Traveling in Thailand - Practicalities General Advice Cultural Considerations Air Travel What a Diver Should Bring Liveaboard Considerations Underwater Photography Land & Sea Travel Burma Fees Formalities and Visas Health Dive Emergencies/ DAN Travel Insurance Communications Internet Money Exchange Clothing Weather Accommodation Food Bangkok Transportation Island Transportation Environment National Park fees Further Information
Suvarnabhumi International - New Bangkok Airport It looks like the new airport will indeed open up on September 28, 2006 for all domestic and international flights. There has been much speculation about how the new systems would work, but in the end, all flights both domestic and international will indeed operate out of the new airport, and the old airport at Don Muang will be used for VIP flights, charters, and air craft maintenance. May she rest in peace. There is much confusion about the new name, and how it is pronounced as often spelling Thai in English can be confusing. The new airport name is pronounced " soowanaboom" and not "soovanaboomi". It means "Golden Land" and was named by the His Majesty the King. For more information about the new airport, please have a look at this link. I'll be adding more as I find them. And this from the US Embassy Bangkok as of September 14, 2006: OPENING OF NEW BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. 1. This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens of the potential impact the opening of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport may have on travelers arriving in and departing Thailand. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport will replace Bangkok’s current airport, Don Muang, and is scheduled to begin operations in mid-September. Delays stemming from the phase-in of initial operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) are inevitable and travelers should plan accordingly. Additionally, international travelers arriving during the phase-in period may be required to travel from Suvarnabhumi airport to Don Muang airport to catch their domestic flight. Limited domestic service on Thai Airways will shift from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport on September 15. Current plans call for full international service at Suvarnabhumi beginning September 29. These dates are subject to change. Suvarnabhumi will inherit Don Muang's "BKK" international airport code and Don Muang will be recoded as "DBK". Therefore, travelers are strongly encouraged to reconfirm destinations with airlines if your travel falls on or near these dates. Information on the new airport can be found here. 2. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located 18 miles (30 kilometers) east of downtown Bangkok and is approximately a thirty minute drive to/from downtown Bangkok in light traffic; this time is roughly equivalent to that for the existing airport. However, the drive time could be longer due to Bangkok's ubiquitous unpredictable traffic. The new airport will have no taxi facilities in the main terminal. Arriving passengers who need a taxi will have to board an airport shuttle bus from the main terminal to a nearby taxi and bus terminal. 3. The only convenient hotel near Suvarnabhumi International Airport for overnight or same day transit stops in Bangkok is the Novotel Suvarnbhumi. The hotel is located immediately in front of the airport terminal. 4. American citizens traveling to and from Thailand during the planned phase-in period are encouraged to contact their airlines for additional details and to plan accordingly. General Advice You'll find Thailand an easy country to travel in as the tourism industry here is well developed and well organized. The people of Thailand are extremely friendly and polite, and crime problems are relatively rare. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but keep your requests–and language and grammar–simple. Above all, avoid becoming frustrated and losing your temper as this will lead to doors of communication rapidly closing. The attitude of Jai Yen, or "Keep Your Cool", will go a long way towards making the time you spend here pleasant and enjoyable. Cultural Considerations Thai's are very proud of their heritage-and rightly so. The country has never been colonized, but was briefly occupied by the Japanese during WW2 Thai's are happy with their freedom and their way of life. Show respect and you will be shown respect in return. Foreigners are neither put on a pedestal nor treated in a derogatory manner. Always remove your shoes before entering a Thai house or a temple, even if your hosts insist it is not necessary. Automatically removing your shoes when you do enter someone's house–or before boarding a dive boat–will also show that you know what's going on culturally. The Royal Family is highly respected here, and it is in poor taste to make degrading remarks about them, even in jest. Never desecrate an image of the King or Queen of Thailand, which you will find hanging proudly in many, homes, shops or places of business. Even stepping on a rolling coin, which bears the image of the King, is considered rude and should be avoided. The head of a Thai is considered the highest point–literally and spiritually–while the feet are considered the lowest. Therefore, never touch a Thai on the head, even children, and make an effort not to point to or touch objects or people with your feet. Even a slap on the back, a particularly American custom, would be considered rude here. The wai (putting your hands together with flat palms in a prayer like position) is a traditional and beautiful form of greeting here in Thailand. Rules for who wais whom are complicated, even for Thai's, but generally paying this form of respect to children, waiters, housekeepers, etc., is not appropriate–there is definitely a hierarchy here in Thailand . It is appropriate, however, to wai persons older than you in many situations, especially older persons that are being extra kind to you. (For example, if you are invited into a Thai home, it is very polite to wai your hosts upon entering and leaving.) It is rare that a tourist is ever expected to perform a wai as you are a guest in their country. However, just like a handshake in Western countries, it is an important part of Thai culture and a little bit of understanding goes a long way towards their acceptance of you. As in all countries, customs and habits in Thailand differ from other countries and are often difficult to understand. Have respect for their customs–don't disregard them just because they don't make sense to you–and you'll find your time spent here to be enjoyable, fulfilling, and I dare say, educational. Here is a list of interesting books you may want to pick up.
