Thailand Travel Pictures & Information
Thai holiday Bangkok, Floating Market, River Kwai tours
I'd come to Thailand on a 3.5 hour flight from Hong Kong, a side trip on a longer trip to Australia. I was glad I had: This impromptu Thai holiday to Bangkok and the Floating Market, then out to the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass was a highlight that makes me want to return to Thailand, and stay longer, and see more of it!
Most Thailand package holidays include at least a whirlwind half-day city tour of international arrival city, the capital, Bangkok. If you are traveling independently, day trips and longer tours from Bangkok are easy to arrange.
Temples like the one in this picture are among Asia's most popular tourist attractions. Come prepared to take many photos. The Floating Market and the ethnic arts show at the Rose Garden theme park, with stops to see Thai wood carvers is one popular day trip from Bangkok.
Another popular trip from Bangkok is the Kanchanaburi train along the River Kwai. Plan for a few days' stay in Kanchanaburi and area if you can, to visit Hellfire Pass. North from the River Kwai Village Resort (where I stayed), as part of a day trip stop at the caves, our tour stopped at a small orchard with tropical fruits. See also my Thai vacations travel story about the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass trip.
Full days tours include lunch. Pick up times are early -- around 6:30 a.m. TIP: Half day tours return to Bangkok around 2 p.m. and full day tours around 5 p.m., though due to the heavy rush hour traffic, it may take another two hours to reach your hotel. If your visit coincides with one of the many Buddhist festivals, you may observe one of the evening ceremonies that include candlelit containers being set afloat on area rivers. More travel information is posted on the individual Thailand pages -- see links below.
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Thailand Travel Information
What Language do they speak in Thailand? The official language is Thai; but English is commomly spoken at major hotels, tours, etc. (Or get a Thai Phrasebook
if you will be travelling around Thailand)
What Currency (Money) do they use inThailand? Thai baht (THB). Rates fluctuate; about 1 THB = 2 US cents OR $1 USD = 41.08 THB See also travel currency tips for how to carry safely, etc.
Do I need a Visa for Thailand? Most short-term visitors do NOT require a visa. Check online for "thailand embassy" for specifics; the sites vary by country. (see also travel documents tips)
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Travel Health Issues Consult a travel health clinic for the latest information. (The situation can change rapidly as was the case with avian flu and SARS.) Make sure your customary vaccinations are up to date before you travel, and that you carry your vaccination records with you. See Travel Tips vaccinations page.
- Is it safe to travel to Thailand? Check with UK. USA, Canada governments for any new travel advisories - links posted on Disclaimer page.
Airport in Bangkok All domestic and international flights to and from Bangkok (BKK) now arrive and depart from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport about 30 km/18.6 miles east of Bangkok. Like many airports in Asia, Bangkok has good security. They screen everyone coming into the airport building. Luggage is scanned, and passengers and their documents are checked. Only then are people allowed to proceed to the check-in counters. After checking in and getting your boarding pass, you will have to go through security again to go to the boarding lounges. See also travel tips section.
What's the weather like? I traveled to Thailand in mid November and the countryside was lush green, and the weather was clear and dry, but very humid and very hot. Locals remarked that the rainy season with cooler temperatures was long overdue that year. A friend traveled to the same cities and hotels in early February a year later, and found the trees were dry and leafless.
- Thailand travel specials Check Thai travel deals (TIP Use the pull down menu to find specials for the cities you are interested in)
Phone to Thailand, or phone home See cheap phone cards page for information and details, and links to buy now.
- Thailand theme Notebooks, Journals, etc See my Thailand Cafepress store.
- What side of the road do they drive on in Thailand? In Thailand, they drive on the left
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See my Thailand Travel Pictures
Bangkok Fabulous temples, great shopping, great food!
Floating Market A great day trip from Bangkok
River Kwai Allow three days, if possible; but do it in one, if you must
Hellfire Pass Near Kanchanaburi, and well worth a visit
Thai carvers Fabulous work and a great souvenir
Thai fruits Exotic to some, plentiful in Thailand
Thai Vacations Travel story about trip to Hellfire Pass from Bangkok
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River Kwai Village Hotel
River Kwai Village Resort, Kanchanaburi, along the River Kwai Noi, is a good bet. The next time I visit, I plan to stay at least a week here to enjoy more time at the spa and the pools. For a few dollars more, get a river view room. After all, you've come so far, why NOT be right above the river?
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