Funds from this year’s event were donated to various projects including the Zoological Parks Organisation of Thailand which supports veterinary and educational projects to improve the year-round lives of elephants and mahouts in the Surin Province where ex-street elephants face ongoing hardship.

The donations have also funded South East Asia’s first ever workshop to teach mahouts and vets the benefits of Environmental Enrichment to keep elephants happy as well as the construction of a watch tower in a village whose crops are raided by elephants, allowing villagers to watch and warn other villagers of approaching elephants in a safe manner for both people and elephants.

Donations also funded a conservation education trip to a National Park for the children and next generation of hereditary mahouts to learn the importance of elephants in the wild; the transport of Thai elephant vets to international conferences; funding Thai Government aid to teach mahouts to act as veterinary assistants and provide basic first aid and other medical care to their elephants; as well as community based Human Elephant Conflict mitigation projects in two Thai and one Tanzanian National Parks and the purchase of equipment for anti-poaching rangers in a Cambodian National Park.

Other significant benefits from the money raised by the tournament include: the ongoing Thai Elephant Therapy Project which has been underway since 2009 in conjunction with Chiang Mai University’s Department of Occupational Therapy, with future clinics to include children with Down’s Syndrome and other conditions now committed until the end of 2018 as well as the funding of Asia’s first workshop to show traditional elephant trainers and camp owners the benefits of Positive Reinforcement Training for captive elephants with additional workshops this year in Myanmar reaching teams responsible for over 200 elephants.

To plan your Thailand trip to coincide with this great annual event, contact Symbiosis Custom Travel and start planning now.

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Fiji Siren
Beyond the Bligh – 40% OFF
10 nights: 7 – 17 January 2017
WAS 4150 Euro – NOW 2490 Euro

Truk Master
Deep Dive into History – 35% OFF
7 nights: 8 – 15 January 2017
WAS starting from 3095 USD – NOW 2012 USD

The Junk
Similan Islands of Thailand – 20% OFF
6 nights: 6 – 12 January 2017
WAS starting from 947 Euro – NOW 758 Euro

French Polynesia Master
Rangiroa to Fakarava – 40%OFF
10 nights: 25 January – 4 February 2017
WAS starting from 5975 USD -NOW 3585 USD

Palau Siren
Get wrecked – 20% OFF
7 nights: 16 – 23 February 2017
WAS 3450 Euro -NOW 2760 euros

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now for full info and to grab your berth.

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A low pressure system has brought heavy rain to parts of the south including the islands of Samui and Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, and floods have also severed the rail link to the south and Malaysia beyond.

Full story on Coconuts Bangkok here

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All entertainment venues and festivals will resume operations from Monday 14 November and hotels will be able to hold celebrations and events. These may still be toned down as a sign of respect. Celebrations deemed extravagant such as those with fireworks will be restricted. Meetings and event venues will open as usual with the exception of reserved areas in Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace, as they will be the venue of the Royal Funeral Rites. All other areas within the Grand Palace are now open to tourists and visitors.

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DIVE FIJI
• Easter in Fiji: 9-19 April 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4150€ NOW 3320€
• Summer in Fiji: 14 – 24 August 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4150€ NOW 3527.50€

DIVE INDONESIA
• Komodo: 30 Jul – 9 Aug 2017 (7 nights)
WAS 4290€ NOW 3646.50€
• Flores to Raja Ampat: 5-19 October 2017 (14 nights)
WAS 5950€ NOW 5057.50€

DIVE PALAU
• Get wrecked in Palau:16-23 Feb 2017 (7 nights)
WAS 3450€ NOW 2932.50€
• Summer in Palau: 24 Jun – 4 Jul 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 4790€ NOW 4071.50€

DIVE THE PHILIPPINES
• Tubbataha and More: 1-14 March 2017 & 31 May – 13 June 2017 (13 nights)
WAS 5600€ NOW 4760€
• Malapascua & the Visayas: 6-16 Aug 2017 (10 nights)
WAS 3490€ NOW 2966.50€

