Tourism
Climbing at Wat Tham Pla – Monkey Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Maria clings desperately to the wall, hanging 30 feet in the air holding on by only her hands and feet.
Her knuckles begin to turn white as she searches the rock face above, trying to find a suitable hold for her hands to reach for. Her eyes lock on a small crack above, no more than several inches across but just enough room to jam her fingers in. She slows her breathing, takes a deep breath and leaps, her fingers reaching desperately for purchase in the crack above. Unable to get a hold, she plummets to the ground with a shout, but not before coming to a sudden stop by the rope attached to her climbing harness around her wast.
To the casual onlooker, the sport of rock climbing may seem ludicrous; climbing high above the ground, secured only by a single rope, finding grip on flat rock where it would seem otherwise impossible to do, but for a small group in Northern Thailand, it’s a lifestyle.
Rock climbing, while popular in southern Thailand, is just starting to grow in the north. Wat Tham Pla, or ‘Monkey Temple’ is a popular tourist location in the northern part of Chiang Rai known for the legions of monkeys that inhabit the surrounding jungle, a large Buddhist temple and massive cave that tourists can explore. However, unbeknownst to most visitors, this beautiful area is also the most popular rock-climbing spot in all of the Chiang Rai province. The crag contains over 25 different TRAD and sport climbing routes ranging in difficulty from 5a to7b across three different walls.
While the area is near the temple grounds, it is obscured by thick foliage and tall grass. It is not kept up by the anyone at the temple so climbers have taken the responsibility upon themselves to clear and clean this area before climbing. The weeds grow back so fast however, that clearing the area becomes a routine part of any climb. Trash also accumulates from other visitors to the temple which the climbers bag up and throw away.
Brandon and Ashleigh Armstrong, and their 3 year old daughter Avalyn, are very familiar with the area. Having been climbing at the crag for almost 3 years since moving to Chiang Rai, it has simply become routine for Brandon to pack a weed whacker and machete along with his rope and other climbing gear.
When they arrive at the crag, he begins clearing out a path through the tall weeds, cutting out all the old overgrowth with slow methodical sweeps of the whacker. Meanwhile Ashleigh slips on gloves to pick up all the bottles and trash in the area
Even Avalyn helps out, picking up a few leaves here and there. For them, climbing there is a privilege, one that they want to honor by taking care of the environment. “We simply love being allowed to play at Tham Pla. We love the rocks obviously, but also the people who come and stare at the weird shaped monkeys with ropes too. One of the best parts of Tham Pla is its natural beauty. We continue to pick up trash and keep the weeds at bay because we value the gift of this beauty and being allowed to be part of it.”
For hours the group sits around at the base of the crag, laughing and chatting together, sharing the latest news, and exchanging stories from the past week. Climbers take turns trying different routes, some ‘warming up’ on older easier routes while others attempt to tackle more difficult new ones. Some of the older more experienced climbers watch from the ground, discussing different routes and calling out suggestions to those climbing above. People here come from all different walks of life, each with a different background and story, but all come together for a similar love and passion, climbing.
For many of the climbers here, rock climbing at the crag it is more than just an adrenaline rush (opportunity to climb rocks and exercise), but also a bonding experience that brings them together. Nearly every weekend they each get together to carpool or meet at the crag and spend the day together climbing, hanging out and talking about life.
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By Jonathan Hane
MediaLight Asia Broadcasting & media production company in Chiang Rai, Thailand,
MediaLight Asia is a media missions program that trains emerging leaders to creatively share the gospel through the power of media.
People from more nations will be now able to enter Thailand without a visa beginning Monday. This is part of an effort to increase tourism and encourage visitors to stay longer, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Friday.
According to Ms. Traisuree, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed four documents that will make it easier for foreigners to travel. These modifications will all take effect on Monday, provided they are published in the Royal Gazette.
The instructions include 93 more nations on the list of individuals who can visit Thailand without a visa, up from 57 previously. People from these countries can stay for a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, from 19 to 31, nearly twice as many nations will be able to obtain visas on arrival in Thailand.
To attract digital nomads, artists, and tourists interested in learning or practicing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, the country will also introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service.
The new form of visa, which is valid for five years, allows travelers to stay for up to 180 days.
According to Ms. Traisuree, students holding visas for master’s degrees or higher will not be required to leave Thailand immediately upon graduation. They will be able to stay for an additional year to hunt for work or vacation.
In order to enhance the economy and tourism, the cabinet took a general decision on these additional measures in May. The statement was meant to be released in June, but it was pushed back.
Ms. Traisuree believes that this is the greatest sort of visa for persons who want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and explore the nation without the various restrictions and complications that come with conventional tourist visas.
