About 40 people from various organizations— local media, the Mae On Police Department and Department of Forestry, among others— planted trees near Mae On on Sept. 10. This effort was part of the Flight of the Gibbon Conservation Project, involving rainforest rehabilitation for conserving and protecting the rare, Gibbon ape (among other native primates).

Ten percent of Flight of the Gibbon’s profits are being funneled into this effort, aiming to plant one million trees within 20 years. The project began in 2008.

Read more about the Flight of the Gibbon Conservation Project.

We are happy to announce the winners of our Facebook Contest – Hey Baby (Gibbon) What’s Your Name? And to provide you with some new wonderful photos of the Baby Gibbon and his parents.

1st Place Winner: Thong Kam (ทองคำ, the precious element Gold)

Entry by Ms. Chuenjit C. Garner, Thailand. Ms. Garner won an exclusive tour (for 4 people) to see the baby gibbon and parents in their own environment, plus a 2-day adventure tour (of her choice) with overnight stay for 4 people, plus $500 cash, plus Flight of the Gibbon T-shirts!

Winner’s comment, roughly translated: Gold is a precious resource as is a new born-in-the-wild baby gibbon is also a precious resource, both of which needs to be cared for and preserved for the future

2nd Place Winner: Mojo

This will be the official nickname for Thong Kam. Entry by Bradley Welsh, Thailand. Mr Welsh won a 2-day adventure tour (of his choice) with overnight stay, for 2 people, plus Flight of the Gibbon T-shirts.

3rd Place Winner: Golden Son

Entry by David Cholson, Australia. Mr Cholson won 2 Flight of the Gibbon T-shirts.

Entry comment: Both parents have ’gold ’ in their name, and he is their first born son.

4th Place Winner: Siam

Entry by Angie Hunt, Thailand. Ms Hunt won 2 Flight of the Gibbon T-Shirts.

Entry comment: Gibbon species include the Siamang. Also Thailand is formerly known to the western world as Siam.

The Gibbon family is well and happy ~

Little Mojo is growing fast and learning new tricks everyday. Mother, Tong Lord (Golden Straw), and Father, Tong Dee (Good Gold) are obviously enjoying him. He is active and playful and curious and is now old enough to spend a bit more time with papa.

The name Thong Kam refers to a precious resource, like gold, which is a perfect tribute to his parents and a perfect name. The nickname MoJo was selected due to his celebrity status around the world. All of his fans will easily remember little MoJo (chue-len).

The Facebook contest was wonderful, entries came in from 35 different countries, almost 4,000 fans viewed the contest, and we received 272 amazing entries.

In addition to the winners, here are some other great entries –

From United States: Keegan, It means great firery thinker.

From Singapore: Lucky (โชคดี), He is lucky that his parents were saved from poachers and that they were able to have him in their natural habitat. Hopefully he will bring this luck to his future kids and to other gibbons around him!

From Thailand: POOM JAI, “Poom Jai” means “Proud”, To be called by this name would make he proud of himself and become the happiest Gibbon alive!!

From Ireland: Alistair, Alistair Irish meaning : the little brave one.

From India: Chut Jaoa Gibby, A catchy word roughly translated from the Thai language for ‘wonderful flying Gibbon’

From United States: Freedom, This little guy came from his parents freedom into the wild and away from pouchers!

From Canada: Gallager, the meaning of this name is Brave and I thought it would suit a small Gibbon who will gain strength.

From Singapore: Jin Daa, ‘Precious Jewel’ of Tong Lord and Tong Dee

From United States: Tandem, Once you’ve flown on Flight of the Gibbon who wouldn’t want to fly tandem with this little guy!

From Hong Kong: Mowgli, Main character from Jungle book, brave boy raised in the wild, hope the baby gibbon grows up with his character and much loved by other animals and humans.

Thank you Facebook fans for a wonderful contest. For additional pictures of MoJo and his parents please visit our Facebook Photo Albums.

Gibbon Basecamp is an Eco-Education and Corporate Training company in Thailand that works in tandem with Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours.

Gibbon Basecamp offers tailor-made education and team-building packages to schools and businesses around the world. We will work with you to design day trips and multi-day camps that meet the specific needs of your corporate group. As far as open-air classrooms go, we think you will find ours quite impressive!

