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bangkok

Thailand tour: Make your own package trip

by VV March 9, 2018

written by VV

Nothing can be better than exploring Thailand on your own. Although travelling this way gives you the real fun and thrill of tourism, package tours offer more convenience and comfort. But what if you can get the benefits of thrill and comfort together! In this guide, I am going to share how you can make Thailand tour package without paying hefty commissions to a private tour operator.

Klook, an online service has suggested a 6-days itinerary for Thailand which includes almost all those activities which are offered in package tours, but instead of taking a full pre-booked and pre-planned package trip you can choose the individual activities according to your likings. You can book them online even before leaving for Thailand, sometimes even at discounted rates. Now if you are going to use this service for the first time, then to get a free joining bonus which you can avail in the booking of any of the activities mentioned below.

Suggested Itinerary for 6-days in Thailand

3 days in Krabi
2 Days in Phuket
1 Day in Bangkok

Day 1: After Arrival at Krabi Airport

After getting the Thai Visa on Arrival, pick up a local mobile SIM. A local Sim can be pre-booked online. Thereafter, you can meet and greet for your private Airport transfer to your Hotel. In Krabi, most of the hotels usually allow Check-In around 2 pm. Early check-in can be requested but many hotels charge extra for this. So Book the flights accordingly. At 2 pm you can go for a Sunset tour on a yacht which is quite a luxury. You can also go diving and snorkelling on this trip and later on enjoy the sunset barbecue on the yacht. Another option is to go for a traditional Thai Massage which is usually available between 10 am to midnight in around 1000 Rupees.

Day 2 & 3: Activities in Krabi

Krabi has a bouquet of Islands with crystal waters and beautiful beaches. You can do a lot of activities on the day-2 of your trip. For example. You can do a tour of 4 islands, which includes the famous Chicken Island and lesser-known Koh Tub and Koh Mor. By the way, Koh is Island in the Thai language. Or you can experience a private charter boat trip to explore Krabi’s famous islands like Phi Phi, Hong Islands, James Bond Island, etc. Another option is to a day tour to Koh Rok and Koh Haa (Islands) where you can do many activities including snorkelling to see the beautiful coral reefs underwater. Or you can make a 9 hour trip to James Bond Island in a Speedboat. Or if you’re an adventure freak, you to choose from a one-day tour to hidden sights like the Tiger Temple Cave and the Emerald Pool or can try tightrope walking, dive the Tarzan swing, go ziplining, hop on a flying skateboard, and other activities in Krabi Tree Top Park.

All the costs and timings are mentioned in the hyperlinks. Click them to know more about them. You can also book them from these links.

Klook.com

Day 4: Phuket

Travel to Phuket by Sea or Land. Phuket is 150 kilometres away from Krabi and it takes about 2 hours to reach there by road. You can also book a ferry ride to Phuket from Ao-Nang in Krabi. You can book the Phuket ferry ticket online which costs around 1200 Indian Rupees. Check in to your Hotel in Phuket. Now either you can relax in your hotel or choose to watch a live cabaret show. You can even watch a live 3-hour boxing show of men and women Muay Thai boxers.

Day 5: Phuket

Go for a day trip to Phi Phi Island or experience the very famous James Bond Island. Kayak into lagoons of Panak and Hong islands. Or you can go on a day trip to Raya & Coral island which is also ideal for snorkelling beginners and younger children. All these trips offer onboard lunch and hotel pick & drop.

Klook.com

Day 6: Bangkok

From your hotel take a private car to the Phuket Airport and fly to Bangkok. Flight from Phuket to Bangkok will take around 1:15 hours. Check-in to your hotel, relax and later on go out to on the floating market tour. Or you can choose from a lot of other activities in Bangkok as per your taste.

Please let me know (comment) if you want such itineraries for other places also

Hotels in Thailand

Booking.com

Flights from India to Thailand

March 9, 2018 0 comment

Getting free drinking water and cheap food in Thailand

by VV March 5, 2017

written by VV

Like my Europe trip in 2016, I never purchased bottled water in Thailand. Bottled water always leaves a dent on the pocket and the environment. Of course, we should always try to protect our environment all the time, even while travelling. So how did I manage to get clean and safe drinking water? Watch this video to know the trick of getting free drinking water and cheap food in Thailand.

