Thailand 26

Thailand Trip with the Turing scheme.

At the end of February our year 12 students and 4 staff members experienced a truly unforgettable trip to Thailand. After a smooth journey via Bahrain (possibly the quietest and most decadent airport we have ever seen!) we arrived in Bangkok. We were taken to our amazing hotel in our very own party bus (with reclining seats) which was our transport for the duration of our stay. Straight to the pool where the very tired students and staff relaxed for the afternoon before we experienced our first taste of Thai food in a local restaurant.

Over the next two days we visited our partner school, Wat Raj O Ros where the students met their buddies and exchanged gifts. We were shown traditional dancing from all over Thailand, wore traditional dress as well playing traditional music. Some of our students got VERY involved in the Thai boxing which was brilliant. On our second day, we visited the school temple, learned to write our Thai name, played games, and made bracelets. In the evening we went on the sky train to the river and then a ferry to Asiatique where there were shops and amazing restaurants.

On Saturday we visited the largest market in Thailand, JJ market. Students honed their bartering skills within the 15000 stalls selling everything you could think of! We got back on our party bus and had a brilliant beach day on Sunday. Eating good food, being interviewed by university students, and taking part in aquatic activities!!

We had an emotional final day at our school as the students said farewell to their buddies. We showed them some traditional British playground games and made and flew traditional kites. Definitely made some friends for life!

The last three days of the trip involved visiting Wat Arun temple by boat which was breath-taking and returning to the hotel in style via tuk-tuk! We drove out of Bangkok and visited the floating markets, further improving our bartering skills and then onto Elephant World. Here we experienced feeding retired elephants and their young after we had been treated to the most delicious lunch ourselves. We then cut some sugar cane and headed down the famous River Kwai, here we fed our cut sugar cane to the elephants and posed for photos and then made some soft seed ball for the older elephants. Our final task was to give the younger elephants a mud bath and then wash them in the River Kwai. What a privilege to spend time with these beautiful animals who are cared for so well by their mahout.

Our final morning was spent at the house of the Good Shepherd Sisters. A wonderful organisation whose staff dedicate their lives to helping the women and children of Bangkok and beyond. Our students spent the day with pre-school and refugee children playing games and learning about their culture. We then had a delicious lunch and spent time with the impressive Sister Louise who at 91 has been in Bangkok for 60 years dedicating her life to good work.

Our students embraced every single part of the experience. They made us so proud! It truly was out of this world.

February 2026