Tailor Made Team Building

We understand that there is no single off-the-shelf package that can cater to the wide range of team building techniques. Gibbon Basecamp will work with your staff to design a program of activities that are directly relevant to the needs of each business group. We can provide you with a range of activities and resources and help you to develop and adapt them for the ultimate Gibbon Basecamp team-building adventure.

Corporate Social Responsibility Programs

Gibbon Basecamp develops CSR programs in partnership with companies to promote eco-education in Thai schools. We set up a sponsorship programs that give under-privileged children the opportunity to experience an educational outdoor eco-adventure with Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours. As well as providing an amazing and unforgettable experience for Thai children, Gibbon Basecamp will provide your company with promotional materials so that you can publicize your CSR achievements.

Ultimate Adventures Built In

We will mix and match activities to come up with the perfect single or multi-day corporate team-building package for your business. Out of Bangkok: Tarzan Swing, Go Gibbon Ropes Course, Flight of the Gibbon, Safari Park Tour, Safari Quest, Eco-Invention Challenge, Elephant Trekking, Night Safari, Luxury Camping or Training Center accommodation. Out Of Chiang Mai: Flight of the Gibbon Zip lines, Waterfall Trek, Nature Walk, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Eco-Invention Challenge.

Let Gibbon Basecamp be the starting point for tremendous personal growth, co-operative development and team building, plus a whole lot of fun!

Visit Gibbon Basecamp.
Gibbon BaseCamp Brochure

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Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours?

Go to our Home Page and discover the adventure of a lifetime.
Or Get more details and make your reservation now

• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya

We Have A Winner! click here for contest results.

Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours invites you to name our new baby-boy Gibbon! Become our fan, submit your best baby gibbon name and make him proud!

The Facebook contest, “Hey baby, what’s your name?” launched on Sept 20, 2010. The winning entry will receive an exclusive and private observation tour for (4) to see the baby gibbon and his parents in their own environment, plus a multi-day Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tour for (4) and a cash prize! See the contest site for additional prizes…

“Hey Baby (Gibbon), What’s Your Name?” (the contest) will run on Facebook for 40 days with the winning entry being announced on November 22, 2010. Facebook fans will vote for their favorite name throughout the contest. The winner of the Grand Prize and the 2nd prize may invite friends to share the prize package. These friends are only eligible to share the prize if they have also entered the contest! So invite your friends to name the gibbon, see who wins and who shares.

Grand Prize

An exclusive guided observation tour for (4) to see the baby Gibbon and his family in their own habitat. (see contest rules for sharing your prize).
Plus, a 2-day Flight of the Gibbon Zipline Adventure Tour for (4) with overnight stay. Plus $500 cash. Plus (4) Flight of the Gibbon T-Shirts.

2nd Prize

A 2-day Flight of the Gibbon Zipline Adventure Tour for (2) people with overnight stay (your choice of tours, see details below). Plus (2) Flight of the Gibbon T-Shirts

3rd Prize

(2) Flight of the Gibbon T-Shirts, including shipping to your location.

Prize Eligibility: Only persons who are at least 18 years of age can enter.
Contest Starts: September 20, 2010 @ 12:00 pm (PDT)
Contest Ends: October 30, 2010 @ 12:00 pm (PDT)

Read the amazing story about the rescued parents ~

Rescued White-Handed Gibbons Give Birth

Learn more about how baby gibbons live in their natural habitat, plus watch a video of our beautiful baby boy gibbon with his parents ~

Baby Gibbons in the Wild

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• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya

The first White-Handed Gibbon of Flight of the Gibbon Conservation Project was born in the Mae Takrai National Park, near Chiang Mai, Thailand, on February 23. This is a major success for the Gibbon Conservation Project and raises hopes of a stable, established population in Thailand’s rainforests.

The Gibbon Family

The in the wild birth of the White-Handed Gibbon is the first in this particular rainforest in more than forty years, as predators and poachers have wiped out the Gibbon population in the region. The gender of the baby Gibbon was unknown for quite some time as the mother, Tong Lord (Golden Straw), and father, Tong Dee (Good Gold), maintained a cautious distance from their caretakers who had photographed the baby clinging to the mother’s neck in the rainforest canopy. There was great surprise when Kuhn Maitee sighted the pregnant Gibbon, he had helped rehabilitate the Gibbons, and has maintained a close relationship with them in their natural habitat. “We were very excited and surprised when we saw Tong Lord pregnant,” said Khun Maitee. “Initially we did not know if the newborn was a boy or girl because we did not want to get too close. When Tong Lord was ready, she showed us the baby and it was a boy!” he said.

