First Time To Thailand - Questions

[KJB29]

My best friend and I are travelling from the UK to Thailand for the first time and have some questions, if anyone can help that would be great:

Do we need vaccinations? Hep B, Yellow Fever etc?

We are planning to go to Chiang Mai by train and stay for a weeks. Any recommendations for good accomodations in Chiang Mai?

We have also booked accomodation for the Full Moon Party, is best to train it or fly from BKK?

I am looking for some solid Travel Insurance. Anyone got any idea for a great provider.

There seems to be a discrepancy in the length of the tourist visa. Is it 30 or 60 days the visa is valid for?

We want to visit Cambodia was well. Any forseeable poblems re-entering Thailand?

Any info on these questions will be most welcome

[thecatman]

OK Guys, I'm going to base my reply on the assumption that you are a couple of young traveller's possibly on a limited budget, coming to Asia for 2 or 3 months max, forgive me if I'm wrong. Info on budget and your time here would of helped for recommendations on Accommodation, Visa etc.

As far as vaccinations go, make sure your Tetanus is up to date, Typhoid and Hep A are the other 2 you should get, and while you're at it you may as well go for Polio and Diptherra too. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much if I didn't have any of them if I was just coming for a short holiday, but if you're coming for any length of time then these should all be considered.

For accommodation in Chiang Mai I would reccommend Smile House http://www.smilehousechiangmai.com/

It's cheap, friendly, and very central. Their cheapest room is 200 bt.

If you do not apply for a visa before you come then you will be given a 30 day visa stamp upon arrival. On this type of visa (called visa on arrival) you are allowed to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period but no single period can be for more than 30 days. So, after 30 days (max) you must leave, then re-enter and get a new 30 day stamp. Sounds confusing I know, and I probably haven't explained it too well either, but it's really quite simple. If you do plan to spend longer than 3 months in total in Thailand then maybe you need to look into applying for Tourist Visas before you come. A single entry tourist visa is for 60 days, but you can also apply for a double or triple entry tourist visa (2 x 60 days/3 x 60 days) It may be better explained here http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/index.asp

Asuming your passports/visa are all correct, then there should be no problems with re-entering Thailand from Cambodia. You will however need a visa before you enter Cambodia.

The Full Moon Party is on Koh Phanghan (I'm sure you know). To get there by plane you have 2 options. (1) Fly to Samui and boat/ferry across or (2) Fly to Surat Thani and boat/ferry across. The easiest option is the Samui one, but it's also the most expensive. Getting to Koh Phanghan from Surat Thani is slightly more long winded, so it really depends on you budget. Flights to Samui from Bangkok are with Bangkok Air, http://www.bangkokair.com/index_splash.php while flights to Surat Thani are with Air Asia http://www.airasia.com/site/th/en/home.jsp The cheapest way is by bus from Khao San Road or the southern bus terminal but I've never fancied the long journey by bus, or train for that matter, therefore, haven't done it and can't comment. Full Moon Party's are great fun, but there are always casualties, keep your wits about you, don't get too drunk, look out for each other, and you'll have a blast!!

I hope this helps, have fun and smile alot

[Jandajoy]

Good advice Cat.

They might also like to check out Thai trains to Chian Mai from BKK. There's loads of info on the web.

"Hotels2thailand" - google it , is good for accommodation.

Watch out for the VIP buses from BKK to Surat Thanni, they're a nightmare.

If you buy tickets for anything at the agents in the train station you'll be paying way over the top.

Have a good one guys

[wolf5370]

I always stay at Lai Thai when I visit CM http://www.laithai.com/ - Book when you get there as the prices are much cheaper than if you do it online. Its a 5 minute walk to the Night Bazaar, has free airport transport and its own bike hire/tour section etc.

[KJB29]

Thanks so much for your help! I love this bit about about young guys on a budget, you ARE forgiven! We have booked to arrive August 23rd and leave October 3rd. So am I right in assuming we will have get out and come back in?

Lai Thai looks great, thanks so much! We are very much looking forward to this trip and your insight has been much appreciated!

[thecatman]

Thanks so much for your help! I love this bit about about young guys on a budget, you ARE forgiven! We have booked to arrive August 23rd and leave October 3rd. So am I right in assuming we will have get out and come back in?

Yes, that's right, you'll have to leave Thailand at some point of your stay, but your trip to Cambodia should take care of that nicely. (Angkor Wat in Siem Reap is one of the most amazing places I've ever seen.) Take a good camera.

[thecatman]

Another very nice place in Chiang Mai with a great location is http://www.chiangmaithaihouse.com/index.php

[laphroaig]

For railways/trains around the world I use this site. It is really helpful planning the journeys and bookings

http://www.seat61.com/index.html

For your journey to Chiang Mai I would recommend second class sleeper overnight. Saves you a hotel bill and it pretty comfortable. Try to get bottom bunk though

[Sel]

This is a helpful video on places to travel to as a backpacker

Other useful traveler videos on the channel as well that may help you out

[TerryLH]

'If you do not apply for a visa before you come then you will be given a 30 day visa stamp upon arrival. On this type of visa (called visa on arrival) you are allowed to stay in Thailand for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period but no single period can be for more than 30 days."

When you arrive without a visa you get a 'visa exempt' stamp. It is not a 'visa on arrival'. Not even close to being the same thing.

There is no longer a 90 day rule. Actually, for people with visas that rule never applied.

"So, after 30 days (max) you must leave, then re-enter and get a new 30 day stamp."

If you're crossing a land border you now only get 15 days. You can do 4 of these in a row, then must use a real visa.

[Birdman]

Train can be taken to Chumpon and from there by ferry to KPG. That's quiet ok, if the weather is fine. I would decide on the spot.

[Groongthep]

We have booked to arrive August 23rd and leave October 3rd. So am I right in assuming we will have get out and come back in?

Just get a 60 day tourist visa from your nearest Thai consulate in the UK before you leave and you will be good for the entire trip. No need for leaving and coming back in with one of those.