See our Trip
Advisor page.
Paddle
Asia's small group guided tours have a mission to provide
discriminating travelers the opportunity to see the
less-visited areas in Thailand's national parks and
conservation areas with the most highly trained guides in
southern Thailand.
Our philosophy/goal is to show the world that we can have a
very successful company with respectable salaries for the
local staff without resorting to any mass tourism marketing.
We are the only major kayaking company in Southern Thailand
that hasn't sold out to the mass tourism day trip market. We work directly with our guests. We don't
work with agents.
Paddle Asia is a Thai company. Paddle Asia is 100%
Thai owned.
We are the only ones who
do what we do!
Walaporn "Moo" Jitprathep, Director
Moo was born and raised in Bangkok. She moved to Phuket over
two decade ago. She has a love for life that is beyond words.
For some strange reason, she's always happy...
Moo comes from a very poor family. She could only attend
formal school for six years... yet she is now fluent in
English and reads and writes it as well! She is a very special
individual indeed.
Moo has been on hundreds of kayaking trips and
has a very keen safety sense.
Moo is certified in first aid and CPR through Emergency First
Response.
Moo and Dave have been married since 1993. They live outside
of Phuket Town with daughter Mook ('Pearl' in Thai), and their
pack of very pampered rescued dogs and cats.
Moo is a trip logistics guru, planner, guide, tour leader,
and sometimes a cook.
If Moo is on your trip, you'll be taken very good care of.
Dave Williams - Founder and marketing (semi-retired)
Dave Williams, a lifelong naturalist and animal
lover, is an American expat who has lived in Thailand since
1993. Dave is semi-retired now and handles the marketing,
training, and destination development for the company.
He started paddling in 1978. He has a great deal of
experience in both very serious whitewater and sea kayaking.
Dave is a BCU (British Canoe Union) Level 2 Coach and is
Level 3 trained (Level 3 Coach certificate to come shortly).
As important as the certification is the fact that Dave has
over 39 years of kayaking experience, including many hardcore
expeditions.
He is also a BCU Lifeguard.
Dave is an Emergency First Response instructor, a Rescue 3
International rescue technician and is also ITC (outdoor
specific) First Aid and CPR certified.
"Dave Williams is a
sort of paddling encyclopaedia for Southern
Thailand."
Action Asia magazine May/June 2009
Dave was the jungle survival expert (consultant) on two
episodes of The Discovery Channel's "Dual Survival" and was
featured on a the BBC episode of "The Travel Show" with Henry
Golding.
Note: by Thai law only Thai
nationals can be guides.