The founder’s story..

The founders of Flight of the Gibbon were, at one time, just a group of nature lovers who spent their weekends on conservation projects in the mountains of Thailand. In 2004, they were taking pictures of Gibbons in Doi Intanon National Park. Someone in the group noticed some Gibbon remains. The guide said it looked like poachers had killed the mother to capture the baby. Among the adult remains were some smaller bones that were from her unborn fetus.

Then, one day in late 2007, the same group of nature enthusiasts found Tong Dee and Tong Lord abandoned and near death on the side of the road. They were still locked in a cage and were without food or water. The founders knew they had to find a way get them back into the wild and keep them protected. They established “Flight of the Gibbon” with a very clear mission: the protection of Asian wildlife.

Mae Gibbon, Tong Lord (Golden Straw)

Paa Gibbon, Tong Dee (Good Gold)

After their rescue..

Tong Lord and Tong Dee began their rehabilitation at a site that resembled their natural habitat. Having spent most, if not all of their lives in a cage, they needed to learn how to look after themselves in the wild. Their caretakers promoted independence in their day-to-day activities, including foraging and co-habitation, in order to prepare them for eventual release last year. Gibbons only ever have one mate so the pair’s survival in the wild and the birth of the baby Gibbon are cause for major celebration.

The Gibbon birth..

In January 2009, Tong Lord and Tong Dee were released into the Mai Takrai National Park. On February 23, they gave birth in the wild to a healthy son. Thanks to our customers’ participation in Flight of the Gibbon, their offspring will never have to see the inside of a poacher’s cage. The Gibbon Release program, which has been in operation for 2 years, is a joint venture between Flight of the Gibbon, (Thailand’s most popular adventure tour company) and the Thai government.

The Gibbons, are closely monitored and protected from poachers and intruders by guards who patrol the perimeter of the Gibbon’s environment twenty-four hours a day. “We are delighted with this great news,” said Flight of the Gibbon Conservation Program Director, Nicolas Shahin. “As a company, Flight of the Gibbon is committed to re-establishing the Gibbon population in its natural habitat. The baby Gibbon birth vindicates this vision and gives hope for the future. We are really proud of the work we do, not only with the Gibbon Release Program, but with our on-going work in environmental conservation and restoration,” he said.

Baby Gibbons Gone Wild

Name the Baby Gibbon Contest

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• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya

White-handed baby Gibbons are born with their eyes wide open and ready to go. These small tree-dwelling apes are born with good strength in their very long arms, but very little if any body hair. Due to the lack of hair even on their limbs, they are very dependent on the warmth of their mother’s body. They wrap themselves around the mother’s mid-section and cling to her sides even as she is swinging through the trees.

Gibbons do not have nests, nor do they sleep on the ground, instead they sleep sitting up in the fork of tree branches high up in the canopy. The mother acts like a natural hammock for the baby.

Mom and Baby Gibbon Hanging Out

The mother is solely responsible for the baby’s care until he is about 6 months old, then the father and siblings can step in and help him learn the art of brachiation – swinging through the treetop canopy from tree limb to tree limb only using their arms. When Gibbons are in their natural habitat, they use this type of travel 90% of the time, rarely going down to ground level. Some Gibbons even hang upside-down from a tree limb to drink water.

The Flight of the Gibbon

The Flight of the Gibbon is an awesome sight, adult gibbons flying through the air at up to 35 mph and traveling 20 to 40 feet until they reach another tree limb or branch. The Gibbons have short fingernails instead of claws, allowing them to wrap their hands around those small tree limbs. Male Gibbons are a bit larger than females, growing to about 3 feet tall and weighing usually about 15 pounds. This is a small breed of ape, and like all apes, they have no tail.

Gibbons love fruit, which makes up about 75% of their diet. Bananas and figs are favorites. The rainforest contains a good diet for our little Gibbon – fruit, leaves, tender plants, flowers, seeds, some tree bark, insects and bird eggs. Gibbons have the ability to grasp things with both their hands and feet, sometimes carrying their snack through the trees to find their favorite spot to eat.

Rainforest Conservation – nature at it’s best

The Gibbons need the rainforest for their home and their food – the rainforest needs the Gibbons for much needed seed propagation of trees and vegetation. The Gibbons drop seeds throughout the rainforest while they are brachiating through the treetops.

