enrolled in a course at Chiang Mai University (Thailand) studying medical parasites and malaria. This short stint studying led to him falling in love with the country, its people and bugs! He started his own company which specializes in collecting and analyzing bugs and parasites for doctors and scientists worldwide & things really took off! This unique job has taken him to remote corners of the kingdom and introduced him to people and places he never thought he'd go.

Trevor Ranges - Adventure Host (Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam)

What do you get when you blend surfing with writing and travel? A top-notch Adventure Host named Trevor. Raised in Hawaii, mostly on waves, he originally headed to the Far East to teach high-level university entrance exam techniques with the Princeton Review. After doing multiple stints in South Korea and Thailand he pursued writing more seriously contributing for many years to the Fodor's Thailand and Laos guidebooks. Here and there he stepped back into education, most recently as a professor at Bangkok's prestigious Thammasat University. His love for travel saw him work on the third edition of the National Geographic Traveler Thailand book and head-up the first edition of their Cambodia guidebook - one of his proudest achievements. A regular contributor to publications abroad, consultant to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, accomplished tennis player and rock climber, Trevor's always up for a good time, diving into the unknown and is sure to bring a ton of fun and insight to your travels.

Pech Vuthy - Adventure Host (Cambodia)

A native of Cambodia's Siem Reap province, home to the temples of Angkor, Vuthy is one of the country's top hosts. With great English skills, a witty sense of humor and the talent to share history in a comprehensive yet digestible manner, seeing Angkor Wat with him is a top experience. A proud father of two children, loving husband and cycling enthusiast, Vuthy is one of our top Cambodian hosts.

 

 

 

Thach (Kim) Thikimlieng - Adventure Host (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

A true Cambodia through and through with many lifetimes of experience, Kim has seen and done it all in her country. From surviving the Khmer Rouge's bloody reign, to living and working for many years in a refugee camp along the border with Vietnam, Kim's worked very hard to get where she is. A proud mother, she's a wealth of information and extremely passionate about sharing all sides of her country with visitors. You'll be richer for having spent time traveling with her.

 

 

Saksit (Chang) Nonsrimuang - Transportation (Thailand)

Truly one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, anywhere, Chang has a captivating smile, incredible sense of humor and is the consummate host. The youngest of eight children, he grew up in Thailand's northeastern province of Korat, moved to Chiang Mai after Grade 6, then his life took an interesting turn; he became a novice monk for five years, during which time he learned to read/write Pali, an ancient Sanskrit text. During his early adult years he spent eight years leading jungle treks, then drove large tour buses for five years, purchased his own minivan in 2001 and has been his own one-man-show ever since. If you're fortunate enough to spend time with Chang you're bound to be talking about him for years to come. He's truly one of a kind.

Doan Phong - Adventure Host (Vietnam)

Known amongst his friends as Mr. Outdoors, Phong loves being outside and has cycled most of Vietnam's central coast and highlands. A graduate of Danang University, he's been a guide since 1996 and specializes in the hard-to-find places and small villages around Hoi An and Hue, focusing on visiting by motorbike and bicycle. A married man and father of two children, when not working you can usually find Phong enjoying a bowl of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) at a street-side stall.

Sayan (Lek) Prapapak - Adventure Host (Thailand)

Born at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ayutthaya, Lek moved to Bangkok when he was nine-years-old to be close to his mother who sold goods on the sidewalk in front of Wat Pho, famous for its giant reclining Buddha. He moved into residence, calling it home for 10 years and went on to become the temple's most senior guide. He became a licensed guide in 2007, venturing beyond the walls of his longtime home and now leads trips across the country. Without a doubt the city's funniest host, his name means small, but there's nothing small about him or his personality.

Sutinee (Nee) Rasp - Adventure Host (Thailand)

A native of Thailand's Surin province, in the northeastern part of Thailand, Nee moved to Bangkok in 1993 with her young daughter in search of a better life. A rice farmer with a primary school education she knew knowledge was the key to a more prosperous life. She spent her first two years working as a house maid then in a garment factory for four years. During this time she studied on Sundays to get her high school diploma, then enrolled at a computer school and moved on to university where she studied Tourism and Hotel management. With her degree in-hand she attained a tourism guide license and got a job leading tours throughout Thailand. An accomplished athlete, she regularly runs half marathons and leads tough biking trips. Nee is one of Thailand's best guides and competing for the title of Thailand's hardest working mom.

