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Thailand the land of smiles
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The most popular fresh cuisine in the world, superb beaches and
scenic islands, warm friendly people, temperate weather all year
round, inexpensive prices for most things, and the mystique of
colorful enchanting temples. A culture so exotic and charismatic,
standing the test of time, a country that has never been
colonized. We’re talking about Thailand, the land of smiles.
Located in the hub of South East Asia, Thailand has been
captivating foreign visitors for many years. Visitors return year
after year and as the word spreads, first time visitors come in
their scores. The number of foreign visitors to Thailand continues
to grow in record numbers every year, as international visitor
numbers come to this enchanting land.
As the most exotic destination in South East Asia, The vacation
and holiday possibilities offers travelers to Thailand a huge
range of exciting activities and accommodation options to choose
from. No matter whether you're a traveler on a tight budget
wanting to discover a foreign land, or a mobile up market traveler
who wants to be spoilt and experience the very best. Thailand has
something for everyone.
But despite such huge numbers of international tourists every
year, Thailand has not been unduly damaged by the ravages of
tourism. It is still quite possible to find pristine beautiful
white sandy beaches that you can have all to yourself. Lazing away
the days on a lounge under a palm tree on a mile long beach,
without anyone else in sight, relaxing in the breeze under a
cloudless sky as the waves gently sway against the soft white
sands...is an experience that can still be enjoyed.
There is a huge amount of information about travel, and holidaying
in Thailand available in both books and on the internet. We hope
to give you some useful information and options, if you are
planning a holiday to Thailand, We would suggest getting a copy of
the Lonely Planet Guide to Thailand. It’s still the best guide
book for detailed information on Thailand.
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Visas
Visitors from most western countries, including Australia, USA &
the UK, coming to Thailand get a 30 days entry visa upon arrival
at an international airport, or 15 days if crossing into Thailand
overland. The latter is not a visa per se but a visa waiver. If
you get the vibe and like Thailand you can exit the country and re
enter immediately getting another 30 days. You cannot do this
indefinitely and after spending 90 days in Thailand in a 180 day
period you cannot return for 90 days, unless you apply for a visa
at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of the country first.
Citizens of Peru, Brazil and South Korean, Passport holders,
receive a 90 days entry visa. Many developing countries get
permission to enter for a shorter period of time. Visitors from
some countries may have to apply in advance for a visa. You can
apply in advance for a two month tourist visa which can actually
be extended in the country for another 30 days at any Immigration
office, in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Weather
Talking about the weather many people feel that the best time to
visit Thailand is December through to the end of February, which
is named the cool season. Hey it doesn't really get what anyone
could call cool, in the central or southern regions of the
country. In the north and the northeast it can get cool in the
evenings, especially in the border regions and mountains, so if
you are visiting those areas in the cool season you may need to
pack a jacket.
March through to June is the hot season and it can get very hot
across the entire country. You really can’t escape the heat. In
addition to the heat, in some parts of the country it can get
hazy, which may mean that, visibility is limited in some areas,
such as Chiang Mai where from the city centre it can be difficult
to see the mountains even though they are only a few kilometers
away.
The rainy season runs from early September through to November. It
doesn't rain every day and even when it does rain, it doesn't rain
for very long, the rain usually occurs mid to late afternoon for
an hour or two. It can be very heavy when it comes down so take
cover. It is not the best time of year for the beach.
The majority of travelers to Thailand find the weather to be very
hot, no matter what time of year they come. So, with this hot
weather in mind, should we put on a singlet and a pair of shorts
and sneakers and explore the country? Well, this may be the most
comfortable type of clothing for us, the Thais are not so keen on
such clothing being worn and it is seen to be not respectful,
except at the beach. Thai people tend to cover themselves up, and
a shirt and trousers are normal for men and women, or something
similar that is not very revealing.
In some of the nicer places in Bangkok, you can see the Bangkok
Thai people wearing all manner of clothes but generally speaking,
they seem to stay with a sort of semi formal clothes. You'd think
that such clothes would make you cook in the Thai heat but in
reality, with the light fabrics used in the making of many of the
clothes purchased in Thailand, most people are more comfortable.
There is nothing stopping you from wearing shorts and a singlet or
t shirt in many places. The Thais will regard this as not
respectful, at shopping malls, restaurants, and cinemas but
especially temples or places of cultural or religious importance
to the Thai people. Unsuitable clothing choices may see you
refused entry to many venues. Whatever you decide to wear, loose
fitting clothes are the way to go. The Thais place little
importance on footwear and after a while in the Kingdom, you will
see why. A Thai businessman walking around in an expensive suit,
with a pair of cheap rubber thongs won't even need a second
glance!
The tourist high season runs from around late November through to
May. At certain times, particularly Christmas, New Year, the
Chinese New Year and Songkran the most popular beaches and islands
can be extremely busy to the point that getting accommodation can
become a real task. Hotels and even some guesthouses increase
their prices, and people are willing to pay it. So if you are
traveling over any of these periods it pays to book well in
advance book on line at the Thailand accommodation and sightseeing
page at web site www.seeitsoon.com.au
The major holiday period for Thai people is April, the peak of the
hot season, when the Songkran holiday is celebrated. At this time
of year, some businesses close down for up to a week as many Thais
return to their homes and families in the provinces. While
tourist related services continue to operate and most major shops
and shopping centers remain open, intercity transport can be very
hard to book. Airlines, buses and trains are usually booked solid
around April for about the month or so. But for the staff in
shopping centers and temples, it’s just another day at work. Some
smaller shops will close but generally, travelers shouldn't be
affected. The Songkran period really marks the end of the tourism
high season for the year.
Lets Dress Up
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Personal
Health
Hey the seafood dish of prawns didn't smell right, so I didn’t eat
the meal, I certainly didn’t want a dose of food poisoning,
spending valuable holiday time staring down the toilet bowl and
throwing up, anyway the food was so inexpensive,
you have to be careful with what you eat in Thailand. Let me say
this, you should not be any more concerned about the food that is
sold on the street, or the food sold in restaurants. Thai people
eat food off the street every day and seldom have any problems,
and so most visitors can eat Thai food without problems too.
However if the vendor looks like they have poor conditions then
move on to the next place to eat. One also should be careful with
spicy food if you're not used to it. Eating a lot of spicy food
when your system is not used to it, is not such a good idea.