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Air Travel Don Muang airport in Bangkok was one of the busiest airports in the world and flights arrived daily from virtually every major country. Suvarnabhumi is the name of the airport (see the top of this page) and I'm sure will be busier than Don Muang was. Thai Airways International (THAI) is the national airline and it is consistently named one of the best airlines in the world. Singapore, whose airline is also a world champion when it comes to service, is also a great place to make your entry to Southeast Asia as they have multiple connecting flights to Bangkok and Phuket every day as well. Even Phuket has an international airport, with over five flights a day (this varies from high-season to low-season) arriving from Bangkok year-round. Phuket also welcomes planes from Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and even Europe to its newly completed expanded airport. Flights are available to and from Koh Samui, Ranong near Burma, and Pattaya on Bangkok Airways, so air travel is extremely easy, and comparably inexpensive in Thailand. Thailand has now joined the ranks of other countries and has a number of discount budget airlines which can be good as long as you don't want to change your travel plans. You can save sometimes 50% or more using these types of services. Keep in mind, however, that they usually limit your luggage weight to 15kg or 33lbs, and for many divers, this is simply not enough. By the time you pay your over weight charges, it's often better to buy a full fare ticket. Nok Plus is a nice compromise. Nok Air | Air Asia | Orient Thai The Thai Airways office telephone number in Bangkok is 02-513-0121 and in Phuket, 076-211-195. Land Travel Again, ground transportation in Thailand is very well organized and relatively comfortable both by bus and train–Bangkok being the exception as you've undoubtedly heard. Train travel is probably most comfortable ground transportation available, and very inexpensive, but trains are often full and therefore must be booked in advance. It is not as convenient to book trains as compared with buses as the trains are government run. Buses are common and go everywhere that's any place–and most places that are no where as well. Buses run in three different classes: tamada (normal), ae (air-conditioned), and VIP (the best). The most comfortable are the new double-decker VIP buses and their usage is common on most major routes. Be sure to bring warm clothes, however, as Thai air-conditioned buses are notorious for their extremely low temperatures! Rot too (mini-vans) are widely available as means of transport between tourist destinations, but keep in mind that the majority of these drivers think they are race-car drivers and are extremely unprofessional. Caution, and a strong stomach, is advised when traveling this way. Sea Travel Ferries travel to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Tao–most islands in fact–on a daily basis. These are extremely easy to book at any travel agent locally. Obviously, some boats are more comfortable and safe than others. Check with your local agent upon arrival in the kingdom. There is no reason to book this type of transportation in advance.
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Formalities and Visas All travelers must have a passport valid for at least six months. For stays shorter than 30 days, visas are not required for Southeast Asian nationals nor for most Europeans and North Americans. Visas are required for stays longer than 30 days, although some nationalities, such as Scandinavians, are exempt and given 90 days upon arrival. Check with a Thai Embassy in your own country before departure since entry rules do change periodically. Altogether, the visa process is simple, convenient and inexpensive and available in most major cities. What a Diver Should Bring Try to pack as lightly as possible, as the climate is very agreeable–except in December and January up near the northern borders (warm clothes are for rent there if you are planning a trek). All diving equipment is for rent for about $20 US per day no matter where you dive and the equipment is almost always in very good shape as the diving industry is thriving in Thailand. Dive shops use all the major brands. Batteries are available most places and keep in mind that we use 220 volts power. 110 volts is available on some dive boats (the more expensive ones, naturally) but it is probably good to bring an adapter. The power points in Thailand generally accept both straight and round-pin plugs, although straight-pin are the most common. Spares are available, but are not always convenient to purchase; it is best to bring things like mask straps, O-rings, etc. A 3 mm wet suit (shorty or windsurfing style) or a Lycra suit is adequate for diving all year-round. Keep in mind, however, that Lycra suits offer little or no thermal protection and when diving often three or more times per day, they are usually not adequate. Most, if not all dive centers have wet suits for rent.
