Flight TG 917 has left the runway of Terminal 3,

Heathrow Airport. It is destined for Bangkok, Thailand.

The flight time is 11 hours, 15 minutes.

Three more 747 jumbo jets take the same journey every

day, carrying around 500 passengers each. Many other airlines operate indirect flights daily from the UK to Thailand.

Paradise

Culture

One popular visit for tourists staying in the North Western part of

Thailand is to the Kayan villages near to Mae Hong

Son

What three questions would

you like to ask me?

Mae Hong Son

• Nestled in a deep valley amongst the mountains in northwest Thailand, Mae Hong Son is becoming a new destination for those that enjoy peace and quiet, and its melting pot of culture. As the town lies close to the border with Myanmar (Burma) many different ethnic groups gather in Mae Hong Son. The women of one group, the Padaung are renowned for the rings they wear round their necks. In November the mountain slopes turn golden thanks to sunflowers.

George, 68, Bowes Village, County Durham

• “I am really enjoying my retirement. At last I can visit some of the places that I have only read about before. I am not a beach lover. I prefer historical monuments and buildings, museums, and finding out how different people live. Last year, I went on a package tour to visit Egypt. It was marvellous to see the pyramids, but that’s the last time I travel in a group. Some people make dreadful travelling companions. This year, I want to see some of the temples and different cultures of Thailand. On my own”.

Should George visit a Kayan village?

• George is worried about whether or not he should visit the Kayan village. Read the article and make your decision. You must explain why.

Should George visit a Kayan village?

• A "George should definitely keep away from a Kayan village. The way Kayan women are treated is like modern day slavery".

• B "George should ask the tour operator first before he visits a Kayan

village. He needs to be sure that if he does visit it is the Kayan women that make the most money from his visit. He should also ask first before he takes a picture of someone".

• C "George should go on his own, not with a tour operator and perhaps stay in the village rather than a big hotel in town. That way he can spend longer there and learn about the Kayan way of life from them, rather than a tour guide. He can also make sure any money he spends goes straight to the Kayan people.

• D "George should visit a Kayan village with the tour group. The Kayan people are much better off than if tourists like him stay away because they 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 taking photographs 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 a board game about the impact of tourism on Thailand.

• Your game should include things like etiquette such as behaviour and dress.