The white-handed Gibbons are native to the rainforest in Southeast Asia, their natural habitat, but they are on the endangered species list. The white-handed Gibbons are now extinct in China. Thailand is one of the few countries that have recently provided protection for the Gibbons, and Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours has collaborated with the Tai Government to conserve and protect this wonderful ape. Now that they have a second chance, the Gibbons and the Rain Forest will work together hand in hand to protect and provide for each other.

Hey Baby (Gibbon) – What’s Your Name?
Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours celebrates the birth of our new baby gibbon to his rescued and rehabilited parents. We invite you to enter our baby naming contest on facebook – help us name our baby gibbon!

Be sure to read this amazing story about the baby gibbon’s parents..

Rescued White Handed Gibbons Give Birth

Visit our Facebook – Baby Gibbon Photo Album

Want to know more about

Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours?

Go to our Home Page and discover the adventure of a lifetime.
Or Get more details and make your reservation now

• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya

One thing you will have definitely noticed in Thailand is the abundant images of His Majesty, The King of Thailand and other members of the Royal Family. King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, also known as Rama IX, appears on monuments, billboards, banners, calendars, posters and murals in every corner of the country. In fact I can’t recall ever entering any business establishment or home in all my time in this country without seeing an image of His Majesty. He is represented in a range of both ceremonial and casual clothing, in a number of situations, both active and passive, and at various times in his long and illustrious reign.

The reason for the vast quantity of images on display is quite simple. The Thais love their King. In fact, he is viewed as semi-divine and is universally adored in Thailand. Not too long ago, the King celebrated his 60th anniversary as Thailand’s Monarch, the longest serving Monarch in the modern world, making a rare public appearance after recent health concerns. The streets were lined with thousands of Thais hoping to catch a glimpse of him as his motorcade moved from the Rajitvej Hospital to the Royal Palace. I was there to witness the scenes and the adulation poured upon him was overwhelming, with many spontaneously bursting into tears of happiness just at the sight His Majesty. The joy he bought to the people and the positive energy he generated was something I have never experienced before. Ask any Thai person what they think of their King and I guarantee you that a huge smile will appear and you will be told how much they love him and what an extraordinary ruler he has been.

All in all it has been, and continues to be, a quite remarkable reign from a quite remarkable man and he has certainly earned the respect and love of his people. Those visiting Thailand are also expected to show the King due respect and doing so will certainly endear you to the Thai people. Foreigners in Thailand are granted a range of freedoms and privileges perhaps not available to them in their home countries but it must be noted that there is a firm expectation that King is afforded the highest respect from foreigners and anything less will not be tolerated. In Thailand the lese majeste laws are rigidly enforced. These laws prohibit anyone from acting in a way that undermines His Majesty’s authority, and this includes public criticism and any defacement of his image. Interestingly, he has no power to charge anyone but all other Thais are permitted to do so on his behalf. The King himself during his birthday speech in 2005 challenged the law: “Actually, I must also be criticised. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the king cannot be criticised, it means that the king is not human”, he said. “If the king can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him because the king is not being treated as a human being. But the king can do wrong.” Despite this there have been no serious calls to repeal these laws, but this King has routinely pardoned a number of those prosecuted where he has felt it appropriate. But this does not give foreigners carte blanche in showing disrespect. In 2007 an intoxicated Swiss tourist rather stupidly decided to daub black paint over a number of portraits and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. The best way for tourists to avoid offending anyone is to avoid talking about politics or the Monarchy altogether. Even well intentioned comments in jest may cause misunderstandings and obviously it is best to avoid conflict through displaying a lack of respect for the Thai people and the institution of the Monarchy.

Thailand has two national songs that a visitor to Thailand is likely to hear. The first is the National Anthem called Phleng Chat Thai and is played in public places at 8am and 6pm. If a visitor is somewhere such as a BTS Sky Train station, a public park or anywhere with a public broadcasting system at one of these times they will notice that the Thai will stand up if they are sitting or just stand still until it has finished playing. To show respect a tourist should do the same if possible. You should take your cue from the locals though as you would not be expected to miss your train or get hit by a car standing in the middle of the road!

Here is an English translation of Phleng Chat Thai taken from Wikipedia:

Thailand unites flesh and blood of Thais.
Nation of the people; belonging to the Thais in every respect.
Long maintained [has been] the independence
Because the Thais seek, and love, unity.
Thais are peace-loving;
But at war we’re no cowards.
Sovereignty will not be threatened
Sacrificing every drop of blood for the nation
Hail the nation of Thailand, long last the victory, Chai Yo (Cheers).