Finally when it comes to looking after yourself, don’t become
dehydrated
drink as much water as you can. Thailand is very hot for much of
the year, so drink bottled water only and stay healthy.
With regards to health, you should consult your local doctor
before leaving home regarding any vaccinations that you may or may
not need. A lot of people come to Thailand and do not bother with
any shots while others line up their arm as a pin cushion and get
the full service. I have limited knowledge, and I don’t know
anyone who has caught any of the diseases for which vaccinations
are available and most of the people I know who have visited
Thailand did not get any vaccinations. It’s up to you personally.
When I went to see my local doctor, he recommended that I got
hepatitis and typhoid and tetanus shots as these are three he
considered essential. Consult your doctor as he or she knows
best. Remember that you may need to go and see your doctor a
couple of months before you set off on your travels as some
vaccinations require not one, but a whole course of shots spread
over time.
If you think you're going to be a naughty boy and get involved
with the ladies of the night in Thailand then make sure you use
condoms. It goes without saying that AIDS is much more common in
Thailand than in any other country and the prevalence of STD’s
amongst sex workers and women who hang out with travelers on a
frequent basis is high. Condoms are available locally. Durex is
the top selling brand in Thailand, but avoid buying the Kingtex
range as they are made for the local market and too small for the
average western visitor.
No Refund
Thailand is a great friendly country for a holiday but many people
experience a problem of some sort or another, and mostly, it has
to do with the expected level of service. Service in Thailand is
totally different to your home town and while it can be a lot
better at times, sometimes things aren't handled as well as they
could have been. If you are staying in the best hotels and eating
in the best restaurants then you should largely be dealing with
well trained service staff that have a good handle on what
visiting tourists expect. It's when things go wrong that some
travelers start to lose the plot. At all times remain cool, point
out the issue and don't get too loud! After that you will need to
hope for the best! Still keep your cool. One thing that really
annoys some tourists to Thailand is that if you do suffer a
problem while in the country, it is very seldom that you will
receive a refund it's quite simply not the Thai way to give people
their money back. So once you part with your money, consider it
gone!
Language
The language of Thailand is ‘Thai’ and while English is widely
spoken, the level is still pretty low and the comprehension can be
low as well. When speaking English with the locals, try to speak
slowly and as clearly as possible, in order that the person that
you are talking to has a much better chance to understand
you. Broken English is good, using the main words only, can work,
like anything it is trial and error to get a result.
You generally find that in Thailand, the Thais speak a working
level of English that enables them to carry out their job. Get
away from the specific language constraints that they use every
day and you can quickly lose it. As long as you stay on the main
tourist track, like most people do, the ability to speak Thai, is
not necessary. Other languages such as French, German and other
European languages are not widely spoken in Thailand at all.
relaxing vistas beautiful tropical gardens
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Arrival in Thailand
Most people arriving in Thailand, fly into Suvamabhumi
international airport in Bangkok. Your first time in Thailand,
which may be your first time in Asia, can be more than a little
daunting. You are more than likely getting off the plane after a
fairly long trip and probably want to get to your hotel as soon as
possible just to get a second breath and freshen up. To make
matters easy and I always do this myself, I would recommend you
grab a cab. There are buses and trains available but if you do
not know where to get off then you risk getting lost. When you
grab a cab at the airport the driver should use the meter
so. Please note that he is entitled to tack on a surcharge of 50
baht that is for all airport pickups. I also recommend you have
your first night’s accommodation booked as well, you’re on holiday
enjoy.
Accommodation………..where to stay
Bungalows are a very popular Thai style of holiday accommodation.
What exactly is a bungalow? Well, it is just a standalone
building that may have as little as a bed, bedside table and chair
or be a standalone building decorated and with the facilities as
flash as a room in the best 5 star hotels. One tends to think
that bungalows are only found near the seaside and while this is
where they tend to be located most of the time, you can find them
in many other places too, outside of cities and in the
countryside.
The most popular beaches and islands in Thailand, spots like
Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui have a huge variety of accommodation
options. But this is mostly not always the case at some of the
more remote locations. It should be realized that the further off
the beaten track you venture on your journey, it is more difficult
to find quality accommodation. Even in some of the islands, the
quality of accommodation is not always that crash hot, and on
occasion the prices, while inexpensive by international standards,
are expensive by local Thai standards. Places like Koh Samet and
Koh Chang are classic examples where, accommodation prices are
higher than what you would expect.
Bangkok Areas to stay
You know that Bangkok can be quite difficult to get around, due to
the dreadful traffic chaos at certain times of the day and the sky
train and underground only cover a small part of the city, so you
need to think carefully about the area where you choose to stay in
accommodation. The most popular areas are Sukhumvit Road, Silom
Road, Siam Square, Pratunam, Khaosan Road, Banglampoo and the Chao
Praya River. There are advantages and disadvantages of each
particular area. And there other areas we would not really
recommend.
Sukhumvit Road
Area
The Sukhumvit Road area has long been a popular place for many a
weary visitor and we have been staying in that area for as long as
we have been visiting Bangkok. There are a large number of quality
hotels in the area, ranging from older, but still comfortable and
very affordable 2 and 3 star accommodations at around 1,000 baht a
night, many with names which you know and trust. Sukhumvit is
central, easy to get to and from, and is the most popular area for
a good percentage of Bangkok’s resident Westerners to live. It is
also the main area for much of Bangkok’s visitor oriented naughty
nightlife industry which is predominantly in the area from
Sukhumvit soi 1 to soi 23. If that excites you, then this is a
good area to stay, but if it gives you a bad vibe, you may want to
stay away from Sukhumvit. I really don’t think there is anything
particularly special in this area and in reality, the main reason
people do come to or stay in this area is for the nightlife. The
shopping in this area doesn’t compare to other areas of Bangkok,
and there really aren’t any major tourist attractions, in the area
so it’s up to you to decide. The sky train runs along Sukhumvit
Road so access to other areas of Bangkok serviced by the sky train
is easy and can be an adventure.
