| FAQ
/ Visiting Thailand
These FAQ should help to answer the most common questions.
It is not going to replace an e-mail chat with us or a travel
guide where you find more in depth information. Some items
like prices, times, may change without notice. Please don't
take it as gospel and double check before you travel. Should
you find information here that is outdated or wrong, please
e-mail us and let us know.
Is
Thailand a safe place to travel?
The situation in Thailand is often exaggerated by the Western
media, who make it seem like the whole nation is in turmoil.
At the time of writing, our major areas of Phuket, Ranong
& the Andaman Sea are perfectly safe with no trouble
being experienced at all.
It
pays to keep abreast of the news if travelling extensively
in Thailand beyond the major dive regions to the volatile
muslim seperatist area in Narathiwat province on the South
Eastern border with Malaysia.
Most people use the South Western border crossing with
Malaysia regardless, as it is a far more interesting area.
If
you insist on travelling to the South Eastern corner, keep
an eye on media reports or the travel advisory on their
websites.
Foreign
Affairs departments of all major nations offer "official
travel advice". We don't always agree with them, but
please judge for yourself:
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Do I need a Passport or Visa?
A
valid passport (with at least 6 months validity! ) is required.
Visa
Prior to Arrival
Citizens
of some countries need to get a visa from their nearest
Thai embassy prior to arrival.This includes India, Monaco
and Cyprus amongst others.
Visa
Free Entry
Citizens
of the following countries can travel in Thailand up to
30 days without a visa :
Algeria,
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil,
Brunei, Burma, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy,
Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Singapore, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey,
UAE, USA, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Yemen.
Although
many taxes and security fees will be included in the cost
of your air ticket, Thailand levies an international departure
tax of Thai Baht 500 (approx AU$20.00, US$13). Please
ensure that you have enough Thai currency available to pay
this fee on the day of departure from Thailand.
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When is the best weather to visit
and dive in Thailand ?
Most of Southern Thailand (the main diving region) has
only two seaons, a wet and dry, with small temperature differences
between the two. The West Coast experiences dry season,
October to May, whilst the East Coast has dry season January
to November.
Most of Thailand - with the mountains in the North and
the Khorat Plateau of the North-East notable exceptions
- is very humid, with and overall average humidity of 66%
to 82%, depending on the season and time of day. The hot
part of the dry season reaches its hottest along the north-east
plain, and temperatures easily soar to 39 C in the daytime,
dropping only a few degrees at night. The temperature can
drop to 13 C at night during the cool season in Chiang Mai.
If you're visiting the North during the cooler months, long
sleeved shirts and sweaters would be in order.
If
planning a trip to Thailand, diving conditions are at their
best October to May of each year on the West Coast, or January
to October for the East Coast.
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Do I need vaccinations before I
travel to Thailand?
With all travels into tropical climate you should have an
active immunisation against tetanus and a current polio
protection. Northern parts of Thailand are in a malaria
zone. If travelling to these northern areas, please
check with your physician or medical centre on the type
of prophylactic you should use and ask:
- Is it compatible with diving?
- What are the known side effects? Make sure you take
the appropriate medications in time before you start the
trip. Medications which have proven to be problematic
include LARIAM. Medications which are popular: Doxycycline,
sometimes in combination with Maloprin
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What do I need to know about the
currency?
The currency of Thailand is the Baht which consists
of 100 Satangs. Coins include 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 Baht,
5 Baht and 10 Baht pieces but the confusing fact about coins
is that they are of different sizes for the same value coin
and only the newer coins have Arabic numerals. The 5 Baht
coin (silver with copper edge) and the 1 Baht coin (silver)
each come in three sizes. The 10 Baht coin has a copper
center with silver border, the 50 and 25 satang coins are
copper coloured, and both circulate in two sizes.
Paper money (which also available in plastic)is clearer
since the notes have Arabic (as well as Thai) numerals and
are colour coded as well as of different sizes for different
denominations - the larger the denomination the larger the
size. 10's are brown, 20's green, 50's blue, 100's red,
500's purple and 1000 Baht notes are grey.
In
towns & dive resorts, major credit cards (MasterCard
and Visa) are widely accepted. AMEX and Diners cards are
not accepted in some places. Traveller cheques are the next
best thing, changeable at banks & money changers.
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Will my electrical appliances/computer/chargers
etc. work in Thailand ?
Voltage in Thailand is 220V. You have to bring a special
adapter for the 2-pronged sockets used in Indonesia. Some
operators provide special 110 Volt facilities for American
clients. Please check with us for details.
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Can I use my drivers licence to
hire a car?
Thais drive their cars on the left hand side of the road.
If you are used to driving on the right hand side then exercising
a little caution at the beginning should get used to the
left hand side quickly. To hire a car a valid national car
drivers licence (in English) or a international drivers
licence is needed. Car hire is relatively expensive in Thailand.
In most cases you will be better advised to find a local
guide to take you around and show you around or use the
cheap, frequent public transport, rather then driving yourself.
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Should I bring any special clothing?
Bring casual, light and comfortable clothes. The evenings
can get relatively cool with a sea breeze so something warm
for the evening is recommended. Bring some very light clothing
which offers sun protection for trips ashore to some of
the villages. If you plan to stay overnight in Bangkok,
Chiang Mai or Phuket, dress is relaxed and casual, with
a shirt with collar, long pants and shoes for men and the
women dress equally tasteful. Bring:
- Slacks or other informal dress
- Long sleeved shirt
- Sweatshirt or jacket or windbreaker
- Walking shoes or sandals
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Swim suits
- Sun hat
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How much tips do I need to give
?
No one in Thailand expects tips for services. Tips have
never been part of the culture. This is not to say that
people don't like to be rewarded for very good service.
Tipping is a very personal decision, for tips are your ways
of expressing satisfaction. Our operators have a system
in place where all tips are shared equally between the staff.
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What is the time difference to
Indonesia ?
The
Thai Time Zone is GMT +8 Hours.
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Are airport transfers included?
Most hotels, cruises or tour operators offer complimentary
pick up services from the airport. This will be marked clearly
on the product description.
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