Destination Guide - Thailand

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
1	Adventure Siam Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking & Elephant Riding (11 Days)
2	Volunteer Multi-Sport Mountain Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, Elephant Riding & Volunteering (14 Days)

Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand
Population: 65.9 Million
Capital City: Bangkok
People: 75% Thai, 14% Ethic Chinese, and 11% other ethnic minorities
Languages: Thai
Religion: 94.6% Buddhist, 4.6% Muslim, 0.7% Christian and 0.1% other
Currency: Baht
Time: GMT plus 7 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz (http://www.kropla.com)
Major Industries: Textiles and garments, computer parts, tin, automobiles and tourism
Airport Departure Tax: $15.75 USD / 500 THB (subject to change)

IMPORTANT FACTS

Travel Documents

Citizens from Canada and the USA require a valid passport to enter Thailand. Citizens of other nations should check with their nearest Thai Embassy for entry requirements. You must have a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond the conclusion of your trip in order to enter Thailand. Naturally, your passport is your most important travel document, therefore it is imperative to keep it as safe as possible at all times. Finally, it is a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport (remember to keep this copy, and all other copies of important documents and papers, separate from their originals), which can prove helpful should your passport be lost or stolen.

If travelling on a Canadian or American passport, a visa is not required to enter Thailand if the trip is under 30 days. Citizens of other nations should check with their nearest Thai Embassy for entry/visa requirements.

Climate

Thailand has a tropical climate. Most of the country has three seasons – a hot, dry season from March to May; a hot, wet period from June to October; and a cool, dry season from November to February. Bangkok has an average temperature of 77 degrees F (25 C) in December and 86 degrees F (30 C) in April. The mountain areas are cooler. From late May to October, winds called monsoons cause heavy rains throughout Thailand. The Southern Peninsula region may receive more than 100 inches of rain in one year. Bangkok has an average annual rainfall off 55 inches.

Food

One of the delights of visiting Thailand is the amazing cuisine. Thai people enjoy good food and are constantly taking advantage of bountiful supplies of raw materials to transform into flavor tempting delicacies. Such delicacies include curries, fresh seafood, hearty noodle soups, and the deservedly recognized Pad Thai. There are also countless types of exotic fruits available; enjoyable on their own or in thirst-quenching fruit juices.

Vaccinations

You are not required to have any vaccinations for your trip to Thailand although it is a good idea to ensure your tetanus, typhoid, and anti-hepatitis vaccines are up to date. Also there is malaria in parts of Thailand, so you’ll need to decide whether or not to take medication. Health requirements can and do change regularly, so we urge you to contact your doctor and/or public health officials concerning recommended vaccinations specific to Thailand. A great resource site is the Centre of Disease Control at www.cdc.gov. You should plan ahead for your inoculations, as some of them require 30 days to take affect. Some shots cause mild reactions (fatigue to mild fever and nausea) and may require more than one dose over a period of weeks.

Suggested Reading List

Lonely Planet Thailand (9th Edition) – by Joe Cummings
Thailand: The Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Regions of Thailand – by Panurat Poladitmontri, Judy Lew
Dragon’s Fin Soup: Eight Modern Siamese Fables – by S.P. Somtow
When Elephants Paint: The Quest of Two Russian Artists to Save the Elephants of Thailand – by Dave Eggers, Vitaly Komar
Thailand: The Golden Kingdom – by William Warren, Luca Invernizzi Tettoni (Photographer)
Thailand: A Short History – by David K. Wyatt
The 1932 Revolutionist – by Kamron Gunatilaka, The Crescent Moon Theather (Paperback)
Wild Thailand – by Gerald Cubitt (Photographer)
Guns, Girls, Gambling, Ganja: Thailand’s Illegal Economy and Public Policy – by Pasuk Phongpaichit
Forest Recollections: Wandering Monks in Twentieth-Century Thailand – by Kamala Tiyavanich