Any information in this matter would be appreciated. I haven't ever visited Asia, only Central and South America and so I greatly need some information on Thailand and the traveling conditions going to and within the country.

My 15 year old daughter, through a well meaning former teacher, was offered an opportunity to travel with a group of students to Thailand, on a student exchange/international Red Cross/service type trip. The group leaves in 3 weeks; no one has bought tickets; itenerary is sketchy; all of the students are 18 or younger and most of them are from the UK. Only a few from the US. There will not be a US chaperone; the guide is a teaching administrator in Thailand that is bilingual and seems somewhat administratively challenged, but does have the contacts to make the project work. (The former teacher that made the original offer is also administratively challenged.) The Thai administrator is fluent in both English and Thai and seems genuinely caring for the group and excited about the project, but no one seems to have detailed answers to basic questions so as a last resort, I am hoping you all can help me out. What a wonderful opportunity it would be for any American teenager to step out of this culture, and serve others. If there is any way possible I can assure her safety and resolve these questions, I would like to allow her to go.

How well could an intelligent US teenager manuever within the city of Bangkok, the airport, get money, deal with authority figures if needed to, deal with market merchants, dietary restrictions, and transportation? Generally how safe is she? She obviously looks non asian, is very pretty, and is as nieve as a 15 year old should be. Normally, she would be with a group, but it seems she would have to fly there on her own and meet someone at the airport. Also no one seems to know how much free time the students will have and how much freedom they will have to wonder around. Hopefully, there will be more bilingual guides when they get there, but no one knows for sure. They will be staying most of the time at a "army guest house". Are signs bi-lingual in the airport? are the signs bilingual in the city? is the 'skytrain' easy to use enough? are the signs bilingual in the country? If we were not able to get a ticket with Thai Air (isn't that the airline that has a non stop from NY?), how hard would it be to do a change over in Japan, or Hong Kong? She has not ever flown internationally alone before. She would be spending most of her time in Chachoengsao?, a few days in Bangkok, about 3-4 days in the "country" (Nakornsatchasrima), and spending a day by the "sea". She will be eating alot of her meals in the "market". One of the markets is called the JJ Market in Bangkok. Is anyone familiar with any of these places?

Ultimately, I could not get a grasp from the Thai administrator what her expectations are from the students. Many cultures around the world, would fully expect 15-18 year olds to be self sufficient adults and treat them like adults. Other cultures would treat this age, especially daughters, with protectiveness, and not allow them any freedom to explore at all. What is the Thai culture like? What do you think their expectations would be?

She is not the average high schooler, (she is actually starting college in the fall), but she still is 15 and doesn't even have a driver's license, and getting an ATM/credit card in her name will be a push.

Am I crazy for even considering this??? Thanks for any help. Oh, by the way, I would love to go, but health restrictions would make it almost impossible for me to stay for longer than a few days and the trip is scheduled for 3 weeks.

Again, thank you for any help.

I understand that you want her to go and to have a fulfilling and safe experience. Most of the things you've said about the project/trip you are considering would cause me to keep my daughter out of that particular trip and search for something suitable for her age. 15 years ago, I worked for a company whose business was student travel, and what you have written about this trip is disturbing from the viewpoint of a parent and as a trip organizer.

While Thailand is not particularly difficult to travel in, it is decidedly different from other parts of the world. First arrival in Bangkok can be overwhelming...it's an assault on the senses. Sounds, sights, smells...everything is new and different. It is particularly this kind of environment, coupled with being tired from a long flight, that is distracting enough to cause many an adult tourist to fall prey to taxi touts (who overcharge) within the first minute of exiting the airport's secure area, who then refuse to take you to the place you want to go, instead taking you to a "much better guesthouse" that pays them a bigger finder's fee. That's just one thing that can go wrong...not dangerous, but expensive and frustrating. I have never heard of anything worse happening to new arrivals, though.

The lack of planning only 3 weeks out is disturbing. If this is a service trip, what exactly is the service? Some kinds of work, even if it is volunteer, may require a visa...how is that being handled (has it even been investigated)?

Where will they be staying? "An army guesthouse" is hardly enough information to know if it is suitable for teenagers or not. I do know that there are plenty of places in Bangkok that I wouldn't stay myself, nevermind send my daughter to alone.