The other song you may hear played publicly is the Royal Anthem called Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami. This is played at major state occasions or when ever there is a member of the Thai Royal family attending a function. It is also played at the beginning and end of scheduled television programming and at the beginning of a play, musical, concert or film. It is at the cinema where a tourist is most likely to observe this wonderfully rousing and patriotic anthem accompanied by images of Thai people working together to achieve success or overcome adversity. It still gives me goose bumps every time I see and hear it. Because it is a Royal Anthem everybody is expected to stand without exception (unless one is incapacitated). In 2008 a Thai citizen was charged and sentenced under the lese majeste laws for refusing to stand in a cinema and there have been unofficial reports of tourists being roughly ejected from cinemas by Thai movie goers outraged by their refusal to stand and pay respect to the King.

Here is a translation of the Royal Anthem, Phleng Sansoen Phra Barami , taken from Wikipedia:

I, subject of His great Majesty,
Prostrate my heart and head,
To pay respect to the King, whose merits are boundless,
Sole and supreme Sovereign,
The greatest of Siam,
The greatest in honor,
(We are) joyous because of the royal rule,
The fruits of your merits preserve
The people in happiness and peace,
May it be that
whatever He wills,
be done
according to the hopes of His great heart
as we wish Him victory, hurrah!

Yep, the Thais truly are a proud nation and they sure do love their King. As any international traveler will agree, it makes sense to respect the local beliefs, customs and traditions of the country being visited. Thailand is a very relaxed place but there is no latitude given to those who fail to respect the one institution that the Thai people universally love and respect, and that is the Monarchy.

Long Live the King.

by Bryan Daysh, a freelance writer living in Thailand.

Read more articles in our ongoing education series:
Smiling Will Make Your Thailand Holiday
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 1
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 2
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 1
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 2
What’s with the Wai?
The Thais Love Their King

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• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya

We were recently covered by Global Travel Industry News (aka, eTurboNews).

UNVEILING THE BEAUTIFUL FRAGILE WORLD OF THE RAINFOREST TREETOP ECOSYSTEM

Chiang Mai Canopy Adventure Tour

BY ETN STAFF WRITER | MAY 13, 2010

Flight of the Gibbon™ is a unique zip-line canopy tour through a pristine, 1500-year-old rainforest outside of Chiang Mai. Special viewing platforms, skybridges, and lowering stations connect over 2 km of zip-lines that take you through different layers of the rainforest canopy. The Adventure includes about 3 hours up in the treetops, lunch, and a one-hour river or waterfall trek.

Safety
They put safety first. They are the only jungle canopy adventure in Thailand designed, built, and overseen by international experts from New Zealand with more than 20 years of experience and a perfect unblemished safety record.

Fun and Education
Nothing brings people together like stunning nature, exciting thrills, and endless laughter. The Sky Rangers accompany every group, anticipating every need, and sharing their vast knowledge of local lore, flora, fauna, and geology.

For Everyone
Every type of person can fly – from five to ninety-five. It’s simple and safe. No experience necessary.

Homestay Program
The villagers in Mae Kompong have devised a unique system whereby one can walk around the village, pick out a house that you like the look of, and stay the night with the family. They will prepare delicious meals and give you a unique, first-hand peak of a bygone era.

Locations
Chiang Mai – 55 minutes to Mae Kompong.
There is a sister project in partnership with Khao Kheeo Open Safari Park in Chonburi.
1 hour from Pattaya and 1½ hours from downtown Bangkok.

How to Prepare:
The company suggests wearing pants or long shorts and T-shirt or polo shirt. Sports shoes or other shoes that will not drop off easily are highly recommended. Please avoid excessive or dangling jewelry. It’s a good idea to bring a camera to catch the action! Backpacks and sunglasses are an unnecessary burden and there are storage facilities in the office when you arrive. It’s also good to bring an open mind and a smile. See you in the treetops!

“Giving Back”
• The company’s goal is to plant 1,000,000 trees over the next 20 years.
• Their “Village Green” program supports local villages in road clean up, Thai culture preservation, and tree planting.
• The company also supports a very successful wildlife repopulation program.
• They are partnered with the Thai government to guarantee the best possible quality and service to all of its customers.
• As part of their mission, they educate customers about the rain forest ecosystem. More than 2,000 children per year, mostly orphans and under-privileged children, fly free of charge. Another 2,000 children fly at a very reduced cost. Education is their number one goal.

