^Thailand

Into / Out of Country

Major decision to make: where to enter Thailand from Malaysia.  Three options: Hat Yai; Padang Besar; Keroh-Betong;

Where to leave Thailand into Laos

Bike Trip

Major decisions: which coast to travel up on: Gulf Coast or Andaman Sea

Costs

Approximately 200B/day (for the budget traveler).  Cheap accommodations range from 60-100B/night; food 75-100B.  (beer is 50B)

100 sating = 1 baht; 25 satang = 1 saleng

the larger the denomination of bath, the larger the bill *money has roman numerals on it*

US $1 = 25B

No tipping, bargaining is expected (sometimes even for transportation and accommodations)

Major attractions

Current News

Language

Other

Visas

Vaccinations

Cash –

Traveller’s cheques get better rates than cash.

Watch out that we don’t get charged the 3% merchant fee charged by banks when we use credit/debit cards.

Getting into the country –

-we will need cash, letter of credit, bank draft etc when entering the country as proof that we can support ourselves while there.  $250/person is needed.

-entry visas last 30 days; they have no charge. 

-tourist visas last 60 days; they have a US$15 charge

-we might have to pay a deposit for the laptop

Insurance details –

-suggests that we get insurance that covers theft, loss, medical

-look out for the “dangerous activities” clause that some have in it

-try to get emergency flights home

-try to get one that pays doctors/hospitals directly

Vaccinations

-need to be recorded on an International Health Certificate

-we are recommended to have: tetanus and diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis

November-March – best time to travel – least amount of rain and not as hot.  October seems to sound like the worst time to travel.