Thailand travel agency gives children new smiles

One of the biggest boons to snagging cheaper airfare has been the Internet. If you have the patience to search, there are hundreds of websites and sneaky ways to find affordable flights." I will look it up on all the different sites in Australia,Xinjiang travel agency America or England, and the prices will be different," says Liz Carlson , travel blogger behind Young Adventuress. "Always double-check a flight on foreign versions of airline websites sites."To celebrate its 20th anniversary, on March 20, 2014 a Thailand-based travel agency gave new smiles to 20 children through Operation Smile Thailand. Khiri Travel Group 0and partners donated 500,000 baht US$16,000 to fund the 20 operations for children who suffer from facial deformities such as cleft lip or cleft palate, which often leads to stigma and social exclusion, sometimes even death.

The travel agency took the lead role in the fundraising effort which also saw generous donations from: Asia Transpacific Journeys USA, Club Travel NL, Erlebe Fernreisen DE, Jalan BE, Greig Smith Travels UK, NRV Holiday NL, Red Lantern Journeys USA, Rickshaw Travel UK, Riksja Travel/Rickshaw Travel Network NL, Sawadee Reizen NL, Take Off Erlebnisreisen DE, and Younique Travel NL.In February, six staff volunteered to join an Operation Smile mission to Surin in Northeast Thailand to support the medical team,Xinjiang China Tours and last year, management met Dr. William P. Magee Jr., who together with his wife Kathleen founded Operation Smile in 1982. The meeting further inspired Khiri's involvement with Operation Smile.

Said Niemeijer: "The work of Operation Smile Thailand is incredibly uplifting. Just look at the smiles on the faces of children and their families after the operation. This is a great way to give back to the country where the Khiri story began 20 years ago. We look forward to continue supporting the work of Operation Smile by fund-raising, volunteering and donating," he said. "It's part of our firm mitment to the triple bottom line."Khiri Travel's involvement with Operation Smile is an extension of the work of its charitable arm, Khiri Reach, which supports people and planet projects in and around the Greater Mekong Region.