DIVE FRENCH POLYNESIA
• Fakarava to Rangiroa: 1 – 11 March 2017 (10 nights)
WAS $5675 NOW $4823.75
• Rangiroa to Fakarava: 14 – 24 June 2017 (10 nights)
WAS $5675 NOW $4823.75

DIVE TRUK LAGOON
• 7 nights: 23-30 April 2017
WAS $3095 NOW $2630.75
• 10 nights: 5-15 July 2017
WAS $4345 NOW $3693.23

DIVE THE SIMILAN ISLANDS, THAILAND
• 6 nights: 6-12 January 2017
WAS starting from 911€ NOW 774€
• 4 nights: 6-10 April 2017
WAS starting from 703€ NOW 597€

Offers are valid on new individual bookings only and must be confirmed by the 31st October 2016.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book and to arrange your travel.

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Visit the Symbiosis Custom Travel website for ideas on how to plan your visit to Bangkok and the rest of Thailand.

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Visit the Symbiosis Custom Travel website for ideas on how to plan your visit to Bangkok and the rest of Thailand.

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Duration: 2 days/ 1 night
Cruise programs: Upstream Cruise (Bangkok – Ayutthaya) and
Downstream Cruise (Ayutthaya – Bangkok)

Tell us your travel dates to check availability
​Reservations through Symbiosis Custom Travel

Package includes:
1 night accommodation in a cabin in the Mekhala boat
Cruise and meals as mentioned in the program
Note:
The special offer applies to upstream cruise (Bangkok – Ayutthaya) and downstream cruise (Ayutthaya – Bangkok) only.
The price is based on two persons travelling together.
The offer applies to new bookings only.
The price is based on two persons travelling together.

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to plan your Thailand holiday now.

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Most of the damage and injuries are attributed to the second explosion. Early information points at that these bombs indeed aimed at causing casualties. Currently no motives or responsibility have been claimed.

The explosions leave one Thai woman dead and several people injured, including a number of Foreign tourists.

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Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket
Ride along the Gulf of Thailand and see some of the best coastal scenery in Thailand! Rest in resorts, eat fabulous seafood, go barefoot in the sand and ride a mixture of flat road and rolling hills while enjoying the view of endless beaches.
10 days / 9 nights in August 7

Burma Heritage by Bicycle
Bike from Mandalay to the temples of Bagan and be one of the lucky few to experience this up-and-coming travel destination. Be captivated by the people, culture and landscape of Burma.
7 days / 6 nights in August 8

Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle
Visit three of Southeast Asia’s most interesting countries on this trip- Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia! Explore the best that all these countries have to offer with this SpiceRoads rider favorite tour!
14 days / 13 nights in August 28

Bali Mountain Biking Adventure
Ride the rims of volcanoes, enjoy great off-road tracks and chill out on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
7 days / 6 nights in September 4

Sri Lanka Spice trails
Explore inland Sir Lanka through a multitude of Buddhist and Hindu monuments, enjoying a resulting curious mix of ancient cities and atmospheric colonial architecture that have been influenced by ancient dynasties, Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British.
12 days / 11 nights in September 25

Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor
See the best of two countries as you cycle from the bustling Vietnamese capital, then cross the border to the serenity of Cambodia and the temples of Angkor.
13 days / 12 nights in September 25

Sri Lanka Heritage by Bicycle
Visit five of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites while cycling through the rural tranquility of local life. This tour will enrich you with the history and heritage of central Sri Lanka.
7 days / 6 nights in September 26

North of Thailand by Bike
An off-road adventure through the hills of the Golden Triangle, where Thailand borders Burma and Laos. Visit remote villages in the beautiful north of Thailand using a combination of bikes and boats.
10 days / 9 nights in October 9

Yunnan Discovery
Discover the diverse culture and ancient architecture of the southern Chinese province of Yunnan, from its snow capped mountains to lush green forests. Prepare for breathtaking scenery and an incredible cultural experience.
12 days / 11 nights in October 9

Thailand to Singapore by Road Bike
Tackle three countries and ride 1,391 kilometres in 15 days on this epic cross-country road bike trip, and discover Thailand’s scenic south, charming Malaysia, and the booming city-state of Singapore!
15 days / 14 nights in October 16

Cycling Sikkim’s Tea Trails
Rugged and remote Sikkim is steeped in history and Buddhist culture. This challenging ride through the Kanchenjunga mountain range offers breathtaking scenery and countless cultural experiences.
10 days / 9 nights in October 23
Get Inspired here!