Pratunam Siam Square Area
This is the location of Bangkok’s biggest and best shopping malls
and as such if shopping is your therapy, this is most definitely
the area to stay, you can shop till you drop. There are a number
of huge shopping malls in the area, ranging from the ever popular
MBK short for Mahboonkrong to the ultra up market Gaysorn Plaza,
as well as the more budget minded Pratunam Market. Traffic
congestion and pollution in this area is usually very bad at peak
times, but it remains a very convenient area to stay. Not only is
the shopping excellent, but this is an area where the vendors are
used to dealing with foreign tourists so most vendors and the
staff in most shops, speak fairly good English. There are also
some interesting attractions in the area such as the Erawan shrine
and the Baiyoke Tower. It is in reality, an easy and convenient
area to stay.
Silom Road Area
The Silom Road area, and the two roads that run parallel, Suriwong
Road and Sathorn Road, encompass the main business district, an
area where there are many banks, embassies, insurance companies
and both local and international company head offices. If you are
doing business, this would likely be a good area to stay. You’re
not too far away from the sky train either and there is some
shopping in the area, including a lot of tourist related
shopping. The Patpong night market and the Lumpini Night Bazaar
are right there too. As it attracts a lot of business travelers
to the area, many of the hotels are expensive and there aren’t as
many budget hotels in this area as there are in say, Sukhumvit
Road. A favorite, is the majestic Sukhothai Hotel.
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Banglampoo Area
This is the backpackers and budget travelers’ district and is very
conveniently located close to some of the city’s most historic
attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Po and the meandering Chayo
Praya River. This is the area to go to if you are traveling on a
budget, or want to be among others traveling on a similar budget.
Khaosan Road is the main road in this area, every taxi and tuk tuk
driver knows this area very well, and there are guesthouses and
budget hotels a plenty all over this area. You
should be aware that some of budget hotels and guesthouses in the
Khaosan Road area do not allow Thai nationals to stay. I don’t
know the reason why, but if you are traveling with a Thai person,
you need to be aware of the situation! May be one of the reasons
is that the hotels and guesthouses want to discourage Guy’s from
bringing pro’s back to their room. And the reason might be, don't
bring prostitutes back to the hotel because, things have a habit
of going missing, and the police come and no one wants that type
of scrutiny...
Chayo Praya River
Located at the bottom end of Silom Road, the hotel properties
along the Chayo Praya river are some of the finest not just in
Bangkok, but in the world. The famous Oriental Hotel has all the
colonial charm, in contrast to the Peninsula directly opposite,
which is seriously more up to date, but still in the same price
range. The Shangri la is another world famous hotel and the
Sheraton Orchid is also very charming. These are all very fine 5
star hotels, inexpensive, compared to many other 5 star hotels
around the world, and all have very fine facilities and
restaurants. The sky train does not go down as far as the river so
traffic can be a rather hectic down there, especially late
afternoon and into the evening peak period.
the Airport, Rachadapisek Rd, & Chinatown
Two areas I would not stay unless you have a very specific reason
for being there, are Chinatown and the airport area. Chinatown
has dreadful pollution and the traffic situation is the worst in
the city. Getting to and from this area to go to other areas can
be a headache.
There are some hotels along Rachadapisek Road. I would never
really suggest that a visitor to Bangkok, stay in this area as the
traffic is very bad and there is nothing of interest in the area.
Many of the hotels in this area target Asian travelers I can only
assume they get a super deal and you would need one, because this
area is not handy to anything. The new Bangkok international
airport opened in September 2006 and there are some hotels out
there, but again there is no real reason to stay in the area
unless you find yourself arriving late at night with an early
flight the next morning.
Accommodation in Bangkok is readily available, so wherever you are
or wherever you want to stay, you can find the right accommodation
for you, check out the accommodation sightseeing links on
this site.
The prices for hotels, resorts & spa’s in Koh Samui and Phuket are
much the same as in Bangkok. There are now international beach
resorts with many fantastic facilities and options to stay. The
prices reflect what people are prepared to pay for just the right
accommodation for their holiday. Pattaya and Chiang Mai both have
high quality accommodation available at great prices. This is one
reason to visit Pattaya and Chiang Mai you get very good value for
money on your accommodation.
Once you leave the city of Bangkok and the popular tourist areas,
the prices, for accommodation reduces considerably, but the
quality remains reasonably good. Much of country Thailand, towns
such as Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Korat, Nakhon Phanom, you can get
a great room for 1,000 baht. This usually gets you a very
comfortable hotel room with either a double or two single beds,
all the usual facilities and a very good buffet breakfast as well.
These hotels can be very comfortable.
Khaosan Road
Area
If you're traveling on a budget then and are planning to spend
some time in Bangkok then you will almost certainly spend some
time in Khaosan road, the backpacker’s area of Bangkok. This 500
meter stretch of road and its immediate surrounds are home to all
of the businesses that a traveler ever needs with many cheap
restaurants, internet cafes, travel agencies, photo processing
stores and of course a multitude of guesthouses and cheap
accommodation options as well as many like minded people on a
journey, just like you and me. Khaosan road is actually very
centrally located for anyone visiting Bangkok as it is walking
distance to the river and the most interesting and historically
significant parts of the city. The must see Grand Palace is about
2 km away, easy walk, even in Bangkok's heat, on second thought,
may be a tuk tuk instead.
For those on a very strict budget, you should be able to find a
half sensible room for as around 150 baht a night. There are
cheap places in other areas of Bangkok but not the range and
quantity of places that are available at Khaosan. Starbucks,
McDonalds and Burger King can all be found there and the
accommodation options are endless with some better places charging
well over 1,000 baht for a room for a night, and at that price
point you're starting to think more of a mid range stay rather
than budget accommodation. You can find fun out there and the vibe
isn't bad once you arrive.
Khaosan road has all of the essentials for anyone traveling
through Bangkok, Thailand or to other popular destinations in
Asia. It should be noted that some of the bars on Khaosan road are
frequented by Thai working girls, so you guys, if you meet a girl
who wants to go back to your accommodation, be aware that in the
morning she will expect 1,000 baht or more from you!
The Khaosan road, bars and eateries, is an inexpensive, reasonable
setting in Bangkok for a night out. And is worth a visit and its
location is central. But it may not the best place to stay if you
don’t want to stay in the backpacker district. While some
visitors may describe the area as vibrant, some will call it loud!