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Liveaboard Considerations Keep in mind that liveaboards, no matter how large, do not have a lot of space for luggage storage. Most dive operators recommend soft-sided luggage on the boat but will allow you to store extra bags at the dive center. Since Liveaboard diving is casual, only a few T-shirts, shorts, and possibly a sweatshirt for the evening are necessary. Generally, the less you bring the more comfortable you will be. Also, take care to remember your arrival times from the boat when you make your return airline reservations. Remember the 24 hour no flying after diving rule! (DAN recommends at least 12 hours, but after a long diving trip, 24 is much better). Underwater Photography Some liveaboards in Thailand feature onboard photo-pros to help you with your equipment and technique, but this service is not as common as in the Caribbean. Keep in mind that camera repairs are limited in Thailand–mainly due to lack of spare parts and not expertise. Film is developed everywhere in Thailand but professional labs are only available in Bangkok. Film is widely available, but rarely stored to professional standards–and not usually very cheap. Again, batteries are rarely a problem to purchase although batteries for the Nikonos are for some reason difficult to find. Batteries for your diving computer should definitely be purchased at home. Most liveaboards have adequate power for charging strobes and batteries, though most boats only have 220 Volt plugs. Health Considerations Since Thailand is a tropical country, certain unique health problems must be considered. Check with your health department before you leave home. Malaria and other mosquito-born diseases are only a problem in out-of-the-way places like the jungles of northern Thailand, islands near the Cambodian border, the Mergui Archipelago, and Koh Tao north of Koh Samui. We do suggest that a good supply of mosquito repellent, sun cream, and a hat are purchased either here or at home and they should be used. Bottled water is widely available and you are well advised to drink only this type. Tap water is rarely if ever clean enough for Western stomachs. All water served in hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and dive boats is bottled-usually coming from large 20-liter containers to help control the plastic waste problems. If in doubt, ask. Health care in Thailand is widely available and inexpensive. Most first-aid supplies are easily purchased virtually everywhere. Any prescription medicine, of course, should be brought from home whenever possible.
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Diving Emergencies While there are many working recompression chambers in Thailand, there is NO AIR EVACUATION, at least on any reliable basis. Therefore, transport time can be very lengthy, depending on your location. Even in the Similan Islands, which is relatively close to the chamber in Phuket, evacuation may take 6 hours or more; more distant areas will take even longer. Considering the lengthy transport times, it should go without saying to dive conservatively; do everything you can to avoid a dive accident. The boat or dive center you are diving with will have emergency information with them, but it's not a bad idea to write down the emergency number below. Rowan speaks English fluently and knows what he's doing, and is available all of the time. Please only call him in emergencies; use email for general questions. Badalveda Chamber contact information: 24 hour emergency hotline: Rowan Sanderson, Mobile +66 (0) 1-989-9482; 076-254-425 Email: rowan@bgh.co.th Koh Phuket: Badalveda Diving Medicine Center Bangkok Hospital Phuket 2/1 Hongyok Utis Road, Phuket 8300 Tel: 076-254-425; Fax: 076-254-597 www.phukethospital.com Bangkok: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Center Bangkok General Hospital 2 Soi Soonvijai 7, New Petchburi Road Bangkok 10320 Tel: 02-310-3000 www.bangkokhospital.com Koh Tao : Badalveda Diving Medicine Center 8/2 Mu 2, Koh Tao, Suratthani 84280 Tel: 077-456-664 www.badalveda.com Koh Samui : Badalveda Diving Medicine Center Bangkok Hospital Samui 56 Mu 3, Taweerat Phakdee Road, Chaweng Beach, Samui Tel: 077-429-500 www.samuihospital.com Pattaya: Badalveda Diving Medicine Center Bangkok Hospital Pattaya Sukhumvit Road, Km. 143, Pattaya City, Chonburi Tel: 076-254-425; Fax: 076-254-597 www.pattayahospital.com Note: Keep in mind that private chambers charge over $800 US per hour for treatment, so insurance must be purchased before traveling. Government operated chambers charge much less, but are only in the Bangkok Area. Dive insurance is purchased very inexpensively through DAN (insurance is available worldwide) and well worth it in case of a problem, real or perceived. See more about DAN below. Another company which sells diving accident insurance is Divemaster in the UK. It pays to look around to find the best deal. Check with your