Researching for a relative- - - two week trip to Thailand with tour operator based in USA. Any recommendations? What about using Thai Airways Royal Orchid Holidays and cobbling together an itinerary?

Unless your relative really wants a group tour, they are really better off traveling independently. Thai Airways Royal Orchid Holidays has some good deals by booking air & hotels, sometimes transfers and throwing in a day tour or two. That way you can choose your own hotels and own itinerary. Thailand is very easy travel on your own.

I agree with Kathie, you can be the best US based tour operator yourself! Thailand is very easy to navigate, especially bangkok. My wife would tell you its very easy to navigate also, but she just holds onto my arm and goes where I go we have done the same walk arm in arm on 5 continents and Thailand is her favorite!

You can put together a very good tour on your own from the suggestions on this forum. If you want the security of a planned tour, contact Gregg at Innovasian.com. We used him for our first trip and were very happy.

BTW, the Innovasian tours are individual, not group.

Gpanda, thank you for answering my question directly. And thanks, others, for your recommendations. Any other tour operator recommendations?

Are your relatives looking for a group tour or do they want a travel agent to arrange a private tour for them? And what level of luxury do they want?

Lots of people like OAT group tours but it is not deluxe. Absolute Asia has a good reputation for arranging private tours.

While like others I don't think you need a travel agent to go to thailand and I've been going since 1985 without using one, I do understand that there are some people who would rather take a group tour just for the company.