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September 2003
Katie goes to Thailand... | |
|  | | Gilded Mythical being at the Wat Phra Kaeo temple in Bangkok - one of the wonders of Thailand... |
| | Katie Weston's 18 years old and lives in Leek. This Autumn, she's going to Phuket in Thailand to do voluntary work to help stop the abuse and maltreatment of Gibbons...
Click here to read Katie's Thailand diary |
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:: Web Links» | www.gvi.co.uk
The official web site of the group organising Katie's trip | The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites |
:: Gibbon Facts » | Gibbons are a species that belongs to the Pongidae Family and are considered Lesser Apes.
There are 11 species of Gibbons that have been identified.
Gibbons practically live like Humans as the mated pair will live together with their offspring.
Gibbons have the ability to walk upright while in the treetops.
There are four Primate subspecies; Prosimians, Simians, Pongidae and Hominidae Gibbons belong to the Hominidae sub species. |
:: Thailand Facts » | Thailand is in southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma.
The Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century.
It was known as Siam until 1939.
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power.
Thailand has 3,219 km of coastline.
The population of Thailand is estimated at just over 64 million.
Check out the BBC News Thailand Profile.
Check out the BBC News Thailand Timeline. |
| | Katie explains why she's off to Thailand this Autumn:
 | Katie Weston |
My name is Katie Weston, I'm 18 and I live in Leek. This Autumn I am going to do voluntary work at a gibbon rehabilitation sanctuary in Phuket, Thailand.
My trip to Thailand
This trip is organised by Global Vision International - they aim to give ordinary people firsthand experience of the environmental issues around the world.
The group supports small international charities and governmental organisations, helping them to achieve sustainable development in education, the environment, and the community.
I initially applied to be part of the group's activities in Thailand after I failed to get a place at University to study to be a vet. I felt that this was mainly due to a lack of experience with animals so I decided to take a year out to gain some vital experience.
 | A Gibbon |
The Gibbon Sanctuary
The project I'm joining in Thailand is a local Thai foundation dedicated to preventing the maltreatment and abuse of Gibbons.
The sanctuary is located at Bang Pea Waterfall on Phuket Island in the south west of Thailand. The area is within the Khao Phra Thaew National Park in the non-tourist part of the island.
Whilst at the project I will assist in the maintenance of the sanctuary food preparation, help in the tourist visitor centre, and also help with local education programmes to ensure that fewer gibbons are captured.
Many gibbons are captured to earn money from tourists and it is equally important that the tourists are aware of how they can help fewer gibbons from being captured by not giving money to the gibbon’s owners. As English speakers, the volunteer’s role in this is vital.
Living in Thailand
When I go out to Thailand I'll be living in a small village close to the sanctuary. The bungalow-style accommodation is basic with two people sharing a bedroom, toilet, and shower. Cooking facilities are also shared by all occupants of the bungalow.
I'll be sending back regular diaries of my experiences in Thailand, including details of life in the village and my work at the sanctuary.
Life experience
This trip will be the experience of a lifetime and may also help me to achieve my lifetime ambition of being a vet.
Click here to read Katie's Thailand diary | | | |
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