Thawisong (Song) Sitthiwong - Transportation (Thailand)

Born in Chiang Rai province, Song has spent his life driving the northern part of Thailand and knows every nook and cranny of its far reaches. The father of two children, he has been married since 1992 and lives at Chiang Saen, a small city in Chiang Rai province. Known as Mr. Reliable, he's always early, ready for the job and goes above and beyond to make every trip perfect. Not only a driver, Song often joins guests for hikes, dinner, rafting and whatever else is on offer.

Clare Smith - Adventure Host (Nepal)

A self-described simple farm girl from rural Australia, Clare was the last person you'd expect to end up working in an international capacity. She grew up riding horses, chasing sheep and cattle and living the outback life. After tripping over a few careers she took a huge leap and accepted a community development job in Nepal in 2002 for a taste of something truly different. It was during this time she met a young Danish man who was firmly attached to the country and stole her heart, making returning home tough. After a couple years back in her native land she finagled a way to move back to Nepal and is firming planted in her adopted home. Clare loves sharing this fascinating country with guests, devotes a good portion of her time to community work and is the consummate host - sure to leave you smiling!

Vireak Soung - Adventure Host (Cambodia)

Vireak saw tourism as a way to a better life and grabbed hold of it. Since 2000 he's been working hard, developing his language skills, learning about foreigners, studying his country's history and is now one of Cambodia's premier hosts. His flawless English, cool wit and ability to explain complicated history is truly remarkable. He's sure to bring a special shine to your trip and provide rare insight into Cambodian culture.

Ratthapoom (Noom) Worasutpisan - Adventure Host (Thailand)

The son of a Thai history teacher, Noom grew up surrounded by history books and colorful tales of ancient Siamese culture and traditions. A man of many talents, he spent several years managing air traffic control for the Royal Thai Navy, has trained in Sea and Land Survival and was on the Navy volleyball and tennis teams for 10 years! His interest in guiding came about while working as a liaison officer for US personnel visiting Thailand. A devout Buddhist, Noom speaks to the heart of his guests and tries to help them see the finer, subtler elements of Thailand often missed by visitors. His enthusiasm and knowledge for all things Thai enables him to bring a fresh wealth of knowledge and experiences to every trip.

Jaran Khamtue – Adventure Host (Northern Thailand)

The son of farmers and a native of Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost province, Jaran became a guide in an interesting fashion. In the late 1990s he moved to Chiang Mai city to work as a security guard. During this period many visitors asked him questions. He didn't speak any English and one day decided to buy a Thai-English dictionary and quickly learned bits and pieces of the language. He enjoyed speaking with foreign visitors and decided to study further, eventually attaining his guiding license.
A devoted father and husband, in his previous life Jaran spent five years in the monkhood, was a barber and still enjoys cutting hair in his free time at his wife's salon. Talk about a well-rounded character!

Thanongsak (Sam) Dechasungnuen – Adventure Host (Northern Thailand)

Hailing from Thailand's far northeast, Sam settled in Chiang Mai in the mid-80s in search of work. His tourism career started at a guesthouse where he became friends with several guides who introduced him to the trade. He began leading treks for backpackers and gradually climbed the guiding chain, now holding the title of ‘one of the north's top hosts'. An expert of all things Thai, Sam still enjoys spending time in the jungle as much as he does visiting key sites and being in the city. An avid gardener, farmer and outdoor enthusiast, your time with Sam will be rich beyond belief.

Thanai Yuangsuwan – Adventure Host (Thailand)

A former computer graphics specialist, Thanai craved a bit more out of life than spending his days in front of a computer. Having attained a master's degree in Fine Arts in Savanna, GA, then working in San Francisco, he decided travel and tourism was his true calling. He enrolled in a guiding course and quickly became one of the area's top hosts.
An enthusiast and passionate host, Thanai loves sharing his country's treasures with guests and little-known facts that help make a visit truly unique. Photography is a hobby and he's always keen to point-out top photo opportunities.
One day he hopes to be a traveler himself with dream stops being Egypt, India and Bhutan.

