Supi Prach-Umpai
Thailand is an amazing country full of warm hospitality and lots of smiles. This is no doubt why each year, 60% of travelers to Thailand are repeat visitors. I love my job as a product developer and managing director for Royal Silk Holidays, which I established in Bangkok in 1987. My first trip was organized for friends and colleagues from Europe who came to Thailand to work on several projects and wanted to discover Thailand and neighboring countries. I decided to take a guide training course so I could share my knowledge of Thailand's culture, history, and local wisdom.
Royal Silk Holidays is now a family of 20 travel experts who organize services for travelers from around the world. With our slogan "smile more with us" we're passionate about showing travelers the best that our country has to offer, and also bringing visitors closer to the soul, culture, and traditions of our people.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Even though we're based in Bangkok, we cover all of the main tourist destinations in Thailand. We've developed great relationships with reliable local partners.
Our popular products are
1) Multi-day overland tours from Bangkok to the North which we offer for 2 to 20 people. i.e. 6 Days Royal Cities, 6 Days Trails of Thainess, 3 Days off the beaten path Thailand, 6 Days Andaman Discovery, etc.
2) Elephant care and experience in North of Thailand
3) Island Hopping, Diving and Snorkeling Program in the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea (Koh Chang/Koh Mak/Koh Kood; Krabi/Phi Phi Island/Lanta Island; Trang/Koh Ngai/Koh Muk/Koh Kradan)
4) Thailand, Laos and Cambodia overland
5) Biking tour in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Uthai Thani
6) National Park tour for bird and wildlife watching, staying on tree-top house or luxury tented camp
7) Village tours in the North, East Coast, Northeast and the South
8) Mountain hiking and walking tour in Loei and Chiang Mai
9) Foodie Tour with Local Taste in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui
Some special & exciting trips
* Helicopter tours in and around Bangkok
* Castaway survival trip on Mak Island, Trat (coconut hunting and borne fire cooking)
* One-day sailing trip with beach hopping on Mak Island, Trat
* Organic Farm stay in Central of Thailand
* Whitewater rafting and Zip Lining in the North of Thailand
"
How did you get involved in travel?
" I have been involved in travel since my school time, being active in Nature Conservation Club and organizing trips for members to explore natural sites in our country as well as collecting garbage in national parks. This is also a reason why we became an expert for ecotourism with wide networks in Asia. Thailand is not only famous for culture and beaches, but also rich in natural resources which have unfortunately been damaged by logging and wildlife trading. Tourism is considered as a tool to create awareness for nature conservation as well as to increase income for local people in remote areas which helps reduce exploitation of natural resources. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"There were several unique trips I have experienced during 31 years in business, especially wildlife watching. At Guiburi National Park (5 hours South of Bangkok) I have seen several wild elephants together with Indian Bison which have been listed as Vulnerable by IUCN since 1986. The recent trip to Libong Island in Trat province, I was very excited having seen Dugong (sea cows) swimming with a school of 9 Dolphins, just a few meters from my boat. These are experiences I will never forget and wish I can share with nature lovers around the world."
Featured trips & expertise
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Khanom & Koh Samui - 14 Days
Discover the many sides of Thailand on this two-week tour, from Bangkok's busy streets to the spiritual north to the south's beautiful beaches. Start your adventure in the cosmopolitan capital before heading to Chiang Mai and Pai. Connect with nature at an elephant sanctuary, visit hill tribes, ride a bamboo raft through a cave, and then fly down south to the sleepy fishing village of Khanom before ending your journey on Koh Samui, the original tropical island paradise.
Thailand in August: Travel Tips, Weather, and More
Expect heavy rain in Thailand during the month of August—but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad time to visit. While it's right in the middle of the wet season. temperatures stay warm and the extra precipitation makes the countryside come alive with plants and foliage. Even better, the rain deters many travelers, so you'll have lots of regions to yourself (especially the beaches).
Thailand in February: Travel Tips, Weather, and More
February is one of the best times to visit Thailand. In addition to all-but-guaranteed spectacular weather, it's the month of the famous Chiang Mai Flower Festival, a vibrant three-day celebration full of parades and dancing. The weather is dry and not as unbearably hot as it is during other times of the year. The only drawback is that the crowds are considerably thicker and lodging tends to be more expensive.