own insurance company first of course to make sure you don't have unneeded duplicate coverage. Please note that despite rumors to the contrary, insurance is NOT available through SSS in Phuket or anywhere else except for Open Water students. They are a private business and charge for their services. You must have your own insurance to cover costs, whether the dive center is a "member" of the chamber organization or not. This is a fact despite what some dive shops advertise. You can confirm this with the chamber by asking by email one simple question: "Do you offer insurance?". The answer will be "No". We want to make this clear as this has cost some people dearly. There is a service called Badalveda which operates the chambers listed above around the country. They have a 300 THB "insurance" which covers 80% of chamber treatment only (it does not cover transportation costs, room costs, doctor's fees, or anything else, ONLY chamber treatment). At this moment, they don't have a way to sign up for the insurance before you arrive, but you can get it upon arrival if you need to. But, there are other options which are easier and cover you all over the world and not just here in Thailand.
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Divers Alert Network (DAN) Divers Alert Network (DAN) is an international membership association of individuals and organizations sharing a common interest in diving and safety. It operates a 24-hour diving emergency hotline in the US: 1-919-684-8111 or 1-919-684-4DAN (4326). The latter accepts collect calls in a dive emergency. Though DAN does not directly provide medical care, it does provide advice on early treatment, evacuation, and hyperbaric treatment of diving-related injuries. Divers should contact DAN for assistance as soon as a diving emergency is suspected. DAN membership is reasonably priced and includes DAN TravelAssist, a membership benefit that covers medical air evacuation from anywhere in the world for any illness or injury. For a small additional fee, divers can get secondary insurance coverage for decompression illness. For membership questions, contact DAN at 1-800-446-2671 in the US or 1-919-684-2948 elsewhere. DAN Southeast Asia is located in Australia and is the office to contact in an emergency in this area. However, if you wish to join DAN or purchase DAN insurance, you will need to contact your local area office. They have an excellent web site with international links at www.diversalertnetwork.org. Divers Alert Network SE Asia-Pacific 49A Karnak Road (PO Box 384) Ashburton, Victoria 3147, Australia Email: danseap@danseap.com.au Web: www.danseap.com.au Tel: +61-3-9886 9166 Fax: +61-3-9886 9155 After hours emergencies: +61-3-9828 2958
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Travel Insurance We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your trip here or anywhere else on this planet earth. The travel business is huge these days (it's the largest industry world-wide) and things can get very complicated when one's plans have to change, or if there are events which are beyond your, the operators or travel agency's control. We experienced just this type of event with the December 26, 2004 tsunami. Remember, most businesses that you will deal with in your travels, especially diving, are small businesses and they are not prepared to deal with events on a magnitude of this scale--such as travel warnings, flight cancellations, trips not departing, etc. There are thousands of scenarios. Taking care of these problems is a job for insurance companies. You can check with your credit card company as sometimes they will offer free insurance (medical and cancellation insurance) when you pay for travel using your credit card. Not all companies do this, but it's worth a phone call to find out. There are also numerous online sources and we have listed insurance information here. Travel insurance which we could get for you here in Thailand is simply too small an amount to cover costs that a foreigner would incur. And, laws governing travel insurance vary from country to country. It's best to check yourself. The links we supplied have worked well for many people. This type of insurance can cover many different things. For example, let's say that just before your trip, a family member becomes ill and you decide not to travel. Often airline tickets can be changed, sometimes refunded, but all of the other things you are doing or booking in advance cannot be changed or cancelled. Liveaboard dive trips cannot be simply because we do not overbook the boats. So, if you have travel insurance, you don't have to worry about any of these things and you receive your money back. No fighting, no hassles, it's just done. You must have a legitimate reason, but an ill family member is a good enough reason. Another example would be personal belongings: Let's say your traveling with your children, and that brand new iPod that you bought for little Johnny on his birthday is left at the airport or in a taxi and you can't find it. Travel insurance will cover these kinds of losses as well. It's not expensive insurance, and it can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
