Everything you ever wanted to know about Thailand and more.

Much has been said and written about the beauty of Thailand and the Thai people. One of the joys of a visit to Thailand is that despite its development, visitors have a special opportunity to experience the magic of the country and the authenticity of the Thai spirit. To assist with your travel arrangements we have prepared the following pre-departure information. Please read this carefully before your travel to Thailand and be mindful of some of our suggestions while you are traveling.

What to Expect:
Thailand is a country with enough variety and captivating diversity to satisfy even the most discerning of travelers. It is a kingdom spread over 514,000 sq km with a population in excess of 61,000,000. A country which, unlike its neighbors in Southeast Asia, was never colonized by a European power

Travelers to Thailand can explore deserted stretches of spectacular coastline, visit mountainous terrain in the north, stop at traditional hill tribe villages, see classic pagodas and temples, and experience famous Thai hospitality. This is a country of fascinating traditions, an intriguing history, and a warm, open approach to the presence of foreigners.

The travel industry in Thailand has been growing at a rapid pace for some time now and the country offers many facilities and services at western standards. However, traveling throughout the more remote areas of Thailand may involve some bumpy road conditions, trains that are prone to delay, and some clean but simple accommodation.

Responsibility:
Information herein was correct at the time of preparation, however the rapid development of tourism in Thailand has the potential to make some of the information in this guide irrelevant. This information is intended as a guide only and Travel Indochina is not responsible for any inaccuracies. This document does not, in any way, alter the booking terms and conditions in our small group journey brochure. Please contact us with your comments if you find during the course of your travels that the information in this guide is incorrect or out of date.

Visa Requirements & Departure Taxes:
To enter Thailand you will require a passport valid for at least six months from the time of entry. Tourist visas for stays of thirty days or less are issued on arrival at Bangkok airport. An arrival/departure card will be issued to you on the plane prior to your arrival in Thailand. The departure section of this card must be retained until your departure from Thailand. Please ensure this is kept in a safe place while in Thailand. International departure tax is currently 500 Thai baht. From the 01 February 2007 this will be increased to 700 Thai baht.

Please note that it is now law in Thailand to carry your passport at all times. For tourists, a photocopy will suffice on most occasions but the photocopy must be of both the entry stamp with arrival date in Thailand and also the page with photograph and personal details. Some bars or other establishments where entry is strictly controlled will only accept your original passport. If you fail to carry either your passport or a copy, this can result in a brief period spent in custody whilst the police establish your identity. Please also note that pick-pocketing can occur in major cities and please take all due precaution when carrying your passport.

Insurance:
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of traveling with Tour Trax. Insurance should include unlimited coverage for personal accident and medical expenses, full provision for evacuation and a minimum of $25,000USD cover for repatriation expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday.

We will ask you to confirm your insurance details as part of our travel registration process at the start of your journey. If you do not have appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain insurance. We reserve the right not to provide the services booked with us until insurance is purchased.

Note that travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses or emergency repatriation. Please check your policy carefully.

Money:
The currency in Thailand is the Baht (BHT). Current approximate exchange rate: Here

You are advised to carry a mix of cash and travelers cheques (USD, AUD, CAD & GBP are accepted throughout the country). Credit cards can be used in most shops and restaurants in major cities. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted cards. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at major banks throughout the country, and at ATMs.

Climate:
Thailand spans several climatic zones resulting in substantial weather condition variations between the north and the south. Average temperatures in Bangkok range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius, however the weather in the capital feels hot and humid year-round. In Southern Thailand, tropical conditions prevail, and there are two seasons - wet and dry. The wet season lasts from May to October and is characterized by high humidity levels and a refreshing afternoon downpour. The exception is the east coast of Southern Thailand, where rainfall is highest between October and December.

Humidity in the south during the months of June and July ranges between 75% and 85%. Northern Thailand has four seasons. The months from December to May are ‘dry’ and it can be a little cooler at night in the north. The months of July and August are the wettest, in the north.

Baggage & Clothing:
Standard sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases only are permitted on our journeys. Your baggage should be clearly labeled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Any flights booked through Travel Indochina (domestic and international) have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms per person. You may be required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not available – you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs. If you are doing lots of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home. Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travelers. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around $1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.

Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. We suggest you include:

• Flat walking shoes and sandals

• Hat & sunglasses

• Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter

• Bathers

• Money belt

• Raincoat or umbrella

• Basic first aid kit (see below)

• Insect repellent

• Alarm clock

• Small torch

• Swiss Army pocket knife

• Power adapter

• Women’s sanitary products

• Ear plugs and eye patches for the train

Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage. Alcohol is no longer permitted onboard domestic flights and must also be stored in your check-in luggage.