An alternative neighborhood with budget accommodation, you might
like to consider is the Pathumwan area. It is very conveniently
located in central Bangkok, right across the road from MBK
Mahboonkrong Shopping Centre. In this particular area you can
find several guesthouses with rooms in the 500 baht range, and you
will get a better room for the money than you would in the Khaosan
area. The major shopping district of Siam Square is a stone's
throw away and is right beside the National Stadium sky train
station which is convenient if you have any business to do in the
city, or if one of your main reasons for visiting Bangkok is
either shopping or nightlife, all the best shopping and nightlife
areas are accessible by the sky train.
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Thailand Travel Mode
Travel by Bus
The exciting thing about traveling around Thailand is that no
matter what mode of transport you decide, it’s always going to be
reasonably cheap. Imagine trying to travel 700+ km in an
air-conditioned bus back home for around 600 baht = about $US 16.
Well, it is just not going to happen!
The most popular form of city to city transport in Thailand is
public bus and there are many varied types of buses in Thailand so
you need to think carefully what service to use. The government
run BKS buses is really the best operated bus service. There are
several different classes of bus from the no frills non
air-conditioned buses through to the larger VIP buses. The
difference in cost between the best and the cheapest class of bus
is significant in terms of the cost.
The ordinary buses are orange and unless it is raining, or in the
middle of the cool season, the bus will drive along with all of
the windows open - so you get a nice breeze running through.
These buses stop pretty much anywhere and pick up anyone who waves
down the bus. Further, if one wants to get out of the bus mid
route, the driver will stop the bus at your request great
service! These buses, are easily identified because they are
bright orange, can be very slow and unless you are down to your
last few bucks, I wouldn't recommend traveling on them as they are
really slow! Too slow for you. The seats are much smaller and
there are no seat allocations so you may have to stand, but
getting to the bus station early usually prevents that from
happening. On a few local routes in the provinces, air conditioned
buses routes just don't exist. So if you get off the beaten track
you might find yourself on such a bus! But really it’s not that
bad and there are a few benefits. People using this type of bus
are often less well off folks who have never met a visitor and
they will be delighted to try and chat with you so you have a
great opportunity to meet and have conversations with Thai people
on these buses. When these buses stop, vendors often jump on
board selling all sorts of food, drinks, clothes etc. It's quite
common to be able to buy some fried chicken, sticky rice without
having to get off the bus. These vendors sell food in the same
way on the trains too. Hey the pleasure of travel in Thailand
it’s fantastic!
The next type of bus up from the orange non air conditioned bus is
the air conditioned standard bus. All of the air conditioned
classes of bus are blue in color. The standard air conditioned
buses are a little nicer than the orange buses. While they can
pick up people on route, it is not common to have people standing
on air conditioned buses, you are sold tickets with allocated seat
numbers and once the bus is full, that's it, no more tickets.
But, if in mid route, someone waves down the bus, they may be
allowed on board but they will have to stand until another
passenger gets off and a seat becomes available. Although prices
vary, the fares on the standard, air con bus is usually around 80%
more than the standard, non air con buses. As with the other
classes of air con buses, there will usually be a television and
video on board. The video is usually in Thai or if on the off
chance it is a Western movie, it will probably be dubbed in Thai.
Even though the bus may be running to a far flung destination
several hours away, and running at night, the bus companies are
convinced that you don’t want to sleep and the volume is played at
full roar, same as the Thai cinemas! Actually, some of these
buses have very elaborate sound systems with many speakers on
board so enjoy!
Better than the standard aircon buses is the first class aircon
bus. These are usually new and the seats are comfortable,
finished with cloth instead of vinyl as is usually found on the
standard air con bus. There will also be less seats on board,
giving more leg room. You will be given a drink and snack, savory
or sweet to eat soon after the bus has taken off, more often than
not a soft drink and a Thai cake. If it's a long journey you will
be given another drink later on, how nice. And not too long
before you reach your destination you will be given a refresher
wet cloth. There will be a toilet on board but there is a chance
it's out of order so don’t rely on it. First class air con buses
cost around 35% more than the standard air con bus and for lengthy
journeys, the extra cost is well worth it, especially if you're
tall visitor and appreciate the extra legroom.
The VIP bus is the best class of bus and is a very pleasant way to
travel. VIP buses vary a little and while some of them are very
similar to the first class buses, many are very luxurious. The
genuine VIP bus will have a limited number of seats and every seat
has plenty of leg room. VIP buses can be quite expensive compared
to the other bus services, with the fare from Bangkok to Chiang
Mai over 1000 baht, as an example, but if you think of that in
your currency, it is still so cheap.
Take note that intercity bus accidents are common place in
Thailand and you often see on the side of the road the wrecks and
remains of what was once a bus. Not only does the standard of
driving leave much to be desired, but many of the truck and bus
drivers take drugs to keep themselves awake and allow them to
drive for long distances. Some I am sure try to drive like a
racing car drivers after spending the afternoon on the drink!
What I like about land based domestic travel in Thailand is that
you are treated very well and the service is generally very good.
In many other countries, it seems to me that everything is so
regulated the bus leaves at a particular time and gets to the
destination at this time and if you want to stop for a pit stop,
forget it. If the bus passes right past your humble abode and you
would like it to stop there, forget it. In Thailand, things are
more relaxed. If all of the tickets for the bus have been sold
and everyone is on board, the bus leaves the driver takes control
of the situation and away you go! If you want to get off the bus
somewhere along the way, you can do that. It is all very user
friendly.
At various bus stations in Thailand, there are guys hanging around
trying to get you to buy a ticket for your journey. Their English
will usually be good enough to ask you where you're going and then
direct you to the ticket counter. So what are they up to? There
are various private competing bus companies competing for the
travelers' money, and these guys have a job to do, so be polite.
If you can't read the signs in Thai at bus stations and on the
side of the buses, you won’t know it because all of the buses are
the same colour but on many routes and destinations, there are
multiple competing companies. Don't be worried as the ticket price
is the same whether you were taken to the counter by them or not.
The private companies operating out of the major Bangkok and
country bus stations are usually well maintained but the
Government buses still have the best reputation; they are a little
more expensive so it’s up to you.
In addition to the Government buses and the private companies
offering similar services, there are the Khaosan Road buses that
go to and from Khaosan Road, the backpacker haven of Bangkok.