This video was made in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand (Thailand was known as ‘Siam’ in that era). I reached Ayutthaya in a train which cost me just 15 baht (30 Indian Rupees) from Bangkok. I recommend this journey if you are a backpacker or budget traveller. Train number 207 is the cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. It is an ordinary train with all 3rd class coaches. Watch this video to know how to take a train from Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok to Ayutthaya.

You can also watch other videos in the series of 'Hitchhiking in Thailand' at this link.

How to find a cheap hotel in Thailand

After reaching Ayutthaya I started hunting for a place to stay. None of my ‘Couchsurfing’ requests was accepted that day, otherwise, I wanted to stay with locals during the whole trip. If you do not know about Couchsurfing then watch this video which I made during my Europe trip. After watching this maybe you won’t like to stay in a hotel forever. This video can give you a glimpse of what Couchsurfing is and may let you understand about one of the fantastic ways to travel.

Watch this video to know how I found a private room in Ayutthaya only for 150 Thai Baht (300 Indian Rupees) and how it looks from inside. Also, know how to get an access to somebody’s wifi for free ;)

Bangkok city tour for free

You would be glad to know that you can do Bangkok city tour for free. Travel as the locals do. Travel in the Red bus which is available for free for everyone. Watch the next 2 videos to know how I came to know about these buses and how to use them while travelling in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.

This was shot on day 1 of my trip in Bangkok – January 2018

This was shot on day 2 in Bangkok – January 2018

Budget airlines from India to Bangkok

If you are looking to travel on a budget to Thailand, then you must travel by budget airlines like Air Asia, Indigo & Spicejet. I travelled from Kolkata to Bangkok by Air Asia flight. It took me around 13,000 INR for a round trip, but you can get a return ticket for as low as 4,000 INR from Kochi to Bangkok. From Kolkata, the cheapest return ticket I saw was available for 8,000 INR. These tickets are available on Air Asia’s website during the offer period. Good thing is that this airline keeps coming frequently with such tempting air fares.

Watch this video to know how was my first-time experience of travelling by Air Asia. It was unique because I had heard a lot of negatives about this airlines before this trip.

How is Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport

If you are travelling by Air Asia flight then you will land at Don Mueang International airport in Bangkok. Spicejet, Indigo and other full fare airlines are operated from the Suvarnabhumi International airport, Bangkok. Watch this video to know how is the Don Mueang airport and queries like –

Visa on arrival at Don Mueang Airport
Foreign exchange at the Don Mueang Airport
Free wifi at Don Mueang Airport
Mobile sim at Don Mueang Airport (But I don’t recommend to get it from the airport. Watch this)
Free tourist information and free city maps at Don Mueang Airport, etc.

No money for visa! What should you do then

By the way, I forgot to share that after reaching the Bangkok I had no money to buy the visa-on-arrival. I initially planned to withdraw Thai Baht from an ATM just after landing the airport, but please be informed that all the ATMs are located on the other side of the airport building which can be accessed only after getting the visa-on-arrival and doing with all the immigration formalities. But still, I managed to get Thai cash without getting the visa. Surprised! Ok, watch this video to know how did I do that !!

A-1 bus: Bangkok Airport to city in the most comfortable way

Let me inform you about the airport bus from Don Mueang Airport to the city centre. A-1 bus fare is 30 baht and takes 30 minutes from the Don Mueang Airport to Mo Chit, the place where the bus trip gets terminated. Mo Chit is inside the Bangkok city where you can take MRT/Metro train to reach anywhere or outstation buses from the Mo Chit bus terminal.

