Go Beyond: Explore the wonders of ‘Unseen Thailand’ 

We’ve said many times that no matter how often you visit Thailand, something new is always waiting to be discovered. It’s one of the reasons we encourage repeat visitors to get off the beaten track and explore more of ‘Unseen Thailand‘. Our Itinerary Ideas series includes several less well-known destinations for you to enjoy. While these itineraries are suitable for independent travel, sometimes there is no substitute for using a trusted, responsible travel company like Go Beyond.

Go Beyond specialises in holidays away from the main tourist trail. From the backwaters of Bangkok to the jungle of Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary and the mighty Thi Lo So Waterfall, discover another side of Thailand with an emphasis on responsible travel. We sat down with Marc Ruffet, Partner & Head of Growth and Product at Go Beyond, to ask him more about what makes Thailand so special and his company’s approach to responsible travel.

Can you tell us about Go Beyond and how it got started?

Go Beyond started more than 35 years ago as a backpacker initiative led by a Danish couple who wanted to take travellers off the tourist trail in Southeast Asia. What began with youth group tours evolved into a full-fledged Destination Management Company (DMC), but we’ve never lost that original spirit of discovery.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just run tours, we build them from scratch, directly with local travel entrepreneurs. Across Thailand and eight other countries in Asia, we find passionate individuals: former rangers, fishermen, tribal guides, naturalists, etc. and work side-by-side with them to design travel experiences that are both deeply authentic and economically viable.

What inspired you to focus on responsible travel experiences? 

Spending time in the field, like in remote villages, jungles, and small towns, where you can quickly see the impact tourism can have. It can uplift, or it can exploit. For us, the turning point came when we realised that the most powerful trips were the ones where we weren’t just visiting a place, but co-creating something meaningful with the people who live there.

We don’t believe in parachuting travellers in and out. Instead, we aim to embed tourism into the local fabric, so that every tour we operate benefits real people, not just hotels or middlemen. That’s where the model of nurturing local travel entrepreneurs emerged: giving people on the ground the tools, training, and platform to run experiences that reflect their culture, values, and environment.

How do you define responsible travel in the context of Thailand?

For us, responsible travel means looking beyond the glossy brochure and finding the real stories like the farmers, forest rangers, village hosts, and river guides who know the land better than anyone. It’s about building travel experiences where both guest and host benefit.

We define it as a combination of:

• Low-impact logistics (small groups, shared transport, minimal plastic)
• Ethical wildlife and cultural engagement
• Local ownership and economic redistribution
• Storytelling and education for travellers

Responsible travel in Thailand means treating the country not just as a playground, but as a living, breathing community that deserves respect and reciprocity.

What specific steps does Go Beyond take to minimise environmental impact?

We try to integrate “responsible consciousness” at every stage of product development. Some of our key practices include:

Designing low-footprint itineraries: We avoid over-touristed hotspots and instead steer travellers to lesser-known national parks, rivers, or village areas. We also group activities geographically to minimise unnecessary transport.

Small groups, shared logistics: Many of our trips use shared transport (like local songthaews, longtail boats, or minivans) rather than individual vehicles. Less emissions, more local flavour.

‘Leave no trace’ jungle policies: In places like Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary or Thung Yai Wildlife Reserve, our guides are trained in environmental stewardship, including carrying out all waste and respecting wildlife corridors.

No animal exploitation: We only work with recognised partners like the Mahouts Elephant Foundation (mahouts.org), with whom we allow travellers to witness elephants in their natural habitat rather than elephant sanctuaries.

Every destination is different, but we constantly reassess our carbon and ecological footprint and look for ways to reduce it.

How do you support local communities through your tours?

This is the heart of what we do. Go Beyond works with a handful of independent local entrepreneurs whom we help grow into travel providers. These aren’t staff or outsourced services, they are our partners. We invest time and resources into developing their skills in hospitality, safety, and experience design. For example:

• A former park ranger in Umphang now runs our operations and hires young Karen guides from nearby refugee camps.
• Fishermen in Chumphon run our coral island trips using their own boats, sharing income with their crew and communities.

Because the experiences are locally owned, revenues stay in the communities, not in city offices or foreign accounts. We also maintain feedback loops so locals can adjust, improve, and take full pride in their product.

Can you share a success story of how your tours have benefited a local community or conservation effort?

A standout success is our collaboration with the Mahouts Elephant Foundation (MEF) in Umphang. MEF works to return captive elephants to their natural forest habitat, and we built a travel experience around this mission.

Our “Umphang Wildlife Explorer” is a 5-day journey that takes travellers deep into the forest, where they hike alongside elephants roaming freely (no riding, no chains, no feeding shows). The local community leads everything: guiding, cooking, interpreting.

We pay a fixed community fee per traveller, employ only locals, and contribute financially to MEF during the high season. This tour now sustains several jobs, supports elephant welfare, and has helped revive pride in forest knowledge and ancestral conservation practices.

It’s a win-win-win; for elephants, the Karen villagers, and curious travellers who want something real and respectful.

How do you educate travellers about responsible behaviour before or during a tour?

We believe in gentle, story-led education. Before every trip, travellers receive a digital briefing that covers etiquette, environmental guidelines, and community expectations. Once on tour, our guides and local partners continue this by:

• Sharing stories about the places we visit (not just facts)
• Explaining why certain behaviours matter (e.g. no selfies with elephants, appropriate dress in temples or villages)

For many of our trips, we also provide short video introductions from our local partners so travellers see who they’re supporting. This builds connection before arrival and helps set the tone for thoughtful travel.

Do you find that more travellers are asking for responsible or eco-friendly experiences?

Absolutely, and particularly among the 18-35 and 45+ audiences. We’ve noticed that more travellers want to understand the impact of their choices. They’re no longer satisfied with ticking off landmarks; they want to connect with nature, with people, with purpose.

In the past, responsible travel might have been a niche add-on. Now, it’s a selling point. Our most successful products are the ones with a strong story, a community angle, and a sense of authentic immersion. Travellers today want more than comfort; now they want meaning.

How can travellers be more active in supporting responsible tourism in Thailand?

Ask the right questions before booking: Who owns this tour? Where does my money go? What’s the environmental impact?

Choose operators that are transparent about their supply chain and community involvement.

Be curious and respectful: Learn a few local phrases, ask before taking photos, and try to listen more than talk.

Support local businesses: Eat in local restaurants, buy handicrafts directly from artisans, and stay in homestays.

Avoid exploitative experiences: Steer clear of unethical animal interactions, orphanage tourism, or over-touristed Instagram spots that put pressure on small communities.

What part of Thailand do you think more travellers should discover?

Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, hands down! It’s Thailand’s largest wildlife sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage site, yet almost unknown to international visitors.

We’re launching a new expedition here; 15 days hiking through pristine jungle, staying in Karen villages, and sleeping under the stars. It’s raw, beautiful, and only possible thanks to years of trust-building with the local community and park rangers. It’s not for everyone, but for those who go, it’s transformational. Thung Yai represents what we believe travel should be: human, respectful, and unforgettable.

Travel with Go Beyond

A huge thank you to Marc for his time and his expert insights. Go Beyond is a wonderful example of a responsible travel company. To find out more about their trips in Thailand, visit their travel centre in Bangkok or website here: https://gobeyond.asia/

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