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today to get riding.

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Departure: 1 July 2016, 17:00
Return: 4 July 2016, 09:00

Deluxe Cabin: Price per person THB 22,000

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book now and to plan you trip to Thailand.

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CAMBODIA
Mar 13 – 19: Biking Bangkok to Angkor Wat (C)
Mar 20 – 28: Wilds of Cambodia (M)

MALAYSIA
April 3 – 13: Untamed Borneo (C)

VIETNAM
Mar 8 – Mar 11: Ha Long Bay Cycle and Cruise (M)
Mar 13 – Mar 29: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
Mar 20 – Mar 30: Road Biking the Ho Chi Minh Highway (R)
Mar 21 – Mar 27: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Mar 22 – Mar 25: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C)
Mar 28 – Mar 31: Trails of Dalat (M)
April 5 – April 8: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C)
April 14 – April 16: Red River Delta by Bike and Boat (C)
May 8 – May 24: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
May 23 – May 29: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jun 20 – Jun 26: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 19: Saigon to Hanoi (C)

PHILIPPINES
April 10 – April 22: Island Hopping the Philippines (C)

LAOS
Mar 26 – Mar 27: Luang Prabang Countryside (C)

INDONESIA
May 9 – May 11: Bali Explorer (M)

THAILAND
Mar 8 – Mar 11: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 9 – Mar 11: Hua Hin Explorer (C)
Mar 13 – Mar 22: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)
Mar 15 – Mar 18: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 22 – Mar 25: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 23 – Mar 25: Hua Hin Explorer (C)
May 16 – May 22: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle (C)
May 17 -May 20: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 12: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)

Multi-Country
Mar 20 – April 1: Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor (R)
April 17 – April 30: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jul 31 – Aug 13: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)

R = Road Bike Tour
M = Mountain Bike Tour
C = Classic Tour

Check out the Symbiosis website for more details or contact us now to start planning your trip.

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Road Bike Tours
Feb 14 – Feb 24: Cycling Chiang Mai to Bangkok 
Mar 13 – Mar 22: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket 
Mar 20 – April 1: Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor
 
Heritage Bike Tours
Feb 15 – Feb 21: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle 
Mar 21 – Mar 27: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle

Classic Bike Tours
Feb 14 – Feb 27: Burma Adventure
Feb 16 – Feb 19: Meandering the Mekong Delta
Feb 21 – Mar 2: Cycling Coastal Thailand 
Feb 21 – Feb 29: Wilds of Cambodia 
Feb 21 – Feb 28: Wilds of Sarawak by Bicycle
Feb 21 – Mar 3: Sri Lanka Spice trails
Feb 23 – Feb 26: Meandering the Mekong Delta
Feb 28 – Mar 12: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle
Mar 6 – Mar 16: Authentic South Thailand
Mar 13 – Mar 29: Saigon to Hanoi
Mar 20 – Mar 28: Wilds of Cambodia 
Mar 20 – Mar 26: Cycling Colourful Kyushu Island
Mar 22 – Mar 25: Meandering the Mekong Delta
Mar 26 – April 3: Kyushu’s Hot Springs and Volcanoes (one more rider to depart)
April 10 – April 22: Island Hopping the Philippines 

For full information contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today.

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If you are planning a visit to Thailand this coming March, how about a day in Bangkok watching the unique spectacle of Elephant Polo?

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas has confirmed that The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament 2016 will be held by the banks of Bangkok’s Chaophraya River from 10 to 13 March.

Now in its fourteenth year, the tournament has become one of the biggest charitable events in Thailand.

Almost US$1 million has been raised and donated to projects that better the lives of Thailand’s wild and domesticated elephant population, including continued support for research and clinics using elephants in therapy sessions for children living with autism; donating a gantry to help lame elephants stand and a purpose built elephant ambulance to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC), and donating an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) to the Government Elephant Hospital in Krabi.