What will they be doing all day? At night? Too much free time can invite disaster at any age, but young teenagers can unknowlingly get into trouble. There are plenty of smooth talking touts for all kinds of businesses, some legitimate and some, well, not. Something as innocent as a visit to the Grand Palace could quickly turn bad when an absolutely honest looking and sounding person tells her it's closed until after lunch, so why doesn't she let him drive her in his tuk tuk to another temple/tailor shop that is special/museum/jewelry sale...these guys are convincing...sometimes they are women, they work in teams, they are everywhere. We know better, have been to Bangkok 4 times, and on our third visit we alllmmmoooost fell for it, that's how convincing they are.

Food...it's great, but eating in markets, though cheap, may not meet your sanitary standards. I will tell you that we started out our travels in Asia being absolutely diligent about what and where we ate, handwashing and hygiene...and we all got sick. Recently, we decided that the risk of eating whatever we wanted was worth it as we seemed to be sick regardless of what we did or did not eat...and we were not sick (well, my daughter was sick, but likely from being immersed in the river with lots of elephants rather than from what we ate). Anyway, the food is a serious issue for most people, and you should certainly explore the CDC's site about southeast Asia for all health concerns.

As I've been typing this, I've realized that no way would I send my daughter on that trip (she's 9 now but even if she were older), and she's experienced in Thailand and other parts of Asia. I would have no doubts about her in airports or really, anywhere, and trust that she is able to maintain good behavior and take care of herself...but it just doesn't sound like the basic organization is there to support a group...and a group of any age needs support.

What about searching for some other options that are better organized, or at least smaller scale. Putney Studen Travel has been around for years and years and is reputable. I didn't work for them but for one of their competitors...the competitor is no longer, but Putney is still going strong. I feel comfortable recommending them.

Another option might be Cambodia. In Siem Reap, Ponheary Ly works closely with a few local schools. A poster here was so moved by her work that she started an NPO. Read about it and another similarly aged girl who did volunteer there at www.theplf.org.

Agree with KimJapan. Although Thailand is generally safe I would not let my 15 y/o go on a trip if she is not chaperoned by someone I know and trust.

Let me say that I have been to Thailand many times, and generally, my comments to you about Thailand would be reassuring to you. But I agree with both Kim and Cilla that the organizational aspects of this trip are what is worrisome.

I have two daughters age 19 and 22. One went to Fiji at 16 with a school group to build for Habitat for Humanity, but the key term there is "group". The chaperones (and 15 year olds DO need chaperones)met with the parents months in advance to give us all the details- housing, free time, supervision, work schedules, rules about behavior, drinking, surfing, etc.

I felt very comfortable that the three teachers (for 20 kids)had everything under control. I also had my older daughter go on a college semester abroad in India for 5 months, but there is NO WAY that I would approve of the trip you're describing.

Three weeks from now, and no one has itinerary details, much less tickets?

I love Thailand and I think study and volunteer opportunities can be a wonderful experience, but this one sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Promise her she can go next summer, then both of you can research other opportunities and find a better organized group.

There is nothing quite like learning about something by being there and dealing with a different culture. It can be the most future-changing experience. But that said, I have to agree with the others. I would not send my daughter on this trip!

I would also agree with those above. There are far too many unknowns for me to be comfortable sending my child, and basically no time left to plan.
The idea of a service trip is great, but search one out that is much better structured.

We have two sons, 13 and 16, and although we encourage independence, I agree with the posters above. The trip you have described could be a recipe for disaster for teens.

My older son goes to Costa Rica for a soccer/community service program. The organizaton is called "Rustic Pathways" (www.rusticpathways.com) and they also offer phenomenal trips to Thailand - in fact that is where the director is based.

Looks as if we all agree....this is not a trip any of us would consider for our kid (college age, younger, older). In fact, I wonder if it is a scam of some sort. Any trip,even to Washington, DC or anywhere not planned with tickets, hotels, transportation three weeks in advance is suspicious. The teacher who recommended it may be naive or just uninformed about travel. This trip is a "forget-it".

No. Too much uncertainty and lack of organization.

Congratulations on your 15 year old heading to college. She must be some young lady!

Thank you everyone for your help and insight. We have some new information that is positive about the trip but with your information and some other research, it still doesn't tip the scales to a yes for the trip so right now we are looking into alternatives. Thank you to all of you who gave web sites of other programs; these will be very helpful.

Because my daughter will want to reason this out and "discuss" this in detail, I have a few more questions under enquiring mom part 2. If you have a moment to answer again, I would appreciate it.

KimJapan,
I want to especially thank you for your time and thoughtful answer. I am grateful that another busy mom would type a long answer at 12 midnight for someone she doesn't know. How very kind of you.

Michelle in NC

michelle...
No problem...I'm glad the information was useful. I didn't type it at midnight...I'm in Japan, not the US, so I typed it on Saturday afternoon!