Southeast Asian destination management company Smiling Albino is all set to celebrate its landmark 25th anniversary with an intimate gathering on February 27 in Bangkok.
The event is set to bring together the DMC’s long-time partners, team members, clients, and collaborators who helped shape a quarter-century of travel defined by curiosity, innovation, and value.
According to co-founder and chief executive Daniel Fraser: “In 1999 we started this journey with an unreasonable level of curiosity and a desire to please. Over 25 years later, that spirit still underscores every decision we make, and every trip we design.”
The celebration will be held at Bangkok’s historic Hualamphong Railway station, a setting that mirrors the company’s evolution from early, grit-and-glory exploratory trips to today’s ultra-luxury community-focused experiences.
Most importantly, the event will also recognize local communities and partners who sit at the heart of the Smiling Albino story, underscoring the belief that long-term relationships are the bedrock of any truly uncommon travel experience.
As Fraser puts it: “This anniversary is all about the people, places and partnerships that have made this extraordinary journey possible. We’re fueled by the same passion that guided us in 1999, and can’t wait for the next 25 years to evolve.”

History in a nutshell

Smiling Albino was founded in 1999 by Canadians Daniel Fraser and Scott Coates on the conviction that luxury travel and off-the-beaten-path experiences can go hand in hand.
The company gradually expanded to include experiences in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, in addition to Thailand, always prioritizing people over scale and deep-rooted partnerships over rapid expansion.
Coates left the business in 2013, though Fraser and the evolving company continued to focus on handcrafted, private, ultra-luxury journeys.
Currently headquartered in Bangkok with a full-time staff of 40, Smiling Albino is renowned for its creative, even theatrical, approach to luxury travel.
What began with scooter journeys through remote corners of the Golden Triangle and motorcycle expeditions along the borders of Laos and Vietnam has evolved into curated experiences for some of the world’s most discerning travelers.
The company delivers private-jet itineraries and collaborations with celebrity chefs to surprise railway parties, helicopter access to restricted locations, and immersive journeys by bicycle, scooter, and boat with guests including A-list celebrities, captains of industry, and adventurous families from around the world.