thailand
The most famous destination for backpackers in
South-East Asia.
Quick
facts:
Visa: free of charge but you have to apply from country of
residence, gives you 2 months from the arrival date
Time zone: GMT +7
Location, Boarders: South-East Asia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia
Capital: Bangkok
Language: Thai language
Religion: Buddhists, significant Muslim minorities in the south
Currency: Thai Bhat, 1USD = 30000B
Price guide: pepsi bottle (500 ml) = 17000B
NB.
Maps are available for free at all tourist information centers and travel
agencies
Bangkok:
The
liveliest and busiest capital in South East Asia. It has a lot to offer, city
life, shopping, historic attractions and more.
Where
to stay
Most
budget places are around Khao San rd. (dorms 100B, single room 150B, double
250)
Sights:
Grand
Palace: the royal palace of Thailand with the emerald
Buddha temple. Dress code:long pants and closed shoes. Fee: 350B, hours: 8:30 –
15:30
Vimanmek
mansion: his teak palace was the home of king RAMA V, entry
ticket is included with the grand palace ticket or 100B individual ticket. The
complex is worth visiting, hours:9 -4.
Sleeping
Buddha: at Wat Pho (5 min walk from the palace), the
biggest gold plated sleeping Buddha
National
museum: no photography allowed.
Wat
Arun: temple of dawn is the biggest temple in Bangkok,
fee: 50B
MBK,
Siam Center: this area contains some huge malls with
nice views for the metropolitan city
Getting
there and away
All
types of transportation are available from/to Bangkok.
Buses
and public transport are the best way to move around the city.
Amphawa
floating market
The
floating market in Amphawa is held on weekends, and the visitors are mostly
Thai people tourists. It is not as touristy as the Damneon Saduk market (the
famous one), and it had much better reviews.
Where
to stay
Several
home stays and guesthouses are available, double room from 400B, if you are
alone you can get it for 200B.
Sights
and Activities:
Besides
the floating market there is no much to see
Market
hours: Saturday, Sunday 3pm - 9pm (officially 12pm – 9pm)
Night
boat: for fireflies spotting by the river banks (50B)
Day
boat to temples and around market: 50B it would
Getting
there and away
Buses
to Amphawa from Bangkok southern bus station 70B.
The
return bus drop off is in Bangkok center by the victory memorial.
Chiang
Mai:
This
city in the north of Thailand is famous for trekking and the Buddhist temples.
Activities:
Trekking:
trekking through the jungles around the north can be arranged from chiang mai,
with tours normally includes white water rafting, elephant ride and a visit to
the long neck tribe. 3days 2nights trek should cost 900B, use all your
bargaining skills
Courses:
meditation, cooking and Muai thai boxing courses are widely available in Chang
mai
Visiting
the temples and relaxing in the town:
Zip
lining: chiang mai hosts the longest zipline around S.E.A
(850m) operated by “flight of the gibbon” company
Extra
activities: bungy jumping, tiger farm, paint ball,
off-road buggies
Getting
there and away
There
are buses from/to Bangkok (300B – 450B),
train (700B – 900B)
You
can hire a motorbike or a bicycle to go around town.
Krabi
and Southern Islands:
South
of Thailand hosts some of the most beautiful tropical islands anyone can see.
Krabi town is relaxed people use it as a hub to the islands and beaches. the
main beaches on the mainland are: Reilay and Ao Nang. While the most famous
islands are Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi (where “the beach” movie was filmed)
Where
to stay
in
Krabi town, most of the gueshouses offer rooms from 150B (high season price),
while in phi phi island there are 3 dorms (300B) and rooms starts from 600B.
Sights
and Activities:
All
beach activities and water sports are available in addition to rock climbing.
Getting
there and away
Buses
to Krabi from Bangkok starts from 500B, there is no direct train but you can
stop at surathani and then take a bus.
To
phi phi: from krabi boat costs 250B (90 min)
Railay
baeach is only accessible by long tail boat (150B from krabi town)