There is more than one form of team building. That’s not to say your ritual boozy retreats are no good, but if you really want to create some camaraderie in the workplace, you may need to take it a little further than the usual alcohol-infused bonding sessions. Whether you are looking for a sophisticated cultural trip or adrenaline-fueled fun, these experiences can lift your team spirit to new heights.

Follow in the footsteps of Thailand’s late King

There are lots of reasons why Thais adore the beloved late King Rama IV, one being the Royal Projects and how they helped transform Thailand’s barren lands into lush pastures. There are some nice places to see the effects of this, one of our favorites being Nong Yai in Chumpon, where a community was saved from disappearing underwater thanks to the late King's flood-controlling techniques, called kaem ling. His philosophy towards sustainability is also writ large at the Sri Don Chai community in Chiang Rai, where you can learn how the locals survive on self-sufficient lifestyles. 

Discover the origins of local Thai crafts

While you can buy countless trinkets at Ratchada night market or Chatuchak, meeting the makers behind them offers a far greater opportunity to learn about local cultures and traditions. Most people will already be familiar with the classic ceramic "rooster" bowls from dining at Thai restaurants, but no one seems to know that they come from the community in Ban Sala Bua Bok in Lampang near Chiang Mai. Apart from selling the renowned bowls, they also mold their mixed clay creations into ceramic balls that are used for Thai massage—an easy way to destress from the hectic office beat. 

Explore cultures off the beaten track

Culture enthusiasts know there are hidden gems to be found everywhere in Thailand—some more hidden than others. Tucked away among the rice paddies of Sukothai is Ban Kook Pattana—the birthplace of the Thai traditional oraruang and pralue kites—where an ancient dialect of Thai language is spoken. Here, you can learn how to build the kites and then fly them in competition with your co-workers. For something more active, take a group bike ride through Ban Tha Ma-O community in Lam Pang to visit a famous Victorian teak house—the mansion of Louis T. Leonowens, a prominent trader in the early 1900s.

Enjoy majestic views while trekking the Highlands

When it comes to breathtaking mountain views, Thailand is spoilt for choice. If you've ever wanted to visit the country's Highlands before, and you should, then Ban Huai Pan in Nan province is a must visit. Here, mountain-dwellers guide you along a multitude of trails culminating in a beautiful sunset at the summit. Spend a few days here to allow time to visit the impressive Tat Man waterfall near the Tai Lue village, where there’s also a hot spring ideal for warming up in the cold climate—yes, it can get chilly up there!

Learn ancient Thai weaving techniques

Have you ever been curious about those traditional outfits worn by Thai flight attendants? The practice of weaving might not be as common as it used it be, but Queen Sirikit’s support of local weavers has allowed several fabric villages to continue these generational traditions. Ban Nong Khae in Sakon Nakhon province is such as place. Here, you can witness the entire process of textile and silk weaving, and even get your hands dirty making natural dyes from plants. 

Get your food from the source

Nestled on the forested hillside close to Chiang Rai’s Doi Mae Salong is Doi Wawee—a remote ancient village with century-old tea plantations. The hill tribes here not only serve one of the best herbal drinks you can find, they're also highly adept at whipping up Yunnan cuisine—an amalgam of Chinese culinary forms from that country's southwestern region. Make sure to try the moo nahm khang—dried pork belly fermented with Chinese herbs. If you are dying for some fresh seafood, Ban Mai Rut in Trat province, where locals rake in mountains of fresh seafood each day, from crab to succulent flathead lobster.

Adventure through nature

Fans of Tomb Raider can play Lara Croft for the day by exploring Le Stegado, Thailand’s longest cave. Tucked between Satun and Trang provinces, the cave is accessible by kayak from the Thung Wa community. Here, you can smell the roses a little (the tour guides paddle the kayak for you, but you're more than welcome to help if you fancy a workout) and try your hand at catching giant prawns for dinner. Prefer something more extreme? Take on Tak province’s formidable whitewater rafting with the Umphang community along their Thi Lo Re and Thi Lo Su waterfalls.

Live the farmers’ life

If you’re one of those people who spend (waste) hours on Farmville during work hours, you might want to drop your phone and start exploring the real world instead. Situated next to Noi River is Bang Chao Cha—an ancient village dating back to the Ayutthaya period. Here, you can hop on a tractor cart and join the locals in their reforestation pursuits, or learn how they manage to cultivate foreign cash crops like shiitake mushrooms and strawberries. The local residents are also more than happy to share their basket-weaving techniques, which they have been circulating within the community for generations.

Recharge your mind at a remote homestay

Bangkok’s hustle and bustle takes its toll on all of us, so why not ditch those stressful thoughts and revitalize your mind at a remote homestay? With its beautiful cascading waterfalls and lush green forests, a day at Ban Phromma Lok, Nakorn Si Thammarat is more than refreshing. Here, you also can trek through the local farmland and learn how to make Batik textiles, which are made using a wax-resist dyeing technique.

Spend a day out with the kids

Family-friendly trips mean nobody gets left behind, so why not tear your kids away from the iPhone for a day and bring them along? You can explore local ways of living first hand through a field trip to Busai Homestay in Nakhon Ratchasima, where children can learn about organic farming and cold-climate fruits in eye-opening and exciting demonstrations.   

We Love Local

Aiming to help off-the-beaten-track destinations gain greater recognition, We Love Local—TAT’s new domestic project—is offering a B1,000 discount for the first 500 organizations to register for the program. The coupon can be used as a discount for accommodation in any province of your choice, including 50 local communities, which are sorted into 10 themed collections to suit every style.  

For more information, please visit www.welovelocal.travel