These buses really are a bit of a gamble, good and sometimes not
so good. When booking one of these buses, the first thing you need
to find out if it is a mini bus or a full sized bus. You will be
sold a bus ticket but when the bus arrives, it can be a small
cramped minivan. And you will be packed in like sardines and
driven to your destination in cramped uncomfortable conditions
with no room to move, and if the person next to you is rather
large or not so hygienic, doesn’t sound like fun does it? Well
it’s your journey ask questions before you travel. The good thing
about these buses is that if you are staying in the Khaosan Road
area, that is fun, and you don’t need to go hunting for the bus
station which can take time. Strange enough, when coming back from
the country provinces to Bangkok, these buses don’t always return
to Khaosan Road and will on occasion drop you off somewhere
different.
So please get me there safe and sound may the bus be comfortable
and the driver be the safest driver on the planet…….. yeah
dreaming.
Bangkok has three main bus stations, MoChit which is huge and more
like an airport than a bus station, Ekamai is located half way
down Sukhumvit Road, conveniently next to the Ekamai train
station, and the Southern Bus Station located west of the Chao
Praya River at Pin Klao. You need to know where you want to go!
So you can go to the right bus station, simple really. Generally
speaking, buses to the North and Northeast which includes places
like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen,
Korat, leave from MoChit. Buses going east of Bangkok to places
like Pattaya, Chonburi and Chantaburi leave from the Ekamai
station. Buses going anywhere south and a few places not far from
Bangkok such as Kanchanaburi leave from the southern bus
terminal. There are a few exceptions though so you need to check!
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Travel by Boat
If you find yourself venturing to any of Thailand's many tropical
islands you will find yourself on a boat no doubt, best of luck.
Boat travel in Thailand is inexpensive, hey it should be, because
many of the boats I have seen are rickety old tubs, mostly driven
by some young guy that you just know doesn't have a clue, about
safety and passenger comfort, and there is a shortage of life
jackets and other essential equipment. Be afraid be really afraid.
Again check before you travel.
On the eastern seaboard the boats that make their way across to
the Koh Chang and Koh Samet are older types and they tend to move
at a slower pace and that’s ok. Even so they often list to one
side which is a little unnerving, so you find yourself wanting the
old beast to reach the port as quickly as possible. It is always
good to know where the life jackets are and if they are handy.
There are many boats in operation in Southern Thailand, connecting
the many islands, and pleasurable day cruises. In recent years
there have been a number of high profile accidents involving over
crowded vessels, boats at sea in rough weather conditions, and a
shortage of life jackets. Sometimes using a boat in Thailand is
necessary so be aware take care.
Travel by Air
Thai Airways is the national domestic airline and airfares for
flights within Thailand are fairly reasonably priced, the
schedules are varied with lots of flights to the most popular
destinations and the prices can change depending when you buy your
ticket, 2 months in advance or 1 day before the flight departs.
The aircraft are in good condition and well maintained. Not like
some of the outrageous stories you hear of some other Asian
countries where you can share the cabin with farmer Kim and the
live stock from his farm. Air Asia the domestic and international
low cost carrier flies to most parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Asia,
Australia the UK, India & China.
Bangkok Airways flies to some Asian countries as well as operating
domestic flights within Thailand, but it is the route to Koh Samui
for which they are most famous. Bangkok Airways now markets
themselves as Asia's boutique carrier.
Thai Airways introduced a budget carrier called Nok Air which
flies some of the more popular routes at fares a little more than
half the price of the equivalent fare on Thai. The planes are ex
Thai Airways fleet and the flights are generally on time.
Air Asia is the biggest budget airline in the region and is run
out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with hubs in KL, Indonesia and
Thailand, with flights from Australia, UK, India, China and most
Asian ports. Personally I have found their planes to be quite ok,
and they're mostly on time. I have only had good experiences with
Air Asia and I fly with them, in fact all the time if it’s
convenient. That said, if you book a good period in advance
before flying then you can save a lot of money with Air Asia
airline.
Many of the popular places in Thailand such as the islands in the
south and Chiang Mai in the north are quite a distance from
Bangkok so traveling by air does make sense if you want to save
time.
Bangkok always
something going on
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Travel by Train
The trains in Thailand are quite ok and a very pleasant way to
travel if you want to take your time and not rush. It is well
known, that the train is slower than a bus running the comparable
route. Even the names express and sprinter services do feel like
they are crawling along at a slower than slow pace. Hey, you can
get up and walk around the train but for the most part, I prefer
buses when I use public transport to travel between destinations,
that's just me.
Like all great railways in the world, there are three different
classes, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Third class can be a bit rough if you
are traveling a long journey. I really wouldn't want to sit in 3rd
class for any journey of more than about 4 hours. The seats are
not so comfy and if you get a busy train, they are packed to the
rafters usually. 2nd class is ok, and 1st class is what you would
expect. The first class train travel prices are about the same as
an airfare so you would have consider your options. Vendors get on
and off the trains along the way and sell various items of food
and drink, at very reasonable prices. Also the train can be a
great way to meet the locals.
Travel by Car
Hiring cars or even a motor bike is a pretty cool way to get
around Thailand. The quality of the roads in Thailand is really
quite good. The problem is the quality of the driving and if you
spend some time looking at the way the Thais drive, you would have
to agree. All of the big international car rental car companies
are represented along with a lot of smaller, private rental car
companies which may offer slightly older cars, but at very
reasonable rates that won’t break the bank. Many of these firms
have websites and searching for Thailand car hire would be a good
way to start.
With the big firms you do have more peace of mind than the smaller
firms where occasionally you hear a story about the cars being
poorly maintained or having some sort of problem that annoys the
hell out of you. Car rental is cheap in Thailand which is a very
surprising given that the cost of buying a car in Thailand is much
dearer than in your country. You can hire a variety of motorbikes
in Thailand and this seems to be fairly popular in most of the
beaches and islands, along with places in the northern
provinces. The most popular bikes seem to be the little 125 cc
Honda which you can get for a very reasonable day rate, week rate
or monthly rate up to you.
While Bangkok would be a difficult place to drive for most
visitors, as the signs are in Thai only, traffic jams are
legendary and it can be very difficult to orient yourself, the
provinces are a different story. Generally, driving in provincial
Thailand is quite easy, the drivers are less intense, there’s much
less traffic and the further you get from Bangkok, the less
traffic and congestion. However, wherever you go, signs are
generally in Thai only. Thank goodness street signs are in both
Thai and English nationwide, something I’m impressed with.
