Dear Mr. KIA: Last weekend, I took a trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya with my family. I visited eight temples showcasing very attractive and beautiful artwork. Everywhere I visited, there were many tourists and most of them were foreigners and they came with their tour guides. Then I thought, damn, being a tour guide rules. You get to see these beautiful places, learn things most people don’t know, and have a chance to present our country to foreigners. Please show me where I can apply for this job and how I can learn to become one?—In Need of Guidance

Dear ING: Being a tour guide is indeed an interesting career. They have the chance to travel and earn a decent amount of money at the same time. All tour guides have to follow guidelines set by the TAT, and there are many types of licenses. The Bangkok Tourist Business and Guide Register Office provides tour guide courses through many universities. The easy way to get updated info is to visit www.tat.or.th/tbgr/.

Rangsit University (52/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Rd., Luk-Hok, Pathumtani. 02-791-5681-4. www.rsu.ac.th.) The course is available for Domestic Tourist Giude License. Application is from now till Feb 8 and the class starts on Mar 8 - Aug 17. Only on Sat and Sun. The application fee is B500 and the course fee is B29,000.

Siam University (235 Petkasem Rd., 02-457-0068 ext 211. http://hotel.siam.edu.) Their course is for Specific Areas Tourist Guide License and will open for application from Feb 22 to Mar 20, 2008. The class starts on May 10 - Aug 28 on Mon - Fri. The application fee is B550, and the course fee B29,000.

Rajanagarindra Rajabhat University (422 Marupong Rd., Na Mueng, Chachoengsao. 038-535-380. http://tourism.rru.ac.th) is also offering the Specific Areas Tourist Guide License and will open for application from Mar 1 till May 30. The actual class starts from Jun 8 and goes on everyday until Jun 24. The application fee is B300, and the course fee B11,000.