The destination for the Rehab Trekkers in 2003, is the beautiful and exotic Thailand. The Rehab Trekkers will spend eleven glorious days exploring this charming and picturesque country, starting with a trek in the lively, exuberant and exhilarating metropolis of Bangkok, followed by another trek along the River Kwai, Thailand's best known river, and one of the most popular holiday destinations in South East Asia.

 Bangkok

Bangkok is a busy bustling city, superb and varied sightseeing, with absolutely stunning Buddhist Temples and a nightlife that is legendary. Surround yourself in the blaze of colour and awe inspiring landmarks of oriental splendour. Shopping is a pure delight, an Aladdin's Cave of incredible bargains. When it comes to nightlife, Bangkok has something for everyone. The famous raunchy Patpong distict comes alive with its bars, discos and typical Thai restaurants featuring local cuisine, dance and Thai boxing. The first stop is the Grand Palace which is one of the main landmarks in Bangkok. It is a huge compound, surrounded by high walls, occupying an area of about a square mile and consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural designs. From the Grand Palace the group will walk to the National Museum which is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. It houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic time, Sukhotai, Ayutthaya to the Bangkok period. After exploring Bangkok for two days the group will move on to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, the ancient hill capital of Northern Thailand is just one hour's flight north of Bangkok. This "Rose of the North" as it is known makes an ideal centre for touring. the colourful hill tribes, elephants at work in the teak forests, night bazaars and golden temples are but some of the fascinating attractions of this region.

Internationally famous, thanks to several motion pictures and books, the black iron bridge was brought from Java by the Japanese army and reassembled under Japanese supervision by Allied prisoner-of-war labourers as part of the ""Death Railway" linking Thailand with Burma. Still in use today, the bridge was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during 1945 and was rebuilt after the war ended. The curved spans of the bridge are the original sections. The bridge, which spans the Kwai Yai river some 4 kilometres Northwest of the tourism Authority of Thailand's Kanchanaburi Office on Saeng Chuto Road, is the focal point of a riverside area of restaurants souvenir , handicraft and jewellery shops.

Rehab Foundation is Ireland's largest independent supporter of training, employment, social care and commercial services that promote equality. Over almost half a century fundraising activities carried out by the Foundation have assisted more than 25,000 people with disabilities to complete high grade training and enter the workforce. Today it is supporting the delivery of these services to more than 5,000 people at 100 centres throughout the country. But Rehab Foundation isn't just a fundraising body. It also acts as a catalyst for positive change through a diverse range of activities including publishing, advocacy, providing bursaries and scholarships, funding research and running communications programmes. The publications provided by the Foundation include the Insight magazine which has now established itself as a potent voice in the ongoing struggle to redress the imbalances that are part of the everyday life for people with disabilities.

Details from Kevin Bourke 087-2439748