Holidays on Thailand "Green Routes"

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) takes another step on the road towards sustainable tourism with the upcoming launch of five green route pilot projects under its "Seven Greens" concept.

Seven Greens is a brainchild of the TAT and the other stakeholders in the kingdom's tourism industry, who are all working to try to maintain an equitable balance between tourism promotion and environmental conservation.

The concept provides a cooperative framework for implementation of green initiatives under the titles "Green Heart", "Green Logistics", "Green Attraction", "Green Activity", "Green Community", "Green Service" and "Green Plus". It covers social and environmental responsibility for ecofriendly transportation, service and site management, preserving local traditions and environment through community-based tourism, providing visitors with culturally enriching experiences, and encouraging tourism-related operators to give back to the communities in which they operate.

The five green route projects have countrywide spread and take account of local traditions and lifestyle as well as natural resources.

The route in the North focuses on Nan province. Nature lovers will have a chance to see the endangered Chompoo Phuka tree in Doi Phu Kha National Park while the adventurous can raft along the fast-flowing Nam Wa River in Mae Jarim National Park. There are visits to the weird and wonderful rock formations at Sao Hin Na Noi in Sri Nan National Park and to Nan's salt mines, where locals still employ traditional technique to extract the salt.

Highlights in the Northeast are the Ban Chiang Museum and Archaeological site and the Phu Foilom Ecotourism Project in Udon Thani province, Princess Sirindhorn Museum, and Phu Goom Khao Dinosaur fossil site in Kalasin province, Phu Parn National Park, and the unique mud-dyed cloth of Ban Pannanikom community in Sakon Nakhon province, Phra That Na Dune, a major heritage site of the northeast in Maha Sarakham province, and Khao Yai National Park.

Green routes to the East introduce the extraordinary views from the tree tops at Khao Khaew open zoo in Chon Buri province, the Sirindhorn Herb Garden in Rayong, Mangrove Forest Development Station 2 (Tha Sorn) in Chantaburi province, the environmentally friendly lifestyle of Salak Kok community in Koh Chang and the Ecotourism Group of Trat's Huay Rang-sub district

The Central Thailand routes cover the Lam Pak Bia Royal Project for environmental research and development, where visitors can study the mangrove forest, experience bird watching and learn more about power and environment preservation at Princess Sirindhorn International Environmental Park in Phetchaburi province. There's also a chance to spend time at the Bang Berd sand dunes, a natural wonder created by water and wind for thousands of years in Chumphon. Enjoy evening market in Amphawa district and visit a conservation tourism group in Klong Klone sub-district of Samut Songkhram province.

The green route in the South highlights Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where visitors can wander above the sea of fog at Khao Lek, decode the forest along the trail to Krung Ching Fall in Khao Luang National Park, and admire the freshwater well in the sea while listening to the legend of Luang Pu Tuad, a respected monk who was noted for the miraculous act of turning seawater into freshwater. You can also experience the cultural heritage of the south at the Shadow Play Folk Museum, a private museum owned by National Artist Suchart Sabsin, and see batik painting at Khiriwong green community.