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The Thai are
easily charmed if you learn only a few words in their language. Counting,
for example, is always a good thing to be able to handle, in addition to a
few phrases.
Such as far away (kai) and near (also kai). The prononciation of these are
very similar, something that can cause misunderstandings.
Thai people are friendly and tolerate, and often curious about foreigners. They are also helpful, and generally wants to make a good impression of themselves and their country.
In Thailand, time is flexible and delays are frequent. The Thai are not inclined towards precicion where time is concerned, and have a relaxed attitude towards delays.
Flexibility is a keyword in Thailand. Try to have a loose schedule and asume that delays will occur. Harse complaints rarely gets you anywhere, and are considered impolite. Stand your ground, if you think the situation warrants it, but keep your smile. It works better that way.
Most people have
little digestive problems but some basic remedies should be kept awailable,
especially if you are going top travel about a bit. Drugstores and pharmasies
have good selections. Pharmasies are supposed to be run by a officialy certified
professional.
For my self I eat almost anywhere, from streetside vendors to small restaurants
upcountry, and I have had very few problems during my years of travel.
Do not start your holiday with ice-cold drinks on the beach if you come from
a colder climate, your stomach could protest. Be a bit careful with your iced
drinks the first hours in the heat.
There are many very good private hospitals in Thailand, often with first rate
service and facilities. Remember your travel insurance.
Be generous when applying
sunscreen. The tropical sun is stronger than what you are used to from more
northern climates. On my second trip here I walked around a whole day down
in Phuket without sunscreen. By evening I looked like (and felt like) a boiled
lobster.
If you rent a motorbike remeber that even if the wind cools you when driving,
the sun still burns! Protect yourself.
The standard
and quality of transportation can vary a lot, especially upcountry. If you
do not travel with a tourbus or in your own car you will sometimes encounter
less comfortable alternatives.
The quality of the trains also vary. First Class provides cabins for two and
a simple shower room at the end of the car. If you travel alone you will not
get the cabin by yourself, but share it with some stranger.
If you want a real first class train experience there is the Eastern
& Oriental Express. This special train travels between Chiang Mai
and Malaysia, and prices starts from around 1.000 USD for the Chiang Mai -
Bangkok trip. This train is first class only, with superb dining, piano in
the dining car and formal dress for dinner. A special experience.
There are many domestic flights, and prices are reasonable. With Thai Airways you can get Business Class for a extra fee of about 800 Baht, any distance on domestic. This gives you access to lounges, and far better comfort in-flight with large seats and plenty of legroom, plus priority boarding and de-boarding.
Many hotels have their own taxi services. These are more expensive than regular taxi's, but often the vehicles are of better standard and the drivers are sometimes more careful. Most hotels will send someone to pick you up at the airport if you have booked with them and asked for this service. With the hotel transport you do not need to explain to anyone where you are headed, and some hotels will offer this service for free.
Travel with children is made easy by the positive attitude towards them. Children are generally very welcome and will recieve extra attention everywhere from restaurants to government offices. Babysitters are easily found.
Money
Almost all banks offers
currency excange services, although cash gives you less than the best rates
They also cash in travellers checks, as does currency excange kiosks in tourist
spots.
You get the best rate by using your Visa or Mastecard in ATM machines. If
you need cash beyond your ATM cards limit, you can bring your passport along
and buy currency inside the bank with your credit card.
Bangkok Bank is proboably the most professional bank for foreigners.
Read up before and during your travels
"Culture Shock Thailand" by Robert og Nanthapa Cooper is possibly the best book if you want an easy and entertaining introduction to Thai society, does and dont's and more. A good book.
Niels Mulder's "Inside Thai Society" is more in-depth on the subject of Thail culture and can be a next step if you are interested.
Canadian Karen Connelly's "Touch the Dragoon" is her story about a year spent as an exange student in a small village in Northern Thailand. A good read.
In "Mai Pen Rai means Never Mind", Carol Hollinger writes about her experiences as a housewife and teacher in Bangkok. Another good read.
The last two titles tells stories of both joy and difficoulties in living in and relating to a different culture.
Collin Piprel's "Bangkok Knights" is a humourus tale about a unprepared young man's meeting with Bangkok's temptations and difficoulties. The book is widely available in Thailand at Asia Books and Bookazine, and others. The same author has written "Diving in Thailand", a good book for those interested in diving and snorkeling.
Lonely Planet's "Thailand" and "Bangkok" are good guidebooks, my personal favourites.
For Chiang Mai my number one is "Exploring Chiang Mai - City, Valley & Mountains" by Oliver Hargreave, published by Within Books.
Visa
Check www.thaivisa.com
, but most nationalities gets a 30 day tourist visa on arrival. Flight attendent
(or train / bus attendents) will provide you with two forms prior to your
arrival. One is a customs declaration, the other a immigration form. Check
your stamp after you have been processed by immigration, as you may geta day
or three less than the full 30.
A tourist visa can be extended somewhat. The fee is 1.900 Baht, and you should
be able to get a week ekstra for that.
If you need a visa other than s standard tourist one, you need to get out of Thailand and apply at an embassy or consulate. The standard of service varies, and some stations are rumored to be more difficoult - if not even hostile - than other.
Shopping
There are plenty of opportunities for shopping in Thailand. Souvernirs are available in all priceranges.
It is still possible to make good deals with precious stones - but be careful, there are unfortunately many scammers. Check www.2bangkok.com for information about this.
Jade is less known in the west but if you are looking for it, then Chiang Mai has something to offer. Imperial Jade from Burma is the finest quality, and prices goes forever up. There is only one location where this perticular Jade is found, and the supply is limited. This Jade is therefore considered a good investment. The Chinese are known for their love of Jade.
Tailor made clothes can
be a pleasure. There are many tailors, unfortunately not all are dedicated
to make a good product. Be wary of shops that delivers in 24 hours, or even
12. A good tailor made suit simply needs more time, not the least because
you should have at the least one fitting before it is ready.
The overworked Raja's Fashion in Bangkok, Sukhumvit road soi 4, is popular
with many expats. Ask for Bobby Gulati, and go there early in the day if you
can. In the imideate area there are a number of tailors who has sort of copied
the name, such as Bobby's Fashion" and "Raja Tailor". None
of these are associated, the shop have no branches around.
Avoid the tailor shops in Khao Sarn Road, Banglamphoo district.
If you need new glasses you can possibly save money by getting them in Thailand. Better opticians have equipment for testing, or you can go to a hospital like Bumrungrad in Bangkok or Chiang Mai Ram in Chiang Mai.
Textiles of all sorts
are widely available. The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a good place for shopping
of both suovernirs and clothes. Prices are low, the vareity of goods for sale
is large and the area is concentrated.
There are a number of nice restaurants and pubs in the area as well, if you
need some refreshments during your shopping spree.
Cameras and electronics
may not be especially cheap, but you can get lucky. In the large MBK
shopping centre in Bangkok (National Stadium station on the BTS
skytrain) there are a number of shops that deals with second hand goods.
They sell everything from Hasselblad to the most simple cameras, and all sorts
of related equipment.
You can often get very cheap tickets to Singapore from Bangkok, so if you
plan to purchase some more expensive cameras or electronic equipment a short
trip there may be in order.
Remember to have a travel insurance police before you take off on your holiday.