Petrol in Thailand is reasonably priced however like the rest of
the world the price fluctuates on a daily, weekly basis depending
on the crude price.
So many of the Thais living in Bangkok come from provincial
outlying centers and moved to town to pursue employment. On
public holiday weekends, there is often a mass exodus out to the
provinces as these Thai people head back to see their families. A
lot of the workers in Bangkok have partners and children in the
countryside that they are supporting and so they take every
opportunity to go home and visit them. At these times, you should,
and need, to buy your tickets well in advance if you plan to
travel over public holiday periods. This is especially true for
the Songkran holiday period in April when routes can get sold out
well in advance. So book early.
Using taxis in Thailand, especially Bangkok always insist on the
meter and give a tip if the fare is miniscule and always try and
get a taxi that is on the go. Taxis hanging outside hotels are
very reluctant to use the meter and you can be sure that the price
they offer will be outrageous.
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A secluded beach so nice so Thai
Also on the subject of digital photography, there are a lot more
shops around printing pictures from digital images. You can take
your camera in with all of the pictures stored on the media, and
they will print them there for you. The quality is excellent,
much better than any home photo printer.
Access to the Internet
As the internet is more important in our lives, internet access
while we are traveling is easily accessible. Even in tourist
areas, an internet cafe should not charge more than about 30 baht
an hour.
The best hotels usually have internet access. They may have wired
internet access in the rooms or they may have wireless internet
that covers the entire building which will require the use of your
own laptop. Some may only have internet access in a business
centre where there may be laptop connections and computers to
use. In the better hotels you might have to pay for internet
access where in the cheaper establishment’s internet access can be
free!
Shopping………shop
till you drop
For many reasons Thailand is a great place for a holiday, but it
could survive just as a shopping destination as there is a great
range of places to go shopping from the markets to the fantastic
shopping malls and a huge range of goods to choose from. Whenever
they have free time and at the weekends the locals just love to
shop.
Some of the best shopping malls are in Bangkok, in fact the city
is absolutely full of very large shopping malls. The most
impressive of them all would have to be Paragon, located in Siam
Square, in the heart
of the city's downtown shopping district. In the immediate area
there are several impressive shopping malls but none as impressive
as the Paragon, it would hold its own against shopping malls the
world over. Paragon is home to a huge department store of the
same name along with a huge number of smaller stores including
many high end fashion names from North America and Europe. It is
all overwhelming! As with most shopping centers in Bangkok there
is a huge multiplex cinema on the top floor and the centre is full
of food courts and restaurants. If you love to shop till you drop
you could probably spend the best part of a day there.
The other high end shopping centers in Bangkok are Peninsula
Plaza, Central World Plaza, the Emporium, and Gaysorn
Plaza. You'll find the finest goods and fashions from all around
the world in these centers.
The ever popular MBK also known as Mahboonkrong, in the heart of
the city, a very popular centre. I like MBK it is always packed
with people and is popular with a younger crowd so you have lots
of young Thais running around enjoying life…… with all its must
have products and services. You can just about purchase anything
you want, and the food court on the 5th floor is nice
with food from all over the world, however on the next floor the
locals like to eat and the variety is amazing, and the multiplex
cinema, and entertainment center on the 7th floor, you
will be busy. A more relaxed shopping experience can be had at
Central Chidlom, It is just one stop on the skytrain from Siam
Square and is one of Thailand's best and most
popular department stores. Really there are too many shopping
centers in Bangkok to mention all.
Most of the major American and European fashion brands have
factories in Thailand making their products here and selling them
in the department stores. Popular brands like Yves Saint Laurent,
Arrow, Guy Laroche, to name a few are all available at less than
you would expect to pay for them at home. Thailand is a great
place to stock up on your wardrobe and if you come from a place
like England or New Zealand or Australia, where buying fashionable
clothes at reasonable prices isn't easy, then you will find the
Thai department stores just great.
For anything high end, Bangkok is the place to buy it in
Thailand. Although you can still find shopping centers in the
provincial capitals of Thailand, the shopping in those centers
just doesn't compare to Bangkok.
Thailand is not the best place for appliances and electronics and
cell phones, at least not when compared with other more famous
shopping centers in the region like Hong Kong and Singapore. The
prices of such goods have dropped in recent years, but you can
still get better deals elsewhere. On some things, such as memory
cards for cameras Thailand may even be cheaper. The prices of
electronic goods in Thailand is generally more expensive than the
US, Australia, but cheaper than Western Europe including the UK.
However, one reason not to buy such goods in this part of the
world is that the warranty may only be valid for Thailand.
There's not much point buying an expensive item in Thailand if you
only save a small amount but effectively do not have a warranty.
Of course it may be that you want to buy items of a different
type, handicrafts and art products. There are many shops in
Bangkok that have a selection of handicrafts from all over the
country but really, the best places to buy this sort of thing are
in the provinces
themselves, in small towns. That is where you'll get the best
prices and the best selection, however that’s not always
convenient with time constraints and logistics of getting there.
The night market in Chiang Mai is the best place for handcrafts
and has a good selection of this type of handmade product from the
Northern provinces.
Many tourists end up down at the Patpong night market that runs
down perhaps the most infamous stretch of road in Thailand.
Nestled in between some of the well known bar area in all of Asia
is a night market that sells mostly counterfeit and copied
products. The Patpong Night market is about the most unpleasant
place in Thailand to buy goods. The one positive side about
Patpong is that there is a fairly good range of most things in one
place and the quality of some of the copied goods is surprisingly
high. Some copied goods can come from different suppliers and one
fake watch may not be the same as another. English football
shirts are really popular and there are several different quality
of copies, with the best not able to be recognized from the
original.
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Some of the vendors at markets go for really high prices initially
and at times I don’t believe it when the visitor accepts and takes
out their wallet and hands over the money, the vendors eyes light
up knowing that in one sale they have already made a good profit
for the night! Copied computer games that go for as little as 30
baht elsewhere can go for as much as 200 baht at the market. Fake
Prada and other fashion name bags that go for 400 elsewhere can go
for as much as 2,000 baht so check around before you are so eager
to part with the cash.
