Thailand Family Tours

What is the Holt Family Tour to Thailand? This is a trip to revisit Thailand that is especially tailored for families with children who were adopted from Thailand. Adoptees should be at least 10 years of age. The tour provides a wonderful opportunity for the adoptive family and the adoptee to reconnect with the adoptee's birth country by visiting the region, seeing the sights, learning about the culture, customs, history and people. It is an opportunity to visit current child care facilities, meet with foster families and caregivers and see, first-hand, the services that are being provided for at-risk families and homeless children. The tour group will be escorted by Holt International and Holt Sahathai Foundation staff.

Non-Holt adoptees should contact Thailand tour coordinator for participation information prior to applying thailandtour@holtinternational.org

How long is Holt's Family Tour in Thailand and when will it take place? We are planning the tour to be held in July 4-12, 2011.

Where will we go? What will we see? This unique family tour will explore regions and cultures in Thailand not customarily visited by Western tourists. We plan to visit the Grand Palace and other sights and local markets in Bangkok. We will visit the office of Holt Sahathai and learn about their mission and work. We will spend some time visiting childcare facilities. You'll likely be able to meet with your child's foster family! We will then travel south to the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat to experience the natural beauty, historic sites, unique cultures and customs in this part of the country.

How much will it cost?
Land package: The land package is currently estimated at about $800-$1000 per person (international airfare or hotel costs are not included). This is a very preliminary estimate and will likely change. This cost includes the following group arrangements made by Holt Sahathai Foundation: Some meals, travel logistics in Thailand (domestic flights and all ground transportation), group tours and visits to child caring agencies. It does not include personal spending money, optional tour costs and some meals.

Air: You are responsible for securing airline tickets to and from Bangkok for all members of your travel party. Airfares can vary greatly from one year to the next due to market shifts, fuel surcharges, fees, as well as the standard airline and seating class variations. Based on 2010 R/T published airfares from LAX to Bangkok, plan on budgeting at least $1,400-$2,000 per person. The cost of the domestic flights in Thailand are included as part of the land package.

Hotel: Holt Sahathai will book the hotels for the group in all cities. We are still determining whether or not it will be beneficial to use a local travel agent to reserve a block of hotel rooms for the group. In the past, the most favorable option was for families to pay for accommodations on their own, once in Thailand. We will confirm this decision as soon as it has been made.

Who can participate in a Family Tour? Families who have adopted from Thailand or Thai adult adoptees and their families are welcomed to apply. Adoptees should be at least 10 years old to join. Families will have the opportunity to visit their child's former orphanage, meet a former foster family, or spend time with a Holt Sahathai staff person who knew your child before being adopted.

* If Holt did not facilitate your child's adoption, please contact the Thailand tour coordinator for more information prior to applying. thailandtour@holtinternational.org