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Communications and Telephony Due to recent changes in the phone system countrywide, it is now necessary to dial the city or province code before the number wherever you are. For example, if you are in Phuket, you must dial 076 before every number dialed. The same thing goes if you are trying to call Phuket from Bangkok, 076 before the number. Charges are 3-baht per call locally, or from province to province, 8-12-baht per call. These are charges per call, not per minute. Mobile phone prefixes are either 01 or 09. Mobile phone charges are between 3 and 12 baht per minute to call out, but there are no charges for receiving calls on your mobile phone. Thailand uses the GSM system among others, so your European phone will work here. Americans will just have to wait. Cellular systems generally do not work on more remote dive sites, but are beginning to work in places like the Similan Islands; every year we get closer to good coverage. Most of the liveaboards now have some sort of satellite phone, but don't publish the numbers because they are expensive to use (even to receive calls). For more information on calling to Thailand or contacting us in case of an emergency, please go here. Internet Access Accessing email or the web in Thailand is relatively cheap and very painless, although the connections are slow in the provinces but getting better all of the time. There are hundreds of Internet cafes in all tourist areas, and most other areas as well. Prices range from 20-60 baht per hour; at hotels, often more, and at airports, a lot more! Not all hotel rooms have phone jacks which can be used for laptop computers or Palm devices. If this is a concern, check with the hotel before booking. Also, bring electrical plug travel adaptors with you as plugs can be strange in some places (although most plugs are the ones you see in the US, straight pin plugs (220V though). These are available at travel stores and electrical stores such as Radio Shack in the US and lots of stores online. Most shopping malls have some kind of a travel store these days, and most of them sell universal adaptors. Money Exchange The Thai baht very closely follows the US dollar fluctuations, so this is generally the best foreign currency to carry, but check with your bank before departure. Travelers cheques will give you better rates. Changing money is easy except in extremely remote areas (where you probably don't need much money anyway!). Credit cards are widely accepted and dive centers normally do not add a service charge, though many hotels and other shops will. Recently, the Thai Government floated the baht, and at this time it hovers around 39 baht to the US Dollar. Even though at some levels, prices will be cheaper all over Thailand, keep in mind that those businesses that use imported products (such as dive equipment and foreign staff) will have to adjust their prices. ATM machines are now very common everywhere, so sometimes this will be easier. Just be sure to inform your bank that you are traveling so when you try and use your ATM card for the first time in Thailand, the bank doesn't block it. Same thing with credit cards.
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Clothing Although shorts and T-shirts are appropriate for dive boats and the beaches, Thai's will tend to dress slightly more formally and are actually offended by revealing clothing, especially when worn by women. Try to be aware of your surroundings and avoid offending. Although topless and nude sunbathing are officially against the law, it is widespread, especially in backpacker's hangouts. Thai people are very forgiving but if you are on a beach with a majority of Thai's, do cover up with a costume or bikini. And, don't walk around town without a shirt, male or female. Always wear long pants in a Thai temple. Weather Thailand has three seasons; cool, hot and rainy. The best time to visit (for consistently great weather if you love the sun) is between October and May. The summer months of July and August are customarily very pleasant, although it tends to rain in the evenings. September is not usually the best time on the islands, as the seas are usually too rough for swimming (or diving) and rain fall is widespread. With regard to water clarity, rain makes no difference in most offshore areas. For instance in the Similans, the water is actually more clear during the summer months; the islands are too far offshore to be effected by freshwater run-off. See the "Sites" section for dive site descriptions. Diving is usually equally good in the summer months, but it may be a good idea to carry some rain gear like a poncho for transportation between the boat and the car.