The Pratunam Market, located on the corner of Petchaburi and
Rajadamri Roads, near the Amari Watergate Hotel and the Indra
Regent Hotel. This market is great for clothes and nick naks and
traders from all over the world go there to buy bargain basement
clothes that are then shipped offshore and sold in foreign
homelands. But Pratunam has a lot more than just clothes, fabrics
and apparel, so check it out.
There are street vendors all over the city selling the same things
that are sold at patpong market. All along Sukhumvit Road, the
main tourist area there goods are usually sold at less inflated
prices.
The largest market of all in Bangkok is the weekend Chatuchak
Market, the easiest way to get there is to take the sky train to
MoChit station which stops right there. Chatuchak Market is huge
and attracts hundreds of thousands of shoppers at the weekend. The
range of items available is amazing and is as much a tourist
attraction as it is a place to buy stuff, mostly Thai people do
their shopping there. If you're a shopaholic you might like it,
but really the area is open and crowded and is very, very hot and
uncomfortable. It is only open on Saturday and Sunday, but I think
personally you have better options MBK has over 2000 shopping
outlets in air conditioned comfort, wow how nice.
The jewelry made in Thailand is tastefully designed and
comparatively cheap due to the low labour costs. Hey when buying
such jewelry you really need to be careful as there are some
scammers out there who are not disinclined to selling you really
bad quality jewelry. So stick with trusted and recommended
suppliers.
There is a huge range of goods available for sale in Thailand
please take care when choosing and paying, do your own checking,
if it’s too good to be true, just maybe it is!!. Refunds and
exchanges are not an obligation and indeed just don’t happen. So
if you buy something and later decide that you do not like it you
cannot change it. Further, if you buy something and it breaks
down or simply doesn't work as it should then you will find the
seller unwilling to
help, once it’s yours, it’s your problem. Electronic goods and
appliances come with a warranty and these are honored but with
most other types of goods if there is a problem you are on your
own. Carefully check and examine any major purchase or even
smaller purchases before you actually pay for them.
General difficulties & scams
Thailand welcomes a huge number of foreign tourists every year,
well in excess of 10 million, and the vast majority have a good
time and go home without any problem. There are however a small
number who have problems. Being aware of the possible problems
should help you to avoid becoming a victim.
Please do not forget that Thailand, is compared to most Western
countries far from wealthy. The average Thai in Bangkok earns
around 10,000 baht per month and outside of the capital and major
centers in the rural communities a lot less. When Thais, see
visitors with large sums of money bulging from wallets and purses
it can create jealousy and resentment, and sometimes that leads to
crime.
Your safety
For personal safety, most visitors feel that Thailand is very safe
and secure. The areas where most travelers visit, central Bangkok
and the most popular beaches and destinations as well as Chiang
Mai in the north, and Phuket in southern Thailand are very safe.
The odds of someone hitting you over the head, grabbing your money
and running are remote. What is more common are tourists being
tricked to give up their hard earned cash. Most people who go to
Pattaya have no problem at all, but you do need to exercise
caution everywhere. Most problems of this nature happen at night,
usually very late, often after midnight, so be aware of your
surroundings if you find yourself out late. The problem of pick
pocketing is not great. Sure, it happens, and one has to exercise
caution in large crowded places.
Tuk Tuk & Taxi Driver Driver.….alert
As a visitor you stand out in the crowd and you will be constantly
confronted by tuk tuk and taxi drivers inviting you to go on a
tour of Bangkok for this, that, and the other thing. They may
take you on a tour for about 2 hours, all for a crazy low price.
You are not about to visit the temples, museums or places of
historic interest! You will more than likely visit many stores
where the sales assistants will put pressure on you to buy
products. Many of the goods are for sale at considerably high
prices and the taxi or tuk tuk driver who takes you to the
establishment will get a commission on everything you purchase.
After the heat on the street, you will find yourself in a shop
with cool air conditioning, with a very charming Thai hostess,
dressed well, and speaking very good English. In the more
sophisticated operations you will be offered a choice of cold
drink and a cool, wet towel to wipe away the sweat and grit of the
city, if you decide not to purchase, the behavior of the
establishment takes a turn for the worst, it is all a very
unpleasant experience, so best avoid the temptation right from the
start.
Various types of businesses pay commissions to tuk tuk and taxi
drivers, from large jewelry stores, some will sell genuine gems
and jewelry, and some will sell copies, through to tailors stores,
duty free stores, massage parlours and even some restaurants,
mainly seafood restaurants. The commissions made by the tuk tuk
and taxi drivers can be significant, often more than they would
earn in an entire day if they were just driving passengers around,
hence there is real motivation for them to get involved. A driver
delivering a client to a massage parlour may get 450 baht per
customer who gets involved. The commission at seafood
restaurants, tailors shops is usually around 15%. Stores
operating scams involving gems the commission can be really high,
meaning many thousands of baht. These places see that the drivers
are rewarded for their efforts. A lot of the businesses are so
keen to get potential customers in the door that even if that
person doesn't make a purchase here, the driver will get a
commission in the form of petrol vouchers for their trouble. If
there is any doubt in your mind don’t do it, stay safe.
ATM & Credit Card Theft
Thailand is one of the worst places in the world for credit card
fraud. So do not give you credit card to a vendor because, just
maybe he will somehow copy it, then go and run up a huge bill.
When you get your account back home you will be able to
successfully challenge it, and will not be liable, but it is a
hassle and a pain in the butt, and your bank won’t be happy. So
don’t let your credit card out of your sight when using it to make
a purchases anywhere.
Be concerned about credit card fraud and ATM fraud. As in your
home country the ATM machines at some banks are tampered with so
that when you insert your card into the machine the info is
retained, or the number is read, and can be used by the thief at a
later time. One of the biggest problems of ATM fraud in Thailand,
if you are a Thai bank account holder, is that the banks do not
automatically reimburse you for how much was taken by fraud. You
really have to fight to get your money back. So be aware what is
happening with your credit card when purchasing. I usually pay
cash with street vendors and top with cash at secure ATM’s and
banks.
Public Transport & Driving abilities
The standard of driving in Thailand is generally poor. Tuk tuk and
Taxi drivers generally drive too fast, too close, and perform
risky tricks. The bonus is that traffic in Bangkok generally
doesn't move very fast at all so should you be involved in an
accident then with a bit of luck the vehicle won’t going too
fast.