Electricity:
The electric current in Thailand is 220 volts at 50 cycles. Electrical plugs of the two rounded pin type are the most commonly required. You may want to bring a small hair dryer – not all hotels provide one.

Health & Fitness:
Some of the diseases known to exist in Thailand include malaria, dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, and HIV/ AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimize your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. Western standard medical facilities are available in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket but in most other areas of the country, medical facilities are basic. We recommend therefore recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip, at least one month prior to departure.

We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, but as a minimum we suggest you bring:

• Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)

• Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)

• Cold and flu tablets

• Something to stop diarrhoea

• Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting

• Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)

• Insect repellent

• Antiseptic and bandages

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)

As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Travel Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

Food/ Water:
Thai cuisine is an exotic mix of the best ingredients and flavours that Asia has to offer. Fresh produce and seafood is plentiful, of good quality, and affordable. Thai food is renowned for being spicy and incorporates lots of garlic, chillies, lime, and lemon grass. Vegetarians are generally well catered for. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of buffet and continental style. Lunch should cost around 3USD and dinner approx 6USD, depending on the restaurant. Bottled water is inexpensive and available everywhere. Do not drink the local tap water.

Tipping Policy:
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides, drivers and your tour leader, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Travel Indochina destinations. As a general guide on Small Group or Special Group Journeys, please allow 2USD to 3USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide, driver and tour leader. If your tour is private, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide, driver or tour leader, please let us know.

Safety & Security:
Thailand is generally a safe country and the usual commonsense safety precautions should be adhered to. We recommended that you take taxis rather than tuk tuks at night. Taxis are metered and inexpensive. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and carry photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and a detailed record of your encashed travellers cheques. These items should be kept in a safe place. Be wary of strangers offering you drinks and sweets and remember that Thailand has some very strict laws relating to drug use.

Hotels:
Our Standard hotels have private western-style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, satellite television, IDD telephones, laundry, and other facilities. Generally they have swimming pools. Where possible we endeavour at passenger request to accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note however that on occasions during your journey, this may not be possible and a twin room will be provided.

Local Time:

Thailand is:

• 7hrs ahead of GMT

• 3hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time

• 5hrs behind New Zealand

• 12hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time

• 15hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time

• 12hrs ahead of US Eastern Time.

• 15 hrs ahead of US Pacific Time.

Shopping:
Thailand is well known for its fabulous shopping. Ceramics, lacquer ware, silverware, wood carvings and jewellery are just some of the many good buys. Many travellers also have clothes tailored due to the low prices - standards vary. A few guidelines to follow when shopping:

• Except in department stores, bargaining is the norm. To get the best price you will have to haggle hard.

• Export of certain antiques and religious images (eg. Buddha images) is not permitted. Make sure you are aware of these regulations before purchasing.

• Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying, especially in the case of antiques.

Massage Services:
Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for their massage techniques and the quality and value for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in Asia.

Language:
The Thai language is tonal and written in a Mon-Khmer script which is very different from the Latin script. Because the language is tonal, the same spelt word can have several different meanings. This makes it fairly difficult to learn, but any attempt to speak the language will be well received by the local people. English is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas. The Lonely Planet Thai phrasebook is recommended for those wanting to learn more about the language. To help you get the most out of your contact with the Thai people, try learning how to say these key phrases:

Please note:

for polite speaking male speaks at the end of sentence with KRAP and female speaks at the end of sentence with KA

• I = chan (for both male and female)

• Dichan = Female, Phom = Male

• You = Khun (for both male and female)
   

Important Dates Affecting Touring

01 Jan 2007 - International New Year's Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

1 Feb 2007 - Makha Bucha Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

06 Apr 2007 - Chakri Memorial Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

13 to 15 Apr 2007 - Songkran Festival Days:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

2 May 2007 - Visakha Bucha Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

05 May 2007 - Coronation Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

12 Aug. 2007 - H.M. The Queen's Birthday & 13 Aug 2007 – Substitution for the Queen’s birthday:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

23 Oct 2007 - Chulalongkorn Memorial Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

24 Nov 2007 - Loy Kratong Festival:
Not a public holiday. Dates of this festival and compulsory meals rates at hotels TBA.

05 Dec 2007 - H.M. The King's Birthday:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

10 Dec 2007 - Constitution Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses.

24 to 25 Dec. 2007 - Christmas Eve:
Some businesses will be closed but it is not a public holiday in Thailand and it should not affect touring. There will be compulsory Christmas Eve dinners at a number of hotels. The cost of these dinners must be settled directly with the hotel. At time of writing, 2007 compulsory meal rates had not yet been finalised. Please contact us for further information.