How to get a Tourist Sim in Thailand

Unlike my Europe trip, free wifi was not available easily wherever I travelled in Thailand. So I purchased a local mobile sim. There are three major cellular network providers in Thailand. TrueMove, DTAC and AIS. You can purchase a tourist sim at the airport for 300 Baht, but I won’t recommend the airport shops. I would rather advise getting the sim from any store in the city. Watch this video to know how I got the sim from MBK centre, a mega marketplace in the city of Bangkok which a shop hopper should not miss.

Documents for getting a Tourist Sim in Bangkok

Copy of your Passport
Copy of the Visa stamped on your passport
Thats it. Nothing else ;)

Vegetarian food in Bangkok

I am a vegetarian. I always have to face problems in getting vegetarian food whenever I am outside the country. There are many people in India and around the world who want to travel but getting vegetarian food is a big question. But believe me, it is not that difficult. Watch this video to know how I found vegetarian breakfast on the Day 1 in Bangkok. You’ll also come to know about a beautiful couple who helped me to have my breakfast at their place.

So just step out of your home leaving all the doubts and apprehensions and meet some of the wonderful people in different parts of the world. Stick to my blog and youtube channel to know how can you travel the globe in a cheaper way!

March 5, 2017 0 comment

Travel Guide Travelogue

Hua Hin : A family holiday destination in Thailand

by Siddhartha Saikia December 1, 2016

written by Siddhartha Saikia

Author – Siddhartha P Saikia
Thailand is mostly popular among Indian travellers as Bachelors’ Paradise. Destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya are being enthralled by visitors round the year. But, Thailand, on the other hand, is a beautiful country with pristine beaches and delicious seafood, which could also make up for a perfect destination for a family vacation. Most importantly, a trip to Thailand would not be heavy on your pocket as compared to Europe or even Singapore and Indonesia. That is why I recently visited Hua Hin : A family holiday destination in Thailand.

Finding Hua Hin as a destination for our this year’s annual holiday came from my wife Ishita, who is an excellent holiday planner particularly for offbeat destinations. HuaHin is a beautiful beach town, nearly three hours drive from Bangkok. We set out for our annual vacation from October 19 to October 25, 2016. Here is holiday calendar of 2017. Choose the best long weekends in 2017 & plan your family trip to Thailand.

Top reason to visit Hua Hin

If you love beaches, sand and tides coupled with seafood – Hua Hin is the place to be. It’s a small town with clean beaches, where one can relax throughout the day. In the evenings, one can head out to the night market, which would offer plenty options for shopping- clothes, accessories, footwear and yummy food! (Not sure about options for vegetarian travellers).

Hotels in Hua Hin

Hua Hin has myriad options to stay. From luxury resorts to budget guesthouses, options for accommodation in Hua Hin are many. Most of them are by the ocean and could offer a feeling of just sleeping on the beach. We stayed at a high-end resort Anantara Hua Hin Resort. (Cost: INR 50,000 including taxes, breakfast and one couple spa for 3 nights & 4 days). Click here to see pictures and book this resort on ‘Book now, pay when you reach there’ basis.

During my stay at Hua Hin, I came across fellow travellers were mostly from Europe and Japan. Most of them were either couples or in groups. I saw very few Indian tourists. More importantly did not come across a single ‘boys group’.

What to do in Hua Hin

Mornings could be relaxing. Most of the resorts offer a wide spread on the breakfast table. American and Thai recipes are common. One can try the authentic Thai noodle soup with pork or fish balls; omelettes, sausages, toasts are regular menu items. Health freaks could also go for fruits and juices. We had the tom yum goong soup with prawns in all our meals.

Relax at Hua Hin beaches

Hua Hin Sea Beach

After the breakfast, one can head to the thinly crowded beaches of Hua Hin. You can just lie down, read a book, sip a beer or wine. Options for sporting activities such as water scooter, parasailing are there.Another way to unwind oneself is to go for body massage from professional Thai masseurs. It is very refreshing.

Shop in Hua Hin town

In the evenings, one can head towards the Hua Hin town. Most of the resorts run their shuttle services until midnight charging about THB 50 per person. The shuttle service would drop you at the Clock Tower — the heart of Hua Hin. Around the Clock Tower are these night markets. These are long shopping streets with a wide range of clothes, accessories, footwear and much more. You can bargain at few shops to nearly half the price.