You should also exercise great care and caution when getting in
and out of taxis, tuk tuk’s or any vehicles for that matter.
Motorcycles tend to squeeze in and out of traffic and many a
tourist has opened the taxi door to get out, only to open it right
in front of a motorcycle who hit it, causing damage, possibly to
themselves too. In a case like this, it is you who opened the
door who is at fault and you will be asked for compensation
straight away. Failure to pay it and you'll be off to the police
station where a settlement will be agreed and paid before you are
free to go on your merry way.
There is a law in place that says that if you cause a traffic
accident in Thailand and someone else is injured or hurt, you must
pay for that person's immediate medical treatment. In reality
this means handing over a small amount of money, most likely
between 200 and 1,000 baht. Even if you are not at fault, you may
be asked to hand over money. If you have more concerns contact
the local tourist police if they are represented where ever you
are.
Travel in Thailand can be stressful because once out on the open
road many Thais fancy themselves as the next dare devil racing car
driver, and like to push it to the limit. The intercity buses in
Thailand can be hair raising as well, here you are on a bus
testing the limits of driving ability and endurance and secretly
praying you get to your destination in one piece. You read
reports in the newspapers and on the TV and radio news of
intercity bus crashes, and the damage sustained.
Another problem with the intercity buses is luggage on the buses.
Large pieces of luggage are stored in the luggage hold. Many
people have found that upon reaching their destination, that their
valuables have disappeared. What happens is that a Thai person
may travel the journey down in the luggage hold and go through the
entire luggage, looking for valuables. The answer is to take all
of your valuables on board the bus with you.
A lot of visitors have motorcycle accidents, particularly on the
islands in the south of the country where it is popular to hire a
bike to get out and about cheaply. Just remember that the driving
standards may not be what you are used to, and the surface of the
road might be compromised. There are other situations like the
camber of the road and confusing signs, all of which contribute to
causing ongoing problems. It may look cool roaring around on a
motorbike, wearing shorts and no shirt. Hey would you do it at
home, come off that bike and life can become very sore and sorry
and even extinct. Yep people die while riding bikes in Thailand so
take care on the roads and make it home safe and sound. By law you
must wear a helmet, and there is a fine if you're caught without
one!
The theft of cars is not a big problem in Thailand, however
Motorbike theft is a problem in Thailand. One of the major
problems is that there are some dishonest gangs and operators who
directly target bikes hired by visitors. This a possible outcome,
when you hire a bike you may be followed by a person who is really
working for the guy who hired you the bike. When you have left
the bike and have gone down to the beach for a swim, gone to some
attraction or shopping, the person who followed you, using a spare
key simply rides your hired bike away. So when you have reported
it stolen, you read the fine print of the bike agreement and see
that you had no insurance and that you are in fact up for a
replacement bike. This comes as a shock, so read the fine print
and ask about the insurance before setting off. What some dealers
hiring bikes require, is to ask for your passport or credit card
details as security. Please don’t give it to them under any
circumstances. Really most of the dealers hiring bikes are quite
ok, so don’t worry. Hey you really need insurance to cover the
bike while it is in your possession, insist on it & check the fine
print.
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Drugs…………
just don’t do it !
Anyone traveling to Asia who has done their homework knows that
drugs and Asia just do not mix…. Seriously, so if you have a
problem don’t leave home, stay where you are. Hey, there are still
plenty of tourists who fail to take the advice of every guidebook,
and use drugs while on holiday, sorry this is madness. If you do
drugs in Asia, you deserve what you get, it's as simple as
that. What you do is up to you. However, don't for one minute
forget that the penalties in Thailand are very harsh if you are
caught with drugs on your person. How harsh? To harsh for you.
Your family, friends and country will not be able to help you so
don’t go there, don’t cause your love ones unthinkable stress and
pain.
There are some tuk tuk drivers and other Thais, hanging in the
backpacker areas, like Khaosan Road, on Koh Phangan and up in the
golden triangle northern provinces, who will offer to provide you
with drugs. But what may follow is the police banging on your
guesthouse door to bust your butt because they have been tipped
off by the seller. Now the seller will be getting a cut of the
money that you have to pay off the cops, to keep your butt out of
a Thai jail. For a small amount of drug possession you may be
given the option of paying your way out of it, corruption. My
advice would be to pay whatever is asked. If you don’t want to end
up in a Thai jail.
Tourism Thai
……..be respectful
Some of the Thais in the tourist industry have become cynical
dealing with visitors, day in day out and all of the cultural
discretions that go with it. While most Thais that you meet will
be friendly, there are some rogues out there who think nothing of
scamming the unsuspecting visitor. So you need to be aware of
anyone that appears too friendly without a reason which is hard to
do, as the Thai people are extremely nice people. If the hotel
reception or room service staff is friendly and helpful, then that
is to be expected but if a stranger fronts up to you and seems too
nice without a valid reason, hey be cautious.
The people of Thailand are some of the friendliest people in the
world and your experience will no doubt be enhanced by the Thais'
constant smiles and happy nature. It is sad to say that the Thais
that are in constant contact with foreign visitors can become a
little blasé and some people that you meet, may only be interested
in being pleasant if they believe there will be something in it
for them. If you get the feeling that someone is only interested
in your money, then set them adrift. Don't be shocked if you are
asked for a loan. A good one is that their school tuition fees are
due, or the rent is due, or some other sad story. So if you decide
to give money to any one, regard it as a gift, because it will be
a rare case if the money comes back to you.
Hey, please be very careful when making complaints about service
or lack of service, in Thailand. The aggressive attitude of some
visitors really leaves Thais people less inclined to act, if the
person you’re speaking to thinks they are being threatened this
makes the situation worse. Keep your calm and simply outline the
details and what you would like to happen next. Remember that you
are overseas and the customs and culture is different to your
country, so speak softly, slowly, so what your saying has a chance
of being understood, and don’t loose it, stay cool!
Thai people really do not understand most visitors very well and
vice versa. With many Asian countries including Thailand the food
you order is usually shared by all at the table with rice so the
food ordered may arrive at your table at different times, so if
you’re not sharing, but eating separate dishes, don’t get too
upset, may be you could try the Asian way……..
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