Khiri Travel has opened an office in Phuket. The move marks a new commitment to innovative tours in southern Thailand by Khiri, which since 1994 has been strong in offering ground-breaking itineraries and travel options in Bangkok, northern Thailand and the Greater Mekong countries of Indochina.

Mr Marc Ruffet, 28, a Swiss national, has been appointed as Branch Manager to run the Khiri Phuket office, which opened in June in central Phuket near the Heroines’ Monument.

Khiri Travel Thailand General Manager, Mr Andre van der Marck, said the Phuket office will be Khiri’s customer service centre for all of southern Thailand. It will also act as a creative and quality control office for all the southern Thailand travel experiences offered by Khiri.

“From our Phuket office, Khiri will develop innovative new programmes such as community based tours for the South. These are being designed to show unique aspects of southern Thailand to our industry partners,” said van der Marck.

Khiri will also offer popular southern Thailand experiences such as yacht charters, sea canoeing, Phi Phi Island trips and creative itineraries to the north of Phuket in the Khao Lak beach resort area and Khao Sok forest park.

“Khiri’s aim is to promote responsible tourism in the South and involve local communities,” said van der Marck. “The remarkable limestone islands, remote sandy bays, verdant landscapes and multi-cultural communities of Thai, Chinese, Muslims and sea gypsies all make the South a fascinating destination for holiday makers who want to get close to nature and respect local culture,” he said.

For example, Khiri is offering homestays in Chaiya, a historical location in Surat Thani that was a regional capital of the Srivijayan Empire between the 5th and 13th centuries. Khiri is also offering discoveries in Nakhon Sri Thammarat’s majestic Khao Luang national park, which is known for its thundering waterfalls, deep forests and mountain hikes with many bio-zones defined by cooler temperatures on the 1,835-metre mountain.

“Whatever your dream of an idyllic tropical holiday, we believe it can be found in southern Thailand with Khiri Travel,” said van der Marck.