Mae Kompong Area
Mae Kompong is a mountain village about an hour east of Chiang Mai and is where the Flight of the Gibbon™ tour takes place. In the beginning of July, 2008 they worked with the local villagers and the forest service to plant 500 trees in a deforested and overused area near the tour site. Dr. Stephen Elliot and FORRU designed a restoration program based on the damage and location. The forest service also helped them create a nursery, so they are in a position to sustain and increase reforestation efforts year after year.

Mae On Area
Mae On village, which is about 30 minutes east of Chiang Mai, has one of the last-known primate groups in the area. These primates, known as Crab-Eating Macaques or Ling Samae in Thai, are dwindling in numbers, and it is not clear why. In response to this, they have created the Primate Habitat Restoration Project. It is a collaboration among the Mae On villagers, the local temple, FORRU, the forest service, and Flight of the Gibbon™.

Flight of the Gibbon™ has three primary goals for this project. The first goal is to find out why the primate numbers are declining. The second goal of the Primate Habitat Restoration Project is to plant fruit-bearing trees in a protected area to provide a food source and refuge for the primates. On Sunday, July 13, 2008, volunteers from the project planted 1,500 fruit trees on 3 rai near Muang Cave. They added 1,500 trees to that throughout 2008. In 2009, they planted over 3,700 trees, plus replanted any that died from the previous year. It is the company’s goal to double the planted area every year on the 400 rai they have designated for restoration. And finally, the third goal in doing this work is to reach out to tourists coming to Thailand about the issues being facing here.

The problems in Mae Kompong and Mae On are not new. Ecosystems are declining all over Thailand and the world. This is just the little piece that Flight of the Gibbon™ can do to make a difference. The company hopes that by bringing outsiders in and letting them become intimate with and excited about these magnificent rainforests and animals, they can take away a sense of appreciation and become inspired to go back and engage with the ecological issues in their own countries.

You can link to the full article here

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Go to our Home Page and discover the adventure of a lifetime.
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• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

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So what is with the Wai? If you’ve traveled on a Thai airline you would have received one from the air hosts and air hostesses when you got on the plane and again when you left it. If you’ve spent any length of time in Thailand then you will have certainly receive dozens of them from hotel staff, tour guides, sales and service people. So what is a Wai? What does it mean? When should you return a Wai or even initiate one? How do you Wai? The answers to these questions came to me over time and it was only recently when I got married in a Thai ceremony involving Monks and respected elders that I finally realized and understood the complexity of the Wai and the protocols involved in offering and receiving, and also the different types or levels of Wai that are used for different people. Yes, it is a little more complex than it first appears but once you understand the basic protocols you will be able to Wai with accuracy and confidence according to the social interaction and situation.

A few weeks ago I went to the apartment of my boss to meet with him and another colleague for a few quiet drinks on his balcony. Having not known him long it was the first time I had been to his apartment and when the door was opened by a Thai lady I assumed it was his wife. She was my social superior as the wife of my boss so I gave her the appropriate Wai as a greeting. The Wai was hurriedly returned and she scuttled away looking confused and a little uncomfortable and embarrassed. When his wife was introduced a moment later I realized the lady who opened the door was his housemaid and therefore would not be expecting to be offered a respectful Wai. Later in the evening I recounted the amusing incident to my boss, who is a long-term ex-pat, and my colleague who has only been in Thailand a few months. My colleague didn’t see the humor in my social faux-pax. I explained to him that in the social relationship between the housemaid and myself it should have been her offering me a higher Wai and me returning a lower one. “Huh?” he said. “Higher? Lower? What do you mean. I thought they were all the same. I love Wai-ing people. I do it to everyone. Taxi drivers, 7-11 staff, my building security guards.” My boss and I laughed at his naivety. “Yeah, they all laugh at me too,” he said. I told him that I used to do the same on my first few visits and my boss admitted that he did too. I also explained that the laughter would have been from mild amusement, embarrassment and humility rather than anything mean-spirited or malicious before briefly explaining the basic protocols to him.