Other projects include funding farmer/elephant conflict mitigation projects in three Thai and one Tanzanian National Park; planting 4,000 trees to form an elephant proof fence in Thailand; fully funding the protection of 18,000 hectares of standing forest in Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains; funding the roll out of children’s educational programmes with the Thai Ministry to teach them the importance of conservation and protection of wild elephants in Thailand and funding the world’s first Target Training Positive Reinforcement Workshops teaching mahouts and trainers throughout Southeast Asia elephant friendly training methods.

This year’s event will have 10 teams encompassing over 40 players, including Thai celebrities, professional horse polo players, New Zealand All Blacks rugby players and Thailand’s famous transgender cabaret team Miss Tiffany.

A total of 18 elephants will be given a break from their work in tourist trekking camps in Pattaya or bought from unemployment in Surin to take part in the festival, during which they are given much needed food, essential vitamin supplements, full veterinary checks and care for the duration of the event.

Domestic elephants are micro-chipped by the Thai government to show that they have not been caught from the wild. The worst trekking camps can be tough for an elephant. In order to make money, mahouts are forced to work their elephants 10 – 12 hours a day. Conversely, at home in Surin, unemployment means elephants are often left isolated from other elephants with a short chain on two legs 24 hours a day with no exercise or enrichment. In both circumstances, the poverty of existence means their owners cannot afford to feed them anything close to their daily physical needs, emotional needs are forgotten, and shade and sufficient water are often overlooked. The King’s Cup schedule is designed to give these trekking elephants rest and relaxation on a scale they are never afforded in their ‘normal’ lives and ensure elephant rest time with interaction and enrichment that neither set of elephants gets in their daily lives.

The four day festival will have something for everyone including an Opening Parade, Children’s Educational Day, Ladies Day and a wide range of elephant related activities for the whole family.

Symbiosis Custom Travel can assist you to plan a great, personalised holiday to Thailand that can include attending this colorful annual event.

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CAMBODIA
Dec 20 – Dec 28: Wilds of Cambodia (M)
Jan 4 – Jan 10: Cambodia Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jan 31 – Feb 13: Cambodia Adventure (C)
Feb 21 – Feb 29: Wilds of Cambodia (M)

BORNEO, MALAYSIA
Feb 21 – Feb 28: Wilds of Sarawak by Bicycle (C)
 
VIETNAM
Dec 20 – Dec 29: Cycling Vietnam’s Central Coast (C)
Dec 20 – Jan 5: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
Jan 10 – Jan 20: Road Biking the Ho Chi Minh Highway (R)
Jan 31 – Feb 9: Cycling Vietnam’s Central Coast (C)

PHILIPPINES
Jan 3 – Jan 15: Island Hopping the Philippines (C)
April 10 – April 22: Island Hopping the Philippines (C)

THAILAND
Dec 21 – Dec 27: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle (R)
Jan 3 – Jan 12: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)
Jan 3 – Jan 16: River of Kings Ride (C)
Jan 10 – Jan 17: Road Cycling Southern Thailand (R)
Jan 10 – Jan 20: Cycling Coastal Thailand (C)
Jan 17 – Jan 27: Cycling Chiang Mai to Bangkok (R)
Feb 14 – Feb 24: Cycling Chiang Mai to Bangkok (R)
Feb 15 – Feb 21: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Feb 21 – Mar 2: Cycling Coastal Thailand (C)
Mar 13 – Mar 22: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)

Multi-Country

Nov 29 – Dec 12: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Dec 13 – Dec 26: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jan 3 – Jan 16: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jan 10 – Jan 23: Cultural Road from Hoi An to Siem Reap (C)
Jan 10 – Jan 23: The Emerald Triangle (M)
Jan 10 – Jan 23: Remote Vietnam and Laos by Bike (C)
Jan 10 – Jan 23: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jan 17 – Jan: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jan 31 – Feb: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Feb 14 – Feb 27: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Feb 28 – Mar 12: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)

Key: M = Mountain Bike Tour; R = Road Bike Tour; C = Classic Bike Tour

To book your space on any of these trips contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now. Most rides have a maximum participant number of 16, so don’t wait too long…

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