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Thailand Branch FAQ

Welcome! This is the home of those looking for information or looking to share information about Thailand.

Here are some tips to help you find the information you want and need:

1. Research before asking a question. It will help you get better, more detailed and useful answers from the community if you've already done some homework. It's also polite. The community is here to help, but we're not your personal search engine. Invest some preliminary time and we'll happily help you fill in the gaps.

2. Explore Lonely Planet's Destinations online, which has a wealth of key info and tips.

3. Have a good look around the Thorn Tree before asking your question - quite often your question (or one very simila... more »

VISA CHANGES For people entering Thailand by land

Thailand has changed the rules for people entering the country via land borders. If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia, or are on the road now, then read this and prepare to either alter your plans or get better acquainted with your local Thai consulate.

So what's the deal?
While the official English translation of the order has yet to be published (and is unlikely to appear before next week due to today's holiday for the King's birthday), a combination of an unofficial translation and reports from various borders suggest the speculation is accurate. The headline change is that anyone crossing into Thailand by land, who doesn't already have a visa from a Thai embassy or consulate, will be ALLOWED TO STAY ONLY 15 DAYS, not the previous 30.

This does not apply to people flying into Thailand, who can still get 'stamped in' - or in official parlance enter under the 't... more »

Ploenchit Fair

Anybody going along to the annual Ploenchit Fair run by the British Club this Saturday?

Ploenchit Fair

Usually a pretty good day out and helps raise money for a number of Thai charities. 100bht to get in and very easy to get to - get off BTS at Saphan Taksin and walk down to the river pier.. jump on the Free Chatrium / Shrewsbury International School boat for 5 mins down the river or walk down Chareon Krung Road for 10 minutes, following the sign post to the school. Loads of food, bands, beets etc. Get a bit of Christmas shopping done as well.

If you're at a loose end, I can think of far worse ways to spend an afternoon...

distance from Krabi airport to pier

We have a mere 2 hours to get from our plane (if it lands on time) to the pier to get the last boat to PhiPhi at 14 30. Is the pier far from the airport? Last time we went to Ko lanta and just got a taxi, from the taxi desk and went across on the car ferries Are there mini vans or something readily available to get us to the boat? Or are we better off getting a taxi from the desk to get to the pier.

Trat to Siem Reap

Hello. Planning on traveling from Trat, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia on December 25, 2009. I have heard one can hire taxis... would prefer not to go back through Bangkok. Looking for advice/experiences. Cheers Jenn

Yanks/Indian Visa/Bangkok

Please note that the Indian Embassey in Bangkok has added a 1,000 Baht fee for Americans applying for a Visa in Bangkok. This is an additional fee over the increased service fee for issuing a Visa to non-thai nationals(and,of course, the normal visa fee for all applicants) The 1,000 Baht 'penalty' is not listed on the India/BKK website. When the consul in charge of this service at the Indian Embassey was closely questioned he provided a,in my opinion,bogus explanation/print-out listing this fee for Americans applying for a TEN Year visa.
This 1,000 Baht fee(equivilent)is not charged to Americans applying for a visa in the US.

Incrdible India

Tigerline Ferry travel between Langkawi and Koh Lipe

Hi,

Has anyone recently taken the Tigerline ferry from Langkawi (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe? I arrive in Langkawi late tonight and I'm hoping to take one early tomorrow morning and am trying to figure out where they depat from... one website said they depart from Kuah jetty and another said that they depart from the pier at "Awana" resort. If anyone can help me it would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Ko Sichang , Ko Chang(Andaman) or Ko Lipe

I cant decide on which of these islands to visit. I have been to most of the larger islands in the past and looking for somewhere chilled but also somewhere with a little bit of life as I will be traveling on my own and will want to meet some people

Anyone love or hate any of these places. Comments on accommodation style and price, nightlife or lack of it and general feelings about the places would be very much appreciated

Problems with Bank of Ireland ATM cards in Thailand

Bank of Ireland customers should be aware that their Cirrus/Maistro Cards have been restricted for use in Thailand. The limit is €100 per transaction - a totally unworkable amount when bank fees are taken into consideration. I have been seriously inconvenienced during my trip by this farcical limit. I am particularly annoyed because BOI are not keeping their customers informed. When I faced the horrible scenario of running out of money BOI quoted 'ATM security' as the reason. I travelled with quiet a number of people, customers of some of the biggest banks in the world - all were able to use the ATMs normally. What is BOI doing? Seems top banks are not imposing such crazy restrictions. I have asked BOI for the following information

• When was the Euro 100 limit put in force and why?
• Why does it not apply to British, Spanish, Dutch, German tourists - I was in company with these p...