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Accommodation Thailand has some of the best hotels in the world and service is often of the highest standard. Overall, however, inexpensive and comfortable accommodation in guest houses and bungalows are more commonly available than are big, fancy hotels. You can expect to pay between 400 and 800 baht per night for a 'bungalow' (usually thought of as a hotel room that is set off from others) on one of the islands, 1,000 to 2,000 baht for a more comfortable hotel with hot water, a pool and air-conditioning, and up to 10,000 baht per night (or more in some cases) if you want to hang out with the heavy players. It is a country with many levels of economy and the choice of what class you want to fit into is definitely yours. Booking one of the more expensive hotels in advance through an agent at home can frequently save you up to 50 percent. Yes, Thailand does have it all and that may surprise some of you who have not been here before. For more information about Phuket and the hotels available here, check out Phuket Island Access or Late Stays if you are booking at the last minute. Food Thai cuisine is famous the world-over for its remarkable variety and often blistering flavor. Experiment as often as you can. Southern Thailand–where most of the diving happens–is famous for its fresh seafood. Most often food is very inexpensive, but like everywhere in the world, you can pay more for atmosphere. As in most Asian countries, rice is the main staple and is served with almost every dish that can be ordered here. Many different varieties of rice are available, depending on what kind of food you're ordering. Curries are absolutely fantastic in Thailand, and vary in heat-level from mild and sweet to high-powered and fiery. Although this may shock some of you, quite often the best food is available right off the street. Thai's are extremely creative in business, and it is common to see Thai families set up a portable restaurant right on the street corner. Some will have a more permanent kwait diaw (noodle) shop on the sidewalk. Funnily enough, often this type of food is more fresh that what you would find in more expensive restaurants for the simple reason that the food stalls have no refrigeration. This forces them to buy foods fresh everyday. Above all, don't be afraid to experiment, even if that means trying the fried silkworms or dried and salted sardines (with are actually astonishingly tasty with a cold Singha beer; really!). Since Thailand is a tropical country, it wont surprise you that the fruits here are absolutely delicious. And I am sure that you will find that much of it you've never seen or heard about before, even if you've traveled widely in the tropics. Thai's have very creative ways to prepare fruit dishes and the best season for unusual fruit is from March until September. A favorite springtime dish is called mango and sticky rice (kao neaow matmuang), a concoction of fresh mango slices on a bed of rice that is marinated in coconut milk overnight. This is absolutely delicious. Also try the durian, an ugly and horrible-smelling fruit that Thai's insist is the best fruit in the universe. See for yourself. Western food is available in all tourist areas as well. Liveaboard boats in Thailand offer some of the finest food you'll find, and often people come back time and time again not only for the diving, but for the incredible meals that are served on board.
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Bangkok Transportation Arriving by Air Again, many connecting flights are available out of Don Muang Airport. Check with your travel agent for schedules and destinations. Reservations are recommended almost all year around. Ground transportation Book your taxi at one of the offices inside the airport–ignore touts. Fares downtown run about 250-350 baht ($6-$10 US). For those who want to save this fare, walk across the overpass to the bus stop and take a bus into town for almost nothing (less than 15 baht depending on the bus). Be warned that it takes a long time. There is now an airport bus that makes stops at various places downtown. Just walk outside the terminal and you'll see the sign, it's clearly posted. A train is also available for around 20 baht, but you will be hard-pressed to get anyone in the airport to explain this option to you. The train station is visible from the overpass on the departure level. Free transport is available from the Domestic terminal to the International and visa-versa. Do not be fooled into paying upwards of 150 baht for this short journey; it's only a five minute walk across a covered walkway. Metered taxis are available throughout Bangkok and are extremely comfortable (air-conditioned) and convenient. Depending on the time of day, it can cost as little as 150 baht to get you back to the airport from downtown. Metered taxis are not available in the provinces or in tourist destinations such as Phuket or Koh Samui. Make sure the meter is on before you start your journey, and if no meter is available, discuss the price before you begin your journey. Bargaining is possible in many instances, but keep smiling and don't get mad! There is also a new 'sky train' which runs along Suhkumvit and Silom roads, and covers many tourist spots as well as many embassies along it's route. Fares are 10-40 baht, depending on distance traveled. Island Transportation Motorbike and car rentals are available in most tourist areas–where there are roads of course! Insurance should be purchased if available. Be careful at all times when driving, both due to tourists not paying attention to where they are going, and the often suicidal driving habits of the locals. Motorbikes are good fun and a cheap way to get around. Again, drive carefully. Normally a license is not required, but a passport as a deposit in case of damage is. We drive on the left-hand side here. Local taxis and buses are widely available and prices vary from place to place. One thing you'll notice quickly: Thai people rarely walk. Thus, transportation is readily available any place you find people.
