TRAVEL
SPECIAL TRIP PLANNER THAILAND
Thailand
has a lot to offer its tourists: picture postcard beaches, cheap shopping and
ornate temples. It’s also among the cheapest places to visit now
THE LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL
DON’T MISS...
The Loy Krathong festival will be held on 17 November this year. This is Thailand’s Festival of Lights, and on this night, thousands of lights are floated on every river, lake, as well as the ocean. The belief is that if the krathong floats away from you, the coming year will bring good fortune. In Bangkok, you’ll also see spectacular 80-tonne illuminated barges lighting up the Chao Phraya river.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to late February is the peak season in Thailand. To avoid the crowds and the hiked rates, consider visiting in early March or October.
TRIP TRAIL
According to Mohit Gupta, chief business officer (holidays), MakeMyTrip, four to six nights are required to cover at least two destinations, say, Bangkok and Pattaya, which is the most common trail for Indians. Here is another sample itinerary. Reserve the first two days of your holiday for Bangkok, your entry point. On the first evening, take a cruise down the Chao Phraya river. The following day, visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Jim Thompson House. On day 3, catch a flight to Phuket ( 2,502 one way, via Orient Thai Airlines), or if you prefer less crowds, head to Krabi ( 3,524 one way, via Air Asia). On day 4, no matter where you are based, take a day trip to the Phi Phi Island. Explore local sights the following day, be it the hot springs and Khao Pra-Bang Khram Nature Reserve in Krabi, or the Amulet market, local shrines and waterfalls in Phuket. On the last day, catch a flight back to Bangkok, and to home. Alternatively, consider a Bangkok-Chiang Mai trip.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
FREE
• Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Bangkok.
• Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat and Wat Indraviharn, Bangkok.
• Royal Elephant Museum, Bangkok.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok.
• Khao Khanap Nam, Krabi.
• Wat Tham Seua, Krabi.
• Big Buddha, Phuket.
PAID
(Approximate per person rates)
BANGKOK
• Wat Pho: 200
• Wat Traimit: 280 (with museum)
• Wat Arun: 100
• Grand Palace: 800
• Siam Niramit Show: 2,200
• Siam Ocean World: 1,000
• Safari Park: 1,800
• Madame Tussauds: 1,200
• Wat Traimit: 280 (with museum)
• Wat Arun: 100
• Grand Palace: 800
• Siam Niramit Show: 2,200
• Siam Ocean World: 1,000
• Safari Park: 1,800
• Madame Tussauds: 1,200
PHUKET
• Phuket Fantasea: 3,000
• Simon Cabaret: 1,400
KRABI
• Hot springs: 180
• Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve and Emerald Pool: 400
• Than Bok Khorani National Park: 400
SAVING TIPS
• Instead of spending big bucks at restaurants, sample local cuisine at street stalls. It’s safe and hygienic, as testified by the many Thais thronging such stalls.
• There’s the MRT (metro) and BTS (Skytrain) one-day pass card costing 240, which lets travelers use unlimited services and makes for a value buy.
• Avoid hiring a taxi or even tuktuks. The local transport is much cheaper.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE...
AIR FARE
Direct return flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Bangkok start at 18,211 and 19,400 per head, respectively. For travel towards the end of October, Air India is offering the lowest fares.
EXCHANGE RATE
Currently, 100 will fetch 50 Thai baht (THB). While the baht has steadily appreciated in the past year, it is still a welcome deal compared to the dollar and the euro.
VISA
Indians can avail of the visa on arrival facility at 23 designated international checkpoints in Thailand, including the various airports in the country. This facility is only valid for up to a 15-day stay and the visa fee is 1,000 baht ( 2,000) per person.
TRIP EXPENSE
For a budget trip, set aside 1,000-1,200 per person, per day, covering food, stay and sightseeing. Those preferring a mid-range holiday should plan for around 2,000-3,400 per head, per day. On the other hand, luxury breaks will cost upwards of 10,000 per day.
ACCOMMODATION
From hostels to fancy resorts, Thailand has a lot to offer travellers in every budget. “A night at a three-star hotel typically costs 2,400-3,000, while four-star hotels cost around 3,600-5,000. Estimate over 6,000 per night for luxury hotels,” says MakeMyTrip’s Mohit Gupta.
LOCAL COMMUTE
Apart from the cheap, local buses, travellers can rely on the metro system and Skyrail to get around. A more expensive option is the tuk-tuk. Thailand also has a decent railway network, particularly if you are headed up north to Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the Bridge on the River Kwai (River Kwae Bridge station).
AIR FARE
Direct return flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Bangkok start at 18,211 and 19,400 per head, respectively. For travel towards the end of October, Air India is offering the lowest fares.
EXCHANGE RATE
Currently, 100 will fetch 50 Thai baht (THB). While the baht has steadily appreciated in the past year, it is still a welcome deal compared to the dollar and the euro.
VISA
Indians can avail of the visa on arrival facility at 23 designated international checkpoints in Thailand, including the various airports in the country. This facility is only valid for up to a 15-day stay and the visa fee is 1,000 baht ( 2,000) per person.
TRIP EXPENSE
For a budget trip, set aside 1,000-1,200 per person, per day, covering food, stay and sightseeing. Those preferring a mid-range holiday should plan for around 2,000-3,400 per head, per day. On the other hand, luxury breaks will cost upwards of 10,000 per day.
ACCOMMODATION
From hostels to fancy resorts, Thailand has a lot to offer travellers in every budget. “A night at a three-star hotel typically costs 2,400-3,000, while four-star hotels cost around 3,600-5,000. Estimate over 6,000 per night for luxury hotels,” says MakeMyTrip’s Mohit Gupta.
LOCAL COMMUTE
Apart from the cheap, local buses, travellers can rely on the metro system and Skyrail to get around. A more expensive option is the tuk-tuk. Thailand also has a decent railway network, particularly if you are headed up north to Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the Bridge on the River Kwai (River Kwae Bridge station).
Sushmita
Choudhury Agarwal. ETW131007
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