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Happy New Year 2547 (2004)! November and December saw Smiling Albino enjoy record months and host an incredible cast of clients. New Years Eve was celebrated in both Bangkok and Krabi provinces while leading adventures and 2004 is set to be our busiest year yet. Thanks to everyone who has helped make us one of the country’s premier adventure travel companies.
We just launched our newest adventure - the aptly named The Teaching Adventure. This special program features five days of classroom teaching at two separate locations – Surao Hua Mark Noi Elementary School, Bangkok, and Santikiri Junior High/High School, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. It also combines the best Smiling Albino adventures, including our Bangkok and Ayutthaya day trips to classic outings in Chiang Rai province topped off with a stay on the tropical island of Ko Samet.
In just a few months we’ll embark on SA’s biggest and best adventure of the year – the fifth annual, ‘2547 Songkran Extravaganza’. This 12-day outing features the country’s premier celebration, Songkran (Thai New Years). This holiday amounts to the world’s largest unorganized water fight. Sixty-two million Thais grab any number of water-hurling devices and let loose. Prepare to douse and be doused as you explore four provinces and end it all on the incredible beaches of Ao Nang and Railay Bay. This adventure always sells out, so book now. Read a story about Songkran by Scott Coates.
Todd takes on heavy fire during Songkran, Ayutthaya
It’s official! Smiling Albino’s ‘Siamese Dream’ adventure was ranked #1 in Outpost Magazine’s Global Travel Guide of the world’s 100 best trips - Jan/Feb 2004. Outpost Magazine, published six times per year, is Canada's foremost adventure travel publication. SA’s mention in the global survey was also showcased on Canada.com’s travel feature. Check out our recent press release.
A big thanks to Kari Hendricks of Canada and Sara Wiseman of England for leading the fourth instalment of SA’s ‘English Fun Days’ at Santikiri School in Doi Mae Salong. It’s been great to see this program continue to grow and is only possible due to generous volunteer support and ongoing donations by the South Bangkok Rotary Club.
The English Fun Days program at Surua Huamark Elementary School in eastern Bangkok enjoyed its third instalment from January 21-23, 2004. Employees from Ascent Management Training and Consulting generously donated their time to teach English and lead activities, while testing their own team-working abilities.
Long-time friend Kultawat Sindhuseka has joined the SA team. After studying, living and working in New York for many years with Goldman Sachs and Leeman Brothers, Kultawat recently made his way back to Thailand. Kultawat joins SA in an advisory role and acts as business director and Thai liaison. We’re elated to have him on board. Learn a bit more in Kultawat’s Smiling Albino bio.
Smiling Albino co-founder, Scott Coates has been nominated for an Alberta ‘Provincial Award Celebrating Excellence’. The awards are given to those who have used their post secondary education to further their careers while making a significant contribution to the global community. “It’s an honour to be nominated,” said Coates from his Bangkok residence. “But hopefully I’ll win as you can’t put nominations in a trophy case.”
Scott and Dan dressed well and wishing you a Happy New Year 2547
It’s official - SA will be in Ottawa, Montreal and PEI this summer. If you or any organization you know is interested in hosting a Smiling Albino travel show, let us know so we can swing by and entertain your group. We’ll be conquering the east coast of Canada from July 8–19, 2004. More dates and locations for our Summer 2004 travel-Thailand tour will follow shortly.
Thanks to the many people who donated clothing for us to take to hilltribe villages around Chiang Rai province over the last few months. Temperatures dipped down to single digits in places and the extra layers were much appreciated. We didn’t donate an Edmonton Oilers jersey left by one client – that would be too cruel.
Sa-ngiam puts his SA shirt to good use
Kissing in public is quite common in the western world, but not in Thailand. Although you’ll often see couples, even of the same sex, holding hands around the kingdom, it’s extremely impolite to show affection in public. It’s simply not done. Be sure to save your kisses for the hotel room while enjoying your SA adventure.
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