Best Time of Year to Visit Thailand
Thailand is a long country, with mountains in the north and beautiful beaches in the south. It's almost uniformly hot, but some times of year are much hotter (and wetter) than others. Thailand is busiest (unsurprisingly) when the weather is at its best, from November to March. During low season, you should expect heavy rain, but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time—you just need to know where to go. Here are some tips to know about the best time of year to visit Thailand.
Northern Thailand Exploration - 12 Days
The praises of southern Thailand have been sung for years; now it's time to explore the north! Starting at the shimmering White Temple in Chiang Rai, you'll visit a Risu village and prepare traditional dishes alongside Indigenous residents. You'll also head to the city of Chiang Mai, home to artisan markets and elephant sanctuaries, and where nearby, you'll find the many waterfalls of the unforgettable Doi Inthanon National Park.
Thailand Island Hopping - 12 Days
Relax on white sand beaches, explore tropical forests, and get away from it all on this 12-day island hopping trip. Begin in Phuket, where jagged limestone caves and deep blue lagoons meet in hidden caves. Continue to Phi Phi and Krabi to soak in the sunshine, snorkel the tropical water, and ride a zipline through the rainforest. End your trip in Loh Dalum Bay with the ultimate adventure—a full day planned by you, from a personal guide to romantic beach picnics!
Recent trip reviews for Supi
16 Day Thailand Grand Tour
Thailand
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Feb 9 - Feb 24, 2023
Bangkok: Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside = great, modern highrise hotel, excellent breakfast buffet.
Guide for Bangkok and River Kwai (4 days) = Chanphen ("Toon") was EXCELLENT.
Favourite Bangkok sites = ride in Bangkok Canal and Night Food tour by TukTuk. The food and flower markets were very interesting. The palaces and temples were beautiful BUT were maybe too much to see in 2 days.
Less favourite things = Asiatique Shopping Complex was disappointing as many shops had not reopened after... read more
Thailand tour in Oct. 2019
Thailand
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Oct 13 - Oct 17, 2019
Supi did a great job putting together this trip. He was helpful and resolved any issues we had immediately. Planning is sometimes the hardest part of vacationing but he made it very easy and stress free for us. I would recommend Kim Kim in our future travels. The tours were very nice and we had a lot of fun. Everything was set up from Bangkok to Phuket and then from Phuket to Krabi. Thanks again Supi!
Dear David, thank you very much for your kind and positive feedback. We hope to welcome you again in the future, not only in Thailand, but also in other countries in SEA including Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Indonesia! Just let us know, we will be pleased to assist you again.
Mother-Son trip to Thailand
Thailand
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Jun 18 - Jun 23, 2019
Highly recommend KimKim and will use them again on my next big adventure! The travel company with whom KimKim matched us, Royal Silk Holidays was fantastic! Our main travel planners, Suwanna and Supi were great during the planning phase. Great communicators and truly tailored our trip for our interests and budget, making as many changes as we required. Our Thailand private tour guide, Niracha Saksopin (Pom) was fantastic! She and her driver were a huge part of our excellent experience. We... read more
Hi Michelle,
Thank you so much for your kind and positive review on the trip to Thailand. Kindly apologize for my late response. Hope to have an opportunity to welcome you again in Thailand or one of our neighboring countries.
Kind Regards
Supi
Northern Thailand Adventure Trips
Thailand
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Feb 16 - Feb 24, 2019
Overall our experience in North Thailand was more than amazing. Our moments with my (private) group members were irreplaceable and we highly recommend Kimkim for adventure and extreme destinations. The places we visited were really difficult to reach them without a local guide being comfortable and familiar with the people and the place. Every single day was unique and different. We were able not only to experience for a few hours some villages in the jungle but also to stay for some nights... read more
Last minute Trip to Thailand
Thailand
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Oct 15 - Oct 18, 2018
The rep greeting us at the airport was courteous.
Our guide Richard was very knowledgeable. He even bought us some delicious food treats. We had the best experience with him.
The Siam Niramit Show was great. But we wished the audience could be warned ahead of time about the "Hell" scene. Little children could have been scared.
The Food Tour on the last day was not very special, unfortunately.
Dear Chuo Chuin
Thank you very much for your kind review and your positive feedback for our guide, Richard. As it is a private tour, we can select our best guide to take care of our guests.
Yes, I agree with you that the hell scene is quite scary for young children. Usually we will warn our guests travelling with small children in advance.
Your comment on the Food Tour will be forwarded to our partner who provide this food experience which got usually positive feedback from the past guests. ... read more