‘Eat, drink and be merry’

Dinner at these night markets is quite exciting. Mostly they serve seafood- prawns, oysters, lobster, shrimp, octopus, shellfish, the list is long. The eateries would display fresh eatables and one can choose his platter, which would be prepared fresh. Singha draught beer with grilled seafood could make up your trip memorable for years. Leo and Chang are other local beers available at every corner.

The Train Station

The Hua Hin train station is worth seeing. There is a small coffee joint at the trains station with a souvenir shop. This shop offers some interesting items, not commonly seen on streets.

Travelling to Cambodia border is very cheap as low as Rs 90 INR once you reach Thailand.  Read how to get a Cambodia Visa without any hassles and what is the best and cheapest way to travel Cambodia.

How to reach Hua Hin

Delhi to Bangkok by flight :

One will have to reach Bangkok first. Delhi has multiple direct flights to Bangkok. However, if time permits, one can take a flight via Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur or Colombo to make it cheaper. A direct flight from Delhi to Bangkok would costs about Rs 15,000-16,000 per person, while a longer flight could be Rs 3,000-5000 per person cheaper. I opted for Sri Lankan Airlines (Delhi-Colombo-Bangkok) and Indigo Airlines (Bangkok-Kolkata-Delhi) costing about Rs 50,000 for two adults plus a below two-year child.

In Bangkok :

One may also want to spend a day in Bangkok. We stayed for a night at Hotel Centra Central Bangkok (tariff about Rs 3,500 a night excluding breakfast including taxes), which is opposite to Hua Lamphong train station. It is the main train station of the city from where one can board to Hua Hin. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to the hotel costs THB 465 around 40 minutes in the morning.

Bangkok to Hua Hin by train :

Hua Hin

After reaching Bangkok, one could opt either a train, bus or a car to reach Hua Hin. Check out train options from Bangkok to Hua Hin trains at http://www.thailandtrainticket.com/ Trains take more than four to five hours for the journey. Not many AC trains are available. (Useful websites everyone should check before coming to Thailand)

However, one cannot buy a ticket online like IRCTC. Even if you pay online, the ticket would be delivered to a particular address at an extra cost. This is little complicated. So, I decided to reach Bangkok and buy the train ticket. Hua Lamphong train station has a separate counter for foreign tourists. (Video : Ticket counter at Hua Lamphong train station) But, when I went there the tickets on the train I wanted were over.

Bangkok to Hua Hin by Car :

I opted to go by car. I hired a Toyota Camry Hybrid for THB 1800 (all including) from http://huahincab.com/ I booked it online, and the driver reported at my hotel next morning at the specified time. The driver was polite, helpful and could speak broken English. They have the option to get a baby seat as well with an additional cost of THB 200. He was eager to help travellers directly without going through the company. His name is Tao and number is +66-623126697. The highway is smooth and the drive is scenic with an average speed of 100-120 km/h.

Hua Hin Hotels

Booking.com

Thai VISA for Indians

Thailand offers VISA on arrival for Indian tourists. However, if you are travelling with children or avoid waiting in queues at the airport, it is advisable to obtain the VISA before leaving. The process is simple and hassle free.

How to get Thailand VISA for Indians

The Thai VISA form is just a single page and simple, unlike those for the US and Schengen. One can take a print out of the VISA form from http://www.vfs-thailand.co.in/Delhi/contact_us.html. One needs to attach two photographs, flight tickets, hotel bookings and a credit card or bank statement with it. The VISA is granted in two working days. Fee is Rs 2,000 excluding service charge. For children, one of the parent needs to give an undertaking on a plain paper declaring to pay for his expenses.

Thailand VISA office in Delhi

The VFS office in Delhi is centrally located in New Delhi, near the Hindustan Times building at K G Marg in Connaught place. Address of the Thailand Visa Application Centre – 702 – 707, 7th Floor, Prakash Deep Building, 7 Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi 110001

For further queries comment below

December 1, 2016 0 comment