Thailand Guide
The north
Trekking guides and tour agents
1 Chakaphan (Jon) Prowinchaikul 053 611040 or 081 951 5880 natural_walks@hotmail.com An independent trekking guide, who specializes in flowers and insects.
2 Khun La Sunflower bar-restaurant, Thanon Pradit Jongkham Khun La hopes to restart his recommended trekking, bird-watching and cycling tours, and is happy to give general advice about trekking.
3 Mae Hong Son Travel Thanon Khunlumprapas 053 620644 www.maehongsontravelagency.com The somewhat mercurial Khun Tho, who operates from this agency, is an especially good trekking guide for bird-watchers.
4 Tour Merng Tai 89 Thanon Khunlumprapas 053 611979 www.maehongson4u.com A wide variety of tours, including several community-based tourism programmes, employing village guides and cooks and contributing part of the profits to local communities. They're mostly one-day treks, involving four or five hours' walking to Lahu, Thai Yai and Karen villages (B1100–2200/person, including 4WD transport where necessary, English-speaking guide and lunch), though longer treks and homestays are possible.