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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 »

Phuket/Patong - only for sex tourists?

We booked two weeks in Phuket, Patong beach. Unfortunately the more I read about this destination I start to believe, that the only thing you can do at night is paying for sex (or try to avoid sex workes touting for their business)... Altough we obviously knew, that sex tourism is based in Patong, we were lured by travel brochures offering dreamlike hotels and vibrant nightlife... Well somehow it seems, that we misunderstand their definition of vibrant nightlife, because we act on the assumption that there are also "normal" tourists, "normal" bars, discos and pubs... Will our presumption be completely disappointed? Or where to have fun at night without prostitutes? Do you have any tips for normal pubs and discos? (I realize, that we will meet sex-workes and wooers and I've no problem with that, but I am not very happy with the idea of spending my holiday in a brothel.....)

Accomodation for Newly Weds in Krabi and Koh Samui ???

Hi

I'm planning to spend 3 nights in Krabi and 2 nights in Koh Samui. Looking for advice from all the experts here. I'm interested in a nice/clean place, a bit secluded (not overcrowded) but not very far from the popular points. Willing to take a car/jeep on rent in Koh Samui. Not sure about Krabi. My budget is around 4000 Baht per night and my travel dates are around 3-8 January 2010.

Also would be interested in knowing all the places/activities one can indulge in/near Krabi. Not looking for anything very adventurous, just to pass good time and have fun.

Thanks a lot for reading and offering help.

Thanks

15 Day Rule - Can anyone clarify?

Can anyone clarify the 15day land crossing rule for me? Is is that you

• cannot do it more than 3 times consecutively?
• or not more than 3 times per year?

Urgent advice requested re: Bangkok hospitals

Hi everyone,

I would greatly appreciate input on the following. My brother in law has been travelling through South East Asia until he broke both of his ankles and his hip today in Laos. He is now in a small clinic in south Laos but his insurance company is arranging for him to be flown to Bangkok tomorrow. As far as we now know, he needs to undergo surgery for his broken hip.

Does anybody have advice on good orthopaedic surgists in Bangkok and/or recommendations for good Bangkok hospitals? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,

LV

Surat Thani to Ko Phangnan - night ferry

Hi,

I arrive early evening (19:30) at Surat Thani Airport on the 18th and plan to get to Ko Pangnan as quickly as possible. Buy buying a cheap ticket to Surat Thani I've realized that I'm gonna miss most of the ferries that run regularly during the day because of my arrival time. Can anyone advise if there are still late ferries, or maybe faster ways to get across (speed boat etc)?

Also, how long and roughly what cost from Surat Thani airport to the harbour (bus or taxi)?

Thanks for any help.

Preecey

Climb Railay

Hi, can anyone recommend a safe climbing company in Railay for private lessons?

Thanks!

Hello Need Advice, Quickly

Hi my name is Ian

I am planning a trip to vietnam, loas, thailand and a couple days in hong kong. I am going from Jan 11 till March 17th. While much of my trip has been planned. I have been waiting to buy my flight tickets. I have been using expedia, to search for prices. Is this the best site to find the cheapest flights? or should I be using another.

I fly from toronto to saigonon jan 11th.

Hong Kong to Vancouver march 17th, aka staying for a week to visit family

Vancouver to toronto on march 24.

I am currently looking at a price of 1764.98 for the whole trip. I am just wondering if this is a fair price for this trip. I know that I am getting close to my departure date.. I assume that the closer i get probably the higher the cost. My question is should i wait or should I take this price. If I wait till closer will the prices probably just be higher.

I have watched ... more »