Read why I love this job 
English is my second language, and to me it acts as a special bridge, reaching out to the wider world. Thai children all learn a little English at school, but in many parts of the country few speak it with any real degree of proficiency. I feel lucky to be one of the new generation of Thai students who has the chance to act as a representative of my country, showing you every corner of our Land of Smiles.
Drive for about two hours northwards out of Bangkok and youll come to the largely rural province of Singburi. Thats where I grew up, in our home in the middle of the paddy fields. My mother comes from a generations-old rice farming family, while my father (before he retired) was in the military.
Like many Thai children, I spent my childhood living a life far removed from the comforts associated with the modern world. I walked barefoot, ate with my fingers, took baths in the river and had food cooked on simple charcoal stoves. My pets were Thai dogs and water buffalos.
As my house was only 300 meters from a Buddhist temple, I grew up to become very interested in religion. I always try to live my life based on the teachings of the Lord Buddha, and enjoy sharing my knowledge about Buddhism with visitors to my country.
(Above; A girl who looks like a boy with short hair& barefoot in a middle is me. I was 7 years old.)
My fathers family has always had a love of our native Thai traditions, particularly Thai classical dancing, and my family has preserved this culture from generation to generation. Since I was born, these Thai traditions have been in my blood. As a young child I sat behind a curtain and watched my cousins perform classical dances. Sometimes I was able to assist them in dressing up and preparing for their performances, a task that I loved. However, my grandfathers death when I was seven years old meant that I had to abandon my early dreams to become a classical dancer myself.
(Above; My sister, niece and I in Thai dance costume)
I love Thai traditions and Im incredibly proud to be Thai. These days when I turn on the radio I hear little but rock, R&B or pop music, but I have never forgotten the Thai traditional music, classical dancing and musical instruments that I heard as a child.
I now live in Bangkok, where Ive lived for the past 20 years since graduating from a primary school in my hometown. Thats why my memories are a blend of the rural life in the green fields of Central Thailand and the traffic jams of the modern capital. Because of this dual background both rural and urban It's good combination for me to pass on my experience and knowledge of my country to anyone interested in the real Thailand.
I love adventure and I love traveling, which is why Ive always shunned office jobs in favor of professions such as journalism and guiding tourists. I understand why tourists want to enjoy and become interested in experiences outside their everyday lives, and am never tired of informing them about all Thai things.
When I'm a tourist guide
In 1997 I took a tourist guide course, organized jointly by the Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This intensive course involved five days of studying each week for a month, plus educational trips to locations including Bangkok (the present capital), Sukhothai (the first capital of Thailand) and the Northeastern region, influenced by Cambodian culture.
(Left; During Education trip in Tourist guide course.)
Upon finishing the course I became an English-speaking tour guide, while a number of my fellow students became tour guides in Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. I tend to work with tourists from the UK, the USA, Australia, South Africa and other English-speaking nations.
(Above; The tourist guide course graduation party in 1997)
Millions of people visit my country each year, and I regard each day as part of an ongoing university course, giving me more experience. I am delighted to have so many opportunities in my work, and this is why I still love being in the tourism business.
Your traveling alternative
I love traveling because Im interested in different cultures. Some people who visit Thailand like to read up about the country before they come here, and think that thats enough to understand the real Thailand. Others, however, prefer to go with a tourist guide who can be on hand to answer any questions they have as they travel.
Thailand is a unique country, a uniqueness partly brought about by the fact that unlike many other countries in the region, it has never been colonized. As a result, it is a particularly impressive destination for anyone who has never been to Asia before, or for anyone who wants to learn more about the wider region.
(Above: Bangkok canal tour)
While it is possible to visit Thailand as part of a large tour group, it is difficult to get a really personal experience when you are simply part of a crowd, and it can cause you to lose your true identity.
If you prefer to relax, not too rush or skip some places and stay in others for longer, a private tour is the ideal solution. All of the tourists Ive guided have enjoyed having a private tour, personalized to their individual requirements.
As a tourist guide, I feel that providing private tours offers a better experience for tourists, as it means that I can concentrate on more details. Tourists traveling with me never need to raise their hand to ask a question, because Im always right beside them. Thai culture can be complicated to understand, and an instant mass-produced answer from a tour guide conducting a large tour might not give you the in-depth information you would like.
Because I offer private tours, you need never be shy about asking me questions. If you want to know how Thai people eat, walk or even kiss, just be curious and ask me please
One thing Id like to suggest is that you take time to choose your own tour. Listening to peoples suggestions is a good idea, but dont forget that different people like different things. If you know what kind of experience you want, or even if you dont, you may find that your perfect trip is just round the corner from you in Thailand.
Whether youre on a cross-continental journey or a short trip here, its worth learning more about Thailand with us. If you really prefer traveling by yourself, I hope you enjoy my country. However, youre still welcome to contact me for any information. If, however, youd like me to be your guide, I can promise you that with me youll find out more about the real Thailand than youd ever read in a book.
Hope to see you soon in Thailand
Sawadee Ka
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