Lapatrada (Kitty) Khuantong – Adventure Host (Thailand)

A native of Thailand's NE Yasothon province, Kitty worked for more than 10 years as an executive secretary before switching gears and becoming a guide. Loving travel and wanting to do something that would keep her outdoors and that she could do until retirement this was the perfect field. A passionate host, she loves visiting new places, learning about them and being a cultural ambassador. It's truly her passion. One day she hopes to visit Egypt and see places she learned about in primary school. Taking her entire family to see snow is also at the top of her ‘must do' list and being an avid knitter she has already made some scarves – perfect for the trip!

Charrun (Berm) Sommano – Adventure Host (Northern Thailand)

A native of Chiang Mai province, Berm was born and raised in the small town of Mae Ai right along the Thai-Myanmar border. While growing up he saw backpackers come through his town, sometimes spend the night and got curious about these travelers. Over the years he got to know guides leading trips, tried to help out where he could then made the plunge himself, enrolling in a guide course. With a beaming smile, great sense of humor and fantastic English skills Berm will add a ton of depth to your Thai experience. Enjoy a trip with him before he opens his dream Thai restaurant.

Chanakarn (Eak) Akkarapakorn – Adventure Host (Northern Thailand)

Easily one of Thailand's top guides, Eak's English is impeccable, knowledge rich and sense of adventure tops. Born in Mae Ai, a small town along the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Mai province, he began his career in tourism as a porter on treks. He worked his way up to guide, took a guide course and the rest as they say is history. He lived in Australia for a couple years, is a dedicated father of two and loves nothing more than showing visitors hidden corners of his country. Be sure to ask him to show you how to make things from natural items found in the jungle.

Directors & Advisors

Kultawat Sindhuseka - Advisor

Born and raised in Bangkok, Kultawat Sindhuseka has been a supporter of Smiling Albino since the beginning. With a keen eye for style and space, he graduated in 1996 from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok) with a degree in architecture then completed graduate studies at Cornell University (USA) in 1999. He continued to live in the US, enjoying tenures with Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers in New York City, before resettling in Bangkok in 2003. Smiling Albino is thrilled to have Kultawat on board as a business advisor and liaison for all things Thai.

Susanna Kuipers - Advisor

Never one to take a day off if Sue isn't planning where to go and what to do next she's probably already there doing it. Her love of travel stemmed from the stories her father told about his adventures behind the Iron Curtain and SE Asia in the 60s. After 12 years in commercial and personal insurance, she moved to Thailand for one year with her husband Todd. They traveled a ton in the region and helped Smiling Albino grow. Following her return to Canada she had two children, who now keep her constantly moving and increase the challenge of maintaining a regular travel and vacation agenda. She also consults as an Implementation Manager for insurance industry software (Policy Works Inc.) and helps to support Smiling Albino as we grow and aim to be the best adventure travel option out there!

Derek van Pelt - Director/Advisor

Adventurous from birth, Derek has always had a degree of wanderlust, which led him to come to Thailand in 1997 to work for the Thai Royal Family at Chitralada palace as an English Teacher. He was soon hooked on all things Thai and decided the country would be his new permanent home. A stalwart supporter of Smiling Albino from the first day, he's honored to be part of the experience, consistently offering advice and out-of-the-box ideas to make our adventures the best out there. Derek enjoys running, mountain biking, riding his motorcycle throughout the region and piloting light aircraft.

David Long - Director/Advisor

Having traveled to almost every province in Thailand during his 20+ years living in the kingdom, David has done what most other foreigners haven't... lived in Thailand for more than 20 years! An expert in the field of education, he operates a well-known Thai language program for foreigners, has directed volunteer programs and schools and consulted on a myriad of other projects. Among his many interests is Smiling Albino - always on call for Board meetings, golf and meetings at local pubs to explore the many interesting ideas we didn't quite get to during the last meeting. A truly balanced individual, David brings an international and local perspective to the table and is an invaluable source on all things Thai.

Todd Kuipers - Director/Advisor

A closet traveler, Todd believes in traveling globally and visiting locally - going most anywhere in the world to see what happens at street-level. His many past jaunts were stuffed, sometimes too illiberally, in between stints as founder of technology companies, beer journalist, software designer, petroleum economist, tactical problem solver, researcher and habitual manipulator of the English language. He provides Smiling Albino with direction, support, design and is the token curmudgeonly chap that asks the tough questions and constantly suggests moving the work to the bar. He currently spends his free time with his kids Gus and Marijka.