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Environmental Considerations Protecting the environment is a fairly new concept in Thailand and all of Southeast Asia, but fortunately more and more people are beginning to think about this protection, and more importantly, starting to do something about it. Divers have long been aware of damage to coral reefs through dynamite fishing and anchoring, but only recently have dive centers starting thinking about the damage that can be done by divers themselves. For this reason, most centers have developed a hands-off policy. Thailand has some of the most environmentally progressive dive shops in the world, and this has helped to keep our reefs healthy and beautiful. When diving here, please try to respect the wishes of the diving community by not gathering or collecting any corals or shells, even from the beaches (don't take a home away from a hermit crab–or calcium from the sea–by taking even dead shells). Of course, never buy marine items from shell shops as this only encourages them to go out and collect more. Please do not spear fish. Spear fishing–though some argue is not damaging because it is selective–tends to frighten fish which makes them unapproachable. Also, since it is selective, divers tend to take only the larger animals of only certain species. This can severely damage the gene pool, and can create a species imbalance on the reef. Much of the seafood you eat here is grown in farms, but the majority of it is still harvested from the reefs. Please avoid eating shellfish with eggs and do not eat sharks, as they are heavily hunted here. Remember, the more you eat in a restaurant, the less you'll see on the reef. On land, you'll find that like in most countries, Thailand has its share of plastic garbage. Although this is a worldwide problem, make an effort to avoid using the stuff. Take your own bag or backpack to the store, and buy a canteen or reusable plastic container to hold drinking water during trips to the beach (your hotel will be more than happy to fill this up for you, especially if you explain why you are doing it this way). Think about where this plastic will end up; don't take an out of sight, out of mind attitude, because you just may see that bottle washed up on your favorite beach the next day. Finally, most islands in Thailand have a fresh water shortage all year-round. Please do not waste water. You may see green tropical foliage surrounding you, but there is very little water in the ground. Shorten your showers, turn off the water while shaving, and generally be conscious about how you are using it. All of these tips will help to keep our islands beautiful for years to come. Come and enjoy Thailand, and try to make your journey a positive one as well.
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National Park Fees As of this November 15, 2001, the Thai Government has imposed fees to enter any national park in Thailand, and there are often user fees charged as well. The charge is supposed to be 200 baht ($5 US) per entry for foreigners and so far, it is being enforced–a strange concept here in Thailand. Expect to pay 200 baht for each national park you visit, no matter how small it is. Like many government policies in Thailand, this has not really been thought out properly. Some tour operators from Phuket, for example, may enter up to five national parks on a daily tour, and these “national parks” may just be a nice water fall. This means, for a day of visiting waterfalls, there could be a 1,000 baht ($23 US) per person. Divers are also getting jabbed. To dive in the Similan or Surin Islands, each diver must pay a 200 baht entrance fee, plus a 200 baht per day “user” fee. This means that a four-day trip to Similan and Surin will cost an additional 1,200 baht, payable in cash upon boarding the boat. Burma Entry These requirements vary from boat to boat, but one thing is certain: The Burmese Government charges an entry fee for every person wishing to dive in the Mergui Archipelago. This is an immigration fee and port fee similar to those in Indonesia using just one example. The fee is between $130 and $150 US and is payable upon arrival in Burma (Myanmar). You also need four passport pictures and various passport copies. Please check the boat's information pages for details, or email us. No visa is required for any nationality to enter Burma under a boat's license for diving. However, you will exit and reenter Thailand, so please make sure you have the appropriate entry visa for Thailand if required. Most nationalities get 30 days upon arrival, but not all. Citizens of Taiwan have to be careful with this for example. Further Information For more information on traveling in Thailand please contact a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in your own country. If one is not available, here is the address for the head office in Thailand: The Tourism Authority of Thailand 372 Bumrung Muang Road Bangkok, 10100 Tel: +66 (0) 2-223-3160 Fax: +66 (0) -/223-1831 A Thai Primer Click the above link for an extensive Thai phrase book. Siam Dive n' Sail's Link page Here we have lots of links to various sites related to traveling in and learning about Thailand, including hotel and airline links.