Get to Know Us

our people

The most challenging part of our business is assembling the ideal team. From our office staff in Bangkok, to guides in Cambodia and porters in Vietnam, these are the real stars of a Smiling Albino experience. But our team is much more than just our own staff members.

It’s also the owner of the noodle shop we’ve known for more than a decade, the hippie barkeep in the Golden Triangle that opens early (or closes late) for us, and the key master at a remote jungle temple who grants us special access. Each person is a player in the orchestra who works in concert to create a special, seamless travel experience.

our core

get to know us

Founded in 1999 by Canadians Daniel Fraser and Scott Coates, we’ve gradually grown from our original base in Thailand to offer tours in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, bringing a unique travel experience to thousands of guests.

DANIEL FRASER

Co-Founder & CEO

Our chief mahout, Daniel is well-known as one of Asia's top tourism gurus. Not only does he speak Thai fluently and host a travel TV program (in Thai!), he is also a true explorer who embraces the new. Recognizing a need for travel experiences that go beyond the backpacking tradition the region was known for, Daniel founded Smiling Albino in 1999. Over the last decade, Daniel has been personally immersing himself in the known and unknown of Southeast Asia.

Sarinya Holloway

Head of Client Services

Sarinya has spent the past 20 years in the tourism industry, holding key managerial roles in Bangkok while looking after international clients from all corners of the world. Along the way, she’s gathered a suitcase full of expertise in MICE, product and accommodation contracting, and account management, all while guiding high-performing groups with a steady hand and a smile. Dedicated and travel-loving at heart, Sarinya is thrilled to lead an all-star team that is passionate about showing Smiling Albino guests the best of Southeast Asia.

COLLETTE KING

Executive Director

Collette’s career has taken her from Sydney, where she built a foundation in business operations and client experience, to Bangkok, where she now leads Smiling Albino across multiple countries. With a knack for building strong groups and designing systems that deliver results, Collette combines international know-how with local understanding to keep things dynamic and fresh. She leads with clarity and confidence while staying focused on creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.

RASARIN PIRIYALERTSAKOOL

Director of Admin and Finance

A whiz at keeping the team organized, Rasarin is our go-to guru on how to do pretty much anything. No matter which of her many hats she's where she is always ensuring the company is running like a well-oiled machine, which she does well! A longstanding member of the Smiling Albino team, Rasarin's passion is in the travel industry, where she has worked since joining the company in 2015. In her free time, Rasarin loves exploring Thailand, especially the country's many historical sights and towns.

Pimvarun Ilagan

Head of Operations

With more than 15 years of experience across inbound, outbound, DMC, and OTA sectors, Funn brings deep operational expertise to the travel industry. Having worked with Asian and European markets, she is passionate about creating seamless travel experiences and connecting people through meaningful journeys. Her love of travel continues to inspire both her work and her leadership. Her detail-oriented approach and calm problem-solving mindset, ensures every experience runs smoothly.

Krongkarn Danrattana

HR & People Manager

As Head of HR & People, Maple is dedicated to fostering a positive, people-first culture that empowers teams to thrive. With a focus on collaboration, professional growth, and employee wellbeing, she plays a key role in shaping the company’s dynamic and supportive environment. Passionate about building strong teams and meaningful workplace experiences, she helps ensure the people behind every journey are just as valued as the journeys themselves.

fun is in our dna

scenes from Our team

we want you to know

why smiling albino?

passionate

Travel runs through our veins. We know the value of a life-changing experience (since many of us have had them) and are eager to share those moments with our guests from around the world.

experienced

We've been doing this for a long time. With hundreds of years of collective experience, our team has been to the places, slept in the beds and eaten at the restaurants. It's how we know exactly where you should go.

Real

While most of the world turns digital, we value personal connections. Whether it's picking up the phone or asking the extra questions that really help us get to know you, we aim to show you just how "real" we are.