Getting a DTV will give you a 5-year multiple-entry visa that lets you stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days a year, with the opportunity to stay for another 180 days.
Ms. Traisuree said that the Destination Thailand Visa is great if you want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and see the sights without the many restrictions and problems that come with a regular tourist visa. The Destination Thailand Visa will cost 10,000 THB.
Qualifications for the Thailand Destination Visa (DTV)
According to Thai Embassy, to be eligible for the visa, you must fulfill the following conditions (which could change):
- You have to be 20 years of age or older
- You have to be able to afford the cost of the visa
- To sustain your stay in the nation, you must demonstrate that you have at least 500,000 THB in your bank account
- Proof of your employment with a recognized company is required.
For digital nomads or remote workers who want to make the most of their travels and yet have the opportunity to work while they’re there, the Destination Thailand Visa is designed just for you. Additionally, it is ideal if you are traveling to Thailand in order to partake in any of the following activities:
- Thai food prepared with Muay Thai
- Instruction and conferences
- Sports medicine therapy
- International talent International music and art events
Thailand DTV Visa Benefits
Additionally, there is uncertainty about these details and they could change:
- In comparison to other Southeast Asian nations that provide comparable visas, Thailand has less stringent income requirements and charges for the visa. For another 10,000 THB, you can extend the visa once, for a maximum of 180 days.
- There are ninety-three foreign nations that qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa.
- With this visa, you can lawfully operate remotely for foreign clients and companies while in Thailand.
- Your spouse and any children under the age of twenty may accompany you.
- You are exempt from paying taxes on your foreign income because the visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days.
Drawbacks of a Thailand DTV Visa
You are unable to work for a Thai company that needs a Thai work visa, even though you are still able to engage in some activities and make money. Your DTV will end if you decide to change the kind of visa you are currently on.
Additional information on the visa’s release date and application process will be available in late June or early July of 2024. You will most likely be able to apply for it via the Thai immigration office, a Thai embassy, or a Royal Thai Consulate.
Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) reports that another German tour operator has gone bankrupt, but that this will have a far less effect than the recent bankruptcy of FTI Touristik.
Following notification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai Hotels Association has now confirmed that the Cologne-based luxury tour operator Itravel Group has formally filed for bankruptcy.
Southern Thailand is home to numerous high-end resorts, which Itravel aims to attract, according to Thai Hotels Association president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun.
As a result of Itravel’s bankruptcy, he said, the hotels association is currently collecting data from its members.
On Monday, the organization wrote to the TAT and the Foreign Ministry, requesting that they assist hotel operators in keeping up with legal developments surrounding the bankruptcy of the German tour operator FTI, which resulted in a loss of almost 111 million baht for hotels around the country.
Hotels having issues with Itravel
On Monday, during the THA monthly meeting, Mr. Thienprasit noted that they also emphasized the case’s urgency to Minister Sermsak Pongpanit of Tourism and Sports.
In response to allegations that hotel operators with business partnerships with Itravel were experiencing issues with financial transactions, the agency issued an alert to the industry, according to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
He speculated that the losses might be lower with Itravel, an online travel agency that focuses on the niche luxury market, than with FTI, the third operator.
According to the Bangkok Post, at Monday’s THA meeting, Mr. Sermsak stated that the ministry will look into measures to assist hotels, especially since the goal of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism earnings for this year is still very ambitious.
According to Mr. Thienprasit, the organization is opposed to the government’s plans to increase the legal foreign ownership of condominiums from 49% to 75%. This, he added, might lead to an increase in unlawful accommodations and make other condo residents feel uneasy about having more guests around the clock.
Unscrupulous investors
He said that some international investors are already breaking the law by renting out their rooms to day guests, even though the Hotel Act only permits rentals of at least 30 days.
An increase in the foreign ownership quota for condos, according to Mr. Thienprasit, could entice unscrupulous investors and lead to the construction of even more unlawful rooms, which now exceed the number of registered hotel rooms by a factor of two.
The success of Thailand’s hotel industry is highly dependent on the business of tour operators. These collaborations bring in a constant flow of visitors, particularly during busy seasons.
It is more convenient for passengers to book comprehensive packages offered by tour operators, which include hotel accommodations and activities. Because of this arrangement, hotels may anticipate a specific amount of bookings without having to spend a lot on advertising.
Additionally, hotels are able to provide more affordable rates, which appeals to guests who are mindful of their budget. But if tour operators go through slumps or start focusing on other places, this dependence might be disastrous.
Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS
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SEE ALSO: Thailand Named Top Spot for Most Popular Tourist Destination
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