To Wai you simply press you hands together as you would in prayer and then put your hands in one of four different heights, depending on who is being Wai-ed, and slightly bow and nod the head once. The height of the Wai is measured by where the tips of the thumbs touch the head or body. The highest Wai is reserved for members of the Royal Family and Buddhist Monks where the tips of the thumb are level with the bridge of the nose. The next level of Wai is reserved for respected elders such as grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles where the tips of the thumbs are at the level of the tip of the nose. The next level is where the tips of the thumbs are level with the chin. This is a much more common Wai and should be offered to anyone who is older or is an employer or is of a greater social status. The lowest level of Wai is where the tips of the thumbs are at chest level. This Wai is offered to friends and social equals. It is also the Wai that should be used in response if one is offered a Wai. So when initiating a Wai there are four levels to choose from but when returning a Wai there is only one – from chest level.

While this may sound complex it is really very simple for foreigners traveling in Thailand as it is highly unlikely that you are going to come across any Royalty, Monks, or respected elders from your family. This leaves you with two Wais and it is most likely that you will offer a Wai from the chin and return a Wai from the chest. The exception to this is if you have a Thai friend of about the same age and social position and you will Wai each other from the chest. Most Thai friends don’t bother with the formality of the Wai but if or when they do it is from chest level.

The Wai is used for any one of three reasons; when saying hello, goodbye and thank you. If you are saying goodbye and thank you at the same time there is no need to Wai twice. Probably the most crucial thing to remember is that it is the younger person or social inferior that should Wai first. As a foreigner in Thailand there are very few situations where you are expected to Wai but if you offer one it is always gratefully accepted. You are not expected to initiate a Wai with service and sales people such as hotel staff, taxi drivers or shop clerks. Thai people certainly don’t. This is why there was such a high level of amusement when my colleague was Wai-ing all and sundry. Many service staff will offer you a Wai first and it is appropriate for you to return a chest level Wai or you can simply nod your head in acceptance of their gesture. It is not considered rude to fail to return a Wai in such a situation.

The Wai is a very graceful, unique and important Thai custom and is central to the etiquette of social interactions. As a foreigner participating in this cultural practice it is important to understand this and an appropriately delivered Wai will impress and please the Thai people you are working or socializing with. Mistakes are forgiven but are also missed opportunities to show your cultural understanding and respect. You’ll be pleased to know that I spoke to my colleague again recently on this subject and he thanked me and told me that he now had his compulsive Wai-ing under control.

by Bryan Daysh, a freelance writer living in Thailand.

Read more articles in our ongoing education series:
Smiling Will Make Your Thailand Holiday
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 1
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 2
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 1
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 2
What’s with the Wai?
The Thais Love Their King

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In part one of this article I suggested that Thai people in general have a much more “live for the moment” mentality compared with the Westerner who tends to take a longer term view of savings and finance. I proposed that seasonal conditions might have something to do with this as the threat of starvation in winter months required storage and conservation in more temperate climates. It is my belief that this leads to a “take the money and run” mentality here in South East Asia.

When reflecting on the shopping experience in Thailand it is important to recognize not just the shopper’s perspective but the seller’s perspective also. Tourists are here for a brief time and they have been coming for years and they will probably keep on coming. The idea of cultivating a philosophy of nurturing repeat business makes little sense to a seller in a market. They want to get the best out of any transaction regardless of whether you view it as fair or not, as most transactions are a one-off deal. This concept combined with the Thai perception of foreigners as being comparatively wealthy is fundamental to understanding shopping in Thailand. Remember that it would be incredibly unusual for any street or market vendor to have traveled overseas. The only foreigners they have seen are in Thailand and they all have one thing in common. They have plenty of money. It is not surprising that Thais think that all foreigners (or farang) are wealthy because this is all they have ever witnessed and experienced. Foreigners come to Thailand for a vacation and compared with the locals, spend ridiculous amounts of money on hotels, transport, shopping, and nightlife. Is it any wonder that they think you won’t care about spending $20 on something that is worth half of that?

Mostly tourists aren’t so annoyed at paying a higher price than they could but at the principle of being ripped off. For a while I just couldn’t get my head around it. It annoyed me. What I wanted was the comfort of checking a price tag and making my own decision as to whether or not it was a fair price. In Thailand this (from a Western perspective) is denied me. Aside from ‘comfort’ I now realize that there is no real difference in the outcome of my decision to purchase, but the difference is in the decision-making process. In the West the prices are negotiated and set by people further up the food chain who are safely removed from the sales floor. The price tag acts as a buffer between sales person and buyer. There is no room for negotiation. The price is set. Buy it at that price or don’t buy it. Simple. I can guarantee you that in the West you are being “ripped-off” just as much or even more than you ever could in Thailand. The difference between cost and price is often quite a chasm as the profits are sucked away by layers of middlemen. In Thailand you are dealing directly with the sole middleman and sometimes even with the actual source of production. The price is negotiable because any reduction in price comes directly out of the vendors’ pocket. Prices are in a state of constant flux in every moment of every transaction as the vendors quickly weigh up what they are prepared to accept as profit.

You can get amazing shopping deals here in Thailand. Bargains galore. I got to a point where I would only ever buy clothes when on holiday in Thailand because I gained a much clearer idea of what the cost of a garment actually was before a fancy label got plastered on, it got shipped, and layers of other costs accumulated as well as a healthy profit margin. Why would I pay $200 for the same pair of jeans that would cost me $50 in Thailand. Why would I pay $50 for a t-shirt when I could pay $6 for the exact same one in Thailand. Once you get over the ‘discomfort’ of bargaining then you can save a lot of money. The Thais understand this and use it to their advantage. They know that a $5 garment costs several times more than you would pay in your own country. They can sell it for $8 and get a small profit, or they can try to sell it for $20 and make an even bigger one. What would you do if you were them?

The best approach to avoid paying for massively over-priced goods is to take the plunge and throw yourself into the bargaining game. Okay, so how does the game work? The Thai retailer will start their price at the highest point they think they can sell the product, often well over their own acceptable profit margin. If you accept that price without negotiation it is, as far as they are concerned, fair enough. Your loss, their gain. The price of anything in Thailand is what the buyer is prepared to pay. If someone makes you an offer, make a counter-offer and make it well below the original. If the vendor seems outraged, it is only an act. They are playing the game. They will offer something a little more reasonable than their first offer and so the game continues until both buyer and seller are happy.

Remember, you as the buyer have the ultimate power in the negotiation. You can’t be forced to buy something. If you can’t agree to a price then simply smile and walk away. You can also use this as a tactic and you’ll be amazed at how effective it can be in underlining your final offer. You will often be called back as the seller sees their sale going down the drain. If they don’t call you back, then you probably were offering a price that was, in fact, too low. That’s good news for you too. You now know what an unacceptable price is and you can enter another negotiation for the same product with a different vendor armed with that knowledge. If you really want to get rock-bottom prices, then it is a good idea to do some research on by entering a few negotiations with no intention of actually buying. You’ll get a good idea of what a “fair price” to both parties actually is and you can go from there. Too many people have absolutely no idea what the product is actually worth because their views have been warped by their only experience of pricing back in their home country.

It also must be remembered that sometimes you can take the game too far and haggling over a few baht becomes quite ridiculous and even insulting. But as with everything in Thailand it is “up to you.” It is your money and your shopping experience. But it is always less stressful when negotiations are conducted with respect. Try not to get angry. Nothing is personal. It is just business. The best approach is to smile a lot and don’t seem too intent on purchasing any one thing. Wander around, ask for prices of different products and return to what you want. If you appear too intent on purchasing something then you are weakening your own bargaining position.

Shopping goes hand in hand with the Thailand experience and most people go home with suitcases full of great stuff for a fraction of the cost back home. Just remember to be patient, smile, and always bear in mind that bargaining is just a game.

by Bryan Daysh, a freelance writer living in Thailand

Read more articles in our ongoing education series:
Smiling Will Make Your Thailand Holiday
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 1
Giving, Maintaining and Saving Face in The Land of Smiles – Part 2
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 1
Thais, Money & Shopping, Part 2
What’s with the Wai?
The Thais Love Their King

Want to know more about

Flight of the Gibbon Adventure Tours?

Go to our Home Page and discover the adventure of a lifetime.
Or Get more details and make your reservation now

• Bangkok

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour. Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Bangkok

• Chiang Mai

  Zipline Tour, Multi-Day Tours combine Zip-Lines, Homestay &: Climbing, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking. Golf & Gibbon
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Chiang Mai

• Pattaya

  Zipline Tour, Go Gibbon Jungle Gym, Golf & Gibbon, Gibbon Safari Multi-Day Tour Includes Admission to the splendid Khao Kheeo Open Safari.
  from 3299 Baht for a full day zip line tour

  Go to Pattaya