1. About Vela Private Tour

Vela Private Tour is a licensed tour operator in Thailand, registered as a sole proprietorship (Tourism Business Licence No. 21/01371). We design and operate private tours, mainly from Chiang Mai. In these terms, "Vela", "we" and "us" mean Vela Private Tour and its registered owner. "You" and "guest" mean the person who makes the booking and every traveller included in it.

The person who makes the booking confirms that they are at least 20 years old, can accept these terms for every traveller in the group, and will share these terms with them.

Official contact channels: velaprivatetour@gmail.com · LINE ID: @velaprivatetour · WeChat ID: Velaprivatetour · WhatsApp: +6685-177-6886. We only send quotes, invoices and payment details through these channels.

2. Quotes, Prices & What's Included

• Every private tour is quoted for your dates, group size, vehicle, hotels and activities. A quote is valid for [7] days. A quote is not a reservation.
• Your booking summary lists exactly what is included. Unless it says otherwise, prices include: private vehicle with driver, fuel, tolls and parking; a licensed guide for the hours stated; entrance fees and activities listed in the itinerary; accommodation and meals listed; drinking water in the vehicle; [basic accident insurance — see section 9].
• Not included unless stated: flights, visas, comprehensive travel insurance, meals and drinks not listed, optional activities, personal expenses, overtime charges (section 5) and tips.
• Once your booking is confirmed, we will not raise the price, except when you change dates, group size, hotels or the itinerary, or when the government introduces a new tax or fee that applies to your trip.
• Peak periods — Songkran, Loy Krathong/Yi Peng, Christmas–New Year and Chinese New Year — may carry hotel surcharges or minimum stays. These are shown in your quote.
• Tipping is not included and is always at your discretion.

3. Booking, Confirmation & Payment

How a booking works:

• Chat with Vela — Tell us your dates, group size and interests on LINE, WhatsApp or Messenger.
• Choose your tour — Pick the private tour that suits your group. We send you a written quote and booking summary with the price, what's included and the payment dates.
• Pay a 50% deposit — Book online with a 50% deposit, or pay in full. Bookings made less than 30 days before the tour must be paid in full. By paying, you confirm that you have read and accept these terms, our Cancellation Policy and your booking summary. Your booking is confirmed only when we have verified your payment and sent you a written Booking Confirmation. An uploaded payment slip, or a return page from a payment provider, is not a confirmation.
• Get your final program — We send you your final itinerary. Please pay the balance at least 30 days before your tour starts.

Payment schedule:

• Deposit: 50% of the total price when you accept the quote.
• Balance: the remaining 50% at least 30 days before your tour starts, or by the date in your booking summary.
• Bookings made less than 30 days before the tour: 100% when you accept the quote.
• Some hotels, flights or special experiences require earlier or non-refundable payment. We will tell you in the quote before you pay.
• If we have not received the balance by the due date, we will send a reminder. If it is still unpaid [3] days after the reminder, we may cancel the booking, and our Cancellation Policy will apply.

Payment methods and fees:

• Card payments are processed securely by Stripe. Other methods (PromptPay, international bank transfer, cash) are offered where available. A cash payment counts only when we have issued a receipt.
• Bank charges, transfer fees and currency conversion costs are paid by the guest. The amount we receive must match the invoice.
• Receipts and tax invoices are available on request.Payment schedule:
• Deposit: 50% of the total price when you accept the quote.
• Balance: the remaining 50% at least 30 days before your tour starts, or by the date in your booking summary.
• Bookings made less than 30 days before the tour: 100% when you accept the quote.
• Some hotels, flights or special experiences require earlier or non-refundable payment. We will tell you in the quote before you pay.
• If we have not received the balance by the due date, we will send a reminder. If it is still unpaid [3] days after the reminder, we may cancel the booking, and our Cancellation Policy will apply.

Payment methods and fees:

• Card payments are processed securely by Stripe. Other methods (PromptPay, international bank transfer, cash) are offered where available. A cash payment counts only when we have issued a receipt.
• Bank charges, transfer fees and currency conversion costs are paid by the guest. The amount we receive must match the invoice.
• Receipts and tax invoices are available on request.

Payment safety:

• Vela Private Tour is registered as a sole proprietorship, so bank transfers are paid into the personal account of the registered business owner. We do not publish our account details on this website.
• Before every transfer, our admin will send you the account name and number through one of our official chat channels LINE ID: @velaprivatetour · WeChat ID: Velaprivatetour · WhatsApp: +6685-177-6886. Please check that the account name matches exactly, or call us on WhatsApp: +6685-177-6886 to confirm, every time before you transfer.
• If anyone asks you to pay into a different account, or tells you that our bank details have changed, do not pay. Call us on WhatsApp: +6685-177-6886 first.
• You can check our Tourism Business Licence No. 21/01371 on the Department of Tourism website (www.tourism.go.th) or by calling 0 2401 1111.
• Please keep your transfer slip as proof of payment.
• Card payments are made only through our secure Stripe payment page. Never send card numbers by email or chat.

4. Changes Requested by Guests

• Please send change requests in writing. Changes depend on availability, supplier conditions and any price difference. A change is confirmed only when we confirm it in writing.
• Date changes made [30] days or more before the tour are free if availability allows, apart from any supplier charges. Later date changes may be treated as a cancellation and a new booking.
• Our prices depend on group size. If fewer people travel, we may recalculate the price per person. If more people travel, a larger vehicle or extra guide may be needed at extra cost.
• Traveller names can be changed up to [7] days before the tour. Flight and train tickets follow the carrier's rules.
• During the tour, your guide can help with small changes within the agreed hours and area. Any extra cost (entrance fees, extra distance, overtime) is paid on the day.

5. Service Hours, Pick-up & Waiting Time

• A standard tour day is up to [schedule] hours from pick-up, within [the Chiang Mai city area]. Extra time is charged at [Service hours and overtime rates are shown in your quote.] per hour for the vehicle and [Service hours and overtime rates are shown in your quote.] per hour for the guide.
• Pick-ups from hotels outside [the city area] may carry an extra charge, shown in your quote.
• Please be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before pick-up. We wait up to [30] minutes. If we cannot reach you after that, the day may be treated as a no-show (section 12).
• A late start does not extend the tour day unless you pay overtime.
• Airport pick-ups: please give us your flight number. We track your flight and wait up to [60] minutes after actual landing at no charge. If your flight changes, tell us as soon as you can.
• Very early starts (for example, sunrise at Doi Inthanon) or late returns may be priced separately.

6. Vehicles, Seat Belts & Child Seats

• Your vehicle type is shown in your booking. If needed, we may provide a vehicle of the same or higher standard.
• Please tell us how many bags you will bring and their size. Extra or oversized luggage may need a larger vehicle.
• Thai law requires every passenger to wear a seat belt. Children under 6 must sit in a child seat unless they are 135 cm or taller. Please give each child's age and height when you book. We can provide child seats [free of charge / for THB x per day], subject to availability, or you may bring your own.
• No smoking or vaping in vehicles. E-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand. Please avoid strong-smelling food such as durian. Damage or heavy soiling may result in a cleaning or repair charge.
• Our drivers follow traffic laws and speed limits, and take rest breaks on long drives. They may refuse any request they believe is unsafe.
• Mountain roads in Northern Thailand are steep and winding. If you get motion sickness, please tell us so we can plan breaks.

7. Guides & Drivers

• Our guides hold Thai tour guide licences. Tours are guided in [Chinese / English / Thai]. We will confirm your guide's name [3] days before the tour.
• Drivers are not licensed guides. On a driver-only booking, the driver cannot guide you inside attractions.
• If a guide or driver is ill or has an emergency, we will send a replacement who speaks the same language.
• Our tours have no compulsory shopping stops. We visit shops only when you ask.
• Guides and drivers may decline requests that are illegal, unsafe, or outside the agreed route and hours.

8. Health, Fitness, Special Needs & Dietary Requests

• Please tell us when you book about any medical condition, pregnancy, limited mobility, allergy, regular medication or fear of heights. We use this only to plan your trip safely.
• Some activities, such as trekking, rafting, ziplines and elephant sanctuaries, have age, weight or health limits set by the operator. Operators may refuse a guest for safety reasons. If this happens because a condition was not disclosed, no refund is due.
• Mountain areas can be steep and cool. Doi Inthanon reaches 2,565 m.
• Air quality: from about February to April, smoke haze is common in Northern Thailand. Guests with breathing conditions should take precautions. Haze can also limit mountain views; this is not a reason for a refund.
• Rainy season (about June to October) can close some trails or waterfalls. We will suggest alternatives.
• We pass on vegetarian, halal and allergy requests to restaurants and do our best, but we cannot guarantee that a kitchen is free of any ingredient.
• In a medical emergency, your guide will help you reach the nearest hospital. Medical costs are paid by the guest or their insurer.

9. Travel Insurance

Every tour we operate includes travel accident insurance with MSIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, under a policy made for licensed tour operators. It covers guests in our care on inbound, outbound and domestic tours, with no age limit.

Cover (accidents only)

Per person (THB)

Death, loss of limbs, sight, hearing or speech, or total permanent disability- 1,000,000

Medical expenses from an accident -500,000

– included in the above: emergency medical evacuation-15,000

– included in the above: food poisoning or acute gastroenteritis -30,000

Repatriation of remains-15,000

Funeral costs after an accidental death in Thailand-35,000

Accidents caused by terrorism-500,000

Legal liability to third parties-30,000

• Water activities arranged by us are covered, including snorkelling, speed boats, banana boats, jet skis, parasailing and Sea Walker.
• This policy covers bodily injury from accidents only, under the policy's terms and conditions. It does not cover illness (except food poisoning as above), existing medical conditions, trip cancellation, lost baggage, delays, or activities you arrange yourself outside the tour.
• Current policy period: 2 March 2026 – 2 March 2027. Policy details are available on request.
• We strongly recommend your own comprehensive travel insurance that covers illness, hospital treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and baggage. Emergency evacuation under our policy is limited to THB 15,000.
• Private hospitals in Thailand may ask for a deposit or an insurance guarantee before treatment.
• To register you for this insurance, we need each traveller's full name, passport or ID number and date of birth before the tour starts.

10. Guest Conduct & Local Customs

• At temples and royal sites, please cover shoulders and knees and remove shoes where asked. Some sites refuse entry to guests who are not dressed appropriately.
• The Thai monarchy is strictly protected by law. Please avoid any disrespectful words or actions about the royal family.
• Women should not touch monks or hand items directly to them.
• Drinking alcohol inside a vehicle is not allowed under Thai law. Alcohol sales are restricted on Buddhist holy days.
• Illegal drugs carry severe penalties in Thailand. Please do not bring cannabis or any illegal substance into our vehicles.
• Flying a drone requires registration with Thai authorities, and many sites ban drones.
• If a guest's behaviour puts others at risk, harasses our staff, or breaks the law, we may end our services without a refund.

11. Itinerary Changes & Events Beyond Our Control

• The itinerary is a plan. Your guide may change the order or timing because of traffic, weather, crowds or closures, to keep the day safe and enjoyable.
• If an attraction is closed by the authorities or by weather, we will offer an alternative of similar value or refund the unused entrance fee.
• Some events are beyond our control: natural disasters, floods, wildfires, epidemics, civil unrest, government orders, airport closures, and flight or train delays. When they happen, we will work with you on a practical solution. Extra costs, such as extra hotel nights or meals, are paid by the guest or their insurer. Refunds follow our Cancellation Policy and Thai law.

12. Unused Services & No-Shows

• Your private tour is prepaid as a package. Once the tour starts, we do not refund services you choose not to use, such as skipped meals, missed sites or leaving early. If a supplier refunds us for an unused service, we will pass that amount on to you.
• If you do not appear at pick-up and we cannot reach you within the waiting time in section 5, that day is charged in full. The rest of your tour stays booked unless you tell us otherwise.

13. Third-Party Suppliers & Limits of Responsibility

• Hotels, restaurants, activity operators, airlines and other suppliers are independent businesses, and their own rules apply. We choose them carefully.
• We are responsible for arranging the services in your booking with reasonable care. We are not responsible for supplier acts beyond our control, for guests' own choices, or for activities you book yourself during free time.
• Please look after your passport, money and valuables. We are not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings unless it is caused by our staff's negligence.
• Guests pay for any damage they cause to vehicles, hotels or other property.
• Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot be limited under Thai law.

14. Trips Outside Thailand

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date and have blank pages.
• Getting a visa is the traveller's responsibility. We can help with supporting documents. If a visa is refused, our Cancellation Policy applies, and visa fees are not refundable.
• Travellers using an official (blue) passport must check the destination's entry rules themselves.
• If immigration officers refuse entry or exit, we cannot refund the tour price or pay the resulting costs.
• Group and promotional air fares follow the airline's rules. They are usually non-refundable and cannot be changed or renamed. Seat allocation and baggage allowance follow the airline's rules.
• Please follow the destination's laws, customs rules and limits on cash and goods.

15. Medical & Wellness Travel

• On medical and wellness trips, Vela arranges travel, transport, accommodation and coordination. Medical services are provided by independent licensed hospitals and clinics.
• Vela does not give medical advice, make diagnoses or guarantee treatment results. Treatment decisions are made between you and your doctor. The hospital is responsible for its medical services, fees and consent forms. Unless your booking says otherwise, you pay the hospital directly.
• Please bring your medical records and tell us about any condition that could affect travel. Your doctor may advise a longer stay or a later flight; any extra nights or changes are charged at cost.
• Coordinators or interpreters arranged by Vela are not medical professionals.

16. Photos, Privacy & Personal Data

• We collect personal data (names, passport details, contact details, and health or dietary information you give us) only to arrange your trip, in line with Thailand's Personal Data Protection Act. We share it only with suppliers who need it, such as hotels, insurers, airlines and national parks. See our Privacy Policy.
• Our guides may take photos during your tour. We post photos of guests on our website or social media only with your consent, and you can ask us to remove them at any time.

17. Feedback & Complaints

• If something is not right during your tour, please tell your guide or contact us straight away so we can fix it on the spot.
• You can also send a written complaint within [30] days after your tour, with your booking reference. We will reply within [7] business days.
• In Thailand: Tourist Police 1155 · TAT Call Center 1672 · Emergency medical services 1669.

18. Governing Law, Language & Updates

• These terms are governed by Thai law.
• These terms are available in several languages. If the versions differ, the [English / Thai] version applies.
• We may update these terms. The terms in place when you paid your deposit apply to your booking, unless we agree otherwise in writing or the law requires a change.
• If any part of